Should Your Iron Security Door Swing Inward or Outward?

At Allied Iron, we know that even the smallest decisions—like the direction your iron security door swings—can have a major impact on your home’s safety, convenience, and emergency preparedness. Should it open inward or outward? While it might seem like a minor detail, the direction your door swings matters more than most homeowners realize. Let’s break down the key factors.

Understanding the Basics of Your Security Door's Swing

A security door’s swing direction refers to how it opens—either into the home (inward) or away from it (outward). This choice affects how easily you can exit during an emergency, how resistant the door is to forced entry, and even how the door interacts with your existing entryway and screen doors.

Most all iron security doors are installed to swing outward—and for good reason.

Resistance to Forced Entry

Outward swinging security doors offer superior resistance to forced entry. Why?

• The hinges are mounted outside, but with welded on hinges, and tamper-proof pins, they’re nearly impossible to break.

• Pushing a door inward (as in forced entry attempts) is naturally easier than pulling it outward. An outward-swinging door takes advantage of this physics, making it harder to breach.

• Allied Iron uses welded steel frames and heavy-duty one-way bolts to ensure strength no matter which way your door swings.

Preventing “Prying” Attacks

One common break-in technique is “prying” the door near the latch with a crowbar or similar tool. Outward swinging doors minimize the gap between the door and the frame, making it much harder for tools to gain leverage.

At Allied Iron, our doors are designed with tight tolerances and robust materials to eliminate these vulnerabilities. We can also add reinforced lock guards and flush-mounted frames for extra protection.

Emergency Egress: Can You Get Out Fast?

During a fire or other emergency, you want a door that won’t slow you down. Both inward and outward swinging doors can be designed to meet egress safety codes, but there are differences:

• Inward doors feel more intuitive during an evacuation, especially if you’re carrying children or pets.

• However, outward swinging security doors do not block interior pathways and allow for clean, fast exit paths when properly installed.

Final Thoughts: What’s Right for Your Home?

At Allied Iron, we recommend outward swinging security doors for maximum protection. They:

• Resist forced entry better

• Prevent pry attacks more effectively

• Maintain clear exit routes when installed correctly

That said, each home is unique. Our expert team can guide you through the best option based on your doorway structure, usage, and security priorities.

Ready to Secure Your Entryway?

Contact Allied Iron today for a free estimate and let’s make your home safer—one iron door at a time.