skip to main content

Changing Custom Doors from Inward to Outward Opening

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Our house have several custom glass doors with transom windows that swing inward. We'd like to change them to outward however in order to do so we must rebuild doors. The quote we received is insanely expensive, 4 doors $59,000, ouch! Should we just live with the inward opening doors? Is this quote outrageous? Any advice appreciated! This isn't the best picture but hopefully you can get the idea

Featured Answer

PRO

Coastal Home Design Studio

6 years ago

Hi Beth the door size may be custom but they look very standard. Yes 59,000 is expensive. I buys doors all day long for our jobs. Inward opening doors are nice and typical because they do not get drenched with rain, people coming in from the outside also do not have to awkwardly step back when you open the doors to let them in. The only reason I would ever change the swing on an exterior door is if it was an inconsequential back door, it is covered, and I absolutely had to find more space for my interior plan. But even that would be very rare. If it has to be done, change the door size slightly to get a standard size, and get a few more bids. Better yet, just keep them the way they are.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (15)

Katbv Vero
6 years ago
Sounds outrageous to anyone. Live with the inward doors for a while, a long while. You have better things to spend that 59,000. On, it looks to me. Great space. Do me a favor, Once everything is done, your going to open those doors inward and sing "the hills are alive, with the sounds of music" ha, always wanted to do that!
Related Discussions
Want to convert our sliding patio door to a French door using the same door but adding and changing hardware &
Q
Comments (17)
Patios are a safety improvement over the sliding ones. Presuming that you would like to DIY yourself. I can suggest few simple measures for it. First remove the trim and pull the nails out. Measure the doors and purchase Pre-Hung French Doors . Level and center the French doors and secure them. The next step is to insulate the doors. Try putting insulation into cracks in the jambs. Install the trim we removed at the beginning. Next step is paint or stain doors if you do not prefer the natural wood look. At times they are easier said than done. If you have difficulty in undertaking the project seek help from experienced hands. Try landmark home solutions, a window and door installation service who might give you some easy tips to get it done.
...See More
Need ideas for small open area above front door entrance
Q
Comments (11)
I LOVE this architectural detail. My first thought was to put a small custom mattress and some throw pillows up there, since you have access and make it into a little reading/snoozing area. Not sure if this would work because I don't know what you can see from below. Maybe a short two foot high rail across so no one falls down.Anyway... like the idea of being able to sneak away up there and hide out :-)
...See More
Changing sliding doors to French doors for closet
Q
Comments (13)
Because of the width difference, you would need to rebuild the frame around the closet doorway into or onto which you want to set your sliding doors as French doors; however, if your sliding doors have a wood frame or sufficient metal frame outside the glass to add hinges, it probably could be done. Whether or not it should be is another matter. You could rip out one of the vertical sides to the closet and the stud supporting it and widen the door opening or you'd need to create a new door opening in front of the existing one. You could remove the existing wood trim/frame around the closet, then add 1"x6" flat boards (not trim boards) to create a new frame around the door opening to cover any rough area or gap where the wall meets the board inside the door frame. You'd could then create a new frame onto which to add the hinges for your French doors by adding a board atop the 1"x6" boards, spaced as wide apart as you need in order to affix hinges to the edge of them and have the doors fit in between them.
...See More
HELP!!!!!! Back door opens into basement door
Q
Comments (22)
If we moved the door to the area where the window is, we would create the same problem with the door exiting the mud room to the driveway. My mone went there too! :) this is would be the best way to enter the basement. The other options would only be through the bathroom or office.
...See More
acm
6 years ago
where'd the photo go?
Beth O'Connor
Original Author
6 years ago
trying to edit to a better one and Houzz is taking forever
PRO
PPF.
6 years ago
Price new doors. The transom could probably be reused. They appear to be stock doors -- not custom.
Beth O'Connor
Original Author
6 years ago
The issue is the door and transom are one piece, not framed, They suggested replacing with Marvin Brand? Thank you
PRO
Restoring Muskogee
6 years ago
Oh Beth, someone is really out to get you on that price !
It can be done very simply not to mention for a lot less.

What area do you live in? My husband can do those all day long !

Currently, we are doing the same thing with one of our homes. The house was built in 1908 and brick mind you !

You can custom order doors with the frame already in. I won't go into detail about how it done unless you want me to.

This was once an exterior door before. The previous owners took the doors when they moved (people!). Because this home was built in 1930 the door standard sizes have changed. So instead of purchasing custom doors we bought two new ones off the shelf and just extended the wall and rebuilt the frame.

Find a good carpenter, send me photos of all doors and I'll fly my husband to you !

Cost of doors less than 300.00 install priceless !

The second set of photos. We added a door to the laundry area. Again someone took it out, covered it up. Cost of door 50.00 install and having a back door, priceless.
PRO
Restoring Muskogee
6 years ago
Second half...wish I had better photos for you.
flopsycat1
6 years ago
Agree with Coastal, inward swing makes the most practical sense. Why do you want hem to swing outward?
Beth O'Connor
Original Author
6 years ago
@flopsycat We live on the coast on Marsh and lots of humidity salt air. We discovered water damage under floor of four doors that swing inward so advised for them to swing outward. see this picture below I think we are going to square up the doors and order less expensive ones, make sense?
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
6 years ago
This is ridiculous get new doors and save big bucks and as far as I can tell the curved transoms are separate from the doors but the water damage will need to be adressed no matter how the doors open this is a bigger problem than changing door swing you are getting water here because of something not right outside.
livinginsb
6 years ago
Suggestion: check your local codes. I had to follow very specific guidelines to change my kitchen door to "out swing" to accommodate the space in my remodel. There are safety concerns when swinging out, like the drop of the step you are landing on. Check your codes, serious. There is a reason everybody has in swinging doors as a building standard.
PRO
Bourke Construction Inc.
6 years ago
Keep transome in place and change out door below..also get more bids.

appears to be way to expensive.

ed.
Fred S
6 years ago
R311.3.1 Floor elevations at the required egress doors.

Landings or finished floors at the required egress door shall not be more than 1 ½ inches (38 mm) lower than the top of the threshold.

Exception: The landing or floor on the exterior side shall not be more than 7 ¾ inches (196 mm) below the top of the threshold provided the door does not swing over the landing or floor.

.

R311.3.2 Floor elevations for other exterior doors.

Doors other than the required egress door shall be provided with landings or floors not more than 7 ¾ inches (196 mm) below the top of the threshold.

Exception: A landing is not required where a stairway of two or fewer risers is located on the exterior side of the door, provided the door does not swing over the stairway.

R311.3.3 Storm and screen doors.

Storm and screen doors shall be permitted to swing over all exterior stairs and landings.

.

http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/irc/2012/icod_irc_2012_3_sec011.htm?bu2=undefined
Beth O'Connor
Original Author
6 years ago
thanks everyone for all your advice and is greatly appreciated. We are definitely getting comps and discussing other options. All your comments are very helpful in this painful process!!!

Related Stories

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Household Habits and Customs to Borrow From Other Countries

By Елена Амбросимова

Discover why salt may be the perfect house-warming gift, how to clean rugs in snow and why you should invest in a pair of ‘toilet slippers’

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Major Changes Open Up a Seattle Waterfront Home

By Mitchell Parker

Taken down to the shell, this Tudor-Craftsman blend now maximizes island views, flow and outdoor connections

TRANSITIONAL HOMES Houzz Tour: Change of Heart Prompts Change of House

By Mary Jo Bowling

They were set for a New England look, but a weekend in the California wine country changed everything

BATHROOM DESIGN Light-Happy Changes Upgrade a Small Bathroom

By Becky Harris

Glass block windows, Starphire glass shower panes and bright white and blue tile make for a bright new bathroom design

DOORS Opening Acts: Folding, Sliding and Pivoting Doors

By Scheer & Co. Interior Design

Transform your space with glass doors that open dramatically to the breezes and the views

HOUZZ TOURS Design Lessons From a 10-Foot-Wide Row House

By Mitchell Parker

How to make a very narrow home open, bright and comfortable? Go vertical, focus on storage, work your materials and embrace modern design

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: New Tower Rises From a Midcentury Ranch House

By Annie Thornton

An Austin homeowner and her architect expand on the original vision of A.D. Stenger, who designed the ’60s-era home

REMODELING GUIDES 10 Features That May Be Missing From Your Plan

By Adam Hobill : Design

Pay attention to the details on these items to get exactly what you want while staying within budget

PORCH OF THE WEEK A Wraparound Goes From Unwelcoming to Irresistible

By Becky Harris

Renovating the porch adds neighborliness and charm to this 1908 Florida home

COTTAGE STYLE Lessons From Camp: Cottage Inspiration for Home

By Matthew Ankeny

Embrace the bones, and 11 other design tips from a reborn summer camp in the woods of Wisconsin

More Discussions

Need installation instructions for Igor tub Model HLBT10354GW

8

Buying a new house, need help with kitchen layout.

30

Ugly Quartz Seams

16

is hex tile hard to install, labor intensive?

7

Family room layout: large sectional or chaise/sofa?

11