Which Way Should a Screen Door Swing? (Find Out Now!)

Unless you’ve installed a front door before, you’ve likely never considered which way a screen door should swing – in or out, left or right? There are a number of considerations that must be made before you choose, which we’ve compiled to help you make an informed decision.

Doors installed on the exterior of your home swing in or out depending on the type of door it is. For instance, entry doors are almost always hung to swing inward, with the hinges installed inside of the jam. This keeps the hinges secure and prevents burglars from unhinging them to gain entry into the home.

By contrast, screen doors are usually installed to swing outward. They are meant to serve as a barrier to main entry door, preventing both doors from rotating inward if something crashes into them. Though, in-swing screen doors are a preference among some homeowners and may be required in certain situations.

Whereas, the direction that your screen door swings ultimately comes down to personal preference. You’ll need to examine your front porch space to determine the safest and most efficient way for the screen door to open. Overall, a good rule of thumb is that you want the handle of the screen door to be on the same side as the exterior access door. Though, there are instances where this does not apply.

As the name suggests, screen doors are essentially composed of a flyscreen that is surrounded by a frame. They are installed on the outside of an exterior access door, allowing air, light, wind, and noise to still enter the home when the exterior access door is open. Screen doors are commonly made with interchangeable panels and a variety of materials, such as fiberglass, wood, or aluminum.

These doors are not to be confused with storm doors, which feature glass panels instead of screens. Regardless, screen doors still provide security, style, and ventilation to the home. During the spring and summer months, the main door can be opened and the screen door can allow you to enjoy sunny days without unwelcome pests getting inside.

Whereas, in colder months, screen doors will keep the exterior access door and the interior of your home protected from snow, rain, and cold conditions.

When it comes to door installation, there aren’t really any set-in-stone industry standards or codes established by state regulations. Though, there are guiding principles that can help determine which way your doors should swing. A general rule of thumb is that interior doors should swing open into the room.

With exterior doors, they may swing in or out depending on the type of door. For instance, entry doors will almost always be installed to swing inward. By installing the hinges inside of the door jam, they stay secure and out of reach of burglars. Meanwhile, screen doors or storm doors are usually installed to swing outward. Though, in-swing screen doors are a preference among some homeowners and may be required in certain situations.

There are some instances where an in-swing screen door may be required instead of a traditional swing-style screen door that opens to the exterior. For example, when a screen door is installed above exterior steps, the door must open inward for safety reasons.

The International Building Code (IBC), which many building departments abide by, states that a screen door must swing inward if there are three or more steps leading to the door. The only exception is if there is a landing in place. If you plan to install a screen porch on an existing deck that does not have a landing, it must be an in-swing door to be in compliance with code.

Ultimately, the choice of whether your screen door opens inward or outward should be based on creating a clear doorway path. When opening a screen door, it shouldn’t create any interference between your entrance and exit to your home.

In addition to whether a screen door should swing inwards or outwards, you’ll also need to determine which direction you want the door to open – left or right? In most cases, this is a matter of personal preference. However, there are several things you’ll want to keep in mind if your goal is to blend in with the rest of your neighbors.

For starters, all measurements assume that you are viewing the screen door from the outside of your home. Depending on where you purchase the door from, they may need to know the hinging or the handing. Hinging can be either right or left and is established by the side you want the hinges on. Handing, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. It is determined based on which side that you want the door handle to be on.

As a good rule of thumb, you typically want the handle of your screen door to be on the same side as your exterior access door. That’s how it’s commonly done, but there are some instances where the opposite is the case. For instance, if you have a wall near the opening of the door, it’s best to have the door open towards a wall that is 12 inches or less from an entryway.

This ensures that the flow of traffic is not interrupted, meaning no one has to open the door and then walk around it to get into the home. It also means that the screen door won’t be in your way when you attempt to exit or enter the house. Regardless, the position of the door handle should be easily accessible. Try to avoid any location that may potentially involve scraping your hands on a nearby structure just to get to the handle.