Take a moment to think about the entry doors in your house. Do they open inward or outward? If you picked the first choice, you’re not alone—the entry doors of most homes open inward. But is that the best thing? Not in the case of severe winds. That’s because inward opening doors actually work with the wind to blow open. I know several people who learned this firsthand as they struggled to keep their front doors closed during a hurricane (Remember—keeping wind out of the house is key to keeping your roof on in severe winds). On the other hand, if entry doors open outward, the wind actually helps to keep them closed. So, if you’re building a new home now or thinking about replacing your existing home’s entry doors, consider installing outward opening entry doors. It’s an easy way to strengthen your home against high winds.
Credit: Federal Alliance for Safe Homes – FLASH, Inc.