I am in the process of designing a custom home. We are considering using outswing exterior doors from the master bedroom and great room to the rear patio. Since the house is to be barrier free for wheelchair use, the elevation of the patio and the house slab is to be the same. I know outswing doors are commonly used in commercial construction but rarely in residential construction.

Does anyone have experience with outswing doors or know of any reason why we should not do this?

 

While not as common I've painted quite a few houses where the man door on the attached garage swung out. Just want to make sure that it will be secure. Many will have a little 'hook' incorporated into the hinge so the door can't be lifted out if someone removes the hinge pins.

 

The main problem that arises when you have a door sill that is the same elevation inside and out is water infiltration. This happens all the time when a contractor pours a patio or sidewalk right up to a door with no elevation change... with no drop, water finds its way into the structure under or around the door opening. Additionally, the thickness of future floor coverings and/or rugs can interfere with the door swing when the door does not have a standard residential threshold.

Nothing wrong with outswinging doors, but the commercial style low/no profile is a problem when used in a residential setting. A better solution is to use standard residential thresholds and add ADA ramps and transitions as needed.