There are a couple reasons I can think of:
1. If they open outward you would knock visitors off the steps opening the door.
2. If snow piles up you wouldn't be able to open the door at all.
Building codes vary from state to state and even within the states. Check yours to see if it is allowed.

there is also more security with an inswing door.

...also, a door that's on the "inside" of the door frame is better protected from the elements.

A door that opens in has the hinge pins on the inside, preventing someone from the outside from removing them. Also, you may still want a storm/screen door installed so that you'll have some ventilation when you want it.

Ooh! I just saw a "This Old House" episode from Florida where they recommend outward opening entry doors so hurricane winds won't blow them in.

[This message has been edited by KosmicCarp (edited April 22, 2001).]

They make outswinging doors that have pins that cannot be removed now. I guess more and more people are considering outswinging doors for patios. I just ordered two sets. The rooms are too small to accommodate the inswing, but I still wanted the look of the French doors. My front doors will remain inswinging.

I have just purchased a new home and the back door opens out. The problem is the hinges are exposed to the outside and are removeable.
Please advise on how to secure this door.
And is there building codes on installing exterior doors with hinges that can be removed from the outside?

Inswing doors are more easily kicked in by a burglar so an outswing door will be more secure as long as the hinges are not removeable and/or the door has pins extending into the frame to prevent removal even if the hinges are removed. Outswing also offers better sealing from winds. Have heard of some communities that have codes not allowing outswing doors because they are so much more difficult for emergency responders to break down?

[This message has been edited by LDoyle (edited March 01, 2003).]

R Hunter - hi, while working in US government security, we used to see lots of outward opening doors with exposed hinges that needed the hinge pins secured. There's two ways to do this, and the solution you choose depends on whether or not you may need to remove the door easily.

First - you can spot-weld the top of the hinge pin to the hinge itself. You'll have to only do so in one spot, to allow the hinge pint to rotate with the hinge as the door opens/closes. Obviously, once you do this, you'd have to pull the entire hinge out from the door frame, or off the door, to remove the door in the future. One drawback to this is that a determined burglar could simply saw through the spot weld, given enough time and access. (For instance, if the home's not occupied full-time...)

Second - you can drill a hole through the hinge, into (but not through) the hinge pin, and insert a set screw. You'd open the door and mark the spot for drilling so that it can't be accessed while the door is closed. You'd drill the hole and you'd probably have to remove the hinge pin & set it in a vise to drill & tap the hole in the hinge pin. When you insert the set screw, you'd drive it in until it's flush with the surface of the hinge. That way, you should be able to open and close the door without scratching anything. It also won't damage the set screw head so you can extract it when you want to remove the door by removing the hinge pins.

We'd always recommend either of these treatments be done to the top and bottom hinges on a door. I'd think a good locksmith could do the set screw method for you if you don't have the tools (tap & die set) to take it on yourself. Also, you may want to find an old scrap hinge & pin to experiment with. I hope this helps you some - regards! Jim D/Heathsville, VA

http://www.screenex.com/
great screen for doors opening out
helen