Once again, here is the video.
One of the things in south Florida is that many homes have doors that open outward, so the concept of kicking in a door is laughable and impossible. Rather than one point of support at the lock, you have a full frame embossed in the structure making the resistance against kicks, rams, etc.
There is one drawback: the lock latch are exposed. But the solution is simple and not expensive: A latch guard plate.
There are variations on the theme and length for business and home. The other complain I heard was that the hinges are exposed and can be taken out, something I have not heard ever happening but in the movies. But if you are paranoid enough, you can pin the pin and make sure it takes death and an anvil to remove it.
I have seen police serving a search warrant on a home with an out-opening door and using a Halligan bar. It took them a lot of time and made a racket which is the point if you are considering a Home Invasion response: Warning of people coming in and time enough to implement a defense.
And yes, with the proper amount of power tools, an out-opening door can be defeated, but I doubt your average Home Invader is carrying a van full of Makita to go ron your TV and laptop.
Security has to be done in layers, not one system alone does the trick. Motion Sensor lights, surveillance camera also with motion sensor warning alarms, out-opening doors and even the family chihuahua on meth are layers that the bad guys need to defeat to reach you and our family. It may happen, but chances are you will be ready to apply the last layer of defense and that can get very final for them.
I am not impressed by the marksmanship displayed in this video.
The goal was to stop the home invasion. Achieved.
Good Advice.
Code in our state requires inward opening doors. The aluminum & glass “screen door” opens outwards.
Doors that I don’t use have something put in front of them, like a large chair. The side door in the garage has a big box wedged between it and the work bench. These will slow them down, but is easy to move if I need out.
I agree with Miguel. You want early warning, as many delays as you can get, and for them to give up and leave. Hitting the bad guy may be viscerally satisfying, but it can cause problems. If she or he hit any of the invaders, it would be a lot more paperwork, police and possibly prosecutors investigation and a lot more money to the defense lawyer.
Unless you have a stash house, they aren’t likely to return.
I’ve read that inward-opening doors date back to Rome, where an outward-opening door was seen as private use of public space. They didn’t have screen doors and the like, of course. r
Interesting that it’s required by code — is there a specific reason given?
Our south Florida home was built over 30 years ago, but has several features on the doors I like. They are steel outward-opening (which I thought was code for fire safety exiting), deadbolt lock and the hinge plates have a projection that prevents the door from moving even when the hinge pins are removed. It must be opened partially to unlock the hinge plates.
Also have a locking gate at the entrance to our fenced property and three alert dogs that let me know when something is going on – which is not always a good thing!