Where should the gate open - inward or outward?
A question came from a reader: So, we decide where the gate should open - inward or outward? Outward - loops are visible. Inside - it will bring snow and not go. Advise, what is better and more correct?
The final part of the construction is the installation of the fence, and here it is very important to pay attention to the seemingly insignificant nuance - the gate. Which way should it open, inward or outward?
Nowadays, pendulum gates that open in both directions are very popular - they make it possible to manage cattle grazing without any problems, and they are also convenient to use by humans.
But, in old houses all over the country, there are a lot of gates, where gates and gates open exactly inside. And the builders had a lot of reasons for that.
Why did the gates open into the courtyard before?
First of all, in the past, water was carried from a well, firewood was brought from the street, and in general they dragged everything they could into the yard. Would you be able to quickly enter the courtyard if the gate was swinging outward? Of course not. It is not comfortable. But a simple kick with a foot opened the gate, and it was possible to pass freely with any burden.
But there is one more important nuance, why the gate must necessarily open inward, whether it be saloon pendulum hinges or a simple mechanism inside the yard. In our climatic conditions, there is often a lot of snow in the winter. And when the gate opens outward, you have to get up in the morning, climb over the fence and clear the space in order to somehow open the gate and get out of the yard.
But, if the gate swings open inward, you will only have to clean the inside of the courtyard, and what is behind the courtyard will no longer be such a big problem.
Why is it now recommended that the wicket open outward?
There are logical explanations for opening the gate to the outside. For example, according to fire safety rules, the sash should open exactly outward, so that during a panic, a large number of people do not block the gate with the pressure of bodies, pressing it to the frame. But, if a large number of people do not gather in your house, then this point can be neglected. Although, of course, it is easier to run out of the yard in case of fire through the opening gate outside.
But the fact that the frame of the gate opening outward is more difficult to break or squeeze out, since it is pressed against the posts, can be taken into account when choosing an opening method.
And also the gate should not interfere with pedestrians outside the yard. This is also very important. If the sidewalk begins immediately behind the gate, then it is better to make a gate inward so as not to hit people passing by.
Most experts (except for firefighters) argue that the gate should open into the courtyard - it is practical, convenient, and does not create any discomfort in operation.