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LHO exterior door – exposed hinges

peedee | Posted in General Discussion on July 26, 2008 09:57am

I recently installed an exterior LH [edited to correct – _outswing_] door and realized that with the hinge barrels exposed to the exterior there’s not much security. How is this generally handled?
Thanks,
David

(I’ve heard tale of “Outswing doors are manufactured with special non-removable hinge pins for security reasons.” – True?)


Edited 7/26/2008 10:51 pm ET by peedee

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  1. frammer52 | Jul 26, 2008 10:50pm | #1

    yes

  2. User avater
    Matt | Jul 26, 2008 11:13pm | #2

    Did you try removing the hinge pins?

    1. peedee | Jul 27, 2008 01:36am | #3

      I'm not sure why you ask, but the door was put back on after installation (so yes, they are removable).

      1. davidmeiland | Jul 27, 2008 01:56am | #4

        What does LH mean? Left hand? In any case, if it's an inswing door the hinge barrels are inside and not accessible from outdoors.... right?

        Outswing doors often have NRP hinges... non-removable pins.... usually accomplished by a small set screw that secures the pin and is only accessible when the hinge is open (i.e. the door is open).

      2. calvin | Jul 27, 2008 02:00am | #5

        In residential outswings the security is usually attempted with a tab on the hinge leaf that mates up with a hole in the other leaf---when closed.  If you remove the pin the tab trys to keep the hinge leaf from sliding out, unless you open the door.  So, if they can't pry it over enough it probably is as secure as the smallest window in the house.

        Commercial non-removable pin hinges, there's a set screw in one barrell that allows you to tighten down into a groove in the pin-which keeps the pin in the barrells.  Still, only as secure as the windows, but better than residential.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

        Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

        http://www.quittintime.com/

         

      3. User avater
        Matt | Jul 27, 2008 02:44am | #6

        You remove the door slab from the jambs, install the jambs, and then reinstall the door slab????

  3. User avater
    Gene_Davis | Jul 27, 2008 03:29am | #7

    Solutions would be either riveted pins, interlocking tab on leaves, or ball-bearing hinges with nonremovable pins.

     

    View Image

    "A stripe is just as real as a dadgummed flower."

    Gene Davis        1920-1985

    1. davidmeiland | Jul 27, 2008 04:39am | #8

      Someone throw me a bone... why is he talking about exposed barrels on an inswing door? It's pretty clear from his first post.

      1. Boats234 | Jul 27, 2008 04:44am | #10

        Maybe he's trying to keep the inmates inside  ;-)

      2. User avater
        Matt | Jul 28, 2008 01:35pm | #13

        I think he messed up and said inswing when he meant to say (type) outswing.

  4. User avater
    BillHartmann | Jul 27, 2008 04:40am | #9

    You can convert an regular hinge into a security hinge.

    Drill a hole in the jamb side of the hings and install a #12 or 3/8" lag screw. Cut the head off so that shaft sticks out aobut 3/8".

    Then drill a large diamenter hole in the door side of the hinge to accept the shaft.

    .
    .
    A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
    1. peedee | Jul 27, 2008 05:48am | #11

      my bad, the subject has it right, a LHO(utswing)... I believe some interpreted my intent although I lost accuracy in the posting itself.
      David

  5. Steinmetz | Jul 28, 2008 12:49pm | #12

    P D,
    With one hinge removed, drill a 1/8' hole into (but not through)one of it's barrels (Be sure to select the barrel that rotates along with the inserted pin.)

    No need to penetrate all the way through the pin.
    Then, screw a # 6 sized hardened drywall screw into the hole 'til it snaps off.

    Those sawn off lag screws are also a good trick, but apply and try each one at a time to insure you're not boring too much material from the jamb.

    Builders hardware and some locksmith suppliers sell jamb pin brackets that apply using two small screws and a bit of mortising.

    A lot of people prefer outswinging exterior doors, as they offer safer egress in an emergency. (Also, they can't be kicked in as easily as an inswing.)



    Edited 7/28/2008 5:59 am ET by Steinmetz

    1. peedee | Jul 28, 2008 06:34pm | #14

      Thanks for the thoughtful and comprehensive response. I've got enough to go on now.
      Regards,
      David

      1. User avater
        Matt | Jul 29, 2008 04:01am | #15

        The ones my BS supplies come with the little set screw in the hinges.

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