I’m Josh, and after a decade as a locksmith, I can tell you that How to Secure a Door That Swings Outward is one of the most underestimated problems we see — especially around Tempe, AZ, where newer construction and patio entrances off the alley behind Mill Avenue frequently feature outswing doors. The good news? This is a very solvable problem. You don’t need to replace the door. You just need the right hardware installed in the right order.
Why Outswing Doors Need a Different Security Strategy
A standard inswing door resists kick-ins because the frame catches the force. An outswing door flips that geometry — the deadbolt throw and hinge pins are now the primary attack surfaces. Exposed hinges are the biggest issue: a determined person with a pin punch can knock them out in under a minute. That’s not fear-mongering, it’s just physics. The fixes below address each weak point directly.
If you want to understand what intruders actually target first, our post on whether burglars actually pick locks is worth a read — the answer might genuinely surprise you.
The Outswing Door Security Checklist
Work through these in order. Each one closes a specific vulnerability. Together, they give you a door that’s genuinely hard to defeat without serious noise and time — and that’s exactly what deters a real attempt.
- Replace exposed hinge pins with security studs. Standard outswing hinges expose the pin on the outside. Security hinges — or a set-screw conversion — lock the pin in place so it can’t be tapped out. This is the single highest-priority fix on any exterior outswing door.
- Install a Grade 1 deadbolt rated for outswing applications. Not every deadbolt is built for outswing geometry. Look for ANSI/BHMA Grade 1 hardware specifically tested for outswing doors, with a full 1-inch throw. Our deep-dive on Grade 1 deadbolt installation walks through what the rating actually means.
- Add a door barricade bar or outswing security bar. These brace against the floor or frame interior and make the door nearly immovable from outside. They work independently of the lock, so even a compromised deadbolt leaves the door standing firm.
- Reinforce the strike plate and frame. On an outswing door the strike plate is still the lock’s anchor point into the frame. A 3-inch screw upgrade and a heavy-gauge strike box make forced entry far harder. Pair this with our guide on anti-kick door reinforcement for the full picture.
- Consider a surface-mount outswing deadbolt or door armor. For doors where a standard mortise deadbolt isn’t practical, a surface-mount security bolt or a full door armor kit wraps the vulnerable edge in steel. These are popular on older Tempe, AZ rental properties near Apache Boulevard where frames have softened over time.
- Check the door gap with a feeler gauge. A gap wider than 1/8 inch at the latch side lets a burglar insert a shim or pry bar. Weatherstripping rated for security applications — dense neoprene or a door sweep with a steel core — closes that gap and adds a layer of resistance.
- Use a double-cylinder deadbolt thoughtfully. On a door with glass panels near the lock, a double-cylinder deadbolt (keyed both sides) removes the smash-and-turn attack. Important caveat: keep a key accessible for fire egress. This is worth a conversation with a licensed locksmith before you install it.
Security isn’t about one perfect lock — it’s about layering small obstacles until the effort outweighs the reward. That’s true on the mat, and it’s true at your front door.
When It’s Time to Call a Pro Instead of DIYing It
Some of these upgrades are straightforward weekend work. Others — door armor installation, mortise deadbolt retrofits on steel-frame doors, hinge replacement without warping the door — genuinely benefit from a technician with the right tools. If you’ve moved into a home in Tempe, AZ near Tempe Town Lake or the neighborhoods off Rural Road and you’re not sure what hardware the previous owner left behind, a security audit takes less than an hour and tells you exactly where you stand.
Curious whether you can handle rekeying yourself? Our honest breakdown of what DIY rekeying gets right and wrong will help you decide before you commit. And if you want to go deeper on what separates truly high-security hardware from the box-store alternatives, the ANSI/BHMA grading guide from BHMA is the industry standard reference.
We serve homeowners across Tempe, AZ and AZ — and we’re known for showing up with the right hardware on the first visit, not a callback. Call Sundial Locksmith at (480) 525-7778 for same-day outswing door security service. We’ll assess your door, recommend only what you actually need, and install it right the first time.
Some content on this site is AI-assisted and may not reflect exact current details — please verify with Sundial Locksmith at (480) 525-7778. Learn more.
