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Light hearted question about doors.

I'm a great fan of Scandi Noir on BBC4 and Walter Presents.  (In facting I'm watching Blue Eyes again on Walter).

One thing that has always struck me ever since first* watching Wallander is "Why do Scandanavian doors all seem to open outwards and not inwards?"

It seems to be equally true of internal doors and external doors; front doors, back doors, room doors, hotel room doors.  Why?  I'd have thought that in a country with significant snowfall it would make no sense to have doors that all open outwards.  The only advantage I can think of (and particularly useful in Scandi Noir) is that it would be much more difficult for a fugitive to barricade themselves in a house or room.

Does anyone know why?

*Strangely enough I'd never noticed before even though I'd been to Sweden!

Comments

  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,216 Forumite
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    My front door opens outwards. Darned useful when you get a cold caller that insists on standing right in front of the door hoping to put a foot in when it opens. Often ends badly for him :p
    Not so good when "stuff" is delivered and 'erbert stacks the boxes in front of the door....
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  • pollypenny
    pollypenny Posts: 29,414 Forumite
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    I'm a great fan of Scandi Noir on BBC4 and Walter Presents.  (In facting I'm watching Blue Eyes again on Walter).

    One thing that has always struck me ever since first* watching Wallander is "Why do Scandanavian doors all seem to open outwards and not inwards?"

    It seems to be equally true of internal doors and external doors; front doors, back doors, room doors, hotel room doors.  Why?  I'd have thought that in a country with significant snowfall it would make no sense to have doors that all open outwards.  The only advantage I can think of (and particularly useful in Scandi Noir) is that it would be much more difficult for a fugitive to barricade themselves in a house or room.

    Does anyone know why?

    *Strangely enough I'd never noticed before even though I'd been to Sweden!
    We're intrigued by these doors, too, first noticing them on a trip to Norway.  

    OH's theory is that they push any snow away. However, that doesn't apply to flats or internal house doors. 
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  • JGB1955
    JGB1955 Posts: 3,729 Forumite
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    According to google it's ......

    Doors open outwards in Sweden because, traditionally, Swedish homes had double-entrance doors. One door opened outward, away from the home. Another door opened inward, swinging into the home. The purpose of the double-door entrance was for warmth, spaciousness, and safety.
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  • I'm a great fan of Scandi Noir on BBC4 and Walter Presents.  (In facting I'm watching Blue Eyes again on Walter).

    One thing that has always struck me ever since first* watching Wallander is "Why do Scandanavian doors all seem to open outwards and not inwards?"

    It seems to be equally true of internal doors and external doors; front doors, back doors, room doors, hotel room doors.  Why?  I'd have thought that in a country with significant snowfall it would make no sense to have doors that all open outwards.  The only advantage I can think of (and particularly useful in Scandi Noir) is that it would be much more difficult for a fugitive to barricade themselves in a house or room.

    Does anyone know why?

    *Strangely enough I'd never noticed before even though I'd been to Sweden!
    We're intrigued by these doors, too, first noticing them on a trip to Norway.  

    OH's theory is that they push any snow away. However, that doesn't apply to flats or internal house doors. 
    Thanks.  But if the snow is deep enough (it is Sweden!) you wouldn't be able to open the door at all... ?
  • JGB1955 said:
    According to google it's ......

    Doors open outwards in Sweden because, traditionally, Swedish homes had double-entrance doors. One door opened outward, away from the home. Another door opened inward, swinging into the home. The purpose of the double-door entrance was for warmth, spaciousness, and safety.
    Thanks.  Why was it safer?  
  • Belenus
    Belenus Posts: 2,697 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 20 October 2021 at 3:50PM
    JGB1955 said:
    According to google it's ......

    Doors open outwards in Sweden because, traditionally, Swedish homes had double-entrance doors. One door opened outward, away from the home. Another door opened inward, swinging into the home. The purpose of the double-door entrance was for warmth, spaciousness, and safety.
    Thanks.  Why was it safer?  
    Possibly because it is harder to force open a door that opens outwards.

    You can shoulder charge or kick open an inwards opening door far more easily than an outwards opening door.
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