Exterior door hinge pins on the outside
Most exterior doors on a house swing in, so the hinges sit on the inside where no one outdoors can reach them. When a door swings out, the hinges end up on the outside, and so do the exterior door hinge pins. On a standard hinge, those pins can be tapped out with a nail and a hammer. Once the pins are out, the hinge side of the door can be pried open and the door lifted out of the frame, even with the deadbolt still locked.
The good news is that this is one of the easier security problems to fix. This guide explains where we usually find exposed hinge pins, how to tell if a door is vulnerable, what the finding means in an inspection report, and the simple hardware that solves it.
Where we find hinge pins on the outside
Around Fargo-Moorhead, we most often see removable hinge pins on the exterior side of:
- Garage service doors, the walk-through door on the side of an attached or detached garage
- Doors on sheds, shops and other outbuildings
- Some entry doors and replacement doors that were installed to swing out, often to save interior floor space
- Commercial buildings, where building codes require many exit doors to swing out in the direction people leave the building
An out-swinging door is not a defect by itself. It just needs the right hinges.
How to tell if your door is vulnerable
Step outside, close the door and look at the hinge side. If you can see the round barrels of the hinges, look at the top of each barrel.
- A pin with a rounded or flat cap you could tap up from below is a standard, removable pin.
- A hinge marked NRP, or a pin with a small set screw in the barrel, is likely a non-removable pin hinge. Most of these lock the pin with a set screw that can only be reached when the door is open.
- Hinges you can’t see at all from outside mean the door swings in, and this issue doesn’t apply.
While you’re there, check whether the door is solid. A security upgrade at the hinges does little on a hollow-core door or a soft, damaged frame.
What this finding means in an inspection report
During a home inspection, we look at exterior doors for how they open, close, latch and seal. When a door has removable hinge pins on the exterior side, we note it and recommend security hinges or non-removable pins.
This is a safety and security recommendation, not a sign that anything is broken. It is a low-cost fix that is easy to put off and forget, so it is worth adding to your to-do list after you move in. It matters most on a door that leads into the house, such as an attached garage door or an entry door, and on outbuildings where you store tools, bikes or equipment.
How to fix exposed hinge pins
There are three common fixes. Any of them keeps the door in place even if someone gets to the hinge pins.
1. Non-removable pin (NRP) hinges. The simplest permanent fix is to swap the existing hinges for NRP hinges of the same size and finish. The pin is locked into the barrel, usually by a set screw that can only be reached with the door open. In most cases the new hinges fit the existing hinge cutouts, so this is a short job for a handy homeowner or a carpenter.
2. Hinge security pins or studs. These keep the door locked to the frame on the hinge side even if the pins are removed. The California Attorney General’s home security guide describes the basic method: remove a screw from the middle of each hinge leaf on the frame side, install a headless screw or pin that sticks out about half an inch, and drill a matching hole in the leaf on the door. When the door is closed, the pin slides into the hole. Ready-made security stud kits work the same way.
3. Re-hanging the door to swing in. The same guide notes that hinges can be remounted so the door swings inward. That moves the hinges inside, but it is a larger job that often involves the frame, threshold and weatherstripping, so it is usually saved for a door that is being replaced anyway.
Whichever fix you choose, also check the screws. Police crime prevention guides recommend replacing short hinge and strike plate screws with 3-inch screws that reach the wall framing. Seattle Police suggest at least one long screw in each hinge. A strong hinge held on by short screws in the door jamb is still the weak link.
Other ways to strengthen an out-swinging door
Hinge pins are only one part of door security. While you’re working on the door:
- Use a solid door. The California Attorney General’s guide recommends solid-core doors at least 1-3/4 inches thick for exterior doors. For a door between an attached garage and the house, solid doors also matter for fire separation.
- Install a deadbolt with a 1-inch throw. Police guides agree that the deadbolt should extend at least one inch into the frame.
- Reinforce the strike. A heavy-duty strike plate installed with long screws into the framing helps the latch side resist being kicked or pried.
- Add a latch guard. On out-swinging doors, a metal latch guard over the gap between the door and frame makes it harder to pry the latch.
- Keep the door working. A door that sticks or doesn’t fully latch often gets left unlocked. Adjust it so it closes and latches easily.
If the door is part of a garage, also keep an eye on the overhead door. Our guide to garage door opener safety walks through the monthly auto-reverse and photo eye tests.
Exterior door hinge pins: common questions
Can someone really remove a door by taking out the hinge pins?
On a standard hinge, yes. The pin is what holds the two halves of the hinge together. With the pins removed, the hinge side of the door can be pried open even when the lock side is still locked. Non-removable pins or security studs prevent that.
Are non-removable pin hinges expensive?
NRP hinges are standard hardware and are sold in the same sizes and finishes as regular door hinges. For most residential doors, replacing the hinges is a small project. Check the size, corner shape and finish of your existing hinges before you buy.
Do interior doors need security hinges?
Usually not. Security hinges matter on doors that separate the inside of a home or building from the outside, or that protect a space you want to keep secure, such as a garage, shop or storage room.
Should my exterior doors swing in or out?
Most house entry doors swing in, but out-swinging doors are common on garages, outbuildings and commercial buildings. Either works as long as the hinges are secure. For commercial buildings, the swing of exit doors is set by the building code, so don’t change it without checking with the building official.
Does a home inspection cover door security?
A home inspection looks at the condition and operation of exterior doors, and we point out security issues like removable hinge pins when we see them. It is not a full security assessment. Learn more about what we look at in our home buyer’s inspection and homeowner inspection.
Sources
- California Attorney General’s Office, Crime and Violence Prevention Center. Home Security Hardware (A9-7360), hosted by the City of Paramount, CA.
- Seattle Police Department, Crime Prevention. Home Security: Door Security.
- Edmonton Police Service. Door Security.
- Village of University Park, IL, Police Department. Door Security crime prevention tip.