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The best direction for a gate to swing depends on its location and purpose, but swinging inward is the general rule. An inward swing is often considered safer, prevents the gate from opening into public spaces like a sidewalk, and may be required by local building codes.

There are exceptions and specific considerations. If your property is on a slope, an inward swing might not be possible. For a deck gate, it's safest to have it swing away from any steps. In a backyard, the direction can be a matter of preference, though an inward swing can be helpful when carrying heavy items like a wheelbarrow into a garden.

Regardless of direction, ensure the gate can open fully without hitting any objects or blocking spaces. While an inward swing is standard, a gate that can swing both in and out offers the most flexibility if your setup allows for it.

Most modern, standard doors are 1 ⅜-inches thick, so you should aim for this thickness unless you're building a door to replace an antique door or fit into a non-standard wall opening. Thickness varies when installing a pocket door or sliding barn door, so a good rule of thumb is to measure your existing door, if possible. For standard doors, you can also measure from the inside of the door to the door stop to gauge the proper thickness.

A fire door can cost anywhere from $400 to $1,350 to purchase and have installed. The cost comes from the price of the door, which can be anywhere from $400 to $900 or more, and the cost of labor, which should be contracted out considering that fire doors are a safety measure. Most contractors will take between two and four hours to install one door.

Installing a dog door into an existing door is a quicker, easier project than installing one in a wall. Installing a pet door into a wall requires cutting through your home’s drywall, ensuring no pipes or wires are cut, and sealing the new opening so as not to compromise the safety and stability of your home’s walls, all of which may be a bigger project than many homeowners are looking to undertake.