*** Door Contact for out swing door

Mp333

Mp333

Active Member
I have one out swing door. Would like to what are the best options in wireless and hardwired for alarm door contact for out swing door. Out swing makes it little bit challenging as the contact point is on the outside exposed as there is no brick mold to cover as it does on a in swing door.
I can do either hardwired or Honeywell wireless.

Thanks
 
I'm confused... all doors, whether inswing or outswing have an interior section where a contact could be placed. Am I missing something?
 
drvnbysound said:
I'm confused... all doors, whether inswing or outswing have an interior section where a contact could be placed. Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
True. Inswing has a brick mold on the outside which blocks the plunger or magnet from plain view when the door is closed. Not true with an outswing when door is closed. The gap is visible from the outside. So it is possible to see the plunger switch.
 
I'm sure there are some other creative options. For example, if you are looking for hidden options I would do this...
 (I haven't tested this so it's at your own risk. I don't believe bondo will affect the operation but....)
 
Take a recessed contact like the one I linked to above. It uses a 1" hole for installation. Get a paddle bit just a bit bigger than the DC (Door contact), use it to create a recess for the contact to sit in 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Use this bigger bit to drill in the wood frame just a bit more than needed to let the face of the DC below the surface (1/8" or so, not too thin..I said that sort of...)
 
Then use a 1" paddle drill bit to drill the actual hole in the wood frame. Install the door contact. Make sure it fits tightly. Test it out with the magnet not installed in the door yet. Once confirmed it works, use some bondo to fill in the recess that is left. Sand the finish, primer and paint.
 
Now break away the plastic of the magnet part. I can be done and is a pain in the ass.
 
Drill a 3/8 hole in the door so that the magnet is aligned with your DC. Drill it just deep enough to leave an 1/8 or so below the wood surface. Bondo, sand, prime and paint.
 
Would that work for your concealment needs?
 
Wait... I just realized you said that you can do hardwired?
 
This is on an outswing [french] door:
IMG_0446_Edited.jpg
 
gatchel said:
I'm sure there are some other creative options. For example, if you are looking for hidden options I would do this...
 (I haven't tested this so it's at your own risk. I don't believe bondo will affect the operation but....)
 
Take a recessed contact like the one I linked to above. It uses a 1" hole for installation. Get a paddle bit just a bit bigger than the DC (Door contact), use it to create a recess for the contact to sit in 1/8 to 1/4 inch. Use this bigger bit to drill in the wood frame just a bit more than needed to let the face of the DC below the surface (1/8" or so, not too thin..I said that sort of...)
 
Then use a 1" paddle drill bit to drill the actual hole in the wood frame. Install the door contact. Make sure it fits tightly. Test it out with the magnet not installed in the door yet. Once confirmed it works, use some bondo to fill in the recess that is left. Sand the finish, primer and paint.
 
Now break away the plastic of the magnet part. I can be done and is a pain in the ass.
 
Drill a 3/8 hole in the door so that the magnet is aligned with your DC. Drill it just deep enough to leave an 1/8 or so below the wood surface. Bondo, sand, prime and paint.
 
Would that work for your concealment needs?
Click to expand...
Yes I like the idea. Would it work? Would need some testing...
 
That really isn't necessary.
 
Makes little difference which way the door swings for the installation of a recessed magnetic contact....the only variable is where the cables come from...if you come in from the top (or even the bottom, though not preferred) a standard magnetic contact is all you need. If you're coming in from the butt side of the door and you don't want to use a plunger or roller, then you've got more to consider.
 
Wireless is where it starts to get interesting because you need to think about exposing the device to the outside (if it applies).
 
What you do NOT want to do is install a magnetic contact on the butt side of the door...it'll never work properly.
 
DEL

I imagine you mean the butt side being the hinge side?
I will probably end up doing a magnetic contact on the top lock side. Or a plunger or roller on hinge side closer to top of the door.
If wireless then Honeywell 5816.
 
I made the suggestion with the Bondo and such solely because I was thinking along the lines of it being noticeable from outside and maybe not aesthetically pleasing. As mentioned, a normal recessed contact is acceptable for most of the doors out there.
 
Bondo in wood starts to usually crack after the temperature and humidity gets to it....then forget about being able to service it...you'll cause more collateral damage trying to remove the contact.
 
If concealed is paramount, get a GRI DPS70R. I've used plenty of them and you'll never find them easily where they've been installed.
 
Mp333 said:
True. Inswing has a brick mold on the outside which blocks the plunger or magnet from plain view when the door is closed. Not true with an outswing when door is closed. The gap is visible from the outside. So it is possible to see the plunger switch.
Click to expand...
A good point of view. Thanks
 
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