Evening, scotman. Architecture... wish I could be more helpful. I must tell you my jaw dropped a bit as I read your thoughts on Swedish doors - but it could be that you're right and that I just haven't given it much thought because it's what I'm used to. Not sure. I do remember reading somewhere that doors should open outwards to increase the chances of vacating the place in case of a fire, but I'm not sure if that is a legal requirement and, if so, for how long we've been adhering to it when building. There are certainly plenty of store doors even that open inwards.
Is this what you mean by double doors:
http://i32.tinypic.com/ddyjb4.jpg ? If so, yes they're quite common at least for main doors leading outside, including some styles of verandahs. But I have no idea if it has anything to do with the climate - I honestly don't think so though, as there are some old-fashioned apartments as well, that have these doors, leading to the stairway, or indeed that have them between rooms. So you are quite correct in saying we have them, it's just that I wasn't aware they were more common here than anywhere else. I remember asking about it once as a child and receiving the answer that it's a good thing to be able to open both doors for transportations, but unnecessary to always open the door so widely. So yes now that you mention it, it may well have had something to do with not letting the cold in, originally. I've been googling but to no avail so far.
Incidentally, I grew up in Ystad, Wallander's town! My very first interpretation of your door question was that you might mean half-doors, 'cos I remember those from my childhood, from one of our summer cottages just outside Ystad. You know, like a stables door almost? but for the cottage's main entrance! I think it may have been a Danish influence, Denmark and Scania are closely related t