Entry Doors and Hallways

Female caregiver inviting elderly woman on wheelchair to nursing home

Home modifications that include doors and hallways can be the most challenging and sometime costly.  Our highly skilled designers and craftsman keep this in mind and provide a level of comfort that we will help control cost!

Aging in place considerations for the accessible home are:

  • Entry should not have an elevation change from exterior to interior of more than 1/2″.  Flush is preferable.
  • A doorway and hallway should be a minimum of 32″ wide.  To achieve a 32″ hallway a 36″ door is required.
  • If the doorway is located in the typical hallway and requires turning a wheelchair, a 36″ door is required .
  • It can be difficult to open a swinging door without a clear floor space 18-24″ on the pull side of the door. We don’t recommend an accordion door because of the space it takes up in the door opening and the difficulty for the person to push open or pull the door closed.
  • Pocket doors can be an option.
  • A swing away door hinge as an option can increase the door width by 2″.
  • Additional door clearance can be economically obtained by using the swing clear, expandable door.
  • Hallways should be a minimum of 36″ to allow for smooth transitions into other rooms. Walls in the home can be moved and restructured.
  • Lever style door handles

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