Many older homes have interior doors that are 28 to 30 inches wide, which can make it hard or impossible to roll through with a wheelchair. Widening doorways is one of the most effective accessibility modifications you can make.
How wide should a doorway be?
Accessibility guidelines commonly call for at least 32 inches of clear opening, measured from the face of the open door to the opposite stop. Many wheelchair users are more comfortable with 36 inches, especially where they need to turn into the doorway from a hallway.
Option 1: Offset hinges
Swing-clear or offset hinges let the door swing completely out of the opening, often adding close to two inches of clear width. It is the quickest, lowest-cost fix when you only need a little more room.
Option 2: Remove the door or change the door type
A pocket door or barn-style sliding door removes the swing entirely and can free up space in tight bathrooms and hallways.
Option 3: Widen the rough opening
For a true 36-inch opening, the framing is cut back and a new header, frame and door are installed. This may involve electrical switches, drywall repair, trim and flooring transitions. Load-bearing walls need a properly sized header, so this work should be planned carefully and may need a permit.
Don't forget the threshold
Raised thresholds and flooring changes can stop a wheelchair as surely as a narrow door. Flush or beveled transitions keep the path smooth.
Plan doorways room by room
Start with the doorways you use most: the entry, the bedroom and the bathroom. Our guide to planning a barrier-free bathroom covers what happens beyond the door.
Doorway widening in Fayetteville and nearby
Many homes in Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone and the surrounding counties have interior doors that are only 28 to 30 inches wide. During a free in-home visit, we measure each doorway and talk through which option fits your home, your chair and your budget.
See our home accessibility modifications or schedule a free accessibility assessment in Fayetteville, GA.