Doors and Entryways | |
Working with Doors To be wheelchair accessible, all entry doors must be at least 3 ft. wide, with double entry doors a plus. For exterior doors, beveled wood thresholds can be used or you can purchase beveled metal thresholds. Use weatherstripping around the door for a tight seal. The typical door, which is hinged on the side and swings in, is the most difficult to handle for the disabled person. French doors, in which both doors must be opened for entry or exit are just as bad. Remove or replace such interior doors with fold-in or sliding doors. Knobs, Handles, and Locks Rather than conventional knobs, doors should be opened and closed with lever handles. One of these, the Leverone, can be installed over an existing doorknob. Made of a thermoplastic material, it requires only one-third the force of metal lever hardware to operate. A "Hi-Glow" model is offered, which remains visible in total darkness for several hours. The Leverone is available from: Lindustries, Inc. 21 Shady Hill Road Weston, MA 02193 (617) 237-8177 or 235-5452 If changing to lever handles is impractical, foam-rubber doorknob covers are available. These are inexpensive and provide a better gripping surface than slippery metal. Numbered push-button locks eliminate fumbling with keys. Low, almost flush thresholds under doors ease the chore of entering over obstacles such as high threshold entries. Older homes may have triangular beveled thresholds on interior doors. These should all be removed. If you plan to sell the house later, mark each threshold with its location and store them in the garage or attic. Entryways Inside, it is best if the foyer is built at the same level as the main floor, not sunken or raised. One-level houses with no steps are the ideal plan for barrier-free living. Non-slip floor coverings are also required for safe footing. If carpet is used in the entry or foyer, it should be a tightly-woven type with no loops or high nap to trip up unsteady feet or walking aids. If there is room in the foyer a bench is a handy aid so one can remove overshoes or rubbers while seated. The hall closet should have adjustable shelves and poles that can be set to accommodate a person who must be seated in a wheelchair. Dimmer switches on entry lights permit the option of keeping light levels low for economy, but increasing light levels for those who need more light to work by. Through-door viewers and even closed circuit security cameras at entry doors let occupants view visitors before deciding whether to permit them to enter. Deadbolt locks are high-security items at entry doors, but select deadbolts that do not interfere with easy exits. Written by Gary Branson Reprinted with permission. Copyright HouseNet, Inc. |