Wider Doorways and Interior Access
Widened doorways, lever hardware, and accessible thresholds that improve movement throughout the home.
Narrow doorways are one of the most common barriers in homes built before 2015. Standard interior doors are often 24 to 28 inches wide, which can be difficult to navigate with a walker, wheelchair, or simply when carrying items. Widening doorways to 32 inches or more (the standard for accessible design) improves movement throughout the home. Lever-style door hardware replaces round knobs, making doors easier to open for people with limited hand strength or dexterity.
Problems This Service Addresses
- —Doorways too narrow for a walker, wheelchair, or mobility aid
- —Round door knobs that are difficult to turn with limited hand strength
- —High thresholds at doorways that create tripping hazards
- —Difficulty moving furniture or large items through doorways
- —Need for accessible access throughout the home, not just the bathroom
Who This Is For
- —Homeowners who want to improve access throughout the home
- —People who use a walker, wheelchair, or other mobility aid
- —People with limited hand strength or dexterity who find round door knobs difficult
- —Families planning for future accessibility needs
- —Anyone whose home has narrow doorways (common in homes built before 2015)
Who This May Not Be For
- —Homes where doorways are already 32 inches or wider
- —People who only need access improvements in the bathroom (see Accessible Bathrooms)
- —Renters without owner approval
Available Approaches
- —Widening interior doorways to 32-36 inches by replacing the door and frame
- —Installing lever-style door hardware throughout the home
- —Removing or lowering thresholds at doorways
- —Installing offset hinges (which can add up to 2 inches of clearance without replacing the door)
- —Creating open passages without doors in high-traffic areas
Advantages
- —Improves access throughout the entire home, not just one room
- —Lever hardware is easier for everyone to use, not just people with mobility challenges
- —Can be done room by room as budget allows
- —Relatively straightforward compared to structural remodeling
- —Makes the home more functional for all residents and visitors
Disadvantages
- —Widening a doorway requires removing the existing door frame, potentially affecting trim and drywall
- —May require electrical or HVAC adjustments if the door location is near switches or vents
- —Replacing all door hardware in the home can be a significant project
- —Widening doorways in load-bearing walls requires engineering review
Cost Factors
- —Number of doorways to widen
- —Whether the wall is load-bearing (requires engineering and structural work)
- —Door and frame replacement — slab door vs. pre-hung door
- —Hardware selection — lever style, finish, lock type
- —Trim and drywall repair
- —Whether electrical switches or vents need to be moved
- —Offset hinges as a lower-cost alternative (adds clearance without replacing the door)
Questions to Ask a Contractor
- —Can my doorways be widened without structural changes to load-bearing walls?
- —Are offset hinges an option for adding clearance without replacing the door?
- —What width should my doorways be for accessible design?
- —Can you install lever hardware on my existing doors, or do the doors need to be replaced?
- —Will widening doorways affect my electrical switches or baseboards?
- —What is the cost difference between widening one doorway and doing the whole home?
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