Doors and Hallways

32" Or Wider Clear Openings

BIGGER IS BETTER

A 2' 10" door will leave 32" when open. A 2' 8" door will not. 2"6" doors, regarded by many builders and codes as adequate, is an unnecessary obstacle. There is little if any cost difference. The design changes necessary are generally slight in new construction. 3' 0" doors throughout the house are desirable. There are occasions when adjustment to other dimensions in a plan may be needed. Unlike the building site, almost all of these problems are easy to resolve, provided they are considered in the planning phase.

In new construction, both custom and modular, a 3'0" entry door is considered standard. In older homes a 3"0" entry should be considered when remodeling, and door sizes should be increased at any opportunity.

Widen the Hallways

Every inch of extra width in a hallway is a bonus for people using wheel chairs, people on crutches, mothers carrying babies or laundry, people moving furniture. Wide hallways allow room for the installation of handrails should they become necessary, provide turning room, and allow people to pass each other greater comfort. 42” is good. 48” is better.