In your opinion, which would be better for a wheelchair user: a leaf door or a sliding door?
Swing Doors
Old swing doors are not suitable for a disabled person to move around the house. Since a wheelchair takes up more space, opening an entry into a small room, such as a bathroom, should be outwards rather than inwards to allow additional space inside the bathroom.
You can quickly reverse the hinges to the opposite side to change the door’s swing. Due to the width of a wheelchair, a double door with an automatic opening mechanism is an excellent option. You can integrate those with a sensor system that allows it to open and close automatically. You can open a door using an app on your phone, thanks to intelligent technology.
Sliding Doors
Sliding doors with a level or shallow threshold are probably the best options for a wheelchair. A threshold no more than 20mm from the floor is ideal for smooth wheelchair navigation. The chance of tripping is minimized with a flat threshold. Sliding doors, unlike swing doors, open wide and take up less space.
You can also open these doors with a button or a sensor. If you need additional help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Door Stop staff. Two showrooms in Perth have our doors on their display. We’ll help and guide you to find the best door for your accessibility needs and offer you many other options.
