Installing Offset Door Hinges: A Simple Home Modification
Increase The Accessibility Of Your Home By Replacing The Hinges On Your Doors
By Jan Morgavan
(September 10, 2006) - A door is a door is a door. What is the big deal?
Well, the big deal is a door and the frame it is attached to can be a huge hurdle for people that approach it from a seated position (wheelchair), using a walker, or some other mobility aiding device. Actually, it can be more than just a hurdle. It can change the way one lives especially if the door that is too narrow to enter happens to be the bathroom door.
Traditionally homes have been built in the US with standard doors, frames, and hardware that are not homeowner friendly especially if you need wider doors to move freely throughout your home. For many, this means investigating some type of home modification to make the necessary changes. In the world of accessibility and universal design home construction, a 32 inch doorway is good and a 36 inch doorway is great. The wider doors are not always available and often times creativity becomes important.
Just as with most people, our needs differ. Such is the case for those that need wider doorways. Each person more than likely has a good idea of the doorway clearance they need. Some may be able to squeak by with 30 inches and others may need a full 36 inch doorway. It boils down to getting through the doorway and avoiding the knuckle rub routine.
Exercise
Take a minute to perform this exercise. Find a tape measure or a ruler and go to a door in your home. Open the door as far as it will open. Now measure the distance from the frame of the door (the side of the frame where the door is attached) to the farthest side of the door. Chances are that measurement will be approximately 2 inches minimum.
Findings
What this means is that your door, as it is currently hung in the door frame, has reduced the clearance of the doorway by 2 inches. The door sits 2 inches inside the doorway. A common response would be, “so what? “. The “so what?” in this scenario could mean the difference between having or not having access to a bathroom. 2 inches can make a big difference for some people.
Solution: Offset Door Hinges
Offset door hinges may not be the solution for everyone but for some it can make a big difference. Replacing standard door hinges with offset door hinges will most of the time add 2 inches to the width of a doorway. You may see offset door hinges referred to as swing away hinges, swing-clear hinges, or fold back door hinges.
How does an offset door hinge work?
The offset hinge moves the hinge pin further away from the door. When the door is opened 90 degrees, the door will be perpendicular to the door frame. When the door is opened 180 degrees, the door will be parallel to the door frame. In both scenarios, the door is removed from the doorway adding 2 inches to the width of the doorway.
Conclusion
Replacing door hinges with offset door hinges is a very simple and inexpensive home modification that may give many the accessibility in their home that they need. While this is not a solution for everyone, it may make the difference for some.
Perhaps the thought of installing offset door hinges is just a little overwhelming. You may want to hire a remodeler or contractor to make the necessary barrier free modification to your home.
Certified Aging In Place Specialist
You will find a valuable resource on the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) web site - the Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS) Directory. This is a national directory. NAHB members with the CAPS Designation have been trained in aging in place home modifications, common remodeling projects, and solutions to common barriers.
To access the CAPS Directory, click here
For more information on the CAPS Designation, click here.
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