One of the most important parts of making your home accessible for those with mobility issues is making sure that the doorways are wide enough to get around. Widening doorways to allow movement for wheelchairs or walkers makes a huge difference, increasing independence and comfort throughout the home. At the John Ford Group, we regularly undertake doorway widening projects as part of our ongoing commitment to accessibility within home adaptations.

Why Widening Doorways is So Important

Those who have never tried to get through a standard UK home with a wheelchair may have difficulty realising just how impactful and crucial widening the doorways is. A standard internal doorway in a UK home is between 27 and 30 inches wide (that’s 68-76 cm) – at the smaller edge of that spectrum, it’s simply impossible to get a wheelchair through, with the minimum recommended size for wheelchair accessibility a much more realistic 33 to 36 inches (83-91 cm). That six-inch difference makes all the difference.

And it’s often the most important doorways, such as bathrooms and bedrooms, that have the smallest thresholds. No one wants to feel they have to ask for help to get into a private space like that for such a frustrating reason as the doorway being too tight.

By widening the doorways, you make daily life easier, safer and more respectful for anyone with mobility issues – and it doesn’t have to be as disruptive a change as many believe.

Assessing Your Doors with Home Accessibility in Mind

Before you enthusiastically get out the hammer and start smashing, it’s essential that you take the time to do a thorough assessment of the current doorways to determine the changes that are needed:

• Identify the Areas for Modification – You may not need to change every one of the internal doors. Plan the pathways through the house and focus on the doors that are most used or are otherwise primary. Often the layout of your house might mean that there are multiple ways to access a room, and only one of the potential doors needs adapting.
• Measuring the Width – Though many doors have uniform doorframes, you cannot be sure this is the case. Measure each of the doorways you plan to modify and note this clearly.
• Check the Area – It’s not just the doorway that needs to be thought about. Take a look around the doorway with an eye for obstacles that may need dealing with. This can include skirting boards, hinges and hinge placement, locks, sockets and the way the door opens into the adjoining room. Take note of anything that should be considered when widening the doorway.
• Determine the Structure – Some doors are in load-bearing walls and will need to have a professional evaluate and undertake the work to ensure that the end result is safe and doesn’t affect the integrity of your home.
• Think About the Aesthetics – When doing accessible renovations, it’s important to consider how the final result will look. Pretending that aesthetics don’t matter is short-sighted and, in our experience, often proved wrong. Think about how the changes will look and select the type of door modification that best fits your home style.
• Follow Building Regulations – Any work that involves structural changes must comply with UK Building Regulations. Document M of the 2010 Building Regulations covers the standards for accessibility in buildings. A specialist contractor, such as the John Ford Group, will always work to the required regulatory standard.

It is also advantageous to consult your occupational therapist. They have the specialist know-how of both home modifications and your specific needs to be able to provide tailored recommendations regarding the work that needs to be done for wheelchair accessibility. The occupational therapist can then work hand-in-hand with us at JFG to make sure that the project meets your personal requirements.

Options for Widening Doorways

Depending on your home’s structure and style, there are three main ways to achieve the wider doorways that you need. These are:

• Using offset hinges and removing obstacles – In some cases, it’s possible to widen the doorway without any detailed structural work. Offset hinges (also known as swing-clear hinges) make it so the door swings completely out of the frame, creating that additional space you need for a wheelchair. Combined with some judicious adjustments to obstructions and a little trimming on the doorframe, offset hinges can make a significant and less disruptive difference.
• Widening the frame – This is a more standard approach and involves removing the existing door frame, cutting into the wall to expand the hole, and fitting a new, wider frame. Adjustments may also need to be made to nearby fixtures, such as light switches or radiators, if the new pathway affects their placement.
• Using sliding or pocket doors – Doors that don’t swing open can increase the space as they don’t require the clearance of traditional hinged doors. They are particularly effective in smaller spaces, such as bathrooms and hallways.

The Door-Widening Process

It is strongly advised that you work with professional adaptation constructors, like JFG, when widening the doorway. Our experience and expertise mean problems are anticipated, and the work is done smoothly and efficiently. The steps we take to widen a doorway are:

1. Assessment and Planning – Our team will make a detailed assessment of your home, measuring all the relevant access points and working alongside both you and your occupational therapist to create a plan that’s tailored to your individual needs.

2. Structural Reinforcements – If any of the doors are in load-bearing walls, we will make the necessary structural changes to ensure your home remains sound and meets all regulations.

3. Doorway Widening and Door Installation – The main bulk of the work involves increasing the doorways as needed and installing wider frames. We can then blend the work seamlessly with your existing home decor.

4. Finishing and Aftercare – We don’t just vanished when the job’s done. We make sure everything is left spotless, test the doorway thoroughly to make sure it moves smoothly and is safe for use, and are always here to answer any questions you may have afterwards. Don’t be worried about contacting us should you have any concerns once the job is done – our work is guaranteed, and our aftercare team is always available to help.

The Finishing Touches

Widening doorways for accessibility isn’t just about putting in a bigger door. There are a number of small touches that can make further improvements, including:

• Lever Handles – Traditional round knobs can be hard to use if you have accessibility issues, so we advise using lever handles for easier door opening.
• High-Contrast Frames – Colour is a powerful tool when making an accessible home. Using contrasting paint colours between the wall and the door, can be helpful for anyone with a visual impairment.
• Lighting – Modern lighting can help make pathways clear and increase both security and safety. At JFG, we recommend overviewing your lighting to see how it can be improved for accessibility.
• Smart Technology – Voice activated doors can open at a spoken phrase or automatically close behind you. Modern smart homes have a lot to offer in terms of accessibility.

Widening Doorways for Accessibility with JFG

Widening your doorways is a key part of making your home more accessible. A thet John Ford Group, we have a deep understanding of accessibility needs combined with decades of construction expertise. If you’re looking to turn your home into a safe and welcoming space for all, contact us today.