As a property manager, you know better than anyone that accessibility is a top priority when designing the layout of a multi-family structure. This is necessary not just for convenience and comfort for all tenants, but it’s also critical for ensuring ADA compliance. It’s important to ensure your new windows and doors improve accessibility for all. Having a knowledgeable HOA window and door contractor in the Twin Cities on your side can help matters along.
General Considerations
The first step is to look at all the exterior and interior doors, as well as all windows in your buildings. Think about how injured or mobility-compromised tenants would not only access but navigate the interior. With such a wide range of possible tenants now and in the future, this is a big consideration that mustn’t be minimized.
Walk through each unit and go from room to room, starting at the main entry point. Take note of the width to determine if it’s easily accessible. Open and close the door. Does it stick or does it open easily? If it sticks, why? Could it be due to warping? Could someone with a wheelchair get through it without banging the sides of their mobility equipment?
As you move to the interior, focus on the doors for each room. Are they wide enough as well? Are there lips on the floors where someone with a walker or cane could trip? Try all windows to ensure they lock properly, as well as open and close smoothly. Take notes as you go.
Doors
A standard wheelchair will usually span about 24 to 27 inches wide, which means each door opening should be at least 32 inches wide. Most entry doors are at least 36 inches wide, which is great, but some interior doorways are only 24 inches wide, especially in older homes. If your doors are at least 30 inches wide, you could use offset door hinges to give yourself an extra two inches.
In addition to width challenges, interior doors are also compromised by location and direction of opening and closing. Doors that open into hallways must be able to accommodate walkers, wheelchairs and canes at certain angles. According to the ADA, accessible doors must provide 32 inches of clear width – which is essentially the width between the door’s face and the opposite stop.
It’s not uncommon for older exterior doors and frames to become warped over time, which causes sticking and difficulty locking the door. If this is the case, you will have to replace the door and frame to improve safety in a modern world. Finally, check all locks. They should be easy to reach, especially for those in wheelchairs.
If your lobby or property is big enough, you may want to consider automatic doors to further improve building access to accommodate walking aids, scooters and even parents pushing strollers.
Not only can automatic doors help with convenient entry and exit, they can help reduce energy usage in your building by closing and opening in a timely manner. As such, hot and cold air is kept inside rather than escaping outside during transitional times. Such doors are also excellent for hygiene control because they are hands-free. Consider this if sanitation is a top concern.
Windows
Window use can pose a challenge for anyone, but especially for those who are in wheelchairs. Specifically, hard-to-reach locks can be a safety risk, as can sticking windows that don’t open or close properly.
Check the height of your existing window sills, which could be positioned too high for those in wheelchairs. You need a height of between 18 to 20 inches for those in wheelchairs, as most seats are 20 inches high. If your windows are higher than this, consider window replacement to improve accessibility.
Contact Allstar Construction and Maintenance for Multi-Family Windows and Doors
If you need to improve the accessibility of your HOA or multi-family property, Allstar Construction and Maintenance can provide a consultation on the best windows, doors and placements to achieve that goal. We would be happy to perform an audit of your existing doors and windows, and provide recommendations. Schedule your appointment now when you contact us at (952) 234-9995.