Exterior Doors
June 2025
In this Blog we will look at Exterior Doors and their role as the Threshold of Welcome!
Charlotte, artist, age 7! Titled “Home”
UD Checklist for Optimum Exterior Doors
Door is easy to find.
Adequate Lighting of door.
Key less entry , smart locks.
UD Door hardware.
Consider glass either in the door or side lights.
Front Door contrasts with house.
Role of Landscaping.
Consider a double door or 40” wide front door.
The Front Door: Should be easy to recognize. Design, use of color, lighting and landscaping can all accent the door. The door should be a contrast to the rest of the house for ease of locating.
A person with mobility issues has the additional concern of, where is the door, can I get there directly, can I get inside the home. Every extra movement costs energy, time, and sometimes safety.
The front door should open easily by using keyless entries, keypads or touchscreens, smart locks (which may not work in extreme temperatures) which are all great UD products. There should be adequate illumination of the keypad and the door.
Good UD option for exterior Doors:
Pink Door, easy to find, door contrasting with house, the porch light, key pad, and glass design. A wider door would be better.
Best UD option for Exterior Doors: The wood and glass door stands out against the light brick for contrast. There is an overhead spot light on door, making sure you know where to enter safely, outside lighting by step up! UD hardware on door, key pad, wide door. Too bad there is a step up!
Where is the front Door?
Be a great friend and neighbor by making the front entrance obvious to all, especially your friends and family with vision and mobility issues.
Best UD option for Exterior Door
Design & glass in door interesting, easy to find, lighting by door, UD hardware, smart locks, wide door, door contrasts against house.
Best UD Option Exterior Doors: Love these UD features: Zero entry, UD hardware on front door, contrast between house and front door, lights on either side, RING, double doors. The glass doors let in plenty of light a wonderful UD principle of safety & comfort.
UD Hardware
UD products with handles or levers are easier to maneuver than a knob or a latch mechanism.
The new glass door handles are almost all UD. That means with ease, minimal strength and dexterity, all can open the front door.
Best option UD handles!
All exterior doors that are UD are at least 40” wide where a standard exterior door is 36”. Four inches may not sound like much but those extra inches make everyone’s life better. Fingers are no longer being pinched while entering the front door. Double strollers are much easier to push inside. Those assisting wheelchair users no longer face the awkward challenge of helping them through a door.
Exterior Doors
Double doors offer an alternative to a single hung 40” UD door.
Note: If you or someone in your home is hearing impaired, consider the use of a light inside which can signal when someone is at your door.
Ready for more?
