The Front Entrance: Steps, Threshold, Light, Lock

The entrance is where a change in level, an awkward door, poor light and full hands all happen at the same moment.

Steps

Handrails both sides. Measure the total rise if a ramp is being considered — ground to the top of the threshold in one vertical line — then apply 1:12. A three-step porch is usually about 21″, which needs 21 ft of ramp and almost always a switchback with a 5 ft × 5 ft landing.

Threshold

Anything over ½” needs a threshold ramp. This is the detail most often left undone after a ramp is built — a beautiful ramp up to a two-inch sill still stops a wheelchair dead.

Door

• Lever handle rather than a knob — usable with a full hand, a fist or an elbow.
• Clear width with the door open. Swing-clear hinges recover about 1.75″.
• Somewhere to put shopping down while unlocking. A shelf beside the door prevents a lot of doorstep fumbling.

Light and lock

Motion-sensing light covering the steps and the keyhole. A keypad or keyless lock removes the worst part of arriving home in the dark with cold hands, and it also solves the spare-key problem for family and carers.