Offset (swing-clear) hinges
Swing the door out of the opening for about 1½ to 2 extra inches, with no wall work.
Offset hingesHome accessibility · Doorways
Door widening for wheelchairs and walkers
Quick answer
Door widening means making a doorway opening wider so a wheelchair, walker or rollator can pass through without scraping knuckles or the frame. Following ADA guidelines, a doorway should give at least 32 inches of clear width with the door open; many standard bathroom and bedroom doors give only 26 to 28. HandyMangum widens interior doorways in Central Florida homes: we reframe the opening, hang a wider door, and patch, trim and paint so it looks original.
What widening a doorway involves
The door is not the whole story. "Clear width" is measured from the face of the open door to the stop on the other side, so a 30-inch door gives only about 28 inches. To get 32 inches clear, most homes need a 34- or 36-inch door, which means a wider rough opening.
Widening an interior partition wall is normal carpentry: remove the casing and frame, cut back the drywall, reframe with a longer header, hang the new door, then patch, trim and paint. Load-bearing walls, outlets or plumbing in the wall, and exterior concrete-block walls add steps, and we tell you that before you decide.
Who it helps
- Wheelchair and power chair users
- People with walkers and rollators
- Caregivers helping someone through a doorway
- Homes where the bathroom door is the narrowest in the house
- Anyone planning a roll-in shower
- Owners who want an easier home for the long term
How the job runs
Measure and check the wall
Clear width now, the width you need for the chair or walker, and what is inside the wall.
Quote the options
Sometimes offset hinges or a different door do the job for much less. If not, we quote the widening.
Reframe and hang
Old frame out, new header and jamb, a wider pre-hung door, new hardware.
Finish
Drywall patch, new casing, paint and cleanup, so it looks like it was always there.
Ways to get more width
Remove the door stop or door
For a closet or a doorway that does not need a door, removing the stop or the door adds width fast.
Widen to 34 or 36 inches
The usual answer for a bathroom or bedroom door that gives 28 inches or less.
Pocket or barn door
A sliding door needs no swing space, helpful in a tight bathroom. Use a large D-pull, not a small recessed latch.
Lower threshold
A flush or beveled threshold at the same time so the chair does not catch.
Threshold rampsLever handles
Pair the new door with a lever that is easy to use from a chair.
Lever handlesGood to know
- Measure the wheelchair or walker at its widest point (usually the wheels or hand rims) and add a little room for hands.
- ADA guidelines call for 32 inches minimum clear width; 36 inches is more comfortable for power chairs and for a caregiver walking alongside.
- Load-bearing walls and exterior concrete-block walls may need an engineered header and a permit. If any part of the job needs a permit or a state-licensed trade, such as new plumbing lines or new wiring, we tell you during the quote and that part is handled by properly licensed professionals.
- Hallway width and the turn into the room matter as much as the door. We look at the whole path.
Door Widening FAQs
How wide does a door need to be for a wheelchair?
Following ADA guidelines, at least 32 inches of clear width with the door open 90 degrees. For a power chair or a helper walking alongside, 36 inches is better. That usually means a 34- or 36-inch door.
How do I measure clear width?
Open the door to 90 degrees and measure from the face of the door to the door stop on the opposite side of the frame. That number, not the door size, is what the chair has to fit through.
Can you widen a doorway without replacing the door?
Sometimes. Offset hinges can add about 1½ to 2 inches with the same door. If you need more than that, the opening and the door both change.
How much does it cost to widen a doorway for a wheelchair?
It depends on the wall: an interior partition wall is a fairly simple carpentry job, while load-bearing, block walls or wiring in the wall add work. We give a free written quote after measuring.
Is widening a door structural?
In a non-load-bearing interior wall, no. In a load-bearing or exterior wall, it can be, and then it needs a properly sized header and possibly a permit.
How long does it take?
A typical interior doorway is usually done in a day or two, including drywall and paint drying time.
Does Medicare or insurance pay for this?
We cannot promise that any plan will pay, so please check before the work starts. Original Medicare generally does not pay for grab bars, bath seats, raised toilet seats or home changes like these; CMS treats them as convenience items rather than durable medical equipment. Some Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid waiver programs and veterans' programs do help with home modifications, so ask your plan directly. We give you a written, itemized quote and invoice you can share with them.
Need a wider doorway?
Call or text (407) 699-1123, or send the online request with a few photos. Estimates are free on every job.