What barrier-free upgrades involve
Upgrading a door for accessibility can be as small as replacing round knobs with lever handles, or as involved as widening an opening, adding an automatic operator and changing the floor around it. The goal is for people with limited strength, reach or mobility to use the door independently.
Common upgrades include lever hardware, lower closer force, power operators with push buttons, smooth thresholds, wider doors, better clearances at the latch side and signage. Washroom doors, main entrances and doors on accessible routes are frequent priorities.
One team for the whole upgrade
Accessible upgrades mix trades. Our door installers change hardware and adjust closers. Our carpenters and interior systems crew widen openings and rebuild frames. Our electricians run power for operators, and our low voltage team connects push buttons and access control. Our painters and flooring installers finish the area.
Because one project manager coordinates everyone, a door upgrade is not a string of separate visits. Clearances and thresholds, which are often the hardest parts, are handled together with the door.
Existing buildings bring surprises. Walls may contain pipes or wires, floors may not be level, and frames may be built into masonry. Our in-house engineering team reviews structural questions before openings are altered.
- Lever handles and accessible hardware
- Automatic operators and push buttons
- Wider openings and new frames
- Thresholds, ramps and floor transitions
- Washroom and entrance door upgrades
What to plan for
Requirements come from the Alberta Building Code and local rules, and they depend on the building's use and age. Permit needs vary. Our team reviews the building and tells you what applies.
Set priorities. A building often has many doors, and a phased plan, starting with the main entrance and the most-used washrooms, spreads cost and disruption.
Check the space around the door as well. Clearance in front of the door, room to turn a wheelchair and a clear path to the entrance all matter as much as the door itself.
Finally, plan for upkeep. Operators and closers need adjustment over time, and an upgraded door that is not maintained can become a barrier again. We offer ongoing service.