For individuals with mobility challenges or seniors aging in place, one of the most significant challenges they may face is the ability to open and close a door. Being able to open and close a door with a push of a button or a remote control can eliminate most physical barriers and create a much more accessible living environment.
A valuable Innovation in residential accessibility, the automatic door opener, no longer only associated with commercial buildings or healthcare facilities, is now becoming popular in private homes, condominiums, and apartment buildings.
What Are Automatic Door Openers?
Automatic door openers for homes are designed to open and close doors using minimal physical effort from the user. Able to be installed both interior and exterior, the opening of the door is an automatic process as opposed to manual pushing or pulling.
Most automatic doors can be activated through:
- Push button controls
- Wall switches
- Remote control
- Keypads
- Touchless wave sensors
- Motion sensors
- Smart home integrations that may include apps on a mobile phone
Who Would Benefit From An Automatic Door Opener?
Automatic door openers are not only for individuals who use wheelchairs. There is a wide range of individuals who can benefit from automatic door systems, including:
- Seniors choosing to age in place who are finding opening heavy doors increasingly difficult due to reduced strength, balance concerns, or other age-related conditions.
- Individuals using wheelchairs who find opening a door while maneuvering a mobility device unsafe and often very challenging
- Individuals with limited mobility living with conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or other chronic pain conditions.
- Caregivers who assist loved ones with mobility limitations. An automatic door reduces the physical demand and simplifies the transfer between rooms.
- Families with young children, especially parents who use strollers or are carrying infants.
How To Choose The Right Automatic Door Opener
Choosing the right automatic door opener involves more than simply selecting a model. There are several factors to consider before making this decision. A professional assessment can assist in determining the best model for your needs, and questions that will influence the decision include:
- How often will the door be used? An automatic door that is used as a front door will be used more often than a guest room door that is only used occasionally.
- What are the users’ unique needs? Who will be using this door? Other questions that should be asked include:
- Is the user relying on a wheelchair or other mobility device?
- Are there any strength or balance issues that need to be considered.
- What is the size and weight of the door? Different doors place different demands on the automatic operating system, and a professional will determine which operating system is most suitable for the specific door.
- Will the door be used primarily for a residential environment, or must it be accommodating to handle heavier traffic?
Do Automatic Door Openers Have Safety Features?
Safety is a vital consideration when deciding on an automatic door. Most modern doors will incorporate numerous safety features that may include:
- Obstacle detection – If an object or a person is in the door’s path, the system will stop or often reverse the movement, preventing people from getting trapped and injured.
- Controlled speeds – to ensure a smooth operation, doors open and close with a controlled speed. This helps reduce accidents and injuries.
- Emergency manual operation – to ensure continued safety and access, most doors can be operated manually in the event of a power failure.
- Secure activation controls – the doors’ push plates, keypads, or wireless controls are designed to prevent unwanted activation.
- Safety glass – Glass automatic doors are typically made of safety glass designed to shatter into small pieces in the event of an impact. This safety feature prevents injuries and reduces the risk of cuts or lacerations if the glass were to break.
- Manual override – the doors are typically equipped with a manual override that overrides the system in the event of a power outage or any other door malfunction. This safety feature ensures that individuals can enter or leave the premises in the event of an emergency.
Where Can Automatic Doors Be Installed?
Automatic doors are versatile and can be installed in many locations throughout the home. Examples of where automatic doors can be installed include:
- The front entrance
- The garage to the house entrance
- Bathroom
- Bedroom
- Home office
- Shared or communal living areas
Can I Install An Automatic Door Myself?
Many people question whether an automatic door can be installed by a DIY or local handyman. Professional installation is recommended for the following reasons:
Equipment Selection
A professional will examine the space and, having knowledge and experience, be able to determine the correct door model.
During the examination, the professional will take into account:
- The door weight
- The door dimensions
- The accessibility needs/limitations
- The in and out traffic pattern
Compliance And Accessibility Standards
Professional automatic door installers have the knowledge to understand the applicable accessibility guidelines and the regulated installation requirements to adhere to the Florida Building Code.
Electrical Connectivity
Most automatic door openers require electrical integration. This electrical integration needs to be done safely and according to code, and only a professional licensed automatic door installer will be able to do that.
Safety Testing
Once installed, the system must be tested for proper operation and adherence to safety standards. A licensed and professional automatic door installer will have the knowledge and expertise to ensure that the door has all the safety requirements.
Long-Term Reliability
If equipment is installed as intended, future maintenance issues are minimized. A professional installation helps ensure that the equipment is installed correctly and performs as intended.
Warranty Compliance
Some automatic door manufacturers will not cover the warranty if the door has not been installed by a licensed and insured automatic door installer.
Automatic Door Openers at Advanced Mobility Inc
To select the correct door opener, you need to understand the different options available. Advanced Mobility Inc offers various door opener models, each designed to meet a specific need.
Some of the door models available include:
The DuraSwing 4 Series Door Opener
This automatic door opener is the most cost-effective solution to full door automation, especially for LULA elevators.
This series is available in three applications:
- The Dura-Swing 4S – a slide-type safety gate, mainly used for security and convenience.
- The Dura-Swing 4C – hatch doors directly from the elevator or a lift cab, making it the ideal choice for elevators with minimal access requirements.
- The Dura-Swing 4H – installed at the hatch doors from the hall side of the elevator shaft.
DuraSwing 5 Full-Time Door Opener
The Dura-Swing 5 full-time door opener is specifically designed for doors that require continuous automatic operation. Users can consistently have door access without needing to manually activate the system. This door is particularly useful in situations where individuals need regular and unrestricted access.
This versatile automatic door model can handle swing doors up to 4 ft wide and adapt to various configurations, including the in-swing, out-swing, left-hand, or right-hand setup.
DuraSwing 4 On-Demand Door Opener
The Dura Swing 4 on-demand door opener is efficient and durable. This model conserves energy and minimizes wear and tear by only activating when needed. Another advantage is that it can seamlessly integrate with existing door closers, making it an ideal choice for new construction or retrofit projects.
DuraSwing 4R On-Demand Door Opener
Very similar to the standard on-demand system, this door opener provides seamless automation for both indoor and exterior doors up to 4 ft wide. Robust and reliable, this system has a wireless receiver that enables the door to operate with a handheld remote transmitter and handle a variety of door functions that include:
- Unlocking
- Power opening
- Hold open
- Power closing
- Relocking
A professional assessment will determine whether this model is the most appropriate for your unique needs.
Automatic Door Opener Installation For Homes in South Florida
When consulting experienced professionals like Advanced Mobility Inc, homeowners can be confident that the automatic door opener that they choose will be expertly installed and designed to provide many years of reliable performance.
Open the door to greater independence, accessibility, and peace of mind by contacting Advanced Mobility Inc at 954-888-9292 today.