dooropening

Door opening is the action of moving a door from a closed to an open state, enabling passage between spaces. Doors open in different ways depending on their design: hinged doors rotate on vertical pins, sliding doors move along tracks, and revolving doors rotate around a central axis. The direction of swing (inward or outward) is determined by room layout, safety, and building code requirements.

How it is achieved varies. Manual opening is accomplished by handles, knobs, or push/pull actions. Automatic doors use sensors and motors to initiate movement, commonly found in commercial buildings. Mechanical and electrical components such as hinges, latches, strike plates, and door closers regulate the force, speed, and stopping point of opening. Power-assisted doors and smart locks add accessibility and security features.

Design considerations include weather sealing for exterior doors, insulation, and air barriers; accessibility requirements for universal access; and security concerns such as anti-tamper hardware and automatic locking. For safety, doors should avoid pinch points, have clear signage, and be maintained to prevent sudden movement.

Common issues include misaligned hinges, swollen door frames due to humidity, worn latches, and malfunctioning automatic operators. Regular maintenance involves lubrication, hinge tightening, track cleaning for sliding doors, and testing of opening force and closing speed.