Ensuring you can live comfortably and safely in your home as you age is an integral part of any retirement plan. Making sure your home is accessible to seniors by adding age-friendly features is part of aging-in-place remodeling.
Making your home more accessible involves key considerations about windows and doors. Your doors play a big role in accessibility, while the windows will affect the quality of living in your home. Renewal by Andersen® of Louisville and Lexington, one of the top window installation companies in the state, elaborates on what makes a window and a door age-friendly.
Wheelchair-Accessible Doors
For a door to be accessible to seniors or people with mobility issues, it has to be wide enough for people using wheelchairs and walkers to pass through. The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) has set the minimum width for doorways at 36 inches. Of course, a wide-enough door is just the bare minimum. For entry doors, in particular, there should be a direct pathway leading from outside.
Easy-to-Open Locking Mechanisms
Lever handles are easier to open than doorknobs. Installing one on the front door, as well as on the doors of your home, can make it easier for the elderly to access your home.
For windows, there’s no particular type that’s more age-friendly than the others. Whether you’re considering installing double hung or casement windows, all that matters is that they’re easy to open and that they’re located closer to the floor. This to ensure they can be used by the elderly in the event of an emergency.
Renewal by Andersen® of Louisville and Lexington’s expansive catalog offers a wide range of window options that come in a variety of styles, including casement and double hung windows. For inquiries about our premium products, call (502) 716-7264 or (859) 629-4649.