accessibility
“Sliding doors provide the benefit of an entirely clear floor space”
Lifetime Homes
The Lifetime Homes standard considers the spatial needs of a property in order to provide basic and essential accessibility facilities, either from the outset or through simple, cost-effective adaptations. This means that ordinary homes are designed to foster inclusivity,
accessibility, adaptability, sustainability and value. Such homes also take into account the mobility needs of a wide range of people and include features like level access, wider doorways and most crucially, the potential for cost-effective adaptations. The principles of building or adapting homes to the Lifetime Homes standard account for changing needs within the household, or the different needs of a new household over the lifetime of a dwelling. The standard offers many advantages to disabled people, older people, family carers and parents with young children. It supports the wellbeing and sustainability of families and communities, combats isolation and enables diversity. High costs have been an important talking point with regards to adopting the standard more widely. A number of studies into the cost of Lifetime Homes concluded that compliance with the standard could lead to extra spending from £545 to £1615 per dwelling. However, the potential savings generated from the health and social care budgets alone can be substantial, and the benefits stretch beyond finance. Adapted homes can boost residents’ wellness and enable them to feel more confident, relaxed and comfortable in their homes.
Getting around
When adapting the openings within a home, doors and their suitability for all users must be considered. The swinging function of a traditional door
can be obtrusive, cumbersome and take up unnecessary space when in operation. On the other hand, sliding doors provide the benefit of an entirely clear floor space, allowing for easier mobility between rooms. Well-designed sliding door systems can improve accessibility for individuals with varying needs, such as parents pushing buggies, carrying children or shopping; older people using mobility aids; members of a household with a temporary disability due to illness or an accident, and members of the household or visitors with permanent disabilities. Motion sensors or push buttons can further enhance the ease of use. Sliding doors ensure optimum use of a home’s floor space. Used as a
room divider, they can effortlessly split spaces in an open-plan design to create functional living areas. In smaller rooms such as en suites, toilets and bathrooms, pocket doors that glide into the wall cavity can free up larger spaces typically taken up by a swing door. This type of door is also ideal for storage areas such as walk-in wardrobes, utility rooms and pantries. Sliding door systems must also be versatile and cover various aperture
sizes made with high quality components and tested for everyday use. They should also be able to carry different door materials such as wood, metal or glass, and carry various panel weights to meet distinct design and functionality requirements. Choosing a manufacturer that can provide British-engineered systems
that are cost efficient and combine high performance with aesthetic appeal is key. An experienced UK-based company, with the design expertise to create bespoke solutions, is favourable to social housing developers and specifiers looking to meet the requirements of accessible homes.
Philip Jones is UK business development manager at P C Henderson
32 | HMM January 2017 |
www.housingmmonline.co.uk
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