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Widen a doorway with Swing Away Hinges

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner CalBRE# 01433049

Swing Away Door HingeHave you ever tried to fit something through a doorway, just to find that the door itself was in the way? Just ask anyone who has ever been confined to a wheelchair at some point in time, they will tell you that most doorways are too narrow to begin with.

One solution is to remove the door altogether, but in modern homes today, the only rooms that have a door are bedrooms and bathrooms. A little privacy please?

A great solution to this problem are Swing Away Hinges (also called Offset Hinges). These hinges swing the door completely out and away from the opening, adding almost 2" of clearance.

The last time I checked, a pair of Swing-Away Hinges were selling for around $20 on Amazon.com. Now isn't that cheaper than a reciprocating saw?

 

 

Posted by

 

Cynthia Larsen (707-332-2560) is an independent real estate referral broker in Sonoma County, California as well as a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist.

CA Broker License #01433049

Comments (28)

Randi Brammer
Randi Brammer, Acctg. - Hinckley, MN
Accountant & Tax Preparer

In some areas a 'Pocket' door makes for a great space saver also.

Feb 23, 2012 09:24 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Never heard of them.  I like them a lot.  I like pocket doors... mom used one in her house and I'm thinking I'll use them where I can in my next house too.

Feb 23, 2012 09:27 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Jennifer - thank YOU for stopping by, nice to meet you!

Randi - yes, pocket doors are nice, but they are definitely limited to available space and design.

Tammy - I want to see the plans to your next house ... sounds like you are thinking about all possibilities.

Feb 23, 2012 09:36 AM
Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities
Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

The males in my family will be impressed when I suggest a swing away hinge the next time they encounter a tight doorway.  I can see the looks from my three sons now--priceless.

Feb 23, 2012 12:40 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Norma - what's priceless is your comment. Too funny!

Feb 24, 2012 01:27 AM
Malcolm Johnston
Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate LTD., Trenton, Ontario - Trenton, ON
Trenton Real Estate

Swing away hinges do sound preferable to battering a door down out of frustration. In this day and age, we really should be making our homes and businesses more friendly for people with disabilities Cynthia, and while these hinges are really such a small thing, they could make a huge difference to someone in a wheelchair.

Feb 24, 2012 06:01 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Malcolm - these hinges are probably the biggest bang for the buck when it comes to widening doorways.

Feb 24, 2012 07:38 AM
Iris Stuart
none - Santa Rosa, CA

I've seen these hinges in use and they are amazing.  Hopefully they will become easier to find.

Feb 24, 2012 01:43 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Iris - Amazon.com actually has quite a selection of them. I haven't looked in a hardware store yet, I plan to do that today.

Feb 25, 2012 01:55 AM
Charita Cadenhead
eXp Realty - Birmingham, AL
Serving Jefferson and Shelby Counties (Alabama)

I have pocket doors in my house.  It's like having a door and not having a door.

Feb 27, 2012 06:07 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

That is such a simple great idea Cynthia . I have had several applications where this would have been perfect... 

Feb 28, 2012 08:57 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Charita - pocket doors can be great, I've had them too.

Paul - I've taken a door off more than once ... these hinges could have made my job easier.

Feb 28, 2012 09:18 AM
Charles Buell
Charles Buell Inspections Inc. - Seattle, WA
Seattle Home Inspector

Cynthia those hinges can be useful when wheel chair access is minimal too.

Feb 28, 2012 11:11 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Charles - precisely the point ... the hardware stores will be selling these like candy when us boomers get old.

Feb 29, 2012 01:52 AM
Kasey & John Boles
Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID
Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I have never heard of these.  But it sounds like a pretty good solution to me.  Thanks! -Kasey

Feb 29, 2012 02:37 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

We are familiar with all the 55+ communities here and we have never seen these before...great information!

Feb 29, 2012 06:38 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

What a great idea.  I have one door that is way too narrow.  Love it.

Feb 29, 2012 11:36 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

What a great idea and bringing beds or couches in I've certainly had my fare share of knuckle rubs. I think I'm going to go buy some of these for our bedroom at the least. 

 

Mar 01, 2012 03:19 PM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Excellent idea Cynthia for more than one reason! We were thinking about furniture just like Todd Clark!

Mar 01, 2012 10:44 PM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Kasey - and affordable too!

Larry & Sheila - these will come in handy even in 55+ communities where doors are usually wider than in older homes.

Jane - for your "to do" list when you get back from India :)

Todd - I hear ya with the knuckles ... ouch!

Al & Peggy - whoever invented the door wasn't thinking about furniture!

Mar 02, 2012 12:19 AM