Ada Compliant Door Installations Enhancing Accessibility
Accessibility modifications are some of the most meaningful work we do. When someone needs a wider doorway so they can get through their own home in a wheelchair, or when an aging parent needs better access to live independently — that's not just a home improvement project. That matters.
And when that doorway is in a load-bearing wall? That's where we come in.
What ADA-Compliant Doors Actually Require
The ADA standard for door openings is a minimum 32-inch clear width, with 36 inches being the practical target most contractors and accessibility consultants recommend. For a wheelchair or power scooter, 36 inches of clear passage makes a real difference in ease of use.
Most standard interior doors run 28-30 inches. That means widening them. And widening a door opening — especially in a load-bearing wall — isn't just a framing job. It requires a properly sized header or beam to carry the load that the removed framing was supporting.
Load-Bearing Walls and Door Widening
Here's where people get into trouble. They hire a handyman to widen a door opening, the handyman doesn't check whether the wall is load-bearing, and suddenly there's a sagging ceiling or cracked framing a few months later. We've seen it.
Our process: we evaluate the wall, our in-house PE sizes the header, we install temporary support, widen the opening, and install a properly engineered header that carries the load. Done right the first time. No callbacks, no structural surprises.
Other Accessibility Modifications We Support
Widening a door opening is often the first step in a broader accessibility renovation. Roll-in showers, zero-threshold entries, open floor plans that allow easier navigation — many of these involve structural walls. We've done 12,000+ wall and opening modifications since 2015. We know this work.
Residential and Commercial
ADA compliance is required for commercial properties and public accommodations. We work on both. Whether it's a residential home modification for a family member or a commercial renovation to meet code requirements, the engineering approach is the same — do it right, do it to spec, make sure it lasts.
Three locations in Texas: Plano (HQ), The Woodlands, and Lakeway/Austin. Call us at 214.624.5200 (DFW), 713.322.3908 (Houston), or 512.641.9555 (Austin). Or request a free estimate online.