Doors

A door may be defined as a framework generally, consisting of wood, steel, aluminium, glass or a combination of these materials, secured in an opening left in a wall for the purpose of providing access to the users of the structure. It basically consists of two parts, i.e. (i) a frame and (ii) shutter (leaf). 

The frame is normally made of timber because it is available everywhere and it can be worked into different shapes without difficulty. However, where economy is the main consideration, frames made up of steel or precast R.C.C. members are also used. Steel or R.C.C. frames are recommended in construction on sites infested with termites. Shutters are generally made up of timber framework with panel insets of glass, timber, plywood, block board or a combination of such materials. In case of steel doors, the shutters are made of framework or rolled steel sections with panel inserts of glass or steel plates. Next to steel, aluminium is the metal largely used in the manufacture of doors. Aluminium doors are considered to be the best as they are rust proof and present an elegant appearance. However since aluminium is costly as compared with timber or steel, use of aluminium doors is normally restricted to public buildings. 

For small opening, a door is provided with one leaf or shutter and such a door is known as a single leaf door, In case of a wider opening, the door should have two leaves and such a door is termed as a double leaf door. Sometimes, a door is provided with shutter on both sides of the frame. Shutter on one side of the frame may have wire gauge mesh (in case of kitchen door) and on the other side the shutter may be fully panelled; such a door is known as a double shuttered door. 

Location of Doors 

The designer or planner of a building should observe the following rules while deciding the 

location of doors : 

1. The number of doors should be kept minimum for each room, because larger number causes obstruction and thus, decreases utility of the accommodation. The location and size of a door should be based on its functional requirements. 
2. From point of view of utility of the accommodation and the primary need of the occupants, doors should preferably be located near the comer of a room (nearly 20 cm from the comer). 
3. From point of view good ventilation and free air circulation inside the room, the doors should be located in opposite walls facing  each other. 
4. The location, number and size of doors are also decided considering the various factors, namely, desued day light, desired vision of outside, privacy, natural ventilation, heat loss, etc. 
5. In addition to above listed factors, doors should preferably be located with a view to improving the interior decoration of a room. 

Sizes of Doors 

In the context of doors, size means its width x height. In general, a door should he of such dimensions that it allows the movement of the largest object likely to be passed through the door. While in case of residential buildings it should be aimed that two persons walking shoulder to shoulder can freely move through the door; while in public buildings, bigger sizes are used. Normally, the sizes of doors provided in different locations in the buildings are as follows : 

1. Internal doors for residential buildings : 0.9 m x 2 m 
2. External doors for residential buildings : 1.0 m x 2.0 m 
3. Doors for bath rooms and water closets in residential buildings : 0.7 m x 2.0 m 
4. Doors in public buildings, viz. hospitals, libraries, cinemas, etc. : 1.2 m x 2.25 m 
5. Doors in garages : 2.5 m x 2.25 m 

Note : Minimum height of a door should not be less than 1.80 m. 

Common criterion for sizes of doors used in India is as follows : 

Width = 0.4 to 0.6 x Height, or 

Height = Width + 1.2 m.