An accessible entrance isn’t just good practice for a Baton Rouge business – it’s a legal requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and it’s often one of the first things a customer notices about how much a business has invested in its space. When we work with commercial property owners on storefront and office glass doors, ADA compliance is one of the first specs we confirm.
Clear Width Requirements
ADA-compliant entrances require a minimum 32-inch clear opening when the door is held open at 90 degrees. In practice, that means specifying a 36-inch door, since standard hardware and hinges reduce the usable opening by a few inches. (CDF Distributors)
Maneuvering Clearance
Beyond the door itself, the space around it matters. The floor area on the approach side of a door needs to be clear of obstructions for a minimum height of 80 inches, with specific clearance dimensions depending on the direction of approach and whether the door has a closer. (U.S. Access Board)
Threshold Height
Entrance thresholds cannot exceed 1/2 inch in height – a detail that’s easy to overlook when a storefront glass system is being installed over existing flooring or tile.
Smooth Push-Side Surface
The push side of a swinging glass door needs a smooth, uninterrupted surface across the bottom 10 inches of the door, spanning its full width. This allows a wheelchair footrest to push the door open without catching on a raised panel, kickplate edge, or hardware.
Hardware Height and Style
Lever-style handles, not knobs, are required on accessible entrances, mounted between 34 and 48 inches above the floor so they’re operable without tight grasping or twisting.
Why This Matters Beyond Compliance
An accessible entrance isn’t only about avoiding liability – it’s about not turning away customers. A door that’s difficult to open or navigate is a door some percentage of your customer base simply won’t use.
How Big River Glass Approaches ADA Storefront and Office Glass
When we design and install commercial glass entrances – storefronts, office glass doors, or retail entries – we confirm clear width, maneuvering clearance, threshold height, and hardware specs against ADA requirements before fabrication, not after.
Get a Quote
Planning a new storefront or office entrance in Baton Rouge? Contact our commercial team at Big River Glass for a consultation.
Big River Glass serves Baton Rouge and surrounding communities including Gonzales, Zachary, Denham Springs, Baker, and Central, LA.
Sources: U.S. Access Board, Chapter 4: Entrances, Doors, and Gates; CDF Distributors, ADA Door Accessibility Requirements; Glass Magazine, Demystifying ADA Compliant Entrances.