The Evolution Of Doors

How necessary are doors? Well, that seems like a stupid question, but really think on it for a while. Doors are more important than we think and we use them more often than we can count. To describe a door, it is not only an entry or exit to somewhere. In fact it is defined as a hinged barrier that is used to cover the opening that is used as a way in or an exit. The history of doors is untraceable as it perhaps goes back to man’s first robbery attempt. We have seen the designs and modes of doors develop a lot in front of our own eyes. The main reason of this evolution has forever been security. Prehistoric man enclosed their cave doors with rocks to keep the animals away. He then got to know the art of lumber works, and wood was used to make hard yet lighter doors. After that, you probably saw how industrialization encouraged the custom of metals in steel buildings or roll up door. Metal turned out to be even more secure with a less dense sheet than wood.

Despite the advantages of one material over another, we still see all of them being used. Many varieties of doors now come from a variety of designs. These designs can either be for the sake of beauty or for practicality and use. Some designs are also, specific to a specific culture or architectural pattern. Let’s have a glance through changing doors throughout the time and cultures.

The slab doors: These are the most regular types of door used in the houses and apartments. They usually have a handle or a knob at one side. These doors are hinged from the opposite side so that they can swing open when a handle or knob is turned. They are made of a slab of wood that can be either flat or engraved.

French Doors: As it is French, there has to be some type of ‘beauty’ element about it. This beauty is shaped by many small glass windows in the door. These windows are also called ‘lights’. A French door can have a many numbers of lights.

Dutch doors: Ever come across a door which is flatly divided in two panels? These are Dutch doors. These types of doors are commonly used in stables to easily feed the farm animals without letting them completely free.

Saloon Doors: This is where the cowboy makes his dramatic entry. These are light panels that can go automatically back to their previous place and can be pushed from either side to swing open and differ in length. The one that is almost about shoulder to knee length is also known as the Batwing door.

Folding doors: These types of doors have many panels which can be folded to open and requires a small amount of space than a swinging door will need in front of it.

Sliding door: These doors combine the convenience of both folding and swinging doors. Still they don’t really have panels like the folding door. Such a door is usually a single panel of glass or any different sheet. Plus it does not require much free space in front of it. However, there has to be enough side area to slide the panel and totally open the doorway.

Connor R. Sullivan has noticed an increase of steel buildings being used as warehouse space. He has decided to use roll up doors in the steel building he is erecting.