Home Ideas & Advice : Barrier-free living

A home often accompanies us for many decades. But our lives change.

Today, we push the pram into the house, carry the weekly shopping through the residential door or pull our suitcase behind us when we return from holiday. Tomorrow, perhaps the grandparents would like to visit their grandchildren using a walking frame. Or a sports injury or knee operation may temporarily turn every step and every threshold into a challenge.

A home should adapt to these changes – not the other way around.

Barrier-free and low-barrier solutions help reduce tripping hazards, make everyday routes easier and maintain independence in daily life. Whether you are building a new home, modernising or renovating – thinking about tomorrow today helps create a home that supports people at every stage of life.

Accessibility is much more than a building requirement or an issue for later life.

It means enabling people to move around as independently and safely as possible, without unnecessary obstacles – regardless of their individual circumstances.

Young families benefit just as much as older people or those with temporary mobility restrictions.

A barrier-free or low-barrier home can make everyday life easier, for example, when …

• the pram needs to be pushed easily through the patio door.
• shopping needs to be carried into the house without the risk of tripping.
• bicycles or garden furniture need to be moved through the side entrance.
• friends or family members using a walking frame or wheelchair come to visit.
• grandparents want to continue visiting their grandchildren independently for as long as possible.
• an injury or operation temporarily restricts mobility.

Above all, barrier-free design creates one thing: greater freedom of movement for every generation.

Fewer tripping hazards. Better quality of life.

Small obstacles often only become noticeable when they start making everyday life more difficult.

Thresholds at residential, balcony or patio doors in particular are used several times a day. Any difference in height can become a tripping hazard and make access unnecessarily difficult.

Low-threshold or – where the structural conditions allow – level transitions create flowing connections between indoor and outdoor spaces. They make it easier to enter the home, increase safety and help people of all ages move around comfortably.

At the same time, modern door systems meet high requirements for thermal insulation, airtightness and protection against wind and driving rain. In this way, they combine everyday practicality with high functionality.

Barrier-free building – well planned from the start

When building a new home, accessibility can be incorporated into the planning process from the outset.

Step-free access, low-threshold door solutions and sufficient circulation space can all be considered as part of the overall concept. This creates a home that not only meets today’s needs but is also prepared for future requirements.

The earlier accessibility is considered, the easier it is to implement.

Barrier-free design does not mean having to compromise on modern design.

Contemporary residential doors, side entrance doors as well as balcony and patio doors combine high-quality materials, a wide range of colours and timeless design with well-thought-out solutions for greater freedom of movement.

The result is a home that is functional while reflecting your personal style.

What does barrier-free living mean?

Barrier-free living means that a home can be used as independently, safely and without obstacles as possible. The aim is to make everyday life easier and more comfortable for people of all ages.

What is the difference between barrier-free and low-barrier?

Barrier-free solutions meet defined requirements, for example those of DIN 18040-2. Low-barrier solutions significantly reduce obstacles without fully meeting all requirements of the standard.

Is accessibility only important for older people?

No. Families with prams, people carrying luggage, visitors using a walking frame or wheelchair, and people with a temporary injury also benefit from low-threshold access and safe circulation areas.

Can an existing home be converted to reduce barriers?

Yes. Many measures can also be implemented as part of modernisation or renovation. The available options depend on the structural conditions.

What role do door thresholds play?

Low-threshold or level transitions make it easier to access the house, patio or balcony. At the same time, they help reduce tripping hazards and make everyday life easier.

What are the requirements of DIN 18040?

DIN 18040-2 specifies requirements for barrier-free construction in residential buildings. Among other things, door thresholds should be avoided wherever possible and – where technically necessary – should not exceed 20 mm in height.

Freedom of movement is quality of life.

Barrier-free design means making decisions today that will make life easier tomorrow.

Whether you are building a new home or modernising an existing one – a home with as few barriers as possible creates safety, independence and freedom of movement for every generation.