Doorway Widening for Wheelchair and Walker Access in Tacoma

A standard interior doorway — typically 28 to 30 inches wide — is too narrow for most wheelchairs and many walkers. For anyone navigating their home with a mobility device, that gap isn't just inconvenient. It's a barrier to independence. Banah Home Services widens doorways throughout Tacoma and Pierce County, and as a DSHS-authorized provider, we can help eligible clients access Medicaid-waiver funding to cover the cost.

What "Accessible" Actually Means for a Doorway

ADA guidelines recommend a minimum clear opening of 32 inches, with 36 inches as the preferred standard for full wheelchair maneuverability. Most older Tacoma homes — particularly the pre-1940 craftsman and bungalow stock concentrated in neighborhoods like the North End and Proctor — were built with 28-inch rough openings that fall well short of that mark.

 

A compliant doorway widening project typically involves:

 

  • Removing the existing door frame and casing
  • Cutting back or repositioning the surrounding framing (including header modification where load-bearing walls are involved)
  • Installing a wider door slab and hardware appropriate for mobility-device users
  • Patching and finishing drywall, trim, and flooring at the threshold
  • Selecting lever-style hardware or offset hinges where full widening isn't structurally feasible

 

The goal isn't just a wider opening. It's a doorway that functions reliably for the person using it every day.

Why Tacoma Homes Require Extra Planning

Pierce County's housing stock is older than most people assume. Tacoma's median home build year is roughly 1968, and thousands of homes predate World War II. That history creates specific structural realities that affect doorway widening work.

 

Older framing often means narrower rough openings with non-standard lumber dimensions, knob-and-tube wiring routed through wall cavities near doorways, and load-bearing walls that require engineered header solutions rather than simple framing modifications. PNW moisture exposure also means we frequently find deteriorated framing or subfloor damage at exterior doorway thresholds — conditions that need to be addressed before a new door system goes in.

 

We assess every doorway before scoping the project. What looks like a straightforward widening on the surface sometimes reveals structural or moisture issues that, if ignored, would compromise the finished installation.

What's Involved in a Doorway Widening Project

Every project is different, but most residential doorway widenings follow a predictable sequence. Here's how we approach the work.

Initial Assessment and Scope

We visit the home, measure the existing rough opening, identify whether the wall is load-bearing, and check for any utility conflicts or moisture concerns. For DSHS-referred clients, we coordinate with the case worker to align scope with the approved modification plan before any work begins.

Structural Framing and Header Work

For non-load-bearing walls, widening is relatively straightforward — we remove the existing frame, reframe the opening to the target width, and install a new header sized for the span. Load-bearing walls require a temporary support wall, a properly engineered header, and careful sequencing to maintain structural integrity throughout the process.

Door, Frame, and Hardware Installation

We install the new door unit — sized to achieve the target clear opening — along with the frame, casing, and hardware. For accessibility applications, lever-style handles are standard. We can also install swing-clear offset hinges on existing doors in cases where a modest gain in clear width resolves the access issue without full structural modification.

Drywall, Trim, and Threshold Finishing

Widening a doorway always affects the surrounding wall finish. We patch drywall on both sides of the opening, match existing trim profiles as closely as possible, and address the floor transition at the threshold — including ramping or leveling where needed for smooth mobility-device passage.

Final Walk-Through and Documentation

Before we close out any project, we walk through the finished work with the homeowner or caregiver and confirm the door operates correctly under real conditions. Every project is photographed throughout using CompanyCam, and we provide before-and-after documentation — useful for DSHS reporting, insurance records, or simply your own peace of mind.

DSHS Funding Can Cover This Work

Banah Home Services is a DSHS-authorized environmental-adaptation provider, which means eligible Washington State residents can use Medicaid-waiver funding to pay for doorway widening and other accessibility modifications — at no out-of-pocket cost when the modification is approved.

 

If you or a family member receives services through DSHS's Home and Community Services division, ask your case manager whether home modification funding is available under your current plan. We work directly with DSHS referrals and understand the documentation, scope, and reporting requirements the program requires.

 

For clients who aren't DSHS-eligible, we also offer financing options to spread the cost of accessibility work over time.

Why Families in Tacoma and Pierce County Choose Banah

We're a veteran-owned, locally operated contractor with a team of approximately eight specialists who work exclusively in Pierce County and the surrounding South Sound communities. We don't subcontract accessibility work to crews unfamiliar with the project — the same people who assessed your home are the ones doing the work.

 

A few things that set our process apart:

 

  • DSHS authorization with near-zero local competition — very few Pierce County contractors are authorized to accept DSHS environmental-adaptation referrals, which means shorter wait times and a smoother approval process for eligible clients
  • Daily photo documentation via CompanyCam, so you always know what's happening on your project
  • Military discount for active-duty service members, veterans, and military families — an important consideration for the large JBLM-connected community in Lakewood, DuPont, and University Place
  • No commission-based upselling — we scope what the project actually requires and document every decision transparently

 

Accessibility work is personal. We treat it that way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Doorway Widening

  • How wide does a doorway need to be for a wheelchair?

    The ADA recommends a minimum clear opening of 32 inches, with 36 inches preferred for comfortable maneuverability. Standard interior doors in older homes typically provide only 24 to 28 inches of clear width — not enough for most power or manual wheelchairs. We size every project to the specific mobility device being used.

  • Will widening a doorway damage my walls or require major construction?

    For non-load-bearing walls, the disruption is relatively contained — framing, drywall patching, and finish work on both sides of the opening. Load-bearing walls require more involved structural work, including a temporary support wall and an engineered header, but the finished result looks and functions like a standard doorway. We photograph every stage so you can see exactly what was done.

  • Can DSHS pay for doorway widening in my home?

    Yes, in many cases. Washington State's DSHS Home and Community Services division offers Medicaid-waiver funding for home modifications — including doorway widening — for eligible clients. As a DSHS-authorized provider, Banah can accept these referrals directly. Contact your DSHS case manager to find out whether you qualify, then reach out to us to coordinate the scope and documentation.

  • How long does a doorway widening project take?

    Most single-doorway projects are completed in one to two days, depending on wall type and finish complexity. If multiple doorways are being widened in the same visit, we can often sequence the work efficiently to minimize disruption to the household.

  • Do you offer a military discount on accessibility modifications?

    Yes. We're a veteran-owned business and offer a military discount for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. Given the size of the JBLM-connected community across Tacoma, Lakewood, and DuPont, this is something we're proud to offer. Mention your military affiliation when you reach out and we'll apply the discount to your estimate.

Ready to Open Up Your Home

Doorway widening is one of the highest-impact accessibility modifications available — and one of the most straightforward when it's done right. Whether you're navigating a DSHS referral, planning ahead for aging in place, or simply need a doorway that works for your household today, we're ready to help. Contact Banah Home Services for a free in-home assessment and estimate.