Great question — and one that comes up a lot for business owners!
The short answer: No, automatic doors are NOT required by ADA law. However, they are one of the best and easiest ways to meet ADA compliance — especially for high-traffic businesses.
Here’s what ADA actually requires for doors:
- Minimum 32″ clear width (36″ recommended)
- No more than 5 lbs of force to open
- Lever-style hardware — no round knobs
- 18″ clearance on the latch/pull side
- Threshold no higher than ½ inch
Automatic doors solve most of these requirements automatically (pun intended). They eliminate the force issue, are easy to navigate for wheelchair users, and create a welcoming entrance for everyone — including elderly customers and parents with strollers.
Where automatic doors are strongly recommended:
- Medical offices & healthcare facilities
- Retail stores & restaurants
- Office buildings
- Any high-foot-traffic entrance
If you’re in the Newnan, GA area and unsure whether your doors meet ADA standards, U.S. Door Service offers ADA door compliance assessments and automatic door installation. They can walk you through exactly what your building needs — without the guesswork.
Automatic doors aren’t required, but they make compliance easy, reduce liability, and improve the customer experience for everyone.