Every storefront entrance has to work for everyone, including people using wheelchairs, walkers or strollers. In Texas, commercial accessibility is governed by the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS), administered by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), alongside the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. When a Dallas tenant builds out a space or replaces a storefront entrance, accessibility should be checked before glass and doors are ordered, not after the inspection.
This is a practical checklist, not legal advice. Your architect or a Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS) makes the final call for your project.
Clear Door Width
Accessible doors need enough clear opening width when the door is open, measured from the face of the door to the stop on the other side. Narrow storefront doors and pairs where only one leaf is used are common problems in older centers.
Door Hardware
- Hardware must be operable without tight grasping, pinching or twisting, so lever handles, push bars and pulls are typical
- Hardware must be mounted within the required height range
- Panic hardware is required on some doors depending on occupancy
Thresholds
Thresholds must be low and beveled so a wheelchair can roll over them. Old raised thresholds and changes in level at the entrance are frequent issues, especially where the sidewalk has settled.
Opening Force and Closers
A door that is too heavy to open is a barrier. Closers need to be adjusted so the door is not too hard to open and does not close too fast. Strong winds can make exterior doors harder to control, so closer selection and adjustment matter.
Maneuvering Space
There must be clear floor space on both sides of the door, including extra space on the latch side. Displays, planters, menu boards and furniture near the entrance can block it.
Vestibules
Many Texas storefronts add vestibules to hold conditioned air in. Two doors in a row need enough space between them for a wheelchair to clear one door before opening the next.
TDLR Registration and Review
In Texas, many commercial construction projects above a cost threshold must be registered with TDLR and reviewed and inspected by a Registered Accessibility Specialist. Your architect or general contractor should confirm whether your build-out needs registration early in the project.
When to Upgrade the Entrance
If you are replacing a storefront door, changing the entrance location or remodeling for a new tenant, it is the right time to bring the entrance up to current standards. Fixing an entrance after a failed inspection usually costs more and delays opening.
Storefront Entrances in Dallas
We install and upgrade commercial entrance doors and storefronts across Dallas, Irving and Richardson. Call 866-665-3975 to talk through your entrance.