low profile door knob

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

I have a door from my kitchen to the garage and the refrigerator is right next to that door. Currently you can not open the door all the way or the fridge all the way because they are too close together. We're going to be having the door flipped around so that it swings into the garage, but I would prefer if the door knob were on the side where the fridge is (because that would allow me to access a pantry in the garage without the garage door blocking the pantry when the door is open). Does anyone know of some very low profile door knobs? It doesn't need to be a locking knob - i can install a separate lock if i have to.

Featured Answer

User

10 years ago

The door from the garage should be as secure as any other exterior door. Thieves commonly open garage doors from the street with automatic openers and enter a house under the cover of the garage. Security hinges contain small studs that would prevent the door from being easily removed from the garage side.

A door to a garage usually only needs to have a solid core but in some states the door panel must actually have a fire rating label but not the hardware or frame for some reason.

If there are 2 steps from the garage to the house you cannot open the door over them nor would you want to; someone could be seriously injured. No one expects to open a door and step into space.

2012 IRCR311.7.6 Landings for stairways.
There shall be a floor or landing at the top and bottom of each stairway. ....
Exception: A floor or landing is not required at the top of an interior flight of stairs, including stairs in an enclosed garage, provided a door does not swing over the stairs.

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Comments (8)

rwiegand
10 years ago
If you google "low profile door knob" or "flush mount door knob" you will find many choices.
User
10 years ago
Be careful that the door to the garage doesn't swing over a step. It should also have security hinges to prevent the door from being removed from the garage side.
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Ian Lipsky
Original Author
10 years ago
Are you not allowed to have a door swing over a step? Because there is a small step down into the garage. And i don't really care about security hinges. They would first have to break through either the exterior door or the actual car garage door first, and then have to deal with the door the leads into the house. And then they'd have to deal with my dog. :) I only care about the hinges if they would be required by the building code.
Vith
10 years ago
Technically per code, no the door shouldn't swing over steps. However, if you can open the door while standing on the solid floor it shouldn't be a 'real' issue.
Ian Lipsky
Original Author
10 years ago
yeah i can open the door while standing on the ground. It's only a step or two up to the door.

They already flipped the door around - but I have a feeling they are going to have to redo it since I'm pretty sure they also need to replace the door with a newer fire safety rated door. Guess they'll find out when the inspector next comes.
Ian Lipsky
Original Author
10 years ago
The steps are not going to be an issue for us. We never come in from the garage. And I'm not concerned about the security... We never even lock this door. It's just a matter of what the building inspector will require.
wildchild2x2
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
It's not to code. How do you expect a building inspector to pass it?

Listen to what JDS is saying. He is giving you sound advice. It doesn't matter that the step/steps don't bother you. A guest, a worker, a child, even a thief gets hurt on that set-up and you are in for a major lawsuit. Homeowners liability insurance won't pay out for things out of code.