March 2022
Many newer condos include sliding doors in place of traditional doors.
As condo units have become smaller, hallways narrower and clearances reduced, traditional doors have become a problem.
Glass sliding doors or partitions have replaced traditional doors and bedroom walls. Bedroom closets and windows have also quietly disappeared. For developers this offers cost savings and ways to make smaller units appear larger. Larger bedrooms, narrower hallways and reduced storage space are becoming more common. Less natural light is becoming more acceptable.
Smaller condo units mean more units per floor with each unit being narrower. Each unit may lack sufficient exposure to an outside wall and natural light.
The building code requires bedrooms to have a window covering at least five percent of the area served. A door or skylight providing the equivalent glass area can be substituted. Recent changes have eliminated the requirement for bedrooms to contain closets and a functioning window on an exterior wall.
