The Effect of Sliding Door Hardware Design on Opening Operation

Usability of sliding door was tested with different door hardware designs, i.e., a grab bar, a vertical door pull, and a recessed door pull. Three levels of force necessary for operation (10 N, 20 N, and 30 N) were compared. Sixteen subjects of different ages participated in the experiments. They reported the ease of use, and their behavior was also observed. Results suggest that no more than 20 N force is desirable for easy operation, and depth of 15 mm would be necessary for a door pull to apply the force effectively.