Forum Archive : Doors

Please help – I imagine this problem has come up before but I don’t think it has ever been addressed in the forum. We have a 4 story building and intend to keep the bottom duplex for ourselves and rent out the top 2 floors. We are having trouble configuring the entranceway on the parlor level to allow access to both the duplex or to the staircase that leads to the rentals (we are keeping a basement entrance as well but want two ways of egress). Right now the parlor level has the typical vestibule with an entrance door and an inner door which opens to the main stairway or to the parlor floor. We want a separate entrance but the hallway next to the stairs is too narrow to install a doorframe/door. So, do we (1) build an angled wall from the bottom of the staircase to the parlor wall or (2) take down the inner vestibule door and install 2 doors (one leading to the common staircase and the other into the duplex)? Because the vestibule right now is too narrow to install 2 doors, we would have to move the parlor wall 1 foot in to accomodate 2 doors. This question has stumped 2 designers and I’m afraid either option isn’t aesthetically pleasing. Other options are greatly welcomed.