The Curious
History of Swinging Saloon Doors
You
see them in every Western movie. Every time someone new comes into town they
enter the saloon through those iconic swinging saloon doors.
Where Did Swinging
Saloon Doors Originate?
The
only thing certain about swinging saloon doors is that their history is very uncertain. We're not 100% positive of where
these doors originated from, but we are sure they've been around in the Old
West since there was an Old West. These saloon doors were often used as an
entrance to saloons and other stores/establishments in western towns throughout
the USA.
Swinging
saloon doors have two doors, split down the middle to make an easy entrance and
exit. These swinging doors were easy to open and made it a breeze to swing them
open with your hands full to carry in and out goods of the store(s). These
swinging saloon doors would have been the Wild West equivalent of todayÂ’
automatic doors. I think we have all seen a drunk cowboy with a beer in hand
swinging open a set of saloon doors. But that probably did happen.
The double action hinges made it easier to enter or exit
with your hands full since the doors did not require a handle to be turned.
These double doors are still currently used in many applications including
restaurants, bars, storage closets, etc. Bommer started making double action
hinges in the 1870s and continued until 2022. This long-standing company is
just one of the worldÂ’s manufacturers of double action hinges. The saloon doors
would have made it inviting to enter, allowed a cross breeze to flow through
the stores, and provided some privacy for actions that might be happening
behind these doors. All of these reasons made them
very practical for more businesses and homes before air conditioning and modern
amenities.
How Did They
Become Iconic?
The
style of the doors was praised by saloon owners as they let fresh air in and
smoke out while allowing a cross breeze to cold the air. They also were able to
maintain some privacy by having empty doors while still enticing people to come
in when they heard the laughter and music. With Hollywood keeping the vibe of
saloons alive in Old West movies, we've seen the rise of old saloon doors in
modern decor. They are continuing to evolve with design, options, and
features.
So,
while the function of the doors might be as old as time, the style has been
updated to modern décor standards. These doors and hardware can create
beautiful dramatic entrances in your home and business. Saloon doors are
increasing in popularity, being used in both designer and celebrity homes.
Making them trendy and offering new uses for these tried-and-true swinging
doors.
Modern Uses for
Saloon Style Doors
Nowadays
bars or 'saloons' don't use these doors anymore because they are not secure.
However, they are still adapted and used in unique ways today. Check out some of the coolest ways
we've used saloon-style doors. Some of the same reasons these doors were
used in the past apply to their new applications as well.
Even
in the most modern of homes, it's nice to have something old in it as an homage.
You can use a beautiful saloon-style door to add a rustic feel to your
bathroom. It's a great option for a master bathroom with no doors and can
easily be installed and come in a variety of styles and finishes. These doors
can also be installed to offer privacy to a water closet or an attached closet.
The easy installation and multiple design options make bathroom saloon doors a
must.
If you
want to separate your kitchen from the rest of your house without having a
traditional door, saloon doors are a great option. Much like their original
purpose, you can keep the kitchen private, while still leaving it open to allow
easy access. The double action hinges will allow you to breeze through the
kitchen and dining room with your hands full.
Many
people have mudrooms in their homes, and what better way to separate that from
the rest of your home than with traditional saloon doors? The doors still make
it easy to walk in and out of the room but close off any clutter in your home.
Adding saloon style doors to your laundry room can help hide a messy laundry
room from guests, but still, allow the doors to push open easily with laundry
baskets in hand.
If
you're like a lot of homeowners, you'll notice your closet doesn't have a door.
Add these swinging doors to it for a little privacy without compromising space
or appeal. These swinging doors will allow air to flow through all space and
make sure the clothes stay fresh. The doors will also allow for maximum space
within your closet as well.
A
stronger stylish option for pet gates or baby gates. We have options with
slats, windows, spindles, or full plexiglass to allow for visibility that still
provides the necessary separation of space.
Whether
you are looking for a full length double swing pantry door or a half size
pantry door they will make a great addition to your kitchen. The doors can be
pushed open with your hands full so no need for a door
handle with the double action hardware. Perfect doors for a kitchen
pantry. Maritime Nautical Porthole Double Swinging Doors,
full-length swinging doors, are a great option for a butler pantry or swinging
kitchen door, adding a whimsical nautical design to your home plus a functional
door that will hide your butler pantry.
With
the growing number of companies allowing their employees to work from home, the
need for a home office has increased dramatically. These home offices can be
built into a space you currently have with some creativity and privacy. Using
swinging saloon doors is a great way to add privacy without major
construction.
When
having guests at your house, itÂ’s always nice to give them some privacy. Si
nce
most secondary bedrooms do not offer an ensuite bathroom, you can use saloon
doors to help with privacy. These doors are great installed in a hallway
offering privacy when moving from the bathroom to the bedroom.
Man Caves
and She sheds are a great way to offer some entertainment space. Saloon doors
make a perfect entrance to a man cave or a She shed.
Since
the pandemic, people are spending more time at home and renovating their
spaces. Bathroom reno is a great place for saloon doors, they can serve several
functions including bathroom doors, guest suites, home offices, and storage
closet doors. The possibilities are endless.
Get Your Own
Iconic Doors
If
you're looking to get your own iconic swinging saloon doors, get a custom quote today. We can install and recommend a
variety of doors to fit your exact needs. Swinging Café Doors offers
wide variety of styles, heights, widths, and hardware options.
