Townhouses and small multi-residential projects amplify front door problems. Tight sites, repeated details and shared boundaries mean small issues quickly multiply across a project.
This article looks at how builders can manage front doors in attached housing to reduce defects, improve durability and simplify repetition. It builds on the sequencing and coordination principles established earlier in the builders cluster.
Why repetition magnifies defects
In multi-residential projects
- One mistake becomes ten
- One poor detail is repeated across multiple dwellings
- One confusing handover issue generates multiple complaints
Front doors are particularly exposed because they sit at the interface between private dwellings and shared space.
Reducing component count
Using a single, integrated front door system helps builders
- Reduce variation between units
- Simplify ordering and logistics
- Maintain consistent tolerances
This is especially valuable where security screens would otherwise be added later, creating inconsistency across dwellings.
Durability in shared environments
Shared circulation spaces expose front doors to
- Increased foot traffic
- Impact from furniture and prams
- Higher likelihood of misuse
Durability considerations here align closely with the thinking in designing front doors for longevity and low maintenance.
Managing privacy and ventilation
In attached housing, occupants want ventilation without opening doors into shared spaces. A secure ventilation mode allows
- Airflow without compromising privacy
- Doors to remain locked
- Reduced conflict between neighbours
This usability benefit supports smoother post-handover periods and fewer management issues.
Builder benefits at scale
When front doors are standardised and simplified
- Install times are more predictable
- Defect risk drops
- Builders gain confidence repeating the detail
The coordination logic behind this approach is reinforced in reducing front door defects through better coordination.