Stable doors may be uncommon in some houses but more and more residents are leaning towards this type of door simply because they are appealing in a rural countryside manner. Also known as Dutch doors in the United States and half doors elsewhere around the world, stable doors were inspired by farm houses in the Netherlands before the turn of the 17th century.

Like those found in horse stables, stable doors are the only type of doors that can be both open and closed at the same time! It is divided horizontally into two hinged parts whereby you can opt to shut one or both sections of the door. The normal practice is to leave the top panel open while letting the bottom one remain shut. Pet owners who are concerned about the safety of their furry companions love installing stable doors because they can keep their overly frisky cat or dog from rushing out of the door each time a visitor comes calling. Simply open the top portion of your stable door and you will be free to chat with a guest or the postman without having to leash or hold on to your eager pet. As an alternative to visually displeasing baby gates, stable doors also prevent young children and toddlers from wandering out of your home unnoticed. This way, unwanted accidents can be avoided. Besides that, stable doors are also a favored addition to a household due to its aesthetic value and solid security features. During summer days, stable doors eliminate the heat by allowing the breeze to drift in and cool down the interior of your home. Just be sure to install insect screens on your stable doors to keep the pests out of your house.

Today, stable doors have pretty much diversified in terms of usage. They are not only used as kitchen doors or garage doors, but can also be found in a charming children’s playhouse and can also act well as a nursery door. In businesses, stable doors are great alternatives to a reception desk as it separates the staff and customer as the latter can converse with an employee without invading the work area which can be quite hazardous.

Finally, if you are thinking of creating a DIY-styled stable door, you may consider modifying your existing door by cutting it in two and separating the portions with bolt, hinges and locks. Of course there is your budget to consider so do shop around and see if it’s more affordable to get your own stable door custom made before visiting the DIY store. You might just save yourself countless hassle!