The Real Reason Doors in Public Bathrooms Don’t Reach the Floor
August 10, 2024
source: IrKiev/iStock
Have you ever experienced that uncomfortable feeling when you’re in a public restroom, doing your business, and suddenly realize there are someone’s shoes right in front of yours? It’s one of those peculiar, unspoken social interactions that are common to all of us. I recall an instance where I was in a packed cinema hall, and when the movie stopped for an interval, I, along with everyone else, raced to the washroom. There I found myself sitting down, unable to resist noticing the various types of feet and shoes shuffling and tapping beside me. There was the high heel of an executive who may have regretted her large soda, the worn-down sneaker of a teenager who probably would have preferred to be on their phone rather than in the theater, and then the unmistakable sound of a Croc. Yes, Crocs—somebody was wearing them with such swagger that I couldn’t help but giggle to myself.
It’s experiences like these that make me ponder the design of public restrooms. Why don’t the doors extend all the way to the floor? It’s a question that has crossed my mind more than once, especially when I’m alone in the stall and hear a slight knock on the door just seconds later, as someone checks if the stall is occupied. It turns out there’s actually a rather good reason for this particular design feature of public restrooms, and it has nothing to do with trying to make us all feel awkward by exposing our shoes.
Why Partial Bathroom Doors?
Well, let’s not waste any time and get to the main question: why don’t the doors of bathroom stalls touch the floor? It’s not because the builders ran out of materials or wanted to make some cuts, although cost does matter. There are a number of practical reasons for this design, and when you really think about it, it makes a lot of sense.
First of all, safety is a big issue. Suppose you’re in a public restroom, and something goes wrong—you faint or have a medical complication. If the doors extended to the floor, it would be extremely difficult for someone to realize you’re in trouble. Since there’s an opening at the bottom, it’s easy to be noticed by someone, and they can quickly seek assistance if necessary. Also, if the door got stuck in any way, rescuers would still be able to reach you by going underneath or over the door. It’s one of those design elements you might not pay attention to until you need it, but it’s definitely useful.
Another major factor is hygiene. It’s true that public restrooms are not the cleanest places, especially in high-traffic areas such as malls, airports, or stadiums. The gap under the door makes it easier for janitors to clean without stepping into the stall. They can quickly mop the floor and ensure everything is clean, which is especially important given how many people might use the restroom in one day. Also, with the gap, it’s easier to identify if a stall is out of order or needs extra attention, like when someone has a bit of an “oops” moment and the stall gets messy.
Do you know how it feels when you enter a bathroom and it feels a bit too stuffy? Ventilation is crucial in making sure public restrooms don’t become a nightmare to use. The small gaps underneath the doors allow for better airflow, which helps prevent unpleasant smells from lingering too long, making the whole experience more bearable. It’s not a perfect system, but without those gaps, public restrooms would be much more uncomfortable.
We shouldn’t lose sight of the cost factor. It’s more affordable to construct stall doors that don’t touch the floor. Using less material translates to reduced costs, and with many public restrooms having several stalls, the amount of money saved can be significant. It also means the doors are lighter and easier to install and maintain. Although the difference may seem small, it plays an important role in the creation of public spaces.
This one might seem a little funny, but there’s a reason for it. Alas, public restrooms are among the most common targets of graffiti and other forms of vandalism. Since the doors don’t touch the floor, it’s easier for staff and others to see what’s happening inside a stall. It’s a subtle deterrent against misbehavior because, let’s face it, people tend to behave themselves when they know they could be seen. It’s not 100 percent effective, but it does minimize the chances of someone treating the stall like their personal canvas.
And last but not least, there’s the matter of knowing if a stall is occupied. The few inches of space at the bottom of the door make it easy to determine whether someone is inside without having to knock or peer through the cracks between the door and the frame. It’s a small thing, but it can make the experience of using public restrooms a bit more bearable for everyone involved.
Well, there you have it—those spaces beneath public restroom stall doors aren’t just there to make us all feel uncomfortable or to peek at what others are wearing on their feet. They’re useful in ensuring safety, cleanliness, and saving on costs, as well as deterring undesirable conduct. The next time you’re in a public toilet, you should probably consider these reasons, and maybe you’ll feel a bit better about the design. Or perhaps you’ll still be uncomfortable and just want to leave as soon as possible. Either way, at least now you know why those doors don’t reach the floor.