The Evolution of doors

By Doorco’s creative consultant Jeyda.

The 21st century world can sometimes feel like things are changing exhaustingly quickly. The moment your mum finally learns how to decipher cryptic text language, the world has moved on to conversing through bizarre emojis, witty gifs and topical memes. One industry I thought I could rely on for a slower, steadier course through time, was doors. Turns out, the world of doors is undergoing a whole lot of change too.

Back in the day, the most common way to find out you had a visitor would have been a good old-fashioned bang on the door. Perhaps you took particular pride in your door and took the time to have an iron-cast knocker made – saving the visitor’s knuckles from a sharp rap. There’s still plenty of these wrought beauties dotted around, but for the most part, we’ve upgraded to the digital bell to announce the arrival of someone on your doorstep (usually just a simple ringing sound but there are plenty with painstakingly cheerful tunes to choose from as well).

However, through consumer demand, lots of door companies have gone down the traditional route instead, offering a Victorian-style knocker with a handy peephole so you can eye up the arrival and make a judgement call about whether those fluffy PJs are suitable for the outside world.

Recently, a number of apps have sprung up to disrupt the world of door opening. Not only can you have a customised tone, but many also come fitted with video cameras and microphones that let you to unlock the door remotely so you no longer even have to stop watching Gogglebox and trundle down the corridor in order to let someone in – couch heaven.

I spoke to one London-based company, Kitt, who have even gone a step further to join door entry with facial recognition technology so tenants can enter the building just by peering into a camera. I am assured it even works if you tried to enter bleary-eyed after a few too many beverages.

And then there’s the world of Smart – this clever system doesn’t just offer keyless entry but will tell you via an app if you’ve remembered to lock your door (no more irrational panic and trek back to the house) or even sound an alarm on your phone if there’s unexpected force placed on your door.

What could possibly replace the humble letter box? The metal flap has certainly stood the test of time – even the heavy ones that trap your fingers (which I’m sure postmen and women everywhere must long for the demise of).

But this year, I was introduced to what I can only described as robo-door. This whizzy door has protruding compartments which means you can have deliveries brought into your house, even when you’re not around. Mind: blown.

What’s the catch? Well, if this truly is the future of doors then although it may be cool, it’s also going to take more than a few piggy banks to buy. In the meantime, you can always keep it classic with no-frills flaps.

So, as you can see, although the world of doors might not be as crazy as other industries, you wouldn’t be unhinged to say there is plenty of technology innovation in this space.