History of Automatic doors
Updated & Expanded Edition — 2025
Automatic doors are now so common across the UK that we walk through them without a second thought. From supermarkets and hospitals to airports, universities, office blocks and council buildings, powered entrances have become a standard expectation. But when did this happen? And why did automatic doors take off in the UK when they did?
This article explores the history, technology, and legislation that shaped the rise of automatic doors — and explains when they truly became popular across the United Kingdom.
Early Ideas: The First Automatic Doors (1st Century AD – 19th Century)
The concept of an “automatic” door is far older than most people realise.
In the 1st century AD, the Greek inventor Heron of Alexandria designed temple doors powered by a system of ropes, weights, and heated air pressure. These were more theatrical engineering demonstrations than practical entrances — but they do show how long the idea has existed.
During the Industrial Revolution, new developments in hydraulics, pneumatics, and mechanical automation created the engineering foundation for what would eventually become modern powered doors. However, true commercial automatic doors would not appear until the 20th century.
The Birth of the Modern Automatic Door (1930s–1950s)
1931 – The First Optical Automatic Door
The first commercial automatic door was installed in 1931 in the United States, using a photoelectric cell to detect approaching customers. This “magic eye” system was adopted in select shops and restaurants, but it remained a niche technology due to complexity and cost.
1954 – The First Sliding Automatic Door
Modern adoption began with the 1954 invention of the mat-activated sliding door by Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt. These early sliding doors used a pressure mat to detect footsteps and became the first truly reliable system suited to busy entrances.
This era marks the beginning of commercial viability, but not yet widespread popularity.
According to Wikipedia* “ In 1954, Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt invented the first modern sliding automatic door. The automatic door used a mat actuator. In 1960, they co-founded Horton Automatics Inc in the USA and placed the first commercial automatic sliding door on the market.” The 1970s saw the introduction of microwave/motion-sensor automatic doors (thanks to the invention of the Gunn diode) — that transition was key to widespread adoption.
The Technology Evolves (1960s–1990s)
During the second half of the 20th century, several developments accelerated the adoption of automatic doors globally — and eventually in the UK.
1960s–1970s: Early Retail Adoption
The growth of supermarkets, department stores, and indoor shopping centres led to increased demand for hands-free entrances. Automatic sliding doors were ideal for:
Quick customer throughput
Clear glass façades
Accessibility for prams and trolleys
Energy control in climate-managed buildings
In the 1970s, the introduction of microwave and infra-red motion sensors replaced pressure mats, massively improving reliability and safety. This technological shift is one of the main reasons automatic doors became practical for widespread use.
1980s–1990s: UK Hospitals, Retail Chains & Public Buildings
By the 1980s, UK supermarkets, the NHS, airports, and some councils had begun installing automatic doors regularly. The technology became safer, cheaper and more reliable, which encouraged broader adoption.
This is the period where UK visibility of automatic doors increased sharply — but popularity would spike even more dramatically in the 1990s.
So When Did Automatic Doors Become Popular in the UK?
The Short Answer: The 1990s to early 2000s.
This period represents the biggest shift in public expectation and widespread installation.
Late 1980s: Early Mainstream Awareness
Automatic doors became more noticeable in:
Supermarkets
Shopping centres
Larger retail chains
NHS buildings
But adoption was still uneven and not yet universal.
1990s: The Accessibility Era
The 1990s is when automatic doors became a common feature across the UK. Several strong factors aligned:
Increase in public accessibility awareness
Growth in social inclusion and equality campaigns
Modernisation of high streets and town centres
Reduced cost and better availability of automatic door operators
Retail competition driving improvements to customer experience
1995–2005: Post-DDA Boom
The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) did not explicitly require automatic doors, but it required reasonable accessfor disabled people. In practice, automatic doors became the preferred solution for complying with inclusive access expectations.
Following the DDA:
Councils upgraded public buildings
Hospitals standardised automatic doors at primary entrances
Retail chains modernised their entire estates
Universities, offices and transport hubs upgraded to powered access
This decade represents the point where automatic doors moved from “premium convenience” to “standard expectation.”
UK Standards & Regulations That Drove Adoption
BS 7036 (1988)
The first UK standard specifically governing powered pedestrian doors.
This introduced consistent safety requirements and professionalised the industry.
Disability Discrimination Act (1995)
A major social and legislative milestone.
While not mandating automatic doors, it heavily incentivised them due to the need for accessible entrances.
EN 16005 (2012, updated 2024)
Europe-wide harmonised standards covering safety, performance, sensors and activation.
This standard cemented modern expectations for automatic door safety.
Part M of UK Building Regulations
Guidance on accessible entrances and circulation spaces still encourages powered or low-force solutions, reinforcing industry adoption.
Why Automatic Doors Became So Popular in the UK
The popularity of automatic doors came from several overlapping drivers:
1. Accessibility
Automatic doors provide equal access for wheelchair users, people with mobility challenges, elderly visitors, and those carrying bags or pushing prams.
2. Hygiene and Touch-Free Entry
This became important in hospitals decades before it became mainstream elsewhere.
3. Energy Efficiency
Automatic doors reduce heat loss and improve climate control — essential for large buildings with high footfall.
4. Customer Experience
Retailers found automatic doors increased customer flow and made entrances more inviting.
5. Falling Technology Costs
By the 1990s and 2000s, sensors and control systems became far more affordable and reliable.
These combined factors cemented automatic doors as the default entrance type across the UK.
Which Types of Automatic Doors Became Popular — and When?
Sliding Doors
Became dominant in supermarkets, hospitals, and shopping centres from the 1970s onwards.
High throughput and large clear opening sizes.
Swing Doors
Gained popularity in the 1990s for retrofit scenarios and conservation-area projects.
Ideal for older buildings.
Revolving Doors
Favoured for energy efficiency in commercial office buildings.
Telescopic Doors
Became more common in the 2000s where entrance width was restricted.
Automatic Doors in the UK Today
Today, automatic doors are considered essential for:
Supermarkets
Hospitals and healthcare sites
Offices and corporate buildings
Schools and public-sector buildings
Airports and transport hubs
Retail parks and high streets
They support accessibility, improve energy control, and enhance customer experience — making them one of the most important modern building technologies.
Conclusion
Automatic doors became truly popular in the UK between the late 1980s and early 2000s, driven by technological improvements, accessibility legislation, retail modernisation and falling costs. Today they are a standard requirement for most public and commercial buildings, enabling smooth, safe and inclusive access for all.
If you would like advice on choosing the right automatic door for your building — or support with installation, maintenance or upgrades — our team at J Manny Ltd are here to help.
Not explicitly — but accessibility legislation and Part M guidance make them the most practical solution for meeting inclusive access requirements.
The first major supermarket chains began installing them widely in the 1970s–1980s as sliding doors became more reliable.
Not all, but primary entrances to public buildings typically use them to meet accessibility expectations.
Because automatic doors became the easiest, most reliable way to provide barrier-free access for everyone.
The cost of installing automatic doors in the UK varies depending on the type of door (sliding, swing, or telescopic), the size of the opening, and whether the installation is a new build or a retrofit. As a general guide, most commercial automatic door installations range from £3,000–£7,500 for standard swing or sliding systems, with larger or bespoke entrances costing more. Ongoing servicing is also important to stay compliant with UK safety standards such as EN 16005. If you want an accurate quote for your building, our team can assess your entrance and recommend the most efficient and cost-effective option.
Yes. To remain compliant with UK automatic door safety regulations, including BS EN 16005, powered pedestrian doors must be regularly serviced by a trained engineer. Routine maintenance ensures sensors, safety edges, activation devices and door operators all function correctly. Many businesses choose scheduled servicing not only to meet compliance requirements, but also to improve reliability, reduce downtime, and extend the lifespan of the door system. For organisations with high footfall — such as supermarkets, hospitals and council buildings — servicing is a key part of maintaining safe public access.
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