Hallway doors do not cover the entire opening of a room or structure.
Hallway doors are pairs of doors that are only partially raised in one opening, allowing a free view into and out of a room. Classically, salon doors are also installed several inches above the floor to provide plenty of room. As the name suggests, saloon doors are closely associated with saloons in the American West, but can also appear in a wide variety of other structures, from restaurants to private homes.
There are various reasons why people may choose to install salon doors. Of course, these doors are not airtight, but they do create a symbolic barrier that encourages people to stop before entering a building, room, or area. The clear view over the doors allows people on either side to see what’s going on, which can be extremely helpful, and the handle-less swivel design allows people to open the hallway doors hands-free.
In restaurants, hallway doors are often used in the kitchen, where people need to be able to get in and out quickly with lots of trays and other supplies. The view from the kitchen is helpful as it allows people to check that the path is clear before leaving and allows diners to see some of the work in the kitchen, which some people enjoy. The hallway doors also create a clear barrier, suggesting that the general public is not welcome beyond the doors. The same design is sometimes used in clinics, emergency rooms, and police stations with the same ideas in mind.
Private homes sometimes use parlor doors to create barriers between rooms without making people feel boxed in. They are also used as a decorative touch, especially in homes with a western style or designer aesthetic. These doors can also be used in places like public restrooms to allow for privacy while promoting ventilation and discouraging people from staying in the restroom for too long.
One might wonder what the function of the doors in a royal hall would be, and the answer is somewhat obscure. As westerns seem to suggest, hallway doors are ideally designed to push people through, but it seems unlikely that early architects thought of that. These gates may have been installed primarily for viewing, allowing patrons to monitor their horses and the situation on the street while in the hall. The saloon windows were often covered for privacy, so the view from the doors would have been the only unobstructed line of sight.
