Outward-swing door clearance is the floor space in front of the tub that the door needs to open, and on the Capri, Monaco, Front Entry, Mobile, Lounger, Shak, and Big4One walk-in tubs that door swings through a 165 degree arc. These models all use Ella's outward-swing U-shape door, a plastic composite and tempered glass door secured by a 3-latch gear and shaft mechanism, so the floor space in front of the tub matters just as much as the space the tub itself occupies. A few minutes of planning before installation day saves you from discovering that a vanity, toilet, or the bathroom door sits in the way of your tub door.

Why the Door Swings Outward

As the video explains, outward-swing doors offer the easiest, most convenient way to enter a walk-in tub, especially from a wheelchair. An inward-swing door has to pass your knees and feet after you enter and again before you exit; an outward-swing door requires no knee clearance at all. The U-shape door is equipped with our proprietary three-latch gear and shaft locking mechanism, which works together with a watertight gasket that compresses as the door is locked. The trade-off for that easier entry is simple: the door needs room to swing. If you are still deciding between the two directions, see inward or outward swing door: which should I choose.

The 165 Degree Swing Envelope

The spec drawings for this family show the door swinging a full 165 degrees outward, which means it opens well past straight out and comes to rest almost flat against the front of the tub. Picture a half circle drawn on the floor in front of the door opening: that is the swing envelope, and it needs to stay clear. The radius of that circle is the door width, roughly 19 1/2 inches on the Monaco and 19 5/8 inches on the Mobile per their spec drawings, with a door opening of about 19 1/4 inches. Our door overview videos describe the U-shape door as needing roughly 20 to 21 inches of clearance in front of the tub. Your model's exact door dimensions are on its spec sheet, available through the Download Specifications link on each product page; see manuals, spec sheets and drawings by model.

Planning Checklist

1. Confirm which side your door and hinges are on for the configuration you ordered, since the swing envelope extends from the hinge side. Every model except the Front Entry can be ordered left-hand or right-hand; our guide to choosing left-hand or right-hand explains how the sides are named.
2. Look up your model's door width on its spec sheet and mark a half circle of that radius on the floor in front of the planned door location.
3. Keep that arc permanently clear. Nothing fixed should sit inside it: no vanity, toilet, hamper, or floor cabinet.
4. Leave standing room beyond the arc so the bather, and a caregiver if one assists, can step around the open door comfortably.
5. Check that the bathroom entry door and any cabinet doors do not collide with the tub door when both are open.
6. For wheelchair users, plan space to position the chair beside the fully opened door for the transfer.

The Outward-Swing Family at a Glance

This overview of the outward-swing U-shape family highlights the features shared across these models: a bright, easy-to-clean acrylic surface, an easy-entry low threshold, a textured floor for added safety, and the unique 3-latch gear and shaft locking mechanism that assures a tight, leak-proof seal. The video also covers the therapy options available on the family, from three-speed air massage with auto purge to hydro massage with an in-line water heater and intensity control dial, plus the choice of a five-piece or two-piece fast-fill faucet set. Model-by-model walkthroughs are in outward U-door tubs on video.

All Five Door Styles and Their Clearances

This video walks through the five Ella door styles: the inward U-shape stainless steel door, the outward U-shape door, the outward L-shape Transfer door, the Ultra's inward aluminum door and the Standard's inward S-shape door. It notes that outward doors need about 20 inches of swing clearance, that the inward stainless and Ultra doors are removable, and that the L-shape Transfer door fits over a standard toilet and needs 36.5 inches of clearance, with a three-latch lock on the U-shape door and a two-latch lock on the L-shape door.

Do Not Forget the Delivery Path

Swing clearance is only half of the fit question. The tub also has to reach the bathroom, so measure your hallways and doorways against the shipping dimensions before the tub is ordered. Our doorway measurement guide walks through that process step by step, and our outward-swing U-shape door operation article covers how the door works once it is installed, including how the tapered locking pins seal the door.

Common Questions

Want a second set of eyes on your bathroom layout? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support with your measurements and a photo or sketch, or call (800) 480-6850, and our team will help you confirm the fit.