The main difference between corridor and hallway is the usage of these words. Both refer to a passage in a building in which doors lead to rooms. We usually use the word corridor to describe passageways in hotels and offices and the word hallway to describe homes.
Many modern buildings have corridors or hallways. They can increase the efficiency with which people could move through buildings. They can also create privacy as people do not have to go through all rooms in a building to reach their destination.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is a Corridor
– Definition, Features, Usage of the Word
2. What is a Hallway
– Definition, Usage
3. Similarities Between Corridor and Hallway
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Corridor and Hallway
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Corridor, Hallway
What is a Corridor
A corridor is a long passage in a building into which rooms open. We usually use this word to describe passageways in hotels and office buildings. A corridor is usually narrow in comparison to its length and serves as a passage connecting different parts of the building.
The design of a corridor usually depends on its intended function. For example, corridors in a hotel need to be wide enough to transport items such as suitcase wheels, trolleys. Hospital corridors, on the other hand, need to be wide enough to allow bi-directional flow of traffic, including wheelchairs and beds.
Although corridors are a common element in many modern buildings, corridors were uncommon in buildings until the late-17th century. They began to gain popularity 19th century. Before the use of corridors as a means of circulation, people simply went from one room into the next.
It is also important to note that corridor can refer to a passageway on a ship or a train, or even in an exterior location between buildings. This usage is especially prevalent in British usage of the word. Some of the longest corridors in the world are seen in Summer Palace in Beijing, Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram (India), and RAF Mount Pleasant on the Falkland Islands.
What is a Hallway
A hallway is a long passage with doors into rooms on both sides of it. We usually use this word to describe long passageways in houses. Moreover, hallway is sometimes another word for entrance hall. The entrance hall of a house is next to the front door. When the hall inside the front door of a house is long and narrow, we call it a hallway.
The word hallway sounds more common and informal than the word corridor, even though both words have the same meaning. However, corridor can also refer to a passageway on a train or a ship, or even in an exterior location between buildings. In such instances, we cannot use the word hallway.
Similarities Between Corridor and Hallway
- Both words corridor and hallway refer to a passage in a building in which doors lead to rooms.
- Therefore, it is possible to use these words interchangeably.
Difference Between Corridor and Hallway
Usage
We usually use the word corridor to describe passageways in hotels and offices and the word hallway to describe homes.
Location
Hallways are always in a building, but corridors may or may not be in a building. Corridors can refer to passageways on trains and ships, as well.
Conclusion
Both words corridor and hallway refer to a passage in a building in which doors lead to rooms. However, we usually use the word corridor to describe passageways in hotels, hospitals, offices, as well as in trains and ships. In contrast, we use the word hallway to describe passageways in houses.
Reference:
1. “Corridor.” Designing Buildings Wiki, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Conference Corridor Architecture Hallway Hotel” (CC0) via Max Pixel
2. “Gallery Gang Input Lichtraum Floor Entrance Hall” (CC0) via Max Pixel
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