How to Design a Handicap Accessible Shower - Innovative Building Solutions Across the Country Supplying Cleveland Columbus Contractors (2023)

Updated March 24, 2019

You and your husband 'talked' about Mom's move. They both know it's the right thing to do. It sure won't be easy. Since dad passed away 2 years ago, mom's mobility has gone in the wrong direction.

You are worried that she lives alone.

I wish she was wearing the panic alert necklace you bought her last year.

If only you didn't have to worry about him climbing on the high rail of the tub. Getting into a slippery bathtub is an accident you don't want to happen.

If only I didn't live 40 minutes away. Then you could check it more often.

As mom gets older, you age very fast and you worry about her too much.

You and John have come to the conclusion that mom moving in with you and the kids is the right plan. Mom finally (after many long nights of talking) agreed. Giving up the lifestyle completely independent of her is not an easy thing to do. Now you must make her home safe for her (since that's one of the main reasons she's making this move in the first place). You know that the bathroom is the first place you are likely to fall. You know your first floor one-piece fiberglass shower is no better than the one Mom has today.

The 'ADA bathrooms' you saw look like a bad memory from when you visited mom in the hospital, yuck! You and John are looking for an answer to the question of how to create a style.accessible showerthat doesn't yell 'Mom or Grandma live here!'

In this article, my goal is to give you 5 1/2 handy (and little-known) secrets to designing a contemporary look and feel.elegant accessible shower. In the end, I'd love to hear your feedback on what ideas might help you with your next project, and any other ideas you haven't mentioned. Let's see these secrets.

Little Known Secret #1 - Don't even think about using an ugly white fiberglass roller on your shower drains. Use a wet or solid surface shower tray.

If you've had the "pleasure" (sarcasm intended) of trying to clean the bottom of the fiberglass shower pan in your kid's bathroom, you know that brown grime on the bottom is impossible. Nothing (and I mean nothing) removes these stains. So why use a standard fiberglass shower roller when you know it's going to look terrible afterwards?

The good news is that there are two better options.

#1) A Single Level Wet Bathroom With a Tile Floor Finish. wet rooms areone level bathrooms. There is no curb for mom to go over. They are completely waterproof. Without the 'lip' to go over, they will work well if you need to get in with a wheelchair or walker. If you want to get 'style bonus points', use a linear drain system so you can use large format tiles. Today these large tiles have a hot, hot, hot design and reduce the number of grout joints. That's a double bonus.

#2) A Solid Surface Shower Tray with a Low Profile Curb and Ramp Extension Kit– On the other hand, if the thought of grouting (and grout cleaning) gives you hives, use asolid surface shower tray. There are ramped versions (which screams at me unfortunately - wheelchair accessible) or you can go for a 'low profile' (which has a small 1 ½" curb height) and add a ramp extension kit that you can remove at any time. any time.time.With this option you get a beautiful base that does not have a permanent ramp.

Little-Known Secret #2: Use Stylish, Maintenance-Free Walls. The “tile wall without tiles”

The reason you make your mom move is to enjoy time with her and keep her safe. The problem is that if she spends her time helping to keep her new space (and her bathroom) hers, you won't have time to be with her.

A time-consuming (and unpleasant) maintenance nightmare in bathrooms is tile grout joints. Most people love tiles. They hate cleaning grout joints. I am going to share with you a new way to enjoy the look of tiles without grouting the joints.

Enter the "Sin tiles, pared tiles".

Don't you know what a wall without tiles is? Well, it's high blood pressure.laminate wall showerpanel system that is 100% waterproof and looks exactly like tile. The laminate is applied to a strong 3/8” thick marine grade plywood that is attached to the studs.

The nice thing is that you can install them yourself with panels that snap together and seal together (much like a floating floor system). This DIY-friendly system can be essential if finding a competent contractor in your town is like a needle in a haystack.

These panels are contemporary, stylish, and come in many different 'tile' sizes, patterns, and textures (okay, they're not actually tile). “Wall without tiles, tiles” is the look of tiles minus the hassle of maintenance.

There are options in this line to create a farmhouse look, high gloss contemporary, or even a modern minimalist look. How cool is that?

Little-Known Secret #3: A Little Thinking About Your Showers Can Make Them Easier To Use (And Safer)

We are all used to the stationary shower head with controls underneath to mix the water temperature. However, this traditional setup can be a ridiculous design for your mom if she's in a walker or wheelchair. You certainly don't want to turn around to turn on the water when the shower head is too high for her to reach and get hit with cold water before the water gets hot. Here are 3 potential water fountain changes you can make to simplify mom's life and make it easier to use.accessible shower:

• Change #1) Reattach shower controls– Instead of having the controls directly under the shower, move them closer to the shower entrance. That way you can turn on the water and let it heat up before you go inside.

• Change #2) Install a rain shower head– High pressure rainwater technology has allowed them to progress beyond the “weak” water source of the past. What's good about rain heads for aaccessible showerit is that they direct the water to a more compact place so that it does not splash everywhere. This can be useful for a shower that only has curtains or doors for the attendant.

• Change #3) Use a hand shower –This can be essential for someone who needs to sit while taking a shower. Portable units not only allow someone to clean hard-to-reach places, but are also useful for cleaning your shower floor or walls (or your pets).

Little-Known Secret #4: A flimsy framed shower door is a bad idea. Frameless glass, semi-frameless glass, or glass blocks are the way to go.

Since mom's balance isn't what it used to be, and you don't want the maintenance hassle of cleaning out the icky hair and dirt-infested bottom tracks of a thin-framed shower door system, you'll want to upgrade the glass in its accessible shower. .

There are many options to choose from. First of all, you have to decide if you want to go without a door (having part of the free space to roll or enter) or choose a complete cabinet. If you run out of port, some rugged, secure, and stylish options include aglass block showeror without frameShower screen(with or without pivot door).

If you are using a fully enclosed space, 3/8" thick frameless glass or ¼" thick frameless glass is a good choice.

Little Known Secret #5: Accessories (and their placement) and wall-hung cabinets will turn your accessible shower into an enjoyable experience

Just as the accessories make the dress, it is also true that the accessories make the bathroom. When a family member has mobility issues, the right accessories in the right place are even more critical. If mommy can't sit securely, she can't reach the soap and shampoo without straining, or she doesn't have something strong to hold on to, she has an accident waiting to happen at her hands. Here are two tips for styling her accessories right the first time:

• Tip #1: Avoid Buying Wall Panels or Cabinet Systems With Hardware Already Built In- Pre-built shower walls with pre-made surrounds or flimsy grab bars are built with everyone (and I wouldn't say anyone) in mind. This is a tragic design flaw for an accessible shower. You want to determine (and be able to control) where grab bars, seats, and built-in alcoves are placed. If mom has a weak left arm, think about where it's best for her to go in. Place grab bars in the best location for her. On the other hand, if she is using a shower chair, how high above the floor should a shampoo niche be placed so that she can reach it without help or effort?

• Tip #2 – Don't settle for ugly accessories– In the past, the only grab bars available were like the ones you see in a hospital room. This is not the case. There are decorative grab bars. There are folding teak seats. There are stainless steel shower trays with removable inserts that make cleaning easy. Affordable accessories (say 5x faster) don't have to be nerve-wracking to look at.

• Tip #3 – Hang the vanity in the bathroom –It's nice to have your dresser at the perfect height for you, without having to buy a custom unit.) It'swall hung vanitythen makes it easier to move and clean.

Little Known Secret #5 1/2 – CAPS aren't just useful for keeping liquids in a bottle. Get help from a CAPS, a "Certified On-Site Aging Specialist."

When you think of tapas, you don't associate them with an accessible shower, but I will argue that you should! You see, there are specialists all over the country (yes, I'm one, but you won't find me sitting on top of a Pepsi bottle) who call themselves Certified Aging-In-Place Specialists (or CAPS) (although I like a friend of my position, who is the best specialist in living in the place). CAPS are trained to design spaces for people who want to spend more time in their homes (and not in Assisted Living).

There's a lot to think about bringing mom into your house (and making sure the bathroom is safe for her, but still looks nice). It can be overwhelming. After all, you're probably not a construction and design professional. So I would recommend, even if you are doing your own research, find oneCAPS Certified Contractoror designer. They'll have more knowledge than the average contractor about accessible spaces and help you save money on design and construction decisions that are new to you.

Conclusion

Bringing Mom into your home is an exciting experience for you, her, and your entire family. There is a lot to manage and often many decisions to make.

If you need an accessible bathroom, I would recommend looking into the systems, products, and certified professionals listed above. They'll save you time, money, and create a stylish (but safe) space.

How can I (or a member of my team) help you?

For service and supply of products directly from the factorygroutless shower wall panels, wet room systems and glass partitions nationwide, contact Innovate Building Solutions at 877-668-5888. For an affordable bathroom remodeling project in Northeast Ohio, callCleveland Design and Redevelopmental 216-658-1270 oThe Bath Doctor in Columbusem 614-252-3242.

If you're a remodeler or builder and want practical tips on home improvement products, industry trends, marketing, and sales tips to grow your business (and reduce the hassles of everyday life), then start reading my latest blog:Innovate Builders Blog. It is full of ideas that you can use right now. Click here toInscreva-se no blog Innovate Builders.

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