Do you have a family member in your household who has mobility issues? Maybe you’re firmly entrenched in your forever home and you want to make sure it serves your needs for life. Either way, wheelchair-accessible showers may be a requirement on your list of home upgrades.
When it comes to adding an accessible shower, there are several considerations, from components to sizing to accessories. Here’s what you need to know to ensure that your efforts result in a safe and comfortable shower enclosure.
The Components of an Accessible Shower
A good place to start when upgrading your shower space is with an accessible shower checklist. It should include the following essentials:
- Barrier-free entry
- Handheld shower
- Seat or bench
- Wide entry
- Non-slip floor
- Proper lighting
It’s important to pay attention to details when building an accessible shower. Even small errors could lead to big difficulties — like the inability to enter or maneuver in a wheelchair, a showerhead or controls that are out of reach, or surfaces that pose a danger for slip and fall accidents.
Barrier-Free Entry
A zero-threshold or barrier-free shower has no lip to step over when entering the enclosure. It is flush with the surrounding floor but slightly sloped toward a drain to ensure that no water leaks out into the bathroom.
Accessible shower kits include everything needed to eliminate barriers and create a safe and comfortable experience when installing roll-in showers for wheelchairs.
Handheld Shower
Showerheads are typically designed for users who are standing in the enclosure, not those who are seated. For a more comfortable and convenient experience for seated users, a handheld shower is ideal.
The Rainfall Shower Set with Handshower offers two streams with a diverter to toggle between overhead and handheld spray, and the integrated hand shower features a backflow preventer to eliminate the danger of water contamination.
The Kally Collection Rainfall Shower Set with Handshower has a two-way, in-wall diverter and features brass and zinc construction for durability.
Both of these Randolph Morris products offer premium finishes that resist tarnishing and corrosion.
Seat or Bench
Showering while seated in a wheelchair is hardly ideal, which is why wheelchair-accessible showers should always include a seat or bench for bathing purposes.
Dreamline offers two great options. The Teak Folding Shower Seat, made from strong, durable, and environmentally-friendly teak wood, is comfortable and attractive. The Plastic Folding Shower Seat is water-resistant and easy to clean.
Both are wall mounted and made to fold up when not in use. When properly installed, these benches can support up to 250 pounds.
Wide Entry
Roll-in showers for wheelchairs require not only zero thresholds but an entry wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair and allow for safe and easy maneuverability. The best accessible showers feature a spacious, beveled entry that allows easy access and mobility with no recess required.
Non-Slip Floor
Slip and fall accidents are a real concern for those with limited mobility, which is why any accessible shower should include textured, slip-resistant flooring.
According to the CDC, over a million people suffer slip and fall injuries annually. About 17,000 are fatal, while 20–30% result in moderate to severe injuries. For your own safety and the safety of loved ones, non-slip flooring is a critical addition to your accessible shower checklist.
Proper Lighting
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) sets forth guidelines for lighting designed to offer adequate clearance, safety, and accessibility for those with disabilities. Following these guidelines is the best way to ensure a safe, well-lit bathroom for everyone in your home.
Our Shower Kit Recommendations
The right shower kit is designed to facilitate wheelchair-accessible showers in your home.
The Vida 60x32 Accessible Bathroom Shower Kit is constructed from Premium AcrylX™ with precision-fit molding for easy alignment and installation. It offers beveled and barrier-free entry; textured, non-slip flooring; a large shelving niche; and a spacious interior with room to add seating.
Optional add-ons include grab bars, bench seating, and shower faucet hardware (including rainfall and handheld showerheads). This model comes with left or right drain options, as does the slightly larger, 60x36 model.
Finishing Up Your Checklist
Even when you install all necessary components from your accessible shower checklist, you have to take care to avoid common snafus such as:
- Adding unnecessary barriers like walls or thresholds that impede entry
- Failing to account for potential impediments like a toilet or cabinet outside the shower entrance
- Placing the shower controls or showerhead out of reach of bench seating
- Forgetting an accessible niche for toiletries
It’s always best to consult with the person who will use the shower to make sure the layout is suitable, or at least understand how they move and transfer to ensure safe, comfortable, and convenient showering.
When you’re ready to implement your accessible shower checklist, the experienced professionals at Vintage Tub & Bath can help you select the perfect options for your home.
Shop the Blog
-
24 Inch Standard Wall Mounted Grab BarStarting at: $39.00 -
40 x 38 AcrylX Alcove Center Drain Three-Piece ADA Compliant Shower in WhiteStarting at: $2,395.00 -
42 x 37 AcrylX Alcove Center Drain One-Piece ADA Compliant Shower in WhiteStarting at: $1,895.00 -
62 x 33 AcrylX Alcove Center Drain One-Piece Shower in WhiteStarting at: $1,895.00 -
67 x 30 Acrylic Alcove Center Drain One-Piece Shower in WhiteStarting at: $2,495.00 -
63 x 34 AcrylX Alcove Center Drain One-Piece Shower in WhiteStarting at: $1,995.00 -
Straight Grab BarStarting at: $31.00 -
Linear Grab BarStarting at: $51.00 -
Premium Fold Up SeatStarting at: $450.00 -
Integrated 24 Inch Towel Bar Grab BarStarting at: $333.00 -
Integrated 16 Inch Towel Bar Grab BarStarting at: $333.00
Login and Registration Form