Homeowners do tub-to-shower conversions for many different reasons. A tub/shower conversion is a great way to maximize space in a small bathroom, or the remodel may be for aesthetic or functional purposes. One common reason for tub-to-shower conversions is to improve accessibility for those who need it.
Why Accessibility Features are Important in Bathrooms
One in four older adults experience a falling accident each year, often leading to hospitalizations, hip injuries, and even traumatic brain injury. Of these falls, 80% occur in the bathroom, where hazards like slippery flooring and the need to climb over tub or shower ledges create an unsafe, unstable environment.
Introducing accessibility features to your bathroom can significantly reduce injuries for older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone intending to age at home. It can also be helpful in unexpected situations like sports injuries or for women experiencing complicated pregnancies. While walk-in tubs can present a similar solution, tub-to-shower conversions offer flexibility of use and a wide variety of features that make them ideal for most bathroom remodeling situations.
Five Accessibility Features for Walk-In Showers
When designing a bathroom to be more accessible, here are five features you might want to consider if choosing a tub/shower conversion for accessibility purposes:
Curbless Walk-in Design
When converting a tub to a walk-in shower, you can choose between a curbed or curbless design. While a curbed design may seem like the obvious choice to keep water in the shower area and off the rest of the bathroom floor, curbless showers are made with strategic drainage to just as effectively keep the rest of your bathroom dry. A curbless walk-in shower instantly removes a major concern for falls by allowing users to step right into the shower without even thinking about stepping over a lip or ledge!
Safety Bars
Many walk-in showers either come with safety bars or can have them installed as an additional accessibility feature. These bars provide further stability for people who need mobility assistance and something secure to grab hold of in the event of a fall. You can also add safety bars next to the toilet and along the bathroom walls to assist with walking, sitting, and maneuvering safely throughout the space.
Slip-Resistant Flooring
Slippery flooring from soap and water makes falling a risk for any age, which makes slip-resistant flooring a popular feature for tub-to-shower conversions! Slip-resistant flooring can be made with most shower flooring materials by manufacturing the materials with a bumpy or textured surface to increase traction. Quality drainage is also essential for increasing slip resistance and preventing water from pooling in or outside the shower.
Secured Seating
Instead of purchasing a separate shower chair that could easily slip or tip out of position, opt for built-in seating for your walk-in shower! This seating can be a ledge with a slip-resistant surface or a fold-down bench that maximizes space for anyone showering who doesn’t need the seat while having the accessibility feature ready to go for residents who need it.
Multi-functional Shower Heads
Tub-to-shower conversions often come with splurging on a fancy showerhead, but this is another opportunity to increase accessibility! Adjustable-height showerheads make it easy for someone to wash themselves while seated, as do removable showerheads that can be held for washing yourself or helping another person bathe.
Other Ways to Improve Bathroom Accessibility
If you intend to age at home when you get older or if someone in your household needs greater bathroom accessibility, here are some other things to consider with your new bathroom design that can improve safety and accessibility throughout the space:
- Have proper task lighting for optimal visibility.
- Install an emergency alert system, either via buttons throughout the bathroom in easy-to-reach places or a fall-alert button that the person at risk wears on their person.
- Widen the doorways and use pocket or sliding doors for easier use by those with wheelchairs or walkers.
- Avoid using rugs that can present trip hazards. Instead, consider getting slip-resistant flooring throughout the bathroom rather than just inside the shower.
Need a More Accessible Bathroom?
If you’re ready to remodel your bathroom to increase accessibility with a tub-to-shower conversion, we’re here to help! Bathtub and shower conversions from Rolox Home Service can transform your bathroom from hazardous to accessible in as little as one day. Offering high-end materials at a fraction of the cost, you can enjoy a safer and more spacious bathroom without breaking the bank.
Contact us to book your free in-home consultation today.
