Bathroom Remodeling

Your bathroom can be modified or redesigned for wheelchair access. Modifications to the bathroom will help avoid injury and is our most requested service.

Let's start at the bathroom door. Why do architects design, and builders insist on installing a 24" door to the bathroom? Wheelchairs need a minimum 32" door for a straight in approach. If the doorway is located in the typical hallway and requires turning a wheelchair, you'll need a 36" door.

• Doors can be widened for wheelchair and walker access. We remove the existing door unit, relocate the light switch, widen the framed opening, install a new wider door unit and repair the finished flooring. With experience, two good carpenters will complete this in about 8 hours.
  
  A swing away door hinge is also an option and will increase the door width by 2".

• Bathtubs can be very hazardous. Transferring from a wheelchair to the tub can be difficult. The tub area must be carefully designed to provide maximum safety. Bathtub and shower grab bars can be installed to provide support. Tub transfer seats allow persons to sit in the tub and take a bath or shower without having to lower themselves to the tub floor. Many people find it difficult to use a tub. Bath tubs can be replaced with showers.
  
  It can be difficult for some of us to step in and out of a bathtub because of the high tub walls. We can make it easier by replacing your tub with a shower. We custom build our showers depending on your site conditions. The configuration of most existing bathrooms will limit the size of the shower to the tub area (standard tubs measure 30" to 34" x 60").
  
  There's also prefabricated molded acrylic/fiberglass shower units on the market. Some include built in shower seats. When remodeling, a 3 or 4 piece sectional unit can be used and assembled in order to get the shower through the door openings and into your bathroom.

• Roll-in showers can be more difficult to install and use. We suggest a shower with a curb but, there's times when a roll-in shower is your only option. There are problems associated with roll-in showers in a remodeling situation. The size of most existing bathrooms limit the options to a tub to shower conversion. This limits the dimensions of the shower to the same floor area as the tub. A wheelchair will fit into the area but it is tight. The bathroom floor will get wet.
  
  We custom build ceramic tile roll-in showers using the same basic procedures as used for a shower with a curb. There is additional work required. The tub drain is usually the same elevation as the bathroom floor, requiring jack-hammering and removing the concrete, center and lower the drain, install a rubber shower pan and the new shower floor flush with the existing bathroom floor.
  
  Prefabricated, fiberglass/acrylic roll-in shower floors can be considered. They can replace and are available in the same size as your standard 5" tub, and comes with a right or left hand drain. This makes it easier since no jack hammering is required and only minimal drain adjustment is needed. If you have the room, these units are also available in assorted sizes.

• Toilet seat height varies from one individual to another, usually between 17" to 19". Toilets can be replaced with special units or raised seats can be installed. Toilet grab bars can be installed for balance and support and to allow individuals to safely transfer from a wheelchair.

• Sinks can be installed to allow wheel chair access. Vanity cabinets can be removed from below the sink. This will expose the plumbing pipes requiring covering with insulation or boxed in to prevent contact with sharp edges and burns by hot water pipes. Pedestal style sinks can give you a little more room to maneuver, but can be difficult to use from a wheelchair and are usually a couple of inches higher than the standard vanity top. We suggest a wall mounted lavatory.

Our Bathtub to Shower Design

It can be really difficult and dangerous for some of us to step in and out of a bathtub because of the high tub walls. We can make it easier by replacing your existing tub with a custom built shower.