Does your home no longer suit your needs? In the course of aging, senior individuals need to introduce extra home features to aid their mobility, such as a walk-in tub shower combo.
The bathroom is undeniably the most hazardous room in houses where the elderly live. Since senior folks lack the balance to lift their legs and enter a standard bathtub, they should replace it with a walk-in bathtub and shower combo. Such units are functional as both tubs and showers, depending on whether users want to enjoy a relaxing bath or have a quick shower.
If planning to install such a unit, the following remodel ideas might be of assistance.
Consider your bathroom space
When remodeling your bathroom in order to install a bathtub and shower combo, it’s important to consider the amount of available space. Apart from looking sophisticated, bathrooms are supposed to be quite functional. Individuals are expected to adhere to the building codes concerning space and function, which require at least twenty-one inches of space in front of the unit.
Moreover, buyers of walk-in bathtub and shower combos should pick a model whose dimensions comply with the size of their bathrooms. Standard units are usually sixty inches long, thirty inches wide, and between twenty and forty-five inches high. Anyhow, most manufacturers allow customers to customize the dimensions of these tubs to fit any space. For instance, buyers can customize the length between fifty-two and sixty inches, whereas width can be customized between twenty-eight and thirty-two inches.
Individuals with small bathrooms are advised to make layout plans before making an investment. Duct tape is necessary for plotting out different bathtub dimensions on the floor in your bathroom. It’s important for the model to provide enough clearance so as for the door to open and close with no limitations. Also, there’s supposed to be sufficient space around the tub shower combo for seniors and other family members to access it easily.
Use the open corners
Individuals coping with space deficiency when remodeling their bathrooms are suggested to utilize the corners, which are usually left open. As long as you can move the plumbing, a walk-in bathtub can fit perfectly in one of the room corners. Instead of looking for a freestanding tub, you can save space by purchasing a corner bathtub.
Furthermore, tile-in installations are ideal for small-sized bathrooms, as three sides of the unit sit against the walls. These models aren’t only space-efficient but budget-friendly as well. The price of a shower tub combo depends on the brand, size, and luxury add-ons. The installation costs for a corner bathtub are lower because of the small size. Tile-in models, however, aren’t recommended for disabled individuals in need of wheelchair access, as going in and out of a tub shower combo is complicated when the unit is placed in a corner.
Keep the room open
Adding a new tub shower combo in your bathroom will make the room seem smaller than it already is. Therefore, individuals should remodel the room in a way it looks spacious despite the number of extra features added to it. Even though it sounds unfeasible, there are certain tricks to employ for the room not to be cramped.
For instance, instead of using a traditional toilet and vanity, you can choose wall-hung models, which make the floor area beneath them visible. Consequently, the floor will seem much larger than it looked before. Additionally, make sure the encasement of the tub shower combo is made of glass so as not to block the area from the rest of the room.
In addition, the tiles on the floor and the walls should be of the same type. The idea behind this remodeling trick is to create an optical illusion of having a larger bathroom. Only by making changes to the other elements in the room, the bathtub won’t make the place look claustrophobic.
Consider the materials
When remodeling a bathroom, the choice of materials plays a key role in the design of the room. When having a walk-in tub shower combo installed, make sure it blends in with the surface of the walls. If the unit seems out of place, you should consider a change in materials as part of the remodeling project.
For example, natural stone is among the most sophisticated material types used in bathrooms. There is no reason to be concerned about its performance in a damp environment as long as you use the right kind of sealant. The following link, https://www.thespruce.com/best-natural-stone-tile-for-bathroom-1821757, explains the pros and cons of natural stone for bathrooms.
In spite of its elegant appearance, natural stone tends to be slippery when wet. This material isn’t a wise choice for bathrooms used by the elderly, as it presents a safety hazard. Senior family members would risk falling on the floor after exiting the bathtub. No matter how safe the unit is, the floor has to provide maximal safety as well.
Another popular choice of material is the tiles, available in a vast range of colors and designs. Tiles provide elegance and affordability, as their prices are lower when compared to natural stone. This material is durable in damp environments if the tiles are laid with a high-quality sealant. Since tiles are also slippery, remember to select slip-resistant or non-slip models to impede falls. Non-slip floor tiles are specially designed to ensure safety and prevent injuries in senior family members.
Wallpaper is another type of material to factor in when remodeling your bathroom so as to fit a tub shower combo. Since moisture isn’t exactly friendly to the texture of wallpapers, there should be proper ventilation to prevent dampness accumulation. In order for water not to splash directly on the wallpapers, look for a unit with a shower surround or a curtain. Hence, you won’t have to spend extra dollars on purchasing a shower enclosure.
Final thoughts
Use the space wisely in order for your bathroom to seem spacious and cozy!
