Helping Hands Living Solutions Shower Remodel

One of the biggest barriers to aging in place is the need for an accessible shower.  Many times when we arrive at a site visit, we come across a tub/shower alcove, or sometimes a soaking, garden or whirlpool bathtub.  When asked about the bathtub, we often hear that it is never used, only the shower. 

The main reason people request us to look at a bathroom remodel is the step over the tub wall to enter the shower.  Everyone wants a new shower, but the costs are the biggest reason we work with some of our customers for alternative solutions.   Placing multiple grab bars, or taking down shower doors and setting up a transfer bench across the bath tub wall, are not the ideal solutions, but is honestly a tenth the cost of a new shower.  The solution for each customer is going to be different, and while the cost of a solution should not be the barrier, if it is we will present alternative solutions for you to consider.

While the terms are many times incorrectly exchanged, a step-less shower and a walk-in shower are two different things.  The primary difference is the threshold; a step-in shower has a raised curb (typically 4–6 inches) to contain water, while a walk-in shower is effectively a curb less, barrier-free design flush with the bathroom floor. Walk-in showers enhance accessibility for mobility issues and are a must have for wheelchair entry, whereas step-in showers are generally more common and affordable. Walk-in showers may require more complex, specialized, and expensive construction to manage water drainage.

Many times when we come for measurement of the shower/tub that a customer wants replaced, it is the standard alcove size everywhere; roughly 60 inches long and 30 to 32 inches wide.  When asked for recommendations, we try to steer people away from the molded fiberglass / acrylic shower kits.  Those are the lowest cost solutions, and you can go to any of the big box stores and pick one out.  Our issue is that a complete molded shower kit limits our ability to design a custom layout for grab bar placement, and additional functionality.

The solid surface solutions from companies such as The Onyx Collection are our preferred product to install.  It is a durable, non-porous material that provides a seamless, high-end look, and comes in multiple colors and design details.  The other viable option is a custom built tile enclosure, where we will bring in a third party for the actual tile lay (we recognize the skill set required to get this correctly installed).  Point being, we will work as your one source to install the solution you prefer, and bring in assistance where needed (tile layers, plumbers, etc.).

The most important feature to us is the shower pan.  This all starts with the shower pan choice.  The Onyx Collection has multiple shower bases we can use as examples for their step-in shower pan:

• Standard Low Profile Curb height is 1 3/8” to 2 3/4” tall.
• Standard Mid Height Curb height is 2 ¾” tall.
• Standard Full Height Curb height is about 4″ tall.

 For walk-in shower bases, the Onyx Collection will use their low profile curb and either have an add-on ramp, or form an integral ramp (with threshold lengths up to ADA standards).  Another shower base option for a walk-in solution is to actually bring the sub-floor height down to flush with the floor joists.  This is a lot of effort, but gives us the ¾ to 1 inch needed for the shower pan entry to be completely seamless to the bathroom floor.  If at all possible, we like to take the extra step to set the shower pan into a mortar base during install.  A mortar base for a shower pan provides structural support, preventing flexing, cracking, and potential leaks by ensuring the pan sits on a perfectly level, solid foundation. 

Do you want to get the most personal return on investment with your walk-in or step less shower, then let’s provide the quality of life upgrades that turn a daily routine into relaxing enjoyable experience.  Let’s visually make your new shower enclosure more attractive with matching crown molding and trim details.  Also, most sold surface solutions allow for the option of a detailed band around the interior of the shower to add a more personalized look.

Inside the shower, we already have the handheld shower head, but we can also add a rainfall-style shower head, or extra body spray jets.  Basically, we are in the position to really change everything.  Although we prefer to keep the drain and water wall where they are at originally even these can be re-located, or additional plumbing added to provide things like a remote hand-held shower head near the seat.

Another item we like to address as a finishing touch is to update the exhaust fan.  We can automate the fan with humidity controls, so that it knows when it should be on.  Also, LED lighting has changed the game so that we can add this to your exhaust fan so that you can adjust the color to your mood.  How about  a Bluetooth speaker built-in to this device so you don’t have to sing a cappella in the shower anymore?  Finally, with a dedicated power run to your breaker box, we can install an exhaust fan with a heating element to blow warm air down on you while you towel off.

To finish out your personal spa, how about adding a heated towel rack, or fogless mirror?  Let’s clean up your bathroom closet, and if needed add some storage.  What about the rest of the bathroom faucets, and towel bars, should we update them to match the new shower?  The ideas are endless; just know that whatever you see as your ultimate shower solution, Helping Hands Living Solutions will help you turn into reality.