Whether you’re an empty-nester looking to stay in your home as long as possible; parents of a child with special needs; hosts to elderly parents or just homeowners thinking of the future, there are many reasons why you might consider making one or all of the bathrooms in your home barrier-free.
One of the most effective ways of doing this is to hire a local Ottawa bathroom renovation company to install a wheelchair-accessible shower in your home. These types of showers are curbless, meaning there is no lip at the entrance of the shower, making them completely accessible for everyone, regardless of their needs.
Installing a wheelchair shower can often mean undergoing a full bathroom renovation, since most traditional bathrooms were not made with accessibility in mind. Knowing where to begin with a project of this size can be tough, but with a little research your renovation can be as seamless as the shower itself.
Go pro
The first step in creating a barrier-free space is to hire a local Ottawa bathroom renovation company who specializes in this type of project. They will not only be able to help you choose the best layout, products and finishes, but they have the experience and expertise needed to create an accessible and functional bathroom the right way.
Since there is no barrier at all between a curbless wheelchair shower and the rest of the bathroom, the floors need to be sloped appropriately to a central drain; otherwise, the water has free reign and can cause damage. The best way to avoid that is to hire a local Ottawa bathroom renovation company who can upgrade your floors correctly.
Set your budget
A full bathroom renovation can be expensive, especially if you’re doing multiple spaces within your home. Setting a budget for the project will allow you to make smart decisions and also to keep costs in line.
Working with a local Ottawa bathroom renovation company can help keep costs down as they can recommend cost-effective products, tell you where you can afford to spend less and where your money is needed and they can also cut down on costly mistakes which might go unnoticed if you took on the renovation without help.
Choose your shower
Over the last few decades, the amount of barrier-free bathroom options has expanded from a few sub-par models to a huge variety of fixtures to suit every space.
Determining the type of accessible shower you install will be based entirely on your needs. Maybe you need a fully curbless wheelchair shower, or maybe you can get by with a model with a hinged door – research different options to make sure you’re getting the correct type for your family.
Now is the time to think about the space the shower will need as well. A fully-accessible wheelchair shower typically needs a full 3×3 foot space, or even 3×5 if you have the room. However, there are some barrier-free options designed to fit in the space of an existing tub surround, which can be a life-saver in tight spaces. Consulting with your Ottawa bathroom renovation company can help you determine a layout to work best for your needs.
