5 Universal Design Principals to Consider in Bathroom Renovations

You only renovate a house maybe two or three times in a lifetime. It is worth considering using the principals of Universal Design in any new renovation. Incorporating Universal Design principals will not only make your house easier to live in but may delay moving into a care facility in your later life. You can live in your house longer. Here are five things to consider when you are planning your renovation.

Accessible building entrance on an accessible route.

An accessible route means a continuous, unobstructed path connecting accessible elements and spaces within a building or site that can be negotiated by a person with a disability who uses a wheelchair, and that is also safe for and usable by people with other disabilities. 
Usable doors - that allow passage into and within all premises must be wide enough with a (nominal 32-inch) clear opening to allow passage by persons using wheelchairs.
Light switches, electrical outlets, thermostats, and other environmental controls in accessible locations.
Reinforced walls in bathrooms for later installation of grab bars.
Usable kitchens and bathrooms - that is, designed and constructed so an individual in a wheelchair can maneuver in the space provided.

 

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are one of the most dangerous rooms in a dwelling due to the hard, slippery-when-wet surfaces. Bathrooms typically have few handholds or other gripping surfaces useful for support. With the growing number of people with disabilities and the aging of our society, we have come to recognize that to be able to bathe safely and independently, people must be given a variety of bathing options. Traditional fixtures often do not meet the variety of individual needs.

Bathrooms designed using Universal Design principals provide a basic level of accessibility for a person using a wheelchair to maneuver about the space, approach and use the fixtures.

They do not differ in appearance from conventional bathroom designs.

Clear Space

In bathrooms, the basic building block of space used is a 30-inch x 48-inch clear floor space.

Clear floor space allow persons using wheelchairs and other mobility aides to approach and use the fixtures.

A 30-inch x 48-inch clear floor space is the approximate space occupied by an average size person in a conventional manual wheelchair.

Clear floor spaces for fixtures and appliances may overlap. The 30-inch x 48-inch clear floor space must be positioned for either a parallel or forward approach to toilets, vanities, baths and showers. Neither a vanity cabinet nor toilets should encroach on this clear floor space.

Shower Stall Size

A 36-inch deep or deeper stall better contains water and minimizes uneven warped surfaces so all four wheels of a persons shower wheelchair stay in contact with the floor. Thus, the user is better able to maintain traction and control when maneuvering into and out of the shower.

Other Considerations

Using vinyl safety flooring in conjunction with trench drains throughout the bathroom will ensure that you eliminate one of the major accident risks - wet slippery floors. Utilizing a trench drain at the perimeter of the shower stall, means that you only need to have a fall run one way for water run off. This will allow you to place a portable shower chair within the stall with minimal "wobble".

Installing single outlet mixer taps and a hand showers will enhance ease of use.

Putting some Universal Design thought into your next renovation project is bound to pay significant dividends in your later life.

Corner Bathtubs

Having a corner bathtub can be stylish and economical. These tubs come in many different styles, shapes and colors. They can come with jet spray or whirlpool style. The corner tub can fit into any type of bathroom you have. They are basically designed to take up a smaller space which is great if you have a small bathroom and not a lot of room to move around. The benefits to having a corner tub are that is is small and they are built with an area around the edging to offer a place to hold you shampoo, soaps, and shaving items. They also even offer a place to put a few candles on for that stylish look for the entire room. Another benefit of having a corner bathtub is that most are built big enough for two people to get in at one time. These types of tubs are not designed with a shower so that needs to be considered when looking for that perfect one to match your bathroom style.

Corner bathtubs come in any color and styles. Depending on your need and space available having a tub like this makes the space you have more appealing and gives your bathroom a unique feel of its own. Corner tubs are intended for placement under a window, if you have one in the bathroom. This gives it a more open feeling and the light that comes in during the day can brighten up and bathroom or space. If your remodeling your old bathroom or designing a newer house, having a corner bathtub can get your bathroom a look all it's own and can give added space.

When looking to whether or not to get a corner tub remember the feeling you get when you've had a long day and just want to relax and unwind and having a corner bathtub can ease your muscles with the jets or the whirlpool sensation that they offer.

Shower Cubicles - 5 Things to Consider Before Purchasing

Although your overall budget will have a big effect on the choice of cubicles open to you, there are several other considerations that need to be taken into account before buying a shower cubicle to ensure your chosen shower will be suitable for your home.

Many of the points raised here are made to help you integrate the shower cubicle into your overall bathroom design.

Room Size and Cubicle Size

The cubicle needs to be of an adequate size to ensure it is useable without feeling cramped but not so large that it impinges on floor-space within the room. It should not be too visually imposing otherwise it can make the room feel smaller. Small shower cubicles (700mm square or less) should be avoided if at all possible as they offer very little space and can be restrictive for larger users.

The price of shower cubicles usually increases with the size of the unit but this is not always the case and there are usually some bargains to be had if you shop around.

Shower Cubicle Shape

The shape of the cubicle can almost be as important as the size of the cubicle when comes to the visual impact it can have in a room. If you are intending to include a large cubicle into a small room it is usually advisable to opt for a quadrant shaped unit. This shape curves away from the line of sight giving the impression of more space in the room while retaining a large showering area. Pentagon shaped cubicles can also achieve this effect but the finished result is a little more angular.

Shower Cubicle Glass

The glass used in most shower cubicles tends to be clear, toughened safety glass. Some glass has a modesty panel etched onto the surface and a few have the whole surface etched. Clear glass will help to make the room look bigger and will make the cubicle feel bigger when in use. Be aware that there have been several cases of counterfeit cubicles available on the market that were not made from safety glass so make sure you are buying from a reputable source.

Cubicle Frame

The overwhelming trend in bathroom design these days is toward a minimal, white and chrome, fuss-free look and cubicle manufacturers have followed suit. The sizes of the frames surrounding the glass of the cubicle have been reduced in size or even eliminated in some cases, to tie-in with the minimalist approach. Sometimes this has an effect on the overall adjustment available for installation which can be an issue if the cubicle needs to be fitted to out-of-true walls.

Shower Walls

Most walls are not completely square, flat or level, so the adjustment available from the cubicle needs to be sufficient to cope with any variations that might present themselves in the location you are siting the shower. Very uneven walls might need to be levelled and re-tiled prior to the installation of the cubicle.

Bathroom Sink Vanity - Materials and Mounting Options for Bathroom Sink Vanities

A bathroom sink vanity can be a focal point and establish the style and decor of your bathroom. Bathroom sink vanities come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and styles and can look like pieces of art besides being functional. Colored bathroom sink vanities will cost more as will units that have delicate designs that are hand-painted.

A bathroom sink vanity can be made of the following materials:

o Vitreous China

o Ceramic

o Stainless Steel

o Porcelain

o Metals

o Culture Stone or Faux Stone

o Solid-Surface Materials

o Enameled Cast Iron or Steel

o Fiberglass and Acrylic Sinks

A bathroom sink vanity made of porcelain or vitreous china finish will be heavy, durable, imprevious to water and mildew, but it can chip if you drop a heavy object on it. Stainless steel and metal bathroom sink vanities are durable and easy to clean, but they tend to become scratched with daily use and show spots obtained from hard water and soap. Fiberglass, acrylic sinks, culture stone or marble can all be molded into very beautiful shapes, colors and patterns, but they are more susceptible to scratches and chipping than other bathroom sink vanity types.

Sinks for a bathroom vanity cabinet can be mounted on the countertop in several ways:

1. Self-Rimming or Surface-Mounted Sinks - the sink bowl gets dropped into a hole, but the hole is slightly smaller than the outside rim of the sink, forming a seal with the countertop surface.

2. Rimmed Sinks - the sink is dropped into a hole in the countertop, and the rim joins the sink and the countertop, forming a seal with a metal strip.

3. Undermounted Sinks - the rim is attached to the bottom of the countertop creating a very clean look to the vanity.

4. Integral Sinks - one piece sink and countertop unit made from the same material. The only disadvantage to this style is that if any part gets damaged, the entire unit needs to be replaced. These sinks are usually made of stone, faux stone or solid surface-type material.

A bathroom sink vanity cabinet provides countertop space, a place for the sink and faucets and storage below -- these are called vanity-mounted sinks. You can also find pedestal sinks, wall hung sinks and freestanding sinks. Vanity mounted sinks are popular because they provide storage, a place for the sink and the most countertop space. Pedestal sinks use very little floor space, they can be placed in corners and they have a classic look, but they lack storage space. Wall hung sinks have the advantage of being easily installed at various elevations which accomodates children, short or tall adults.

Bathroom sink vanities provide a perfect place for shaving, washing, shampooing, brushing your teeth and personal grooming. Sizes of sinks vary from 12x20 inches to some that are as large as 33 inches in diameter, depending on the shape. If you and others in the household will be using the bathroom sink vanities considerably on a regular basis, consider the sizes and styles carefully before making your selection.

Whether upgrading an existing bathroom or planning a new one, the bathroom is a good home improvement investment. You and your family and guests will enjoy the bathrooms in your home every day. And should you ever sell your home, attractive and functional bathrooms will add value to the selling price. Before you buy, read as much as you can on choosing the bathroom sink vanity online or in stores that will be the best for you and your bathroom.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Dealing With The Leaking Bathtub Faucet

Drip, drip, drip. A leaky bathtub faucet is a common problem in many homes. If you have one, the good news is they are usually fairly simple to take care of.

The repair of leaky faucets is another often minor plumbing job that can be done by yourself with a minimum of effort and with no special tools. Although this may be true, it is an extremely important job. A single pinhole leak in a water pipe can waste up to 70 gallons of water per day. A badly leaking faucet can waste even more. This is a serious environmental issue today. There are some who claim that the very population levels of the world are depending on the supply of potable water. And we are already running behind.

There are two major types of faucets. The most common one in older homes is called the compression faucet. This faucet uses a rubber washer that is compressed when the valve is closed. The compressed washer expands and seals off the water flow. This process is hard on the washer and after a time they will wear out and need to be replaced.

When you go to replace the washer, you must first shut off the water supply to the faucet. Sometimes it is possible to do this at a more local spot close to the faucet, but other times it is necessary to shut off the main water supply to the home to isolate the faucet. It is a good idea to protect the enamel of the bathtub with towels to protect it from chips from dropped tools. Another good preparation idea is to cover drains to prevent small pieces from being dropped into them.

When you take apart the faucet to get to the washer, make diagrams or notes of exactly how you do so. This will make it easier to put it back together. Normally, the replacement of the washer will solve the leak problem. Keep spare washers handy in your tool box. You will need them again before long.

The newer type of faucet is called a washer less faucet. The name tells it all. The valve opens and shuts by an actual physical closing of the valve. You can usually tell if your faucet is compression or washer less just by feel. A compression faucet needs to be tightened to get it closed. The washer less faucet glides easily into place and does not need additional pressure to cut off the flow. There are fewer problems with leaking on washer less faucets. They tend to be either working or not. When they wear out, or do not operate properly, they should be replaced.

Small Bathroom Design Problem Solved With A Small Toilet

A small toilet could be the key to your bathroom-remodeling problem

Remodeling small bathrooms can be difficult especially when you try to fit more into your makeover bathroom than you had in your old one. The key to solving your problem could lie in the design of your new toilet.

Fitting more stuff in your small bathroom

This was the situation that I found myself in when I remodeled my very small bathroom. I wanted to turn the place into a beautiful ceramic heaven that all my family and guests would be pleased to use. I also wanted to add a separate shower cubicle to replace the shower over the bathtub that I hated and this is where the problem lay.

My little bathroom was already crowded with just a bathtub, toilet, washbasin and radiator but I desperately wanted a new shower so I set to work on the design. I armed myself with measuring tape, pencil and graph paper which can be printed for free from here Free Graph Paper for Bathroom remodeling and used it to rearrange the items in bathroom on paper.

By moving the radiator over the bathtub and the washbasin to the opposite wall I managed to free up quite a lot of space but I could see that I still didn't have enough room for the toilet. At least not for one the same size as I had already.

The problems with toilets

The main problem with a lot of toilets is that they take up too much wall space. Not only are the cisterns or tanks too wide but they also often tend to have the water inlet and overflow on the side of the tank, which takes up even more wall space. So I started to look for toilets that would fit into the space that I had available and found that there is quite a lot to choose from.

Choose a small toilet with a bottom inlet feed

I was pleasantly surprised when I started to look for small toilets. I found some that were so tiny that they would fit almost anywhere. Unfortunately they would be very little use for anyone but the most petite of us because they would be completely impractical.

So it's a compromise that we are looking for. A toilet that is big enough to be used by all, and small enough to fit into the available space. You should be able to find small toilets that have cisterns of 16 inches width or less with plumbing that enters from the bottom rather than the side.

The plumbing arrangement helps a lot because side entry takes up a lot of room. The toilet that I chose even directs the overflow into the waste outlet rather than requiring a side-exit pipe to carry it away.

I managed to fit my new small toilet next to my nice new shower cubicle and it all worked out great. I hope that yours does too.

Add Your Personal Touch With Custom Shower Curtains

Custom shower curtains are an excellent way to get your shower curtains just the way you want them. The only restraint is what your mind can dream up, what you are capable of putting together, and what length your tailor is willing to go to. To help you choose what type of curtains you would like to put in your bathroom, here are a few things for you to think about before making any concrete decisions.

What style of curtain are you looking for? Style is a big part of the decision making process. Do you want something that has some type of special meaning to it? If so, you can get portraits of your family members put on your curtain or maybe a picture of an item that is part of an inside joke, for example. Or if you are designing one for your kids' bathroom, you can put their favorite cartoon character along with their own picture; bath time will no doubt become much more fun for your kids after that! The possibilities are endless when it comes to a custom shower curtain because you are the one who holds the power to decide what your finished piece will look like.

What type of fabric do you want to use for your custom piece? Do you want something completely functional or just for looks? If you want something completely functional, you may consider getting one made of plastic for example. If you want something that is only for looks, you can have it made with any fabric you choose. You can also have a little bit of both worlds. If you are looking for something that is for looks but also want it to function in your bathroom, you can have a custom shower curtain made in any fabric that you choose and pair it with a plastic curtain liner so that you can enjoy your custom shower curtain while keeping it protected at the same time. Keep in mind though that the steam from your shower may still have some impact on the quality of your curtain. If you are looking for something easier to clean and maintain you may want to choose a fabric that is of a lighter weight and of a fabric that will not be likely to fade quickly over time.

The great thing about a custom shower curtain is that you can really let your personality shine through. You should take your time and make sure that it fits your needs and expectations before making any decisions.