For those with difficulty in mobility, shower handrails offer a great means for assisting in safely getting in and out of the shower. They assist in getting over the low thresholds and low curbs in showers and bathtubs. Handrails also provide stability when you lift your leg or body in a wet and slippery environment.
Shower handrails can help people to maintain their balance by transferring their weight to a fixed and stable source. In this way, shower handrails are useful in preventing dangerous falls and injuries. Shower handrails can restore both functional mobility and independence to those who may need a certain level of assistance in daily life activities.
Shower rails come in a wide variety of colors and finishes to meet your aesthetic tastes. While most shower handrails are constructed of stainless steel inner tubing, you can find a shower handrail with a stainless steel, nylon, or wooden surface. They have various features such as textured grips and non-porous, anti-microbial materials that keep your bathroom safe and sanitary. The extra grips help provide more support when your hands are wet. There are also suction shower handrails that can be easily attached and detached from a wall without leaving a mark. For a permanent installation, here are two recommended shower handrails.
This chrome handrail has a weight capacity of 250lbs, 12 inch length and has a diameter of 1 and 1/2 inches of knurled chrome.
Chrome Shower Handrails
This stainless steel handrail is 18 inches long with a 1 and 1/2 inch diameter and is able to support persons up to 500lbs.
Stainless Steel Shower Handrails
Installing Shower Handrails
A simple installation of a handrail near the shower stalls will improve your bathroom safety dramatically. Make sure the fittings on the handrails are tight and do not rotate. The rails must be anchored firmly with nails or screws that work in a wet area. Check the edges and the surrounding areas where the shower handrails are being installed for sharp or abrasive marks.
Shower Handrail Height
The ADA requirements for ADA shower handrail heights are 33-36 inches from the ground floor. Private homes do not have to comply with these requirements. These ADA guidelines are for reference points and publicly accessed buildings. In order to get the best shower handrail placement, listen to the needs of the user. Find out where they would like to place their hands as they enter and exit the shower.
Securely mounted to the wall, handrails and shower grab bars is both durable and functional while providing ergonomically designed support for comfortable and convenient usage. They are not just handicap rails that provide only usefulness for the elderly and people with disabilities but they provide an element of safety for everyone. Handrails and grab bars are now a required safety measure in almost all public places.
Should I Install Shower Handrails?
There are shower improvements that cost a lot more but do not provide as much benefits as a shower handrail. The fact is anyone, not just the disabled or elderly, can slip down on a wet floor and injury themselves. If you want to be safe and have something to hold onto as you perform your shower duties, you need to install shower handrails. If you experience slipperiness on your handrail or grab bar, make sure it comes with a gripped surface. Additionally, with all the stylish and colorful handrails on the market, being an eyesore is not a valid reason. Get one that matches your shower curtains!