ACCESSIBILITY RENOVATIONS
We will make your home safe and accessible for the years to come
ACCESSIBLE BATHROOMS
Accessible renovating and remodeling are on the rise in the Ottawa area. We thought we would share some information on the subject.
It’s all about independent living. We receive many calls from homeowners asking about making changes to the bathroom to make it more accessible and safer. This is easier and more economic than many people realize. People want to stay in their homes and the bathroom becomes a key part of that decision.
Mobility issues can affect our ability to use the bathroom conveniently and safely.
People with knee and hip issues, elderly, and wheelchair or walker dependent can find typical bathrooms difficult to use properly. Household bathrooms were not designed with accessibility in mind.
TUB TO WALK-IN SHOWER CONVERSIONS
For most people the tub to shower conversion is biggest and most important modification they want. Costs range about $4,000 to $6,000 finished. A full bathroom can cost about $8500 and up.
Walk-in showers are safer by design because the shower floor is flat and textured and about 12 inches wider than a tub on the walking surface. Tubs have rounded bottoms and are designed to sit in not stand. Statistically tubs are a major cause of injuries in the home for all ages. Grab bars are important with a minimum of two or three recommended by Ontario Health. Well- placed grab bars in a walk-in shower can give homeowners confidence and a new feeling of independent living in their own homes.
It takes about a week to complete a tub to shower conversion professionally and finished and ready to use.
ACCESSIBLE LAUNDRY ROOM
Relocating your laundry room on the same level as your bedroom or main bathroom will reduce the frequency you travel up or down stairs as well as minimize the risk of traveling to another floor while carrying a large load of laundry.
LIMITED MOBILITY OPTIONS AND THE EXCELLENT ONTARIO HEALTH PROGRAM
For homeowners whose mobility is more restricted and limited to a wheelchair or a walker the standard walk-in showers described above may be too small for full wheelchair or walker access.