skip to main content

Which shower door for Granny's new shower?

8 years ago

I'm usually on other GW forums, but here's a bathroom query: DMIL is replacing her tub with a shower. She says she can't do "roll-in" because of the condo construction, but she will have as low a sill as possible. Not in a wheelchair, but does use a shower chair to bathe. She's debating the kind of shower door to have: slider, or swing out. Which is more elderly-friendly?

The swing out seems safer should she fall in the shower, but you have to pull it open, and push it out from the inside. If it's heavy, can that cause you to fall? It seems to me that the frameless glass shower door in the condo building guest suite is heavier than our framed glass shower door at home; does frameless mean the glass has to be thicker?

A slider is nice because it's never in the way, but is the motion difficult? What if you fall, is it hard to open from the floor?

If she does a tiled wall, or even a pony wall, for the front of the shower (beside the commode), can she still do a slider? At home we have a wall and the controls are on that side wall, with the sprayer on the end in the normal place. I like it.

I'm recommending that she include grab bars near the door for balance as she steps in; my parents are going to do that, too, in the recommendation of their OT. I'm also recommending niches for the soap etc, not shelves where she could hit her head.

What do you think? Slider, or swing-out door?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

palimpsest
8 years ago
The safest and most accessible option is a curtain.
emma
8 years ago
I prefer curtains, less maintenance.
Related Discussions
Tub, shower, tub AND shower, which goes where?
Q
Comments (3)
Do you have grand-kids, or are you expecting any near your guest bedrooms? If so, do consider having tubs (at least a small 5 foot inexpensive one) for baths. You won't regret that, especially for resale. As for your Master Bath, ask a realtor friend and they will likely tell you it's 'best' for re-sale for a 5-piece Master too, but if you'd much rather have the extra-large shower than a smaller shower and tub, then go for the larger shower and forget the tub. We have an oversized shower (dual heads, etc) and absolutely love it. We have a big jacuzzi tub too and it's nice but doesn't get a whole lot of use. Our overall bathroom is quite large, but if I were limited on space, the tub would be the first to go or at least downsize. As you age, you will probably find a better use for a walk-in shower with things you can add in your later remodel (hand-held rails, bench, etc) than a tub that is hard to step into.
...See More
Which glass shower door type best for safety?
Q
Comments (4)
Honestly, given the situation, I would NOT want glass walls or doors. I would get a shower curtain, put it on a curved rod, add a liner curtain, and be thankful that no one is going to get injured bumping into glass. Sometimes beauty and looking good has to defer to safety. The curtained shower will be much easier to clean, and it will be easier to wash large pets with this solution. I would be sure to have a handheld shower for the pets.
...See More
which way should neoangle shower doors open?
Q
Comments (1)
It would be nice to be able to turn the shower on from the outside easily, which usually means the hinges are opposite the controls.
...See More
Please help me figure out new shower ceiling, door, & tile height
Q
Comments (1)
We have a sloped ceiling in a bathroom we recently renovated. I took the tile up the the lower side of the slope. This is how it turned out. I like having the higher ceiling in the shower.
...See More
bpath
Original Author
8 years ago
On a low sill shower? How does it keep the water in, without being so long that it drags on the floor?
Iowacommute
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Dh and I loved the shower that was in our birthing suite a couple of years ago. That wing was newly remodeled and had small shower stalls, but there was only maybe an inch and a half step with a curtain and a fold down wood bench. We were there for a week, and I don't remember any water on the floor.

ETA: I believe the curtain was also weighted which makes a big difference.
measure_twice
8 years ago
If the shower head points away from the opening, you might not need a door or curtain.

Search out the ADA requirements for showers, especially images. You could get ideas even if you do not use all their requirements. This link is a vendor of all-in-one units. I do not have any connection to them, other vendors are very similar, this page simply has good images. http://www.florestone.com/ada_comp.html

We are installing grab bars in our new shower and tub surround. I mention it because we discovered what is required by ADA may not work for us in practice. We did put extra blocking in the walls if we want to move the bars to meet requirements. Instead of blocking, you can find big toggle bolts made especially for grab bars.

Notice all of the units have a hand-held shower head, a requirement of ADA. We thought that was a good idea and obtained a shower head with a detachable hand-held unit.

You could create niches or use stick-on wire racks. The wire units are light and did not hurt when I hit my head on them in our old enclosure.

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Shower Curtain or Shower Door?

By Lara Sargent

Find out which option is the ideal partner for your shower-bath combo

KITCHEN SINKS Which Faucet Goes With a Farmhouse Sink?

By Toronto Interior Design Group

A variety of faucet styles work with the classic farmhouse sink. Here’s how to find the right one for your kitchen

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean a Glass Shower Door

By Bonnie McCarthy

See which tools and methods will keep those glass shower walls and doors sparkling clean

BATHROOM DESIGN Expert Talk: Frameless Showers Get Show of Support

By Lawrence Karol

Professional designers explain how frameless shower doors boosted the look or function of 12 bathrooms

BATHROOM DESIGN Doorless Showers Open a World of Possibilities

By Lisa Frederick

Universal design and an open bathroom feel are just two benefits. Here’s how to make the most of these design darlings

STUDIOS AND WORKSHOPS Room of the Day: Potting and Puttering in Toasty Warmth

By Becky Harris

Minnesota winters are no match for this heated potting room, mudroom and changing room, which even has a dog shower

SHOWERS 10 Stylish Options for Shower Enclosures

By Change Your Bathroom©

One look at these showers with glass block, frameless glass, tile and more, and you may never settle for a basic brass frame again

SHOWERS Your Guide to Shower Floor Materials

Discover the pros and cons of marble, travertine, porcelain and more

BATHROOM DESIGN How to Choose the Best Drain for Your Shower

By By Any Design Ltd.

Don't settle for a cheap fix when you can pick a shower drain that suits your style preferences and renovation codes alike

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Add an Outdoor Shower

New project for a new year: Experience bathing in a whole new light with a shower in the fresh air

Sponsored

More Discussions

Recommendations for soaking/freestanding tub

2

wood look Ribbon tile trim

0

bathroom remodel fan placement

0

Massive pipe sticking out of house!

4

Any ideas on how to remodel our master bathroom?

5