We converted our master bath tub/shower to a shower only. I have MS and getting in and out of the tub was difficult. We found the a 12" vertical grab bar at the entrance was more than sufficient. The length of the bar on the inside would be determined by your preference- do you ave a seat, when is it located, size of area, etc. For us an 18" bar, horizontally placed in the center of the inside wall was more than adequate.(We don't have a built- in bench as it would have been too far from the controls to be convenient. Our seat is movable so it is out of the way at the end of the enclosure when my DH uses the shower and I can move it up when needed. There are several nice alternatives to a built in bench.) Actually horizontal is the recommended placement for security. Much better leverage from a seated position, also wet hands may slip on a diagonal bar in an emergency situation. Ours is 33" from the floor, or at my wrist level when standing. Pam

I know this is an old thread, but reading through it - as someone who has bad knees and pins and a plate in one ankle, how on earth is a free-standing tub easier to get in or out of? There's NO way to reach a functional grab bar, for heaven's sake!!!!

I want to reduce fall risks as we age / guests age. There should be a vertical grab bar where you enter a shower or tub so you don't have to reach across the tub to the tile wall. Based on really helpful comments below about glass, my thought is to scrap idea of a walk-in shower with glass on two sides. (@JospehCorlett you may win!) ** What are everyone's thoughts on this idea instead? ** Note, this tub will not be used for baths. We have another bathroom for that in our main apartment down the hall. This is primarily for guests and sometimes for us.: (1.) Have a low tub - current vintage reglazed or new as low as possible, with the widest tub floor space possible. Suggestions appreciated! (2) Shower head, adjustable handheld, and tub spout on the long wall nearer window, spraying towards sink. (3) Build wall between tub and a new sink as in pic below. Shower controls mid-height on this wall - no need to bend down or reach to far long wall to turn on water. (4) Vertical grab bar on new wall inside shower, horizontal grab bar on long wall at standing height. (5) Use shower curtain rod as in second pic below. U and L shaped vintage look ones too unsturdy. Pros: Entry grab bar, takes care of weird window issue complicated by glass, fewer NYC permits needed than converting from tub to walk in. Cons: Tiny area for new sink. Evens out: Lifting leg into tub isn't great for aging in place, but grab bar helps with that and if someone is super limited range of motion they can stay in an ADA accessible hotel! Real estate pic of a unit in our building with wall between vintage tub and sink. Real estate pic of another unit with sturdy looking ceiling shower rod, low looking tub. Forget glass shower panel.

Built in tubs have ledges to collect lots of stuff which can be good or bad. Freestanding tubs tucked fairly close to a wall can make floor cleaning challenging. Free standing tubs … like sofas without skirts or sinks mounted without vanity or bedside night tables mounted on the wall all add visual space to the room and make it feel more spacious. Freestanding tubs can be easier to step into depending on the slope inside the tub, however you can’t sit on the edge…which I never do anyway. Right now I have a built in corner tub but in two months I will have a free standing tub tucked within 18” of a wall…so I will know more by the end of summer.