The bathroom is the most visited place in the apartment, which everyone needs, regardless of age and health status. However, the smooth surface of ceramic tiles, which is a traditional option for finishing walls and floors, in combination with water creates a dangerous environment, therefore, for the safety of the elderly and people with disabilities, handrails for the bathroom are needed to make it easier to move around the room. In this article we will talk about the requirements for these devices, as well as how to install them.
Device design
Bathroom handrails are devices in the form of handles and railings installed on the wall of the bathroom to increase the safety of its use. Mostly such devices are used in apartments where elderly or disabled people live. They help you stand up, squat and move around, making the room less dangerous. Bathroom handrails are installed:
- Along the bath. The high side of the washing container often becomes a serious obstacle for people with foot diseases and elderly relatives. To help them get into the bath more safely, you need to install a grab bar on the wall.
Handrail along the bathtub - Near the toilet. Using the toilet independently can also become problematic with age, so a handle to hold while squatting can be a significant help for the disabled and elderly.
Grab bars near the toilet
Note! Our state has adopted a vector for the development of a convenient and comfortable environment for people with disabilities and older people, therefore such handrails are installed everywhere in social institutions and even commercial buildings.
Types of handles and handrails
It is the handrails for the bathroom that should be especially durable, not have sharp edges and be streamlined in shape.
These circumstances will not only help avoid injury, but may also save lives.
The bathroom is where more than half of accidents occur, and 5% of them are fatal, so when choosing a handle, you should pay special attention to:
- material of manufacture;
- method and place of attachment;
- form.
| № | Material of manufacture | Characteristic |
| 1 | Stainless steel | The most durable products have a long service life. There is always a large selection of pens of various sizes, designs and prices on sale. |
| 2 | Bronze, copper, brass | Handles made of non-ferrous metal are rare, and they are quite expensive. As a rule, stores offer products made from alloys. They have an elegant appearance. Suitable for implementing an interesting interior solution. Require special care. |
| 3 | Wood and glass | Rarely seen on shelves. They are distinguished by their high cost. In general, the products are quite durable and practical. |
| 4 | Black metal | A budget option. The metal undergoes decorative processing: painted, chromed, etc. The products have a pleasant appearance and are highly durable. The service life rarely exceeds 5 years: the coating loses its integrity, cracks and peeling appear. |
| 5 | Plastic | They have a modern design. You should pay attention to the quality of the plastic. A low-cost product is likely to be fragile. |
Bathroom handrails are often available with a rubberized coating in the grip portion of the handle. This coating will make it possible to hold it securely, even if the entire surface is wet.
Reliability requirements
Bathroom handrails are curved pipes with a round cross-section that are fixed to the wall. These devices, which ensure the safety of visiting the bathroom, are used in conditions of high humidity and are subject to significant weight loads. Therefore, the following requirements are imposed on them:
- Handrails should be made of corrosion-resistant types of metal or plastic, since in the bathroom they are constantly in contact with water.
- Bathroom railings should be equipped with a reliable fastening system to the wall to ensure a person's stability when using them.
- The material from which the handle is made must have high strength qualities in order to withstand the weight of a person without deformation.
- The surface of the handrail should provide a secure grip on the hand so that when gripping the device there is a feeling of confidence and security.
Important! Modern devices that make it easier for the elderly and disabled to use the bathroom are very functional and aesthetically pleasing, so they fit perfectly into the bathroom interior. They are usually made of metal, which harmonizes with chrome-plated plumbing elements.
What materials to choose?
Difficulties arise when choosing materials. There are many options that are used to make handles, but it is recommended to give preference to those that guarantee quality and durability of service. These include:
- Metal. They use silumin, aluminum, stainless steel, alloys and brass, and chrome or nickel for coating.
- Tree. It is a pleasant-to-touch material with a luxurious appearance. Different types of wood are used, and the handles are additionally varnished.
- Plastic. This is a cheap material that imitates other options, including metal or glass.
Often they choose models made from combined materials that are distinguished by their visual appeal.
Criterias of choice
Manufacturers offer a wide range of bathroom support devices; they are necessary for an elderly person to feel safe when visiting the bathroom, and also to be able to carry out hygiene procedures on their own without fear. However, you need to choose the right one to make it convenient to use. Experts recommend being guided by the following criteria when choosing supporting devices for a bathroom:
- The diameter of the handrail should correspond to the size of your hand. If the handrail turns out to be too thick, it will be inconvenient to grip it with your hand and it will slip out, reducing the safety of using the bathroom.
The hand should have a good grip on the handrail - The handrail model must be selected in accordance with the maximum load to which it will be subjected. The greater the weight, the stronger the handle must be, the thicker the metal must be to make it.
- When choosing handles for the bathroom, you need to choose a convenient cross-sectional shape and bends of the pipe. Choosing the right model can significantly simplify the use of the bathroom.
Remember that handrails are safety devices, so when choosing a model, pay attention first of all to the functional component, and not to the aesthetic one.
Stationary models and their features
Stationary models are simple in design and can be given different shapes. Round, U-shaped or L-shaped designs are popular. Bracket models are universal and affordable.
Types of stationary door handles
Fastening the product is not difficult; it can be easily done with your own hands. To do this, you will need several screws corresponding to the specific type of structure. They are simply screwed in the required place and the handle installed on the bathroom door is ready for use.
Note that such models are not always convenient during operation, this is explained by the lack of direct connection with the lock. If there is a need for closing, the locking mechanism is mounted separately.
The principle of opening the door to the bathroom is based on pulling the handle in the required direction. If an additional lock is installed, the key is turned separately, independently of it. This pen does not require any additional elements. As a latch, preference is given to a latch, which is available in various options.
Installation Features
The kit for installing bathroom handrails includes the handrails themselves, as well as high-quality fasteners that ensure safety during use. In fact, installation of supporting devices is a complex process that should be entrusted to professional craftsmen. The difficulty of fixing the railings lies in the fact that drilling the tiles, which are most often used to cover a bathroom, is very difficult, since it is hard, but at the same time fragile, the tiles can crack. When fixing handrails, the following points must be taken into account:
- It is important to correctly calculate the installation height of the handles so that it matches the height of the person who will use it. To make the emphasis on the handrail more convenient, it should be located approximately at waist level.
- Railings cannot be secured with glue or adhesive tape, as this method does not provide the required level of strength, which is why they can be deformed under the weight of a person.
Must be secured with high quality screws - The fastening points must be waterproofed using silicone sealant to prevent water from penetrating there, causing rust.
- The handrail pipe must have a large diameter flange to ensure maximum mounting strength.
Remember that installing handrails in a finished bathroom is much more difficult, so you need to carefully consider the number and location of supporting devices and draw up a design before starting work.
Installation of handrails in the bathroom
A properly installed grab bar in the bathroom will help a person with limited mobility to cope with bathing independently. For installation to be successful, you must:
- The horizontal handle, 60 cm long, must be installed so that it is 0.3 m from the part of the bathtub opposite the faucet. The recommended height from the side is 0.1 m.
- The vertical handle is attached to the wall 0.5 m from the bathtub in the part where the faucet is located. There should be 0.2 m left from the bottom edge to the side.
- A meter long metal handrail for the bathroom is attached at an angle of 13* to the side. There should be 2 cm between the bottom edge of the fixture and the bathtub.
Installing the handle on the side of the bathtub is done as follows:
- Places for fastenings are marked. To do this you will need a felt-tip pen and a building level.
- Holes are drilled in the bathtub. It is necessary to drill from the enamel side. If the drill goes from the outside when it comes out of the metal, chips will appear on the enamel. It is important to drill holes at low speeds of the drill until the drill passes through the enamel.
- The inside of the holes are painted with enamel or primed to prevent corrosion.
- Fasteners are installed in the holes on the outside of the bathtub. Rubber or silicone seals are put on them. Then the handrail is attached and screwed tightly.
- The edges that are adjacent to the bathtub are treated with a sealing compound. The handle is tested for strength.
Installation of handles in the shower stall
Many older people find it more convenient to bathe in the shower rather than in the bathtub. If your home has a shower stall, it is recommended to install stainless steel handrails according to the following rules:
- If a person with limited mobility bathes while sitting, the horizontal handles must be fixed on the wall 0.2 m above the chair.
- An additional horizontal grab bar is mounted on the wall opposite the shower seat. The recommended distance from this handle to the floor is 1 m.
- The handle, which has a vertical location, is attached next to the entrance to the booth. The optimal installation height is 0.9-1.3 m from the floor.
- There should be 0.55 m from the front edge of the shower stall seat to the handle located on the opposite wall.
If you follow all these rules, you may not have to help an elderly person take a shower every time: he will cope with this task on his own.
Installation of handrails in the toilet
The bathroom is another high-risk place for people with limited mobility: without handrails, they will slip or be unable to get up from the toilet without assistance. For a toilet, the rules for installing handles are as follows:
- There should be 22-25 cm from the toilet seat to the horizontal handle.
- A long straight handrail is installed at an angle of 15* to the wall. There should be at least 20 cm from the bottom edge of the handrail to the seat. From the floor to the bottom edge of the handle - 65-70 cm.
- A long vertical handrail is placed at a height of 1-1.4 m from the floor. There should be about 30 cm from the toilet seat to it.
- The L-shaped handle is fixed on the wall so that the part parallel to the floor is located next to the toilet, and the vertical part is 30 cm away from the toilet seat.
Correct installation of handrails in the bathroom, shower stall and toilet is the best help for the visually impaired, people with limited mobility and the elderly from their loved ones.
What are bathroom handles made of?
Veteran designers and manufacturers are working to create accessories and useful fixtures for the bath. To make bathroom handles truly comfortable, complex calculations are made and the most ergonomic shapes are selected. But beyond all this, the material is important. Luxurious accessories of different colors, shapes and degrees of beauty can be chosen not only for the bath, but also fit perfectly into the interior of the entire room. So, what do factories offer:
- Black steel is an option for economy class accessories. During the processing process, the handles are painted in different colors or undergo galvanic, mirror chrome plating. It is chrome that is considered the best, as it combines the two most important indicators of price/quality. The durability and aesthetics of this accessory is beyond doubt, but it is important to understand: after 3-5 years, the coating will begin to lose its original properties. Paint may peel off and rust may appear.
Advice! Always think ahead about the design and style of your bathtub handles. This will help you immediately choose the best option and not throw money away.
- Stainless steel is one of the strongest and most durable materials. A bathtub with stainless steel handles will last a long time. At the same time, the range of accessories is so wide that you can choose handles of any size: from the simplest to the most sophisticated.
- When creating an expensive room style, you should pay attention to bronze bathroom handles, as well as those made of copper, brass, and silver. Non-ferrous metals are rarely used in their pure form; they are mainly various alloys, but this does not diminish their beauty and practical qualities. Such accessories are true works of art and require the right treatment.
- Handles made of wood and glass are not the most popular product due to the high price category and low demand. However, if desired, you can also find such handles, and in terms of their strength and practical characteristics, the accessories are in no way inferior to iron products.
Important! Wooden bath handles require careful care!
When determining the material for accessories, do not forget about stylistic nuances. For example, if the room is made in high-tech style and filled with chrome and mirrors, then it will not tolerate a bathtub with handles made of yellow metal, but stainless steel will perfectly complement the surroundings. But for the classics, it will be easy to choose modern handles that imitate blackened silver, platinum or the elegant luxury of black.
Choosing handrails for the bathroom
So, if a person suffers from arthritis, then it is necessary to choose curved handrails that allow you to transfer the load from the hands to the forearms.
In addition, the set of stationary support structures must include mounting elements, and the handrails themselves must be easy to grip (not too thick or thin).
Installation
If the device is selected, its location is determined, the tools and fasteners are available, you can begin installation.
By the way, about the location. It should be more than just convenient. A person must determine it intuitively, even in the dark. This is very important, because no one knows at what moment the electricity in the house may suddenly go out.
