When it comes to refurbishing housing stock with fully adaptive bathrooms, many landlords, housing associations and local authorities think high-end aesthetics are simply not cost-effective. An evolving market is now challenging that view more than ever. Peter Melia, UK business development manager at neaco, explains.
There is still a pervasive negative perception that bathroom products which aid mobility and independence are aesthetically incompatible modern concepts in bathroom design. In the past, manufacturers have developed their products based purely on the essential functionality without heed to the non-essential visual appeal. Invariably the results are rather clinical or institutional in appearance. The rare examples of contemporary style in inclusive bathroom design have tended to come at significant extra cost.
Thankfully, this rule of thumb no longer applies if you know where to look. Led by companies prepared to invest in product development, the market is belatedly getting up to speed. A combination of increased sophistication in design, improved manufacturing techniques and value engineering have produced more options in an affordable price range, so a stylish and modern inclusive bathroom needn’t come with a price tag which is anything but inclusive.
One of the most notable improvements is the quality and diversity of the finishes available. Contemporary metallic styles in particular have become more affordable. If you want a grab rail in a chrome finish, you no longer have to buy one manufactured from chrome – with advances in powder coating, you can choose an aluminium grab rail finished with the appearance of chrome. As well as being more affordable, a powder coated finish is warmer to the touch. It is also less slippery to hold than chrome, especially when hands are wet.
It helps users with impaired vision to have support fittings in a colour that contrasts with the wall. With the right choice, this functional requirement also has the potential to serve an aesthetic need: for example, a vibrant blue or deep yellow can add a burst of colour to complement the monochrome style of many contemporary schemes. If you prefer the traditional country-style look, then alternatives are out there – some companies offer some rich and rustic colours to furnish bathrooms with the classic look.
With a general increase in the popularity of wet-room facilities, the similarly unobtrusive design of level-access adaptive showers now represent an appealingly minimalist bathroom feature. As a result the distinction between adaptive and non-adaptive bathing has become less obvious. There is a clear distinction to be made in terms of safety: unlike wet rooms, which allow water to spread across the floor, level-access trays and grilles keep water within a designated area. As well as being more hygienic, this reduces the risk of users slipping in other areas of the bathroom. It is also worth bearing in mind that the gradient of a conventional wet-room floor makes the facility less user-friendly for wheelchair users. It is more practical to have a showering area which is gradient-free with minimal perimeter ridges or lips for wheels to overcome; ideally there should none at all.
Although market choice has improved, you should beware of suppliers who have invested in aesthetics but have compromised or overlooked performance. Shortfalls in quality can be difficult to discern initially. Hinged support arms are designed to fold back against the wall and save space when not in use, but they can be especially problematic if they are not properly engineered – after time, a lower quality hinge mechanism can warp, wear and eventually cease to function properly. Showering surfaces should meet the strict loadbearing parameters laid down in BS459 part 1: 1995. Any showering surface should also have anti-slip qualities – perhaps a ribbed finish or similar detail.
Certain features will tell you that a manufacturer has designed its products with care and attention to the users’ needs. It could be a routered surface on the inside of a grab rail to provide a more secure grip. It could be a locking mechanism to prevent a hinged support arm from dropping down. It could be a magnetised closer strip to provide a secure seal between two half-height shower doors, or a sliding lock to prevent accidental opening and ease of use for less dexterous hands. When choosing adaptive bathroom products, it’s a good idea to request a full specification list of features from various suppliers and make a direct comparison between like-for-like items.
Part M of the Building Regulations is a very useful resource when designing or refurbishing a bathroom – it’s an excellent generic guide when the bathroom users and their specific needs are unknown. Doc M recommends folding armrests or safety rails attached either side of the shower seat to help prevent somebody from sliding off a wet slippery seat. A wall-fixed rail should be located to the side of the shower seat, approximately 20 cm above the seat’s height. This provides help in standing and can assist in transferring a person from a wheelchair to shower seat. In certain cubicles it can be useful to fix a horizontal rail on the wall opposite the shower seat at a height of 1m from the floor, but only if it can be easily reached from the seat. A vertical rail at least 50 cm long can be fixed at the entrance to the shower cubicle for use when getting in and out.
Doc M also provides advice on suitable measurements and positions for support arms and grab rails in WC facilities; illustrated drawings and plans providing general guidance are easily available to download online. Many manufacturers supply fully-compliant Doc M packs comprising all the necessary fittings to fix within the WC and basin areas. New washrooms are typically expected to include all the items in a fully compliant pack while refurbished washrooms may only require the more basic items.
Landlords, local authorities and housing association managers should never lose sight of the primary purpose of adaptive bathing: safety, comfort and ease of access are all boxes that must be ticked in addition to aesthetic appeal. We would suggest a three-step process to specification. Firstly, determine the choice and position of your primary facility, whether it’s a bath, shower or a WC. Secondly, work out what support items are required to meet your specific space and layout with reference to Part M guidance. Thirdly, seek out a supplier that can provide all of these items in a style and finish which meet your aesthetic preferences. If you address each need in that order, you can achieve a facility which can be used by everyone, as well as admired by everyone. We all deserve to enjoy style and comfort in equal measure.