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5 Tips to Make Your Shower Enclosure Safe & Accessible

Most shower or tub areas feature very tight spaces, complete with plenty of sharp corners and hard surfaces. This can make the bathroom a dangerous place for kids, seniors, and adults with limited mobility. But you don’t have to pay for a total bathroom remodel to make your bathroom more accessible or safer. By making some simple changes and purchasing a few new products, you can create a safe and relaxing bathroom environment.

5 Tips to Make Your Shower Enclosure Safe & Accessible

Making your bathroom safe and accessible doesn’t have to cost a fortune. If you’re on a tight budget, there are some simple and affordable changes you can make to your bathroom that include all the important features and accessories needed to minimize the risk of falls and injuries.

The Importance of an Accessible Bathroom 

After a long day, the bathroom is often a private and calming escape for most family members. From self-care activities to grooming rituals, bathroom time activities can represent time alone to unwind after work or school. However, issues with mobility and balance can easily turn a normal bathroom into a hazardous environment.

The bathroom can be a difficult and challenging space to make safer, depending on each individual’s unique needs and limitations. Disabled adults and the elderly are most at risk of serious falls. Fortunately, there are some important and affordable changes you can make to your bathroom to make it safer and more accessible for every member of your household.

Tip #1: Install a Swivel Seat or Shower Bench 

A fall in the shower can be devastating. If a family member has trouble walking or standing, a swivel seat shower chair or shower bench can provide a safe and comfortable space for your loved one to enjoy a hot shower without rushing or fearing a slip and fall. A swivel shower seat can provide a stable place for a family member to rest while showering and features 360-degree rotation, allowing them to turn freely and twist comfortably, making bathing easier. A bath chair is larger than a swivel seat and is often height adjustable. This type of versatility can make it easier to transfer a loved one from a wheelchair to the shower.

Tip #2: Mark All Shower Handles Clearly

Seniors and adults with poor vision will need shower handles that are clearly labeled. If the print on the handles is too small, it can be very easy for the shower user to accidentally mix up the cold and hot water, which can result in burns or even a fall if they’re startled by the temperature change.

Tip #3: Add Grab Bars

A tub and shower combo requires users to step over a high ledge to enter the space. This can make it difficult for people with mobility issues to enter or exit the shower and can increase their chances of falling. Adding shower grab bars placed in the correct positions can give the user something to hold onto when entering or exiting the shower or in the event they feel weak or shaky. Grab bars can be mounted in diagonal, vertical, or horizontal configurations.

Tip #4: Buy Nonslip Floor Mats

Wet bathroom floors can be a major hazard. Unfortunately, bathroom mats are one of the most common tripping culprits in bathrooms. The right type of mat can have a major impact on bathroom safety, making it easier for the user to exit the shower. Instead of a traditional shower mat, make sure you purchase nonslip floor mats and place them strategically throughout the bathroom.

Tip #5: Upgrade to a Full Walk-in Shower 

An accessible shower enclosure can allow people with mobility issues to maintain their independence. When determining how to make your bathroom safer, the shower or tub is often the first place to look. For many seniors or people with disabilities, stepping over the tub or shower barriers can make it difficult and challenging to get in or out of the shower. While grab bars can definitely help, upgrading to a curbless shower or full walk-in shower can make the shower enclosure more accessible for people with limited mobility, so your loved ones can enter and exit the shower with minimal effort. These walk-in showers essentially allow the user to walk straight into the shower without needing any assistance to get over a high ledge. At GCS Glass and Mirror, our team of glass experts can create a custom frameless glass shower design that meets your needs and improves bathroom safety and accessibility for you and your loved ones.

Contact GCS Glass & Mirror to Get a Quote!

If you’re ready to make important changes to your bathroom and get rid of your outdated shower/tub combo, the team at GCS Glass and Mirror can design a custom glass shower enclosure that can make it easy for disabled or elderly family members to enter and exit the shower space without assistance. To learn more about our custom glass shower installation services, contact GCS Glass and Mirror today to schedule an appointment and get a free quote.

What People Are Saying About Us

I did everything from my iPhone! Easy peasy!

The team at GCS was so easy to do business with. I did everything from my iPhone. I received quotes for my project with options to choose from. We scheduled appointments by text. Measurements were precise and the glass install looks great. When it was all done I made payments through an app on my phone. Easy peasy.

– Philip Capizzi

Very Accommodating!

Just had our new shower glass and frame installed and we are very pleased. Brendan and Tyler did a great job and we really appreciated them working around the other flooring project we had going on at same time. Very accommodating. The glass and framework looks great. I'm looking forward to using the shower tomorrow with the new look. VERY pleased. The company is very responsive, quick to come out and measure, and got the job done. Thanks!

– Steve Gerhart

A Great Experience!

A great experience from the first estimate, measuring and install. Really well priced and was surprised at how quickly the shower doors were delivered and installed an entire week early. Was very pleased with the entire experience from start to finish.

– Kathleen Ruhl

Super Fast Turnaround Time!

I found this company after looking at many top-rate glass companies in Denver and seeing that I had to fill out forms and wait for them to get back to me. Some took days, and others have yet to call or email back. GCS was easy to text in from the website and talk to someone and get a quote rather quickly with examples over the text message. Within a few mins, I had a quote and an appointment set! That's how you earn the business! Make the initial request EASY and prove what the client is looking for! They were on time for every appointment and were professional. The glass took a few weeks to arrive, but the team kept us in the loop via text and never missed a detail. We are so happy with our choice, and the glass looks fantastic! They even added a complimentary glass coating to keep the soap scum at bay for two years. I'm starting a new project and will use them again in the next few weeks! Highly recommend.

– Alex Tooke

Look No Further!

No need to search any further for a new shower door. Not only is GCS very fair on pricing (believe me, I did my due diligence) but their customer service is out of this world (so rare these days). From working with Chance on pricing, Austin on installing, and Tom on measuring and follow through, everyone was extremely professional. Tom is a perfectionist in the best of ways. His attention to detail is reflective in the quality of work. Thanks team!

– Caitlin Kinnett

Best Experience Ever!

We had the best experience work with GCS Glass! We knew going in some of our product was on back order and would take awhile. We were so impressed with GCS Glasses communication! They always communicated what was going on every time they got an update. We never felt like they “forgot about us” because they were in constant contact. Their workers were great and professional. Price wise they were slightly cheaper than competing companies. We could not be happier with this company.

– Jessica Laue-Flint

Highly Recommend Company

I would highly recommend this company for your shower door. Brandon was quick to respond to my request for quote. He provided excellent details about the options and prices including pictures, all in text so was very convenient.

– Teresa Hastings

Professional staff, Outstanding installers

GCS Glass is the premier company in AZ. Professional staff, outstanding installers. I ordered 3/8" Starphire clear tempered glass, brushed nickel hinges and hardware to match my bathroom fixtures. Emily sent me a detailed invoice with photos of the hardware. This was the finishing touch to the custom bathroom I built. If you want the absolute best GCS will deliver.

– Mark Plennes

Smooth Process, Amazing Quality

We absolutely Love our Glass from GCS Glass Supply. The whole process went so smoothly and the quality is Amazing. Joe and Tim were very responsive each step in the process. The install by Junior and Camden was above our expectations. They were very polite, clean and provided quality craftsmanship. Many thanks GCS Glass. Best regards, Jim & Susan M.

– Jim Mohrig

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