Hellio Barbellhammer
The Essential Guide to Walk In Showers and Wet Rooms.
https://www.ageukmobility.co.uk/product-category/baths-and-showers?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwkLCkBhA9EiwAka9QRtm
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These two links may help you better understand what you mean and what you are looking for, because the term walk-in shower can be a bit misleading.
First thing to say is did you know that you can ask your local council for an assessment and an occupational therapist will be appointed to visit you at home and make recommendations to help you with any difficulties and this can include a recommendation for level access shower facilities. You may also be able to get funding via a DFG (Disabled Facilities Grant) and the occupational therapist will be able to guide you through all the decisions and processes that need to be made. This may be a route you want to consider especially if you do not know much about what is involved or don’t know someone who doe
If you decide to go it alone, you need to make sure you take advice and if, for example, you approach a local builder or similar try if you can to see examples of the work they have done and read reviews. It is important that the installation is carried out properly otherwise you can end up with a whole lot of problems which can be expensive to put right. For this reason I would always recommend you go to a specialist company - it won’t be the cheapest option but it can be easier to address any issues that may arise.
Again, if you decide to sort this out yourself there are some things you need to be aware of and may include the following
Unlike a wet room so called walk-in showers have a tray and although you can get trays that are flat most have at least a small lip that needs to be stepped over. This is not problematic in most cases but you need to be aware that even a small step over can be a risk factor for anyone whose mobility is poor. Furthermore there may be technical reasons that mean a low level tray cannot be fitted and a tray with bigger step in may be needed.
Shower trays come in different shapes and sizes. Most commonly when the bath is removed a similarly sized shower tray is put in its place. It might be however that a different arrangement would give you more room especially if help is needed to shower at some point in the future,
Make sure the shower doors give you maximun space and there are many different types - full screen, ½ screen with curtain, one fixed door, folding.etc Some of these can take up valuable space in the bathroom itself so look at the options carefully along with the mechanism for opening and closing the screens.
Think about where you want grab handles placed - and they don’t have to be white they come in many different colours. They also come in different lengths. Chrome is a popular option these days but they are not always the best choice for grab rails as they are smooth, Plastic ribbed ones give a better grip.
Finally most if not all specialist companies will project manage for you if you wish ie co-ordinate all the works that may be involved and resolve any issues.
I hope this will be of some help to you.
Best wishes
Tot
