How to choose handrails for the bathroom for the disabled and elderly (types, photos, videos)

In this article we will look at: Bath handles: varieties by design and mounting location Bath grab bars: how to choose depending on their type How to install a grab handle on a bathtub yourself

Why do we need bath handles? To say that this is a convenient device is to say nothing - the handles are an excellent assistant for the elderly, pregnant women and people with disabilities caused by disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The average person can also appreciate bathtub grab bars to make their bath time comfortable. In this article from vannaja.net we will look at the questions: how to choose bath handles and how to install them?

Bath support handles photo

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
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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.

Installation of stationary handrails in the side of the bathroom

Sand the edges of the holes.
If you need to install the handle directly into the bathtub itself, the procedure will be as follows:

Measurements are taken and the drilling sites are marked on the enamel side.
For the holes you need to select a metal drill. Drilling should be done at low speeds so as not to damage the enamel. To prevent the drill from sliding along the surface, you can stick construction tape crosswise onto the drilling point.
After the holes are made, their edges should be carefully treated with a metal primer to avoid possible corrosion.
The handle is screwed on with screws on which silicone washers are placed to prevent water leakage. For more information about installing the handrail, watch this video:

When installing the handle on an acrylic or steel bathtub, it is better to strengthen the fastening area by installing a strong plate on the outside.

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 are bathroom handles made of?

Chrome plated bath handle

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.

The design of the handle must match the font and the overall style of the room

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.

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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.

Rotating structures and knobs are the best option

Knob handles or rotary models are suitable for bathrooms and toilets. They are better suited for this role, since they already include a special latch in the design. At the same time, they are comfortable to use, reliable, and durable. A wide selection of design options ensures easy selection of a model to suit your personal design preferences.

This handle is turned clockwise, which causes the halyard tongue to move and the door opens. If you release the handle, it automatically returns to the "closed" position. Swivel models are represented exclusively by the body and halyard tongue. The knobs are additionally equipped with a locking mechanism. On the inside of the door there is a latch, and on the outside there is a key mechanism.

A distinctive feature of this category of handles is ease of use, many design solutions and a wide selection of materials. Rotary structures are easy to install and require minimal space on the canvas. Knob handles are more difficult to install, as they require insertion into the door leaf into a specially prepared hole.

Interesting options for knob models for doors to the toilet or bathroom

The main advantage of rotary models and knobs is the minimal risk of damage. They have no obvious shortcomings. The only thing is that opening is difficult if you do not clasp the handle with your entire palm.

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.

Pressure structures and their features

The more popular door handle models are push handles. Their mechanism is based on a halyard tongue. It is set in motion by pressing the handle itself. A distinctive feature of the model is an impressive selection of design options, which makes it easy to choose the right model for a specific interior.

Variety of push-type door handles

Additional advantages of the design include the following:

Reliability of operation. Such products rarely fail. Even if this happens, they are easy to repair.
Ergonomics. The model is incredibly convenient to use. It is possible to choose a handle to fit your own palm for maximum comfort.
An impressive range of options. Similar models differ in color, material, shape, bend and the presence of decorative elements.
Comfort of use. To open the door, press the lever. Moreover, the model operates silently if properly maintained.
Maintainability. This model is easy to repair or replace specific elements to extend its service life.

The only drawback of the push model is the volume of the lever. In some cases, you can get caught on it, which causes discomfort.

How to attach bathroom grab bars to the wall

It is necessary to install handrails in such a way that a person with impaired musculoskeletal system function can easily find support even at night with the lights off and reach the handrails without effort.

It is quite possible to install handrails for disabled people in the bathroom yourself, if you carefully familiarize yourself with all the nuances of this process in advance

Installation of handrails in bathrooms includes the following steps:

Marking the room and drawing up a plan for installing holders of different sizes and shapes in the most needed places.
Arrangement of holes on the handrail flanges (the holes must match the diameter of the mounting elements).
Installation of handrails with flanges to the wall using dowels.
Installing plugs over flanges.

Wall stationary handrails are recommended to be fixed to a load-bearing wall, and small vacuum handles can be mounted in any convenient place.

The design should be convenient to use. Therefore, it is necessary that the handles are installed at a distance of at least 40 mm from the wall. The support handrail should be placed at a height of 50-100 cm from the floor (depending on the height and needs of the person).

Equipment items

According to the function of creating comfortable conditions for the use of bathroom items by people with mobility difficulties, all elements must meet the following requirements:

the material for these devices is a metal pipe or profile that is not subject to rust;
each element of the device has appropriate bends and a convenient shape for use;
fasteners provide additional stability and reliability of the structure.

The supporting structure kit must contain the following elements:

spherical, universal or side-mounted brackets;
all possible options for attaching one or another configuration;
racks equipped with holders and fasteners;
the appropriate number of screws, anchors, dowels, rivets, flanges, screws.

Safety conditions for disabled people

Handrails must be securely fixed in a convenient location.
They must be designed for a mass that exceeds the weight of the heaviest person in the house - high strength.
Handrails must be firmly attached to the wall using flanges with special holes.

In general, handrails can be mounted in a vertical or horizontal position, taking into account the design features of the room and ease of use. The mounting method is determined by the manufacturer. As a rule, they are installed at a height of about 70-100 cm.