Roll-In showers by Marc Kaman


(As published in Paraplegia News, April 1997.)


Building a new home? Remodeling? Here's what you should know about roll-in showers:


Most homes have standard five-foot tubs, which you can replace with roll-in showers by moving back the existing rear wall a minimum of 12 inches.


The average space left after removing the tub is 32-34" wide. (With a shower curtain, the area is only 30".) In this small space, a hand-held shower can mean water on your bathroom floor due to the pressure hitting the curtain and pushing it out, plan for a minimum of four feet in width.


Roll-in showers should have little to no raised thresholds. To contain the water within the shower, the shower transition should be slightly sloped. A larger area will provide a more flat surface and increase maneuverability.


Install blocking for horizontal grab bars on all walls and the personal-shower vertical bar (never use as a grab bar.) Blocking behind the walls provides added support.

A vertical bar holds the hand-held shower; operators can raise or lower the port to the appropriate height. I prefer to use Grohe personal shower units. They are well built and sturdy with a nice appearance.


When choosing a faucet, make sure it is scald-proof. Many are also equipped with temperature control.


As with any project, be thorough. Ask questions.