Residential Bathrooms

Tub to Shower Conversions

Tub to shower conversions are just what it sounds like- when we remove the current bathtub and convert the space into a walk in or roll in shower. Adaptive Mobility is Southern Colorado’s ONLY BestBath dealer, which gives us access to a state of the art wall and base kit that can be customized to meet your size and design specifications. The kit can be solid surface or have embossed tiles and non-slip surfaces, or can be overlaid with tile if that’s the look you prefer. BestBath comes standard with a 30 year manufacturers warranty, and one of the best features is that it’s built to last with the ability to change as your needs do. Because the walls have built in backing throughout, a fold down shower seat or grab bars can be added at any time, anywhere.

If a walk in shower works for you now, but in 5 years you decide it’s time for a roll in base, the thresholds can be removed and now the space is completely barrier free. When smooth walls or embossed tile is chosen, you’ll never have to clean the grout lines again or worry about mold/mildew buildup. Some people mistakenly believe that they MUST have a tub in their house for resale purposes- and while we appreciate the forward thinking mindset, this home is yours now and must work for you and your family while you are still living in it. There is no official rule that a house must have a bathtub, and most families, unless they have very young children, prefer to use showers anyway.

Walk In Tubs

Walk in tubs are becoming increasingly popular for their accessibility and safety features. They offer a number of benefits to those who use them, making them an excellent investment for anyone looking to improve the safety and comfort of their bathroom.

First and foremost, walk in tubs are incredibly easy to access. Unlike traditional bathtubs, which require you to step over a high rim, walk in tubs have a low-threshold entry that is easy to step over. This makes them ideal for individuals with mobility issues, such as those with arthritis or other joint problems. The lack of a high rim also reduces the risk of falls and injuries in the bathroom.

Another benefit of these tubs is that they are much safer than traditional bathtubs. This is because they typically have built-in safety features, such as slip-resistant surfaces, built-in grab bars, and adjustable showerheads. These features make it easier and safer to get in and out of the tub, and they also provide added stability and support while using the tub.

Walk-in-tubs also offer improved comfort and relaxation. Many models are designed with ergonomic features, such as built-in seats, backrests, and armrests, which provide added comfort and support. Some walk in tubs even come equipped with jets and massage systems, making them perfect for those who love to soak and unwind after a long day.

In addition to their practical benefits, these types of tubs also add a touch of style and elegance to any bathroom. They come in a variety of styles and finishes, from sleek and modern to traditional and timeless. They also add value to your home, making them a great investment for anyone looking to improve the overall look and feel of their bathroom.

In conclusion, walk-in-tubs offer numerous benefits to those who use them, including improved accessibility and safety, comfort and relaxation, and added style and value to your home. Whether you are looking to make your bathroom safer and more comfortable, or you simply want to upgrade the look and feel of your space, walk in tubs are an excellent investment.

 

Grab Bars

Grab bars, grips, handrailings or handlebars- whatever you call them- will have a huge impact on your safety in any room we install them. And NO, your home won’t look like an institution if we put them in! One of the things people ask during home evaluations is if they will decrease the value of their home, and the answer to that question is also a resounding NO. In fact, in almost 10 years of being in the home accessibility and remodeling space, I have never once been asked to remove grab bars or railings of any sort. Handrails and grab bars can be installed into just about any area in your home- whether it’s a long hallway, steep garage steps or an unsafe bathroom. There are solutions for just about any situation we may encounter- some permanent, some removable, but always a great idea.

Grab bars can be dual purpose and hidden into the design of a room; they can look like soap shelves, toilet paper holders and towel racks- all rated to hold up to 500lbs when properly installed. Grab bars come in all different finishes, sizes and designs to match the aesthetics of your space, giving you a polished look that makes the space easier and safer to use for anyone coming into your home.
 

Door Widenings

Door widenings are absolutely essential in giving a person access to their entire home. Many houses that we visit are older and have narrow, 24″ wide doorways into the bathrooms and closets. One of the things we look for during home evaluations are scratches and marks along the bottoms of doors and frames to determine if a wider door might be a good idea. There are simple DIY fixes that can easily add just a couple extra inches to any door, or more involved widening processes that can add up to 12″ of extra width to a door.

Some of the things that also come along with widening a door include moving electrical outlets or receptacles and light switches, drywall, texture and painting the area, new trim and jambs, as well as patching the floor in the exposed areas of the new doorway opening. Helping make changes to the environment that give you the ability to move freely and easily throughout your entire home is our main focus, after all, it’s in our name- Adaptive Mobility!

• Barn doors are a great solution for a doorway widening to increase accessibility in a space because they're easy to use from a seated position and can be customized to fit any size opening. One factor to consider is the amount of clear wall space needed next to the opening for the door to slide over. Because they are mounted to the surface of the wall, installation is usually a breeze once we create the desired new size opening in the wall. 
• Pocket doors are typically the most labor intensive type of door to install because it involves taking down large sections of drywall and framing to make room for the pocket to be installed. They also restrict the future placement of grab bars because any screws or anchors would either damage the door inside or prevent it from opening altogether. 
• Traditional hinged swing doors are another go-to option when it comes to widening a doorway inside a home. We often replace sliding patio doors with a larger single door with sidelites or French doors. Interior and other entry doors can be widened with similar door styles to match the home's aesthetic, just in a larger width. 

Shower Benches and Accessories

Hate the look of those plastic shower chairs? Don't worry, so do we. You have so many options when it comes to shower seating devices that offer comfort, safety and versatility of the space for others who may share the bathroom. Shower benches can be built in, but those reduce the amount of usable space in the wet area and make the footprint of the shower pan much smaller, which can be difficult to maneuver in. Wall-mounted or fold down shower seats come in a variety of sizes, shapes and finishes. and can fold up when not in use; they do require structural backing to be installed behind the wall material though, which can be tricky depending on the bathroom layout and adjoining rooms that we could access the sace between the walls. 

As far as placement goes, we typically recommend putting the shower chair on the long back wall of the shower, within reach of the valve and showerhead(s). In smaller showers or for certain users, the best placement for the seat may be on the wall opposite from the showerhead and valve wall- but this just depends on how the space is used, how transfers are performed, caregiver assistance needs and other factors. We always like to include a handheld shower on an adjustable mount for the person to access whenever they are bathing in a seated position, to give them more control over the water flow and direction. These adjustable shower head holder mounts are great for caregivers too so they don't get wet and can have both hands free to assist. 

Grab bars are also incredibly helpful while bathing, and can serve dual-purpose as a towel rack, toilet paper holder, soap shelf or handheld shower slide bar. They come in numerous different colors, textures, sizes and finishes to match your home's aesthetic- leaving you with a home that feels like you (and not a hospital).