The shower standing handle, called the Bathroom grab bar, should prevent fatal falls. They are bars hooked up to the bathroom wall that you can grasp for stability. Grab bars are generally equipped in shower or tub spaces where slippery floors can create a slipping risk.
Grab bars can likewise assist someone who gets a tough time getting up from a seating position on the toilet. These bars are supportive and should be capable of taking the strain of the individual handling them.
We have brought together this shopping list to help you analyze the best models, and we’ve added our top choices for the strongest grab bars on the market that are proven to increase showers’ safety.
Our favorite is from Moen and can take up to 500 pounds – the most we’ve encountered on the market.
Factors When Choosing Bathroom Grab Bars
Installation
The shower standing handle can either be briefly or permanently equipped. Removable shower handles usually have suction cups that catch firmly to smooth surfaces.
These bars commonly have moderate weight limits and do not come in the same range of dimensions as permanent grab bars.
However, they are cheap and easy to install. If you don’t feel you’ll require a grab bar long-term, provisional bars may be an appropriate alternative.
Permanently equipped bathroom grab bars give a high grade of bathroom safety. Many can tolerate the pressure of up to 500 pounds when accordingly installed on the studs of your walls.
The detriment is that the installation will anchor holes in your tile or walls. You may also want to appoint a professional to ensure these grab bars are installed adequately.
Whether you prefer temporary or permanent grab bars, make sure you meticulously refer to the installation instructions. Minor changes, like installing a makeshift bar over a grout line, can distinguish the bath safety.
Installation Tricks
Installing a shower standing handle properly requires anchoring it to solid studs behind the bathroom wall, and finding the stud is the key to securing anything to it.
Most of the time, studs covered in wallboard are easy to locate. It is possible to find studs using a stud finder or tapping lightly with a hammer with some practice.
When you tap over a stud, the hammer’s sound will change from hollow to solid.
A straight shower standing handle can be attached to studs at both ends by installing them at an angle, but most people prefer straight bars.
The end of the bar that will be stressed the most should be attached to a stud, while the other end should be attached to the wallboard or plaster using wallboard anchors.
Length
The Americans with Defects Law demands that shower and restroom grab bars in communal bathrooms be at least 36 inches and equipped 33 to 36 inches off the floor.
While you are not obliged to adhere to the same regulations in your home, these evaluations can be an outstanding guidebook.
Longer bars are suitable for inside your shower area or if you are anxious about losing your foothold as you go around the bathroom.
Shortened grab bars are commonly installed vertically and should be used solely for aid when going in and departing the shower or bath or rising up from the toilet.
Features
Texture
A textured grab bar gives an extra layer of security against a wet hand sliding off the bar.
Diameter
Thicker bathroom grab bars can be helpful for individuals who struggle to grasp them.
End Covers
End covers secure the screws from rusting and bring an extra finished presence to your bathroom grab bar by masking the installation.
Price
An excellent temporary shower standing handle will sell for between $10 and $15. This will very likely be a plastic bar and hook up with suction cups to the wall.
If you are considering a metal bar that can be permanently installed, predict to pay between $15 and $25, revolving around the length of the bar.
Longer bars are more costly. Bars with extra details like texturing or greater weight limits can sell for up to $40.
F.A.Q.
Q. Will one bathroom standing handle be sufficient for my bathroom?
A. You might invest over one bathroom grab bar. Two or three grab bars arranged horizontally, vertically, and at an angle will give optimal coverage for most bathrooms.
Q. How do I estimate the width that’s best for my hands?
A. Bathroom grab bars are between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 inches in width and 24 inches in length. Thinner bars can be better for people with smaller hands. Thicker bars are better for people who have issues with grasping, which is typical when suffering from arthritis.
Bathroom Grab Bars, We Propose
Best of the best: Moen R8916 Home Care 16-Inch Grab Bar
Our take: This strong choice is economical and comes in several lengths to fit your bathroom area.
What we like: Bars support up to 500 pounds. They have a stainless surface and can be equipped at an angle if needed.
What we dislike: You may require an extra hand to install this permanent bathroom grab bar.
- Bathroom grab bar measures 19.25 inches total and supports up to 500 lbs.
- SecureMount design allows for easy, secure installation (not included)
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Complies with ADA specifications
Best Bang For Your Buck: AquaChase 2-Pack 17 “Suction Shower Grab Bar
Our take: These safety grab bars are a solid choice if you have temporary mobility limitations or visitors who may require the extra stability of a grab bar during their stay. Belongs to the amazon basics category.
What we like: Tool-free install. Suctions to any smooth surface, anti-slip feature. The color index confirms the bar is installed correctly. Temporary, but can uphold up to 300 pounds.
What we dislike: It only comes in one length, which is on the limited side.
- 👍 NOTE - The mounting surface must be flat, smooth and non-porous. For tile wall application, they only work on glazed tiles (size > 4x4"). Make sure there's no texture on the shower wall.
- 👍 NO TOOL REQUIRED INSTALLATION - These suction grab bars are easy to install, tool-free/no drilling. They are easy to release as well, so you can bring them on travel.
- 👍 SAFER TO USE - The indicators will change from red to green when a safe and secure hold is achieved. Before each use, test the firm hold of the suction device. Ensure that both indicators are green. If the adhesion seems insufficient, release the suction assist bar and reattach again.
- 👍 PERFECTLY FOR ALL AGES - This could be a warm gift for elderly parents/grand parents or friends. It's sweet to prepare one for senior/old visitors that need balance assist in shower. And it's portable for travel use where the place you stay don't have safety grab bars. Can also be used as a handle on fridge panels or glass doors.
- 👍 ONE-YEAR WARRANTY - These AquaChase Suction Grab Bars come with a one-year warranty against any manufacturing defects.
Choice 3: Franklin Brass Concealed Mount Shower Standing Handle
Our take: A quality bathroom grab bar with various finishes and lengths.
What we like: Simple installation. It has end covers to obscure screws. It can hold 500 pounds of pressure. Take from several finishes to match your alternative bathroom accessories.
What we dislike: Thinner than alternative grab bars, which may not be excellent if you have trouble grasping.
- Safety meets sophistication with these heavy-duty grab bars that exceed ADA and ASTM standards while providing extra security in the bathroom
- Able to support upto 500 pounds of pull force
- Made of stainless steel for a lasting strength and quality. Multiple finishes and sizes available
- Concealed mount allows you to cover any unsightly screw holes and continue a clean, sleek trend to your bath and shower
- 1-1/2" bar diameter allows enough space to easily grip bar for added support
3 Places To Install Shower Standing Handle To Help Prevent Falls
When installing a shower standing handle for a loved one, check for places where they are most likely to lose stability by raising, lowering, or resting on one foot.
- Tub/Shower – Place the shower standing handle lower to support bathers with lifting and lowering. A grab bar at the waistline or somewhat higher is excellent to help with stepping in and out of the tub and keep extra stability while washing, sliding the shower curtain, and shampooing.
- To eradicate clutter, install a bar up higher and a Shower Valve Ring at the lower height.
- Toilet – Install a grab bar on the wall near the toilet for aid when raising and lowering. Consider designated toilet paper holders designed to double as safety bars for a more ornamental look.
- Towel racks – A famous routine for seniors is to hang on to a towel rack while wiping off or leaning to take clothes. Ordinary towel racks aren’t constructed to hold the load of someone leaning on them. They will slacken over time and ultimately disengage from the wall, which could contribute to severe injury.
Install security towel bars and/or towel racks that are applicable in a collection of sizes, shapes, and colors to fit your bathroom area to provide needed assistance.
F.A.Q.
Where In The Shower Should Grab Bars Be Placed?
A: Shower Standing handles can be used anywhere there is space for them. They could cause someone to trip if they are too small.
If they are oversized, people can hurt themselves while they move about.
It’s typically safe to install grab bars next to the toilet, at the end of the tub, and along the wall across from the door in a bathroom without a bathtub.
What Qualities Should I Look For In A New Shower?
A: When shopping for a new shower, search for models with the following features:
- An adjustable showerhead so you don’t have to stoop to change the water flow.
- It has a retractable sprayer and a shutoff valve that automatically shuts the water when the drain is opened.
- Waterproof drain cover.
- Got dispenser for soap
- built-in bench
- portable shower wand
What is the Optimal Size Of Shower Standing Handle
A: The dimensions of grip bars vary. One is included with some showers, but you must purchase additional ones for others.
Alternative Method Of Installing Bathroom Grab Bar
“Nie wieder bohren” (never drill again) is the German company that purchased the patent.
Manufacturers have used adhesives before but need access to air during the hardening process for them to cure.
This system holds the adhesive in place by an adapter layer that allows air to reach it while the adhesive cures.
While the adhesive cures, a temporary adhesive band holds the mounting plate to the wall.
Use the wipe included in the package to clean the shower wall before installing the bars.
Next, loosely screw the nuts that hold an adapter plate to each mounting plate at the bar’s ends, remove the protective cover on an adhesive ring on each plate, and press it on the wall.
There is no risk of the mounting plates not aligning correctly since they are both attached to the bar.
After unscrewing the nuts, you remove the shower standing handle, leaving behind the mounting plates and their adapter plates.
A little tube of adhesive is included in the package for gluing them in place.
Two holes are present: one for pressing in the adhesive and one for observing when there is enough space between the adapter and the mounting plate.
Stop filling when adhesive is visible in the second hole. In the same way, add glue to the other adapter and mounting plate.
After 24 hours without putting pressure on the plates, reinstall the bar, tighten the nuts, and install the end covers.
After that, the bar is ready for use.
Take down the bar by loosening the end covers and rotating the adapter and mounting plate with an adjustable wrench.
You can then use a razor scraper to remove the adhesive residue. Acetone or silicone remover may be necessary on rough surfaces.
Bathing with grab bars is much safer than without them.
An 18 to 24-inch vertical bar, positioned close to the outside edge of the tub and 32 to 38 inches above the ground, is probably the most effective, especially if you have to step into the bathtub.
You might be able to use a shorter rod if there are no children in the shower. Place it where you would naturally grab it.
In addition to the vertical bar above the shower valve, a horizontal bar can also be helpful.
It is recommended that grab bars are installed on the back wall of the tub if you or others bathe there.
Approximately 6 to 10 inches above the tub and at an angle of about 45 degrees, install one at an angle.
Alternatively, you can install two bars: a horizontal one 12 inches above the lip of the tub and a vertical one near the end.
Conclusion
Security shower standing handles can be both practical and elegant. They will help restrict and lessen falls in the bathroom giving caretakers, household members, and users tranquility of mind.
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Last update on 2023-02-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
[…] people die in the emergency room every year because of bathroom-related injuries. A wet bathtub is a common culprit due to its slick and slippery […]
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