How About Home Improvement

So it has finally happened to you. Someone in your household, maybe even you, has become infirm, disabled, or wheelchair bound. Now you are faced with creating a household that is able to accomodate the needs of the disabled. In fact, you may even be required by regulations in your area to provide such accomodations. The idea of turning your home into an ADA Compliant, handicap accessible living quarters may sound daunting, and expensive. But thanks to several companies in the home remodeling industry, it doesn’t have to be! Regulatory changes in the US has led to the appearance of companies whose focus is aimed entirely at ADA Compliance and accessibility conversions for both private homes and institutions.

ACCESSIBILITY AND CONSTRUCTION

One percieved draw-back of accessibility conversions is that changes made to the home will be permanent, and that the house will then only be suitable, and potentially saleable, to homeowners in the same situation. This is not neccessarily true. There are many potential ADA related modifications that can be made that do not have to be permanent. There are a number of grab bar systems, bathtub, and toilet modifications that are designed to be easily reversible.

One company that offers an array of convenient and affordable home solutions is Perfect Bath Solutions. Their product line includes, among other things, shower trays at assorted heights to accomodate wheel chair entry, and ease of access.  The shower trays come in standard bathtub dimensions so as to fit in any area where there has been a bathtub with minimal construction and modification requirements.  To convert back to a full bathtub is simply a matter of replacing it with a $150.00 fiberglass bathtub. They also offer a complete line of complimentary grab bars, bathroom shelving, and other products to create a fully accessible and custom designed handicap accessible bathroom. They are based in Illinois, and make their products and services available to homes and institutions around the USA. Their website also features a handy directory of resources that may help you to find out more about regulations in your area, grants, funding, and financial assistance information.

Based in Minneapolis and serving the state of Minnesota, TubRx provides a complete line of products for the home including bathtub and toilet modifications, removable grab bars, bathroom fixtures, and shower benches. Homeowners and institutions can find a complete line of products allowing you to accomodate the disabled, handicapped, and rehabilitating residents on a permanent or temporary basis. Installation services are available. Visit TubRx.com today for more information.

A CLEVER BATHTUB MODIFICATION

One bathroom modification that is growing popularity is a sort of cutaway in the exposed side of the bathtub. A section of the side is cutaway and capped to create an easy to navigate entry into the bathtub. If you want to reverse this modification, it is simply a matter of having a bathtub liner installed over the modified bathtub.

One company, Surface Solutions, LLC, offers this type of modification, both with and without a door in the cutaway area. They are based in Detroit, Michigan. They also offer a unique modification to make your bathtub floor permanently skid resistant, which may also be desirable in homes with young children.

The afore-mentioned type of bathtub modification is frequently offered by bathtub refinishing companies. Visit TheBathtubRefinishingSite.com bathtub refinishers’ directory to find a refinisher in your area and see what types of services they offer. You may also visit the home improvement directory, ConstructionHomeImprovementIdea.com, and take a look at the section for accessibility remodelers.

ONE LAST NOTE

If you are planning to sell your home, be sure to check with your realtor before you go and undo all of your accessibility modifications! There are some communities and situations where these types of home modifications may actually add value to your home. And remember, accessibility can be accessible to the average homeowner!

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