Walk-in showers are a popular home remodeling project. Many homeowners are eliminating the tub/shower combination and adding walk-in showers to their bathroom spaces. One reason for the change is safety. Walk-in showers are more easily accessible and you no longer have to step over a 15-inch side of a tub to enter or exit, which reduces the risk of falling.
Whenever you plan a bathroom remodeling project, a special emphasis should be placed on safety since falls are the leading cause of injuries at home and often occur in a tub or shower.
![Important Safety Features for Walk-in Showers Important Safety Features for Walk-in Showers](https://www.mcclurgteam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/custom-vanity-and-walk-in-shower-Mar-09-2022-09-38-25-58-PM-2.jpg?width=598&height=479&name=custom-vanity-and-walk-in-shower-Mar-09-2022-09-38-25-58-PM-2.jpg)
In this award winning master bathroom with a walk-in shower there are many safety features including a level entry, slip-resistant mosaic floor tile, overhead lighting in the shower stall, a shower seat, a handheld showerhead, accessible controls and easy-to-reach recessed niches.
Here are nine important safety features for walk-in showers to consider if you are planning to remodel a bathroom:
1. Shower Bases
When planning a walk-in shower, one of the first decisions you will need to make is selecting a shower base. Shower bases for walk-in showers can be a standard shower base pan or a custom pan cast to order or built in place. No threshold or low threshold bases help to prevent trips and falls.
The surface of the base should be slip-resistant. Materials used for manufactured shower bases include solid surface materials such as ONYX products, fiberglass, cultured marble and acrylic. Slip-resistant tile is often used for built-in-place bases.
![Neo-angle walk-in shower Neo-angle walk-in shower](https://www.mcclurgteam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Antique-Bathtub-with-Corner-Shower-Mar-09-2022-09-38-24-78-PM-1.jpg?width=598&height=479&name=Antique-Bathtub-with-Corner-Shower-Mar-09-2022-09-38-24-78-PM-1.jpg)
This master bathroom includes a neo-angle walk-in shower with a manufactured shower base pan.
2. Grab Bars
Grab bars provide stability for shower users and come in a variety of sizes and styles. A grab bar should be able to support a person weighing up to 250 pounds. The height of the bar can be adjusted for users.
Generally, grab bars are installed 33-to-36 inches from the shower floor. Talk with your contractor about the best options for installation since grab bars can be installed horizontally, vertically or at an angle (consider installing a grab bar at an angle near a shower seat) and must be installed in wall studs.
![Walk-in Shower Without Doors Walk-in Shower Without Doors](https://www.mcclurgteam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/walk-in-shower-without-doors-Mar-09-2022-09-38-27-00-PM-1.jpg?width=598&height=416&name=walk-in-shower-without-doors-Mar-09-2022-09-38-27-00-PM-1.jpg)
A stylish grab bar was installed in this walk-in shower without doors.
3. Lighting
General lighting in a bathroom may be insufficient for a shower stall. There are vent fan lights that can do double duty when placed over a shower stall, they will illuminate the space and remove steam and moisture.
![Master Bath Walk-in Shower Master Bath Walk-in Shower](https://www.mcclurgteam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Master-Bath-Shower-Mar-09-2022-09-38-27-51-PM-1.jpg?width=400&height=600&name=Master-Bath-Shower-Mar-09-2022-09-38-27-51-PM-1.jpg)
A recessed light was placed over the shower stall in this master bathroom. The walk-in shower has a knee wall and glass enclosure. The custom base has a low threshold and slip-resistant mosaic floor tile was used for safety and style.
4. Anti-scald Faucets
If you’ve ever been “burned” in a shower when someone in the house flushed a toilet and it affected the water pressure, you may want to install an anti-scald faucet.
Anti-scald faucets contain specialized valves that control water pressure. Some, such as Kohler’s Rite-Temp pressure balancing valve, allow you to set a maximum high and then find and maintain your desired water temperature and maintain it within three degrees Fahrenheit, plus or minus.
5. Handheld Showerheads
Using a handheld showerhead allows you to more efficiently control water flow when rinsing off soap or shampoo. If you’ve ever had an injury that required a cast or surgery where you may have needed to keep sutures dry, you’d truly appreciate the maneuverability of a handheld shower.
![Handheld Showerhead Handheld Showerhead](https://www.mcclurgteam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/handheld-and-rainfall-showerheads-1-1.jpg?width=400&height=600&name=handheld-and-rainfall-showerheads-1-1.jpg)
A mounted handheld shower head with separate hot and cold water controls was used for this walk-in shower.
6. Accessible Controls
Controls should be easy to reach. Consider lever handles that are easier to push and adjust when wet rather than a knob you have to grasp.
![Rainfall and Handheld Showerheads Rainfall and Handheld Showerheads](https://www.mcclurgteam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Rainfall-and-Handheld-Showerheads-3-1.jpg?width=400&height=600&name=Rainfall-and-Handheld-Showerheads-3-1.jpg)
Lever handle controls for the mounted rainfall showerhead and the handheld showerhead were installed in this shower. A vertical grab bar is a safety feature.
7. Flooring
While no flooring is slip-proof, you will want “slip-resistant” flooring in the bathroom and shower stall. There are three types of slip-resistant rated tile recommended for use in shower stalls: ceramic, porcelain and stone. Ceramic and porcelain are resistant to moisture while stone should be sealed prior to use. Vinyl flooring can be used for the floor outside of the shower.
![Walk-in Shower With Slip-Resistant Flooring Walk-in Shower With Slip-Resistant Flooring](https://www.mcclurgteam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Walk-in-Shower_a-1-1.jpg?width=400&height=533&name=Walk-in-Shower_a-1-1.jpg)
This shower was designed to be handicap accessible. The walk-in shower without doors has a one inch square mosaic tile floor. The exterior porcelain tile is slip-resistant with a rough surface.
8. Shower Seats
Shower seats provide a variety of functions for users. It is much easier to shave while seated and the seat can provide a handy place for a washcloth, loofa or body wash.
![Custom Corner Shower Seat Custom Corner Shower Seat](https://www.mcclurgteam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Custom-Corner-Shower-Seat-Mar-09-2022-09-39-07-07-PM-3.jpg?width=400&height=448&name=Custom-Corner-Shower-Seat-Mar-09-2022-09-39-07-07-PM-3.jpg)
This shower seat was custom built and features a quartz seat that matches the mosaic tile floor and complements the wall tile.
9. Easy-to-Reach Shelves
Recessed niches and convenient wall shelves help to contain soaps, shampoos, conditioners and razors in the shower to keep these items from falling onto the floor and becoming a hazard.
![Shower Wall Niche Shower Wall Niche](https://www.mcclurgteam.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/shower-wall-niche-closeup-3-2.jpg?width=598&height=399&name=shower-wall-niche-closeup-3-2.jpg)
This recessed wall niche was custom built and is framed in tumbled marble tile. The base of the niche is a cut piece of marble. A glass shelf was added to hold soaps and for easy maintenance.