A roll-in shower can make life easier for anyone. This is such a wonderful thing as there are millions of people out there today doing nothing but trying to make like better for others.

People with disabilities often miss out on normalcy because, unfortunately, not everything is made with them in mind. That’s why things like roll-in showers exist, and everyone needs to know about them.

What Is A Roll-In Shower?

A roll-in shower is a wonderful invention. It is made for people without full mobility. In a roll-in shower, the shower floor is level with the floor outside of the shower. This is why it is called a roll-in shower.

It makes it easy to roll into the shower on wheels. They can be built on an incline or with the drain at a slightly lower level. Roll-in showers are great inventions that make life easier for so many people.

Roll-in showers usually use shower curtains instead of shower doors. Because a shower door isn’t always easy to move but you can walk in with a shower curtain. An alternative is no covering at all.

With this, you just walk in and plan the floor so that it can get wet. This way, you don’t have to worry about anyone falling with a shower curtain, it will be just like standing or sitting on a chair on the floor.

Roll-In Shower Size

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Roll-In showers are to accommodate those with disabilities and those with wheelchairs or walkers, it is important that the shower is larger than usual. Most showers are about 32-inches wide.

However, roll-in showers should be at least 36-inches wide. As for length, you want plenty of room, so nothing less than 48-inches will do. Not only is this for practical reasons but you want everything to feel comfortable.

When it comes to roll-in showers there is actually a guideline created by the ADA, or Americans With Disabilities. According to them, the shower must be a minimum of 60” x 30” from the center points of opposing sides.

There also must be a seat no more than 3” from the front entry as well as a grab bar to extend 18” from the control wall. These are the simple guidelines and requirements for those with roll-in showers.

Who Should Use A Roll-In Shower?

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Roll-in showers are often looked down upon but they are one of the most gracious inventions for the bathroom. They offer something comfortable and much-needed for so many people who deserve the very best.

Elderly People

This is one of the main targets for roll-in showers. Roll-in showers are made for elderly people are have trouble getting around or who fall easily. It offers them a safe way to enter the shower just like anyone else.

People With Disabilities

This is the primary reason roll-in showers were made. So that people with physical disabilities can easily take a shower on their own. The roll-in shower offers wide spaces and no step so that they can safely enter.

Those With Anxiety

Let’s face it, anxiety can be inhibiting. If you are anxious in closed spaces and have claustrophobia, a standard shower can make you feel like you are suffocating. Especially when the water is hot and steam is everywhere.

Those Who Need Assistance

Roll-in showers are for anyone who needs help shower. They are made larger so that they can accommodate someone helping someone else shower. They are also level with the floor so that helper doesn’t need to reach up or down.

Anyone Who Wants Want

Here’s the truth here. Roll-in showers are for anyone that wants them. They are available for anyone because everything should be. You really don’t need a reason or an excuse to have a roll-in shower.

Roll-In Shower Vs. Transfer Shower

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A roll-in shower is a shower that has a flat floor that is level with the floor outside the shower. This is similar to something called a transfer shower, which is a shower that is for wheelchairs that keep them from getting wet.

All transfer showers in assisted living facilities must be 36” from center points of opposing sides and 36” from the back wall to the outside of the shower. There must be a wall seat with transfer showers too.

Transfer showers need to have a grab bar and L-shaped seats placed no more than 3” from the front entry. Finally, a clearance of 36” wide minimum by 48” long minimum measured from the control wall is you need.

Roll-In Shower Amenities

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It’s important that every roll-in shower has everything it should. There are amenities that are necessary. Roll-in showers aren’t just showers with level bottoms. They are showers that help make showering easier.

Not all of these things are in every roll-in shower, but most of them are in the majority of roll-in showers. Here are the amenities that are often mandatory for roll-in showers in homes.

Roll-In Shower Grab Bar

Grab bars are bars on a shower wall to support people using the shower. They can be horizontal or vertical, but they should always be very stable and at a good height for those using them.

Grab bars need to be on every side of a roll-in shower, so there should be three grab bars in a roll-in shower. They should be 33” to 36” above the floor, about 1.5” in diameter, and support up to 250lb.

Showerhead

There is a list of showerheads for roll-in showers but shower heads with long hoses that are handheld are best. They should be on the back walls no more than 27” from the seat.

The showerhead should be easy to adjust and be lower than a standard showerhead. They should be in reach of anyone sitting on the seat. Adjustable shower heads are best for roll-in showers.

Slope Or Threshold

Most roll-in showers don’t have real thresholds but some of them have short ones that are no taller than half an inch with beveled edges. But a more common way to let the water drain is with a slope.

This doesn’t take care of the problem completely but it does tend to help. It’s important that there is a slope anywhere but it should be a very slight one so it doesn’t increase the chances of someone falling.

Trench Drain

A trench drain is a drain that is where the threshold would normally be. It doesn’t keep water from getting on the floor at all but it is helpful. You can slow to the drain on both sides to help the water get to it.

The holes should be very small and the drain shouldn’t impair movement. You should also clean it regularly to keep things running smoothly and have easy access to help plumbers make repairs.

Roll-In Shower Seat

Shower seats are amazing for anyone, but they are necessary for roll-in showers. The seats must hold at least 250lb and must be 17” to 19” above the floor. They also may not be farther than 2-1/2” from the back edge and 15” to 16” from the front edge.

The seat should be at least 14″ from the wall, giving space to sit on. Every roll-in shower must have a shower seat. It’s very important. There are many different types of shower seats, from L-shaped to adjustable.

Control Area

The control area of the roll-in shower is the area that has the controls for the shower heat and water pressure via a shower valve. It should be placed 38” to 48” above the floor. They may not be farther than 27” horizontally from the seat wall.

The type of control doesn’t matter too much but it should be easy to control. Having a gauge that shows the water temperature is very useful in a roll-in shower.

Straight Access

Roll-in showers must have east access. You should be able to roll a wheelchair or take a walker from outside of the bathroom to the shower without catching on anything. This means that all appliances must be out of the way.

This is why some people prefer to keep the bathroom in a different room than the roll-in shower. Because it can be hard to make that much floor space if a toilet and sink are in the way. But if you can accommodate them all, the perfect!

Do You Need A Roll-In Shower?

Roll-in showers aren’t a design for everyone, but everyone can use them. If you have a disability, have trouble moving around, or simply want to make life easier for someone in your home, then consider a roll-in shower.

They are for people who need a walk-in bathtub but prefer showering to bathing. A roll-in shower has never held anyone back either so they can only offer assistance and never become a burden.

If you are on the fence now and don’t know which way to go, then getting a roll-in shower is generally the better option. Then you can be more accommodating and offer your guest bathroom to anyone who may need it.