Accessible Bathroom Remodel in Los Angeles, CA

Aging in place bathroom: who it is for

Most accessible bathrooms in Los Angeles homes are not built to a legal standard. They are built for one person: a parent moving in, a homeowner planning to stay in a single-story ranch house for the long term, or someone recovering from surgery. That means the right measurements are the ones that fit the person, with published standards as a useful starting point. Common goals include:

• A shower that can be entered without stepping over a tub wall or high curb
• Floor tile that stays grippy when wet
• A vanity that can be used seated, or at a height that spares the back
• Solid places to hold on, at the toilet and in the shower
• Smooth floor transitions with no lip at the doorway
• Good, even lighting with contrast between the floor, walls and fixtures

Which ADA bathroom remodel measurements are worth borrowing?

The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design apply to public facilities, not private houses, but their dimensions are a well-tested reference for anyone planning an accessible home bathroom.

Slip resistant bathroom tile and other finishes from the showroom

This is where the showroom helps most. The finishes below can be compared together and installed on request.

• Floor tile with a wet DCOF of 0.42 or more. That is the value ANSI A326.3, the tile industry’s slip-resistance test, uses for level interior floors expected to get wet. Matte and textured porcelain usually perform better than polished stone.
• Small mosaics in the shower. More grout lines underfoot add traction, and a 2-inch hexagon follows a shallow slope well. The shower tile selection includes several.
• Comfort height vanity. A 34- to 36-inch cabinet suits standing users; a wall-hung vanity at a lower height leaves knee space for a seated user. Sizing is covered under bathroom vanities.
• Tops with an eased edge and an undermount sink, so there is no sharp corner or rim to catch a forearm.
• Contrast. A floor color that differs clearly from the wall and the toilet helps people with low vision judge edges.
• Flush transitions. Choosing floor tile and hallway flooring of similar thickness, such as waterproof vinyl next to thin porcelain, avoids a lip at the doorway.

Walk in shower for seniors and grab bar installation: who handles what?

Several of the most important changes sit behind the tile and require the right trade. A low-threshold or curbless shower means recessing the floor and reworking the drain; a wider door means reframing the opening; grab bars need solid wood blocking or anchors designed for the load. In the City of LA, plumbing and framing changes need an LADBS permit, and other cities issue their own. Hire a contractor with a B general building license, plus a C-36 plumber for drain and valve work, and check both on the CSLB website. See shower remodel for how the shower layers are built.

Planning an accessible bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with your builder

1. 1

   Start with the person

   Note how the main user moves: standing, with a walker, transferring from a wheelchair. Measure their seated knee height and reach if relevant.

2. 2

   Have the contractor confirm the layout

   Door width, shower entry, toilet location and blocking are settled before finishes are ordered.

3. 3

   Choose floor and shower tile

   Ask for the DCOF rating, and compare matte samples under showroom light.

4. 4

   Pick the vanity and top

   Decide on height and knee space, then the top and sink.

5. 5

   Order and schedule installation

   Coordinate tile and vanity installation with the builder’s inspection dates.

What moves the budget

Structural items cost the most: recessing a floor for a curbless entry, widening a doorway and relocating a drain. On the finish side, the price follows the tile area, mosaic versus large-format floors, a wall-hung or custom-height vanity, and whether the top is prefab or cut from slab.

Why Adcom for accessible bathroom finishes

• Tile, vanities, tops and flooring in one place, so slip resistance, height and transitions are decided together.
• Mosaic and natural stone tile on display alongside porcelain, so texture can be checked by hand.
• Installation of selected products on request, scheduled around your builder’s work.

Families planning for a parent or for their own later years visit from Santa Clarita, La Cañada Flintridge, Glendale and across Los Angeles.