How High Should Grab Bars Be Installed? ADA Requirements Reviewed

Grab bars are among the most effective and affordable accessible home modifications you can make, and they are nigh on essential for senior citizens who want to ensure their safety. Regarding the risk of falling, bathrooms are among the highest-risk areas, with slippery and hard floors. Properly installed grab bars can increase stability when using the toilet, shower, or bath.

But when considering installing grab bars in a home, it is expected to ask: How high should grab bars be installed?

ADA Grab Bar Requirements

Generally, grab bars should be installed at the height most appropriate for their primary user. However, ADA standards recommend that rear grab bars be installed between 33 and 36 inches above the finished floor of the tub, shower, or bathroom. This is a good starting range.

That said, while it is advisable to consider this range as a guide for installation, the best height for grab bars will always be where it will be the most secure and comfortable for the intended user. A petite person will need grab bars placed lower than a tall person, and a raised toilet seat will change things, too. And, of course, if you don’t install the bars in the right place, they are unlikely to be used by the person they are intended for!

Vertical/Angled Grab Bars Height

Grab bars may also be installed at an angle or vertically.

If you install grab bars in this way, you will actually give yourself more flexibility in the height at which they can be installed and make them more accessible for a wider range of users.

Entrance Grab Bars Height

The typical installation height for entrance bars is 16 to 18 inches. You can install a 24-inch grab bar if the user uses a shower chair and requires additional support at a lower point to stand up or to get seated. This is an essential bar because most falls take place at this point.

Back Wall Grab Bar Height

For the back wall grab bar, you can install a 24 to 36 inches bar horizontally positioned at 33 inches to 36 inches from the finished shower or bathtub floor. This is generally the best position.

Installation Note: If you are fixing a grab bar that is less than 32 inches, you should move the bar from the center to the plumbing system wall of the bathroom. This will provide a helpful bar for bathroom users, especially when standing below the showerhead.

Toilet Grab Bar Height

It is a great idea to have well-installed grab bars for users who have a problem getting up or sitting on the toilet seat. It is best to install two bars on either side of the toilet seat for maximum stability when the user gets up or sits on the toilet seat. We suggest you install a 16 to 32-inch bar horizontally positioned at 33 inches to 36 inches from the toilet floor to the upper part of the grab bar for maximum accessibility.

ADA Compliant Grab Bars

Many grab bars comply with or surpass ADA standards, the first and only national standards for accessibility in public spaces. They are helpful for people with different abilities, including those who use wheelchairs.

• When you purchase grab bars, you’ll notice that some are labeled to indicate that they meet ADA standards. These bars meet or exceed the following standards:
• This grab bar is constructed of 18 gauge heavy-duty polished satin stainless steel, with round snap-on covers.
• For optimal strength and longevity, flanges are manufactured following the ADA standard.
• The width of the bar is 1^1/4-to-1^1/2 inches wide. The reduced diameter is simpler for those with smaller hands and youngsters, and it is ideal for usage at home.
• The distance between the wall and the bar will be 1^1/2 inches.
• The grab bar can support 500 pounds of weight.

We recommend that you use ADA-compliant grab bars. Check the most popular manufacturers for grab bars to find new grab bar styles and design ideas:

• Kohler
• Delta
• Moen
• Gatco

Considerations Before Installation

Before installing grab bars, it is wise to pay attention to the motions of the intended users’ bathroom routine to identify the areas where they naturally require support and the height at which bars will be most suitable.

These areas are crucial, especially in transfer settings like rising from the toilet seat, sitting down, and entering or exiting the bathtub or shower.

When a person can complete the routine without help, it is critical to note if they feel dizzy, weak, or tired at any point and to place support strategically to accommodate this.

Suppose you need help working out the best placement options available for you. In that case, it might be worth working with a competent occupational therapist to assess the ideal grab bar height and design a personalized home remodeling plan to enhance safety, stability, and functionality.

On a separate note, if your bathroom has a towel bar installed, it might be worth replacing it with a grab bar instead. The new bar can serve as the towel bar while providing great stability when entering and exiting the shower.

Finally, while this article has specifically addressed bathroom grab bar height, it is also worth considering installing grab bars in other places in your home. Having them alongside steps can significantly increase your stability, safety, and independence at home!

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• The Best Wheelchairs For Seniors
• The Best Electric Wheelchairs
• The Best Wheelchair Gloves
• The Best Knee Scooters