Types of Bathroom Designs

Which Bathroom is Best? Universal, Aging in Place, or ADA Compliant Design?

Good questions! The quick and dirty answer is that all of these bathroom design techniques are rather similar. There’s also quite a bit of overlap. However, for those of you considering a bathroom remodeling job or constructing a new home, it’s helpful to understand the particular nuances of each, if not just the lingo. Let’s see if we can help break down the differences.

• Universal Design: Universal design means creating a home bathroom environment that helps everyone feel safe. The term “universal” truly aims to encompass everyone. While not necessarily ADA compliant, universal bathrooms are designed for children, grandparents, wheelchair users, and everyone in between. Universal design solutions tend to look sharp. They create a nice open space and flow, often minimalist, but never lacking creativity.
• Aging in Place: When you think about it, it makes perfect sense for all homes to be built with aging in place solutions in mind. We often ask our customers, “Why move when you can remodel?” The technology exists to create a comfortable and supportive home geared towards a lifetime of independence. Why not take advantage of this and create a space that is safe and secure for people of all ages.
• ADA Compliant ADA stands for Americans with Disabilities Act. Of course, as carriers and installers of ADA compliant products, we know a great deal about this, but we recommend checking in at ada.gov to find the most reliable answers to your questions. That being said, we can tell you that ADA compliance rules are a huge breakthrough for wheelchair users and for those with limited mobility. ADA compliant bathroom fixtures ensure ease of use for all.