Bathroom

Reply to: Many solid sheet products can be "thermoformed" - or molded in an oven to create a shower pan. I did a Corian pan and walls over ten years ago through a company that formed the pans in Philadelphia. You can do that with some quartz products as well. But - it can get pricy, and slippery! One less expensive option is to use a premade pan (Kohler makes some or talk to solid surface countertop companies in your area.), then sheet product on the walls. One option we use often is to change the drain from a center - funnel style drain - to a linear drain at one end of the shower. Then you can use larger tiles with much less grout. Same thing on the walls - 24x12, 24x24....or larger....less grout.

Q

Reply to: Keep in mind that aging in place is one of my goals: Oversized shower large enough for help getting in/out, if necessary. One hand held shower mounted high enough to act as primary shower/ on a slide bar so it can be used from the stool. Double showers? Why? If two of you are in the shower, the goal usually isn't washing your hair! Moveable teak stool that can be placed where we please -- or replaced with a more study handicapped shower chair someday in the future, if necessary. No barrier or step-over of any type, but a door to hold in warmth. Pony walls rather than glass all the way up (because glass can't support a grab bar). No wider than 3 1/2' because wider than that, I couldn't effectively reach grab bars on both sides at once. Yes, the Goldilocks analogy works -- not too big, not too small. Large niche for storage hidden in pony wall (so not visible to the whole room). Small, "grippy" tile on the floor -- absolutely not a slippery shower pan. Good light and ventilation in the shower. Convenient place to hang towel -- don't say, "Big deal" -- I'm in a hotel right now with a fabulous bath ... And no place to hang a shower towel in reach of the shower door. Turbo body dryer -- like a giant hair dryer, but it's for the body. It's designed for handicapped people, but I think it'd be a nice luxury. Nice tile over everything.

Q