Mobility aid focus: choosing the right shower seat for your bathroom
When designing a walk-in shower facility to suit all mobility needs, easy access is a vital ingredient, but it’s also important to provide comfort and ease of use within the facility itself. The position of support fittings and furniture is essential to ensure that they provide adequate support to perform specific bathing routines. Many people find shower seats extremely useful as a bathroom mobility aid.
Various options are available on the market, including free standing stools or chairs. Some of these have non-slip feet and height adjustable legs. They offer the benefit of being portable, but bear in mind that they take up storage space unless you choose a foldable design. It is vital to ensure that your shower tray has the load-bearing capacity to support the weight of the user as the weight distribution of the three or four stool legs can cause some trays to crack.
A wall-mounted shower seat can avoid this problem. Some also have support legs – in which case the trays still needs a (lesser) degree of load-bearing capacity – but others sustain the weight of the user entirely through the wall brackets. If you choose a wall-mounted seat, seek advice from the installer about the load-bearing suitability of the bathroom wall fabric. Some wall-mounted seats are fixed whilst others offer hinged mechanisms which enable them to be folded against the wall when not in use. With a hinged seat, the lack of portability isn’t a disadvantage as it doesn’t need to be moved anywhere to free up space – it can simply be dropped down into place whenever required to aid mobility. Many bathroom users find this much preferable to carrying and moving a shower stool around. Wall-mounted foldable seats offer the best all-round combination in terms of ease of use, economy of space and minimal weight pressure on the shower tray.
Once you’ve chosen the type of seat that suits your need, it’s helpful to consider some of the finer points. For example, make sure that the seat frame is manufactured from a corrosion-resistant material or protected by a corrosion-resistant finish such as powder coating, which offers the added benefit of being warm to the touch. Avoid seats with exposed fixings such as screwheads which are likely to rust. You should also make sure that the seat itself is comfortable. Some seats are made from easy-clean fabric and others from perforated plastic. Nylon slats are equally easy to clean whilst proving superior comfort and durability. Further comfort can be provided by a cushioned back rest fixed to an appropriate position on the wall.
If you require a shower seat to aid mobility, it’s also worth considering whether to install other fittings such as grab rails to support movement to and from the seat. Horizontal rails fixed either side of a shower seat are very useful when pushing up from a sitting position and provide support when lowering. They also help to prevent you sliding off a seat. Installing these rails approximately 20cm above the seat’s height is often a good position to assist standing. If you’re a wheelchair user, holding onto this rail can give you secure support when transferring to the shower seat.
Depending on the design of your shower cubicle, you may be able to enjoy additional support by installing a horizontal rail on the wall opposite the shower seat, positioned at an approximate height of 1m above the floor (providing it can be easily reached from the seat). Alternatively you could install a vertical rail with the lowest end fixed at around 80cm above the floor. The distance between this rail and the front of your shower seat should be no more than 55cm in order to provide adequate support. Bear in mind that these are guidelines based on generic recommendations and building regulations, but you should consider your own personal needs and factors like your height when deciding the precise location of any fittings. Ultimately, you need to determine what set-up works for your personal routine within your particular facility.
Dan’s downtime is a matter of serious gravity!
The staff at Neaco are dedicated to our work, but equally we appreciate that you shouldn’t devote every waking minute to company and business matters. To illustrate that philosophy, we’re introducing Out of Hours, a new feature which throws a spotlight on the hobbies, diversions and passions of our staff in their spare time – revealing different sides, hidden depths and alter-egos which may surprise many of our customers.
Part One of our Out of Hours features Dan Verity, our Factory Manager who oversees all production scheduling and quality control at our Malton facilities. For most people, a bit of downtime means rest and relaxation, but for Dan it’s a rush of adrenaline driven by Newton’s famous Universal Law of Gravitation. Dan has a keen interest in gravity sports, which involve high-speed downhill racing in vehicles such as go-karts, skateboards, street luges and bespoke bikes. The bikes can reach top speeds of up to 65mph.
Dan brings his engineering expertise to his hobby by cannibalizing the parts of old bikes to create vehicles which designed to utilise the force of gravity for maximum speed. Many of his creations involve flipping old BMX frames upside-down to create low-slung racers for competition. Dan has competed in a number of downhill races in recent years, including a 2nd place finish at Cadwell Park in 2010 and 1st and 2nd place finishes in races at Dalby Forest in 2011.
Dan explained his approach to downhill bike design: “By flipping the frame over, you change the steering geometry so it’s more stable at high speeds. The result is a very different bike to the ones used by other racers, but its aerodynamic design is a competitive advantage, so there is method behind it!”
Dan is part of a gravity sports team, Green Machine, which has a Facebook page here. You can also find out more about gravity sports at these websites:
Neaco have supplied a wide-ranging balcony balustrade and internal balustrade specification at a development of luxury apartments in Guisborough, North Yorkshire.
The company’s glass panelled Juliet balconies and bespoke walk-on balcony designs are featured alongside balustrade installed to an interior mezzanine and a communal roof terrace. Handrails and balustrade have been precision-manufactured in aluminium featuring a powder coated finish in one of Neaco’s standard metallic colours. The rails and stanchions combine superbly with tinted toughened glass infills for a stylish modern aesthetic.
Neaco’s Managing Director, Alan Green, said: “Apartment developments have become a major percentage of Neaco’s business. Housebuilders and developers tell us that, in a competitive market, kerb appeal is a vital advantage. Our balustrade and balcony systems are pre-engineered to provide contemporary visual appeal with a lasting, maintenance-free sheen. We are getting a lot of repeat business from housebuilders who specified our products years ago and can see how well they have stood the test of time in comparison to more traditional ad-hoc solutions which can be prone to long-term problems such as rust. ”
Neaco’s diverse product range also includes structural glass, adaptive bathing facilities and aluminium open grilles for flooring, screening and shading applications. All products are backed by a class-leading Lifetime Guarantee. A host of AutoCAD files for balconies, balustrade, bathing products and grilles are available to download within Neaco’s Members Area at www.neaco.co.uk/my-account. It’s free to register and membership also grants exclusive access to Neaco’s showroom and design consultation suite at our Malton head office.
Frameless glass balustrade and structural glass
Frameless glass balustrade, also known as structural glass, is an increasingly popular specification for contemporary design. The glass functions as free-standing balustrade and requires no supporting uprights. There are a number of different options and various performance and safety requirements to consider.
Fixing methods
Frameless glass balustrade and structural glass can be secured in place by a continuous floor channel. This can be left exposed in its natural state or concealed beneath the finished floor level. Alternatively, on mezzanine floors and stairwells, ‘button side’ fixings can secure panels against a vertical surface. Both top and side fixes can be capped or cloaked.
Structural glass with floor channel (left) and button side fixing (right)
Laminated structural glass
Many designers and architects favour laminated glass. It’s a completely frameless glass balustrade and provides the ultimate in minimalism. Laminated structural glass comprises two glass panels with a stabilising insert placed between the two to prevent shattering under extreme force. Whilst this will not necessarily prevent the glass panels from cracking, it does help to hold any shattered glass in place until a replacement can be installed
Structural glass with toprail
A more robust and durable alternative to laminated glass is monolithic glass (pictured below). This would typically be capped with a toprail. As well as providing greater strength and stability, the toprail is smooth and more comfortable to the touch than the edge of a glass panel. Toprails also provide a useful indication of where the glass ends for the visually impaired.
Semi-structural glass
Neaco offers a semi-structural glass with minimal stanchion support and panels secured by a top rail above and a floor channel below which is more subtle in appearance than channels used for regular structural glass. Our Elan system (pictured below) is designed for non-raked installations, including balconies, and it is quick and easy to fit.
Aesthetic details
The use of integrated rubber seals in floor channels can insulate structural glass and eliminate the need for the messy mastic detail which can spoil the appearance of some structural glass installations. You can utilise plenty of possible aesthetic options for the glass itself. These include clear or tinted (grey, bronze, green or blue options are available), acid etching or an applied logo/graphic. Neaco also supplies a low iron glass option which offers a noticeably clearer panel than standard clear float glass. We also provide the option of fabric or wire mesh inserts (pictured right) between glass panels, adding a rich texture to design schemes.
Safety and regulations
All structural glass must be toughened in accordance with BS EN 12150 1(C)1 and all structural glass balustrade must be manufactured in accordance with BS 6180:2011. In terms of its capacity to withstand horizontal (uniformly distributed) load relating to your project, please refer to the building categories in Table 4 of BS 6399-1. In buildings that are likely to be used by children, safety on staircases and landings is paramount. Any structural glass system should be very difficult for children to climb and should have no gaps of 100mm or more through which they could pass.
Neaco provides the option to heatsoak the glass at the manufacturing stage to accelerate crystallisation, reducing the risk of potential breakages when glass is in situ. If you are installing structural glass with a toprail for external use, ensure that the toprail is manufactured from a material that is not cold to the touch in cold winter conditions in accordance with clause 5.10.1 of BS 8300. Neaco offers tubular or ovular Nylon coated aluminium (6063 T6) rails which meet this requirement.
If you need some advice on a suitable frameless glass balustrade/structural glass installation, Neaco’s technical team would be delighted to help, so please get in touch.
Nylon v polyester – which powder coating should you choose?
When it comes to finishing architectural metalwork such as balustrade, handrails, brise soleil and louvres, traditional painting is rapidly being brushed aside by the advance of powder coating. In contrast to conventional liquid paint, powder coating does not require a solvent to keep the binder and filler parts in a liquid suspension form and is applied electrostatically as a dry powder. It is then baked at high temperatures which cures the powder and causes it to set solid, creating a smooth, even protective coating. The finish is much tougher and more durable than conventional paint, which is prone to flaking and cracking over time.
Painted finishes flake and crack in external conditions
Powder coated handrails and balustrade have a much smoother and more durable finish
With its low-maintenance qualities and smooth appearance, it’s hardly surprising that countless building professionals have cottoned on to the advantages of powder coating. What is less widely appreciated is the fact that there are different types of powder coating which between them offer their own advantages and disadvantages. The most commonly used powder coating across all applications is polyester powder coating. In architectural applications the second most common is nylon powder coating. Both are non-toxic and provide good resistance to corrosion. Both offer the smooth, even and durable surface which is characteristic of all powder coating. However, they also have significant differences which are worth considering. We’ve listed the benefits of each option to enable you to make an informed comparison.
POLYESTER POWDER COATING
Polyester has excellent weather and UV resistance which provides greater colour stability than nylon, which will fade faster with prolonged exposure to sunlight
Polyester powders are easier to apply than nylon and can use lower film thicknesses (typically 70 microns compared to nylon’s 150 microns)
Unlike nylon, polyester does not require a primer prior to painting
Unlike nylon, polyester does not re-melt when exposed to higher temperatures
Polyester powders have a much lower cost per kilo than nylon and will give lower overall coating costs.
Polyester facilitates a wide range of colours and a full range of gloss levels and textures
NYLON POWDER COATING
Nylon is more resistant to wear and abrasion. An abrasion test carried out by the Paint Research Association in 2003 compared the abrasion resistance of nylon coating to two types of polyester coating (Bonalux and Interpon) – the results showed nylon to offer an expected lifespan of over 7 times that of Bonalux and almost 6 times that of Interpon
Nylon is manufactured from renewable resources
Neither polyester nor nylon are cold to the touch, but nylon’s thermal insulation is superior and ideal for warm-to-touch applications
Nylon has superior chemical resistance compared to polyester
Nylon offers more flexibility at low temperatures
Hopefully this comparison helps you to determine whether polyester or nylon is better for your particular design or project. In summary, the most significant difference is the lower cost and superior colour retention of polyester versus the superior durability of nylon. Neaco would advise that, on balance, nylon powder coating provides a more valuable range of benefits overall. However, all powder coatings give metalwork greater durability and comfort to touch and offer compelling advantages over conventional painted finishes.
Glass stair railing provides contemporary style
Neaco has supplied an extensive balustrade and glass stair railing specification for a £14m landmark development as part of East Riding College’s new Beverley Campus and Environmental Technologies Centre.
Architects Jefferson Sheard worked alongside the College and stakeholders in the development of a concept for a modern facility which acts as the face of the institution and concentrates on the Beverley Minster as an inspirational focal point, sense of place and historic context for students and staff. Combining stainless steel handrails and stanchions with glass infills, Neaco’s balustrade and glass stair railing are featured within an impressive atrium space and multi-functional hub presenting a large, welcoming and open space to visitors whilst affording excellent views of the Minster.
The new Beverley Campus for East Riding College is a future-proofed, cohesive learning environment and community resource for East Riding College and the local community. The BREEAM Excellent building incorporates an Environmental Technology Centre, flexible learning spaces and workplace learning environments for vocational study. Optimal natural ventilation and daylight are present in the design of the teaching and breakout spaces and materials have been used which will provide good life cycle costing and relatively low maintenance.
Much of the ground floor accommodation to the west is “customer facing”, being hair and beauty salons, restaurants, along with the learner services hub. The Environmental Technology Centre offers training and development in “clean” engineering subjects, interfacing with the engineering workshop retained within the development.
Neaco’s range of balustrade and balconies is available in stainless steel or aluminium powder coated in a choice of solid colour, metallic colour and wood-effect finishes combined with a wide choice of infills, including vertical or horizontal rails, perforated panels, tension wire, toughened glass panels (in-line or offset) and mesh. Neaco’s diverse product range also includes structural glass, adaptive bathing facilities and aluminium open grilles for flooring, screening and shading applications. All products are backed by a class-leading Lifetime Guarantee.
