Message Boards

There’s a rising trend in the remodeling world. It’s called universal design or UD for short. Anyone who has ever bought a house knows how many things have to be taken into consideration before going ahead with the purchase. The idea of the universal design remodel is to make a home that is good for old and young, huge families and widows, the fashion conservative and the fashion liberal. As an example of the universal design, here is the universal bathroom.

Three factors of the universal design bathroom

Replace standard toilet with a comfort-height one. This higher toilet is easier to use for the elderly but poses no difficulty for younger people to use
Instead of a bathtub which may be difficult for elderly to get in and out of, install a walk in shower. Make sure to include in the shower grab handles, a hand shower, and an area where a person can sit while showering
Include side-by-side double sinks and make the countertops two different heights so that it can accommodate someone tall or short
Use a lighter color for the plumbing fixtures as lighter colors tend to remain in style while more vibrant colors are constantly going in and out of style

The universal design advantage

With the universal design remodel complete, your bathroom is now ready to accommodate you should you choose to remain in the home as you grow older. And should you choose to sell the home at some future point, the universal design bathroom is more likely to appeal to potential buyers no matter their age or fashion tastes.

Home Remodeling and Construction News brought to you by http://atlaselectricinc.com

Source: http://www.dailyherald.com/art...6/entlife/701069946/

I am assuming that this is some sort of advertizing for either the author of the article or the electric website. Advertizing of course is not allowed here.

But since Universal Design is such an important topic I wanted to point out that the article, that was the source of the information posted, got some information wrong.

When referring to a "walk in" shower, I think they must have meant a "roll in" shower. Most showers are walk in, but they have a raised edge. A Universally designed shower would be barrier free, without the raised edge. The slope of the floor directs the water to a drain making the raised edge unnecessary, allowing a wheel chair to roll into the shower.

Then, choosing the color of the plumbing fixtures so that they won't go out of style has nothing to do with Universal Design.

Oh, for heavens sakes, I'm going to stop myself. I'm not going to go through this article bit by bit. I'm too annoyed. I will just say that the three factors mentioned in the article are not sufficient to make your bathroom "ready to accommodate you should you remain in your home as you grow older". There is much more to it.

I think it is obvious that this article was written by someone with little or no actual experience with Universal Design. This is a very important topic, and one of my personal favorite areas of design. It is disturbing to me to read something like this article, because it is so unhelpful.

Sorry for the rant.

cocok, it appears the latest trend on this BB is to post seemingly helpful information and add a link in an attempt to bypass the no advertising rule clearly posted. It's a shame and no one should click on the links under such topics. Just when we think we've seen every trick in the book, this "Trojan Horse" method attempts to win us over and break board rules in the process. I suggest that any new poster who tries to advertise should think twice about doing so on these boards. We are wise to your tricks.

I've notice with these "advertorials" (a legitimate term that describes an advertisement written like an editorial) that the information is outdated or incredibly simplistic, which leads me to believe they are NOT Subject Matter Experts.