Grab Rails

For maximum safety, a vertical grab rail should be installed near the shower entrance to assist with stepping in and out over the tray lip. Inside the enclosure, a horizontal or angled rail should be mounted on the main wall at roughly waist height (typically 800mm to 900mm from the floor) to provide a steadying point while washing or adjusting the shower valve.

A smooth grab rail (usually finished in polished stainless steel or chrome) is easy to wipe down and looks great in a modern bathroom, but it can become slippery when covered in soap. A fluted grab rail features moulded ridges along the length of the bar. This textured surface provides vastly superior grip for wet hands, making it the safest choice for inside a shower or above a bath.

Yes, but you cannot screw directly into the plasterboard alone, as the rail will instantly pull away under human body weight. If you do not have solid brick or blockwork, you must locate the vertical timber studs behind the plasterboard and drive your screws directly into them. Alternatively, if fitting to a hollow wall, your installer must use specialized heavy-duty toggle fixings rated for high sheer loads.

Hinged (or fold-down) grab rails are typically installed on either side of a toilet in an accessible washroom. They pull down horizontally to provide the user with upper body leverage when sitting or standing. Because they can be pushed vertically flat against the wall when not in use, they are crucial for allowing a wheelchair user enough space to perform a lateral transfer onto the toilet pan.