Renovate a home for manoeuvrability
Last week, I wrote about a client of mine who was living with her parents and wanted to renovate her home to accommodate their needs as they aged. I recommended she focus on taking care of the basic needs first — eating, sleeping and bathing comfortably.
To make her home truly accessible for people of all mobility levels, there was still work to be done. Building for life may seem like a big job — and it is — but if you break it down into smaller projects, you can take it one step at a time. I received a lot of questions about the manoeuvrability aspect, so here are some more details about that.
RENOVATING FOR LIFE
When many homeowners look to upgrade their homes, they think about how they want it to look without considering how it may need to function in the future. Buying stainless steel appliances, replacing old cabinetry with new, and adding a fresh coat of paint are enough for many people to call a renovation compete — but rebuilding your home for life takes more consideration than that.
It’s important to take your time before you start any renovation project. Look at the space you’re working with and think about your current wish list, but also what you may need in the future. Being able to navigate your home could be a challenge as you age — the idea is to mitigate that as much as possible starting now.
And remember, before starting any renovation, always make sure you’ve got the proper permits in place.
DOORS AND ENTRANCES
Doors need to be wider to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Doorways should be at least 32 inches (81.3 centimetres) wide — but 36 inches (91.5 cm) is better for manoeuvrability.
I’ve said it before, but if you plan ahead, you can subtly upgrade your home to an accessible build, but still have it looking great. Creating a no-step entrance using landscaping to create a slope up to the front entryway can create a functional ramp. The lack of stairs makes sense for accessibility needs, and the landscaping will have it looking good, too.
WINDOWS
Any window in the home shouldn’t require the use of both hands. Casement or awning windows that open and close with a crank are simple to use for homeowners of any dexterity level. They will also need to be low enough for people who are seated to operate.
Newer windows are doublepaned and usually have an inert gas (argon or krypton) between the panes that provides some insulation and reduces the chance of condensation. Windows should be properly installed and sealed to keep your accessible home running efficiently.
WHAT MATERIALS SHOULD YOU BUILD WITH?
Your accessibility needs should dictate what kind of materials you use in your home, especially when it comes to your flooring. You will want to use a non-slip flooring, especially in bathrooms, but you will also need to consider the durability of the material you use. Wheelchairs and walkers are heavy — and can cause softer materials to deteriorate more quickly.
Here are a few options to think about when it comes to flooring: Hardwoods: Hardwood looks great — but you will want to avoid certain woods as they’ll be more susceptible to damage. Choose something more durable like maple or bamboo to resist the wear and tear that can be caused by the force of a wheelchair. Laminates: Laminate can mimic the look of wood, but offer better durability and resistance than some softer woods. Laminates are a less-expensive alternative to using hardwood. Tiles: Tile is very durable and easily cleaned if scuff marks are a concern. Because they’re water-resistant, they make a good contender for kitchens and bathrooms. Carpet: You might think that carpet can be a hindrance to someone using a wheelchair — but if you plan for it, it can work. A thinner carpet, with a pile or height of half an inch or less, without an underpad will offer far less resistance and accommodate accessibility devices easily.
Remember, if the room isn’t wide enough to turn a wheelchair, it doesn’t matter what your flooring is made of — the space just will not work.
Taking on accessibility projects while you’re young may seem backward, but making a series of smart changes over years spent in your home can help you remain there as long as possible. And that is a priority for a lot of us.