Jul

29

NEW AIP Showers + Pans: Well Priced + Pretty

Filed Under Aging In Place / Aging At Home, Designer's Corner | Leave a Comment

Got a note from my bath distributors the other day to tell me about some new options for pre-made shower surronds, easily available to me through distribution. (Other people can pay retail off the rack!) But we know HB Building + Design is all about getting you the most beautiful results and saving you the most money.

Lauren said as she knew I worked on Aging in Place, I should make their brochure available to you. I will, in our next newsletter! In the meantime, I’ll just say that they are working on the warmth of the bather issue that I contend is not the best for anyone to have to sit in cooling air, wet, while the tub empties!  They DO have amazing barrier free design shower bases, and beautiful glass doors. Following are some examples of their new hardware and design samples.                                                                   

Prior to the last few years, if you desired a premium-looking shower enclosure, you would have to go to a “custom glass house” for the design, fabrication and installation of your enclosure. Very upscale, and also very pricey. MTI offers a great alternative with its line of enclosures, making it easy for you to have the beauty and fit of custom-made enclosures, without the custom price.  

Shower enclosures from MTI are the perfect complement to MTI’s fine line of high-quality showerbases and tubs. MTI shower enclosures are designed specifically to fit MTI shower bases in the various sizes and configurations. Two Series are available: the Nordic Series and the Teutonic Serie The Nordic Series of shower enclosures features true frameless design, with no old-fashioned headers. Glass doors and panels are constructed of substantial 10mm-thick tempered safety glass, whose corners have finely beveled edges for upscale appearance. Hinges and handles are made of cast brass, and hinges are attached through the glass to ensure security and long-term proper alignment. Incorporating magnetic door closures and the newest plastics technology in co-extruded seals, these shower enclosures are designed for years of trouble-free, watertight performance.

Installation is made easy with adjustable mounting extrusions that allow for +/- ¾” adjustment in the width of the enclosures for both sides. This flexibility compensates for variances in tile thickness and walls that are out of plumb. The Nordic Series provides the beauty and fit of custom-made enclosures, without the custom price, saving thousands of dollars. The Nordic Series also offers tub enclosures for tub / shower combination applications, such as the Tub Shield shown to the left.

The second series of frameless shower enclosures from MTI is the Teutonic Series, which suggests motion even while stationary. Rugged, industrial-looking rollers glide along a rock-solid stainless steel track, allowing the 12mm (1/2″) -thick, 200-pound sheet of tempered safety glass to effortlessly slide. Available in two finishes, natural and high-polished, all hardware is constructed of premium, solid stainless steel. This formidable combination of design and construction makes a definite statement and helps create a spa experience like no other. The Teutonic Series also includes enclosures for tubs.

Shower enclosures from MTI are characterized by clean designs, unsurpassed quality, extreme durability, smart engineering and value. Whether the bath construction is a new-build or a remodel, these enclosures are the perfect complement to MTI’s wide range of shower bases and tubs in acrylic or Engineered Solid-Surface materials

So before you commit to a custom glass house, look at MTI’s selection of Tub and Shower Enclosures and see how you can have the beauty and fit of custom-made enclosures, without the custom price. Cool!

(some parts taken from the article “Open Confinement” from MTI Whirlpools web 7-22-10)

Jun

14

Aging In Place: Not a Fad!

Filed Under Aging In Place / Aging At Home | Leave a Comment

Just in case you thought this Aging In Place thing was a ‘fad’ …. thought I would again share with you the Definition of AIP as well as the stats and facts about how contractors and builders are being encouraged to change by the NAHB. Following info is from the NAHB Website :

How big is Aging in Place?

  • 89% of people 50+ wish to remain in their own homes indefinitely (AARP).
  • 75% of remodelers have seen an increase in requests for aging in place work (NAHB).
  • 60% of remodelers already perform aging in place work (NAHB).
  • Over half of all 55+ households rate their current home a 9 or 10 out of 10 (American Housing Survey).
  • The aging population is the number two issue to affect the remodeling industry over the next five years, only behind the availability of skilled labor (NAHB).

 What is NAHB doing to help the aging population?

NAHB, in partnership with AARP and the NAHB Research Center, developed the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program – the leading national educational designation designed to teach professionals how to modify homes for aging in place. Since 2002 more than 2,200 have completed CAPS, making it one of the fastest-growing education programs at NAHB. NAHB Remodelers provides more information for consumers online at: www.nahb.org/aginginplace.

 What should my home contain if I want to age in place?

  • A master bedroom and bath on the first floor.
  • A low or no-threshold entrance to the home with an overhang.
  • Lever-style door handles.
  • No change in levels on the main floor.
  • Bright lighting in all areas, especially places like stairways.
  • A low-maintenance exterior.
  • Non-slip flooring at the main entryway.
  • An open floor plan, especially in the kitchen/dining area.
  • Handrails at all steps.

What are some techniques CAPS-trained professionals use?

  • Lighting from multiple directions – reduces glare and shadows.
  • Light sockets with more than one bulb – redundancy in case one bulb burns out.
  • Stacking closets for a future elevator shaft.
  • Contrasting colors for depth perception – use a different color counter (or edging around the counter) than the floor, staining the edge of the stairs a darker color than the rest of the steps.
  • Convenience shelf at an entry way to place your grocery bag while getting your keys.

HB Building and Design specializes in Design/Build for people planning to Age In Place. Give us a call if you have any questions about what to do and how to proceed. 650-728-5878

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