Call it what you will: a bathroom bench, a sliding shower bench, a transfer bench, or just a shower chair. Some of them are better than others, for some obvious reasons and for others that require a little inspection.
Be that as it may, some sliding shower benches are better than others. This short post will break down some of the things to look out for so that when you do spend the money, it will be on an investment in your health, comfort, and safety.
Stability
Stability when bathing is one of the most critical aspects of safety. For those that are aging or otherwise affected by motor impairments, dealing with slippery surfaces, temperature control and use of bathing products can produce unique risks which could only be compounded by low quality shower chairs or sliding shower benches.
Some shower chairs may be made with low quality plastic or thin-gauge metal components that don’t provide a high level of stability and therefore are not as safe as they should be. Not only are our sliding shower transfer benches made with thick, durable, high-quality materials (and they’re compliant with ISO standards), but they also lock into place, providing a sure, stable platform for safe bathing.
Space
Some shower benches are designed not to lock into place, and to be moved at will. This can be both a benefit or a detractor, depending on how you look at it. Shower stools and bathroom benches that are too small and light may be easy to move, but they are not as stable as those that secure in place. Others that are larger may be more stable but may be difficult to position. The design of our ShowerGylde transfer benches eliminates this concern because it is designed to take up just the right amount of space while facilitating an easy transfer into or out of the shower or tub.
Compatibility with Your Bathroom
There are two ways to look at the compatibility of a shower chair or bathroom bench and a bathroom; aesthetic and mechanical.
Mechanical is the more important of the two, as it impacts whether or not a sliding shower bench will actually fit in your bathroom. Our ShowerGlyde sliding shower benches are available in three configurations for compatibility with the widest range of bathroom layouts, and are available with extensions that make them compatible with tubs of varying heights.
The ShowerGlyde SG1 is designed for environments in which there are no obstructions next to the tub, and the ShowerGlyde SG2 for environments in which there is a toilet right next to it. As for the ShowerGlyde SG3, it is designed for bathrooms in which there is limited space and has a swivel seat. All three slide easily over the tub and have locking functionality.
As for aesthetics, our products are designed for easy compatibility with the widest range of interior design schemes. Their minimalistic design is widely compatible and aesthetically neutral.
Comfort
If a shower chair isn’t comfortable, no one is going to want to use it. Cheap shower chairs are not designed for comfort and in some cases are only safe to use in effectively only one position, severely limiting comfortable bathing.
There are numerous features that make the transfer benches in the ShowerGlyde line not only more user friendly but also more comfortable. These include optional folding armrests as well as an optional padded seat. They are configurable with three seat options (closed, open, and reduced) and the entire bench is also height-adjustable.
They enable you to customize the bathing experience for greatest comfort, which improves the bathing experience. Let’s face a fact: if bathing is uncomfortable, users are not going to look forward to it and the thought of bathing will be stressful. Our sliding shower benches help change that.
Maintenance and Durability
Low quality shower chairs made with plastic can deform, warp or crack. Those made with low quality metal alloys can bend or worse, can rust without proper care.
SolutionBased’s shower chairs feature high-quality materials and durable construction intended to require only basic cleaning after each use. Made with durable synthetics and corrosion-resistant alloys, they require only minimal attention and maintenance and afforded such will last many years, justifying the cost and making it easier on owners.
Consider also the cost that accompanies the investment in a poor-quality or cheap shower chair. While it might seem like a money-saver, shower chairs that bend, break, wear out or fall apart will need to be replaced. Several purchases of cheap, low-quality shower chairs can eventually amount to more money wasted than what you’d spend on a quality shower chair if you bought a good one in the first place.
Limited Adjustability
Many low quality bathroom benches are not adjustable at all (a detractor in its own right) and among shower chairs that are adjustable, many of them simply don’t offer user-friendly adjustments or offer adjustments that are templated and sound better than they perform in practice.
Consider things like seat adjustments, backrest adjustments, and armrests, all of which can add to the comfort of a shower chair and in some cases even afford a user a much more personalized, comfortable seat (not to mention a more enjoyable overall bathing experience).
Incompatibility with a Wide Range of Body Types/Lifestyles
People of all ages and demographics are impacted by conditions that limit mobility, reducing their ability to bathe unaided. From the smallest of elderly users to adult males in the prime of life, a good shower chair should offer features and adjustability to accommodate the widest range of body sizes.
A one-size-fits-all bench or shower chair is therefore not a good option. There must either be multiple sizes or configurations, or the shower chair/sliding shower bench must be adjustable, as is the case with our products.
They Can Complicate Transfers
The design of some sliding shower benches may look good on paper, but in practice can prove uncomfortable, if not outright difficult to use.
A safe, fluid transfer into and out of the shower/tub is not a nice feature to have; it is imperative to safety in the bathroom.
Considering the fact that the transfer into or out of the shower is already happening in a slippery environment, it’s critical to get one that makes it easier on you. Then, remember, bathing isn’t just about getting into the shower (and out) but about getting into and out of the bathroom as well as all the motions required to bathe. The SG3 specifically is engineered for comfort and has a swiveling seat, making it easier for users to get in and out of the tub unaided.
For More Information on Our Sliding Shower Benches
These are just a few of the problems commonly encountered in bathroom benches, shower chairs, and sliding shower benches that our catalog of products (specifically those in our ShowerGlyde line) help circumvent.
If you have any questions about our ShowerGlyde transfer benches or the other products on our website, please feel free to contact us and we will be more than happy to help before you purchase to ensure your satisfaction.
