How to Position a Grab Bar
How should you position a grab bar? (Horizontal, Vertical, or Diagonal)
If you are reading this, you are probably about to purchase or install grab bars and are seeking information on what is the best direction to place a grab bar. A grab bar can be placed on a wall in either a horizontal, vertical, or diagonal position. Does direction really matter? Yes! Each grab bar placement angle has its own benefits and downsides depending on intended use and location in which it is being placed.
The following are the three grab bar directions that you will commonly see around showers, tubs, and toilets:
- Horizontal Grab Bar Placement
- Vertical Grab Bar Placement
- Diagonal Grab Bar Placement
#1 Horizontal Grab Bar Placement:
Horizontal grab bar placement is the most common position to place a grab bar. Horizontally positioning a grab bar at one predetermined height instead of diagonal or vertical placement provides an increased lateral (side to side) coverage. The downside of horizontal grab bar placement is that it will limit the vertical (up and down) coverage provided by the grab bar. We recommend that a horizontal grab bar be placed in the following shower, bathtub, and toilet locations:
SHOWERS:
Where should I place a horizontal shower grab bar?
- Place one grab bar horizontally on the front wall (control / showerhead wall) and one horizontally on the side wall, both at waist height.
What are the benefits of horizontal grab bar placement in each shower location?
- The horizontal side wall grab bar assists with stability while standing or moving around within the shower (forward and backwards).
- The horizontal front wall grab bar assists with stability, especially when washing hair with eyes closed.
BATHTUBS:
Where should I place a horizontal bathtub grab bar?
- Place one grab bar horizontally on the front wall (control / faucet wall) and two horizontally on the side wall (at varying heights/levels).
What are the benefits of horizontal grab bar placement in each bathtub location?
- The horizontal front wall grab bar assists with lifting oneself from a seated to a standing position.
- The horizontal side wall grab bars assists with stability when sliding/moving forward and backwards within a tub. The lower level grab bar is to be used when seated in the tub and the upper level grab bar is to be used for stability when standing in the tub (usually when drying off and preparing to exit).
TOILETS:
Where should I place a horizontal toilet grab bar?
- Place one grab bar horizontally on the side wall. If there are two side walls, then place two grab bars on each wall, mirroring one another.
What are the benefits of horizontal grab bar placement in each toilet location?
- The horizontal side wall grab bar assists with pushing oneself upwards from a seated (while using the toilet) to a standing position.
Looking to buy horizontal grab bars? Click the “Buy Now” button below to view our grab bars.
⚠️If you would like more detailed grab bar placement instructions (including ADA Handicap guidelines), view our Grab Bar Placement Guides.
#2 Vertical Grab Bar Placement:
Vertical grab bar placement is the second most common way to position a grab bar. Vertically positioning a grab bar at one predetermined height instead of diagonal or vertical placement provides an increased vertical (up and down) coverage. The downside of vertical grab bar placement is that it will limit the horizontal (side to side) coverage provided by the grab bar. We recommend that a vertical grab bar be placed in the following shower, bathtub, and toilet locations:
SHOWERS:
Where should I place a vertical shower grab bar?
- Place one grab bar vertically at the entrance of the shower, generally directly above the threshold or tub wall.
What are the benefits of vertical grab bar placement in this shower location?
- The vertical entrance grab bar will assist with entering and exiting the shower, where the user transfers their weight from one ground level to another, usually when wet, and oftentimes over a tub wall or shower pan lip.
BATHTUBS:
Where should I place a vertical bathtub grab bar?
- Place one grab bar vertically at the entrance of the bathtub, generally directly above the tub wall.
What are the benefits of vertical grab bar placement in each bathtub location?
- The vertical entrance grab bar will assist with entering and exiting the bathtub, where the user transfers their weight from one ground level to another, usually when wet, and over the tub wall.
TOILETS:
Where should I place a vertical toilet grab bar?
- Place one grab bar vertically on the side wall. If there are two side walls, then place two grab bars on each wall, mirroring one another.
What are the benefits of vertical grab bar placement in each toilet location?
- The vertical grab bar will assist a male user when standing up and using the toilet when urinating. Additionally, this vertical grab bar is also useful when approaching the toilet before turning around to sit down on the toilet.
Looking to buy vertical grab bars? Click the “Buy Now” button below to view our grab bars.
⚠️If you would like more detailed grab bar placement instructions (including ADA Handicap guidelines), view our Grab Bar Placement Guides.
#3 Diagonal Grab Bar Placement:
Diagonal grab bar placement is the third most common way to position a grab bar. Diagonally positioning a grab bar provides hybrid benefits of both a horizontal and vertical grab bar. This placement is ideal for lifting oneself from a seated to a standing position and some users prefer this angle as it can be easier on the wrists (reduces twisting -important especially for those with arthritis). We recommend that a diagonal grab bar be placed in the following shower, bathtub, and toilet locations:
SHOWERS:
Where should I place a diagonal shower grab bar?
- We only recommend a diagonal grab bar in the shower if there is a shower seat, chair, or stool present within the shower.
- If there is a shower seat, then place one grab bar diagonally on the side wall, with the bar angling upwards and toward the control / showerhead wall.
What are the benefits of diagonal grab bar placement in this shower location?
- The diagonal side wall grab bar will assist users when standing up from a seated position to a standing position.
BATHTUBS:
Where should I place a diagonal bathtub grab bar?
- Place one grab bar diagonally on the side wall, with the bar angling upwards and toward the control / showerhead wall.
What are the benefits of diagonal grab bar placement in each bathtub location?
- The diagonal side wall grab bar will assist users when standing up from a seated position to a standing position.
TOILETS:
Where should I place a diagonal toilet grab bar?
- Place one grab bar diagonally on the sidewall next to the toilet. If there are two side walls, then place a bar on each wall, mirroring one another.
What are the benefits of diagonal grab bar placement in each toilet location?
- The diagonal side wall grab bar will assist users when standing up from a seated position to a standing position. However, this diagonal grab bar will not assist the user when going from a standing to a seated position (the reverse action).
Looking to buy diagonal grab bars? Click the “Buy Now” button below to view our grab bars.
⚠️If you would like more detailed grab bar placement instructions (including ADA Handicap guidelines), view our Grab Bar Placement Guides.