Bathroom Refurbishment
Adapting for the future
Antony Newton of refurbishment specialist J Tomlinson addresses the implications a rising elderly population has on bathroom refurbishments and adaptations in the rental sector.
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rojections show that society will age significantly over the upcoming decades. The number of people aged over 65 is expected to rise by more than 40 per cent in the next 18 years to
over 16 million, and by 2040, nearly one in four people in the UK will be 65 or older, according to statistics collected by Age UK. The ageing of the population is likely to have significant implications for housing providers, who should consider adapting their housing stock accordingly. The bathroom is one area of the home where particular attention should be paid to the choice of equipment, accessories and fabric. Specifying the right products and features can increase the lifetime of a bathroom and make it more suitable for the needs of its users as they grow older. If building managers choose wisely, they can create bathrooms that are
appropriate for tenants of all ages. Making the wrong choices could prove costly and wasteful in the long run, with unnecessary replacements and upheaval further along the line. Since low-cost maintenance and repairs are high on the wish list of housing providers, it would make good commercial sense for housing providers to set out their product specification priorities prior to carrying out any refurbishments.
Coatings and sanitaryware There are a range of low-cost options, which can have a positive impact on the lifetime of a bathroom. Some of these are quick and simple to undertake and can reduce maintenance costs, cut utility bills and help tenants to remain independent in their homes for longer.
“There are a range of low-cost options, which can have a positive impact on the lifetime of a bathroom.”
Opting for mould-resistant paints, for instance, is a simple solution
that can make a big difference in terms of reducing mould growth and the costly maintenance bills associated with repairing mould-damaged building fabric. Choose sanitaryware carefully to ensure that the required product has been manufactured to allow for simple adaptations and modifications in the future. Raised toilet seats, for example, are more suitable for elderly residents; however, not all products on the market fit every toilet, so specifiers need to think ahead and opt for solutions that would work well with adaptations that may be necessary at some point. Creating a walk-in or level-entry shower would enable easier
accessibility, while adding slip resistant coatings in baths and showers would reduce the risk of slips or trips. These measures can be enhanced
www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMM July 2017 | 31
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