What an accessible remodel includes on a Sequoyah Hills or Fountain City floor plan
Sequoyah Hills building began in the 1920s, and Fountain City joined Knoxville in 1962. An aging in place bathroom remodel Knoxville TN families plan for those rooms follows this scope.
- Call for a free in-home estimate.
- Measure the doorway, floor and walls.
- Check the floor framing for a recessed shower.
- Set blocking between the studs for future bars.
- Install the shower floor, tile and fixtures.
- Walk the finished bathroom with you.
Curbless shower installation Knoxville TN, grab bars and the other changes that matter
Curbless shower
The tub comes out, the floor drops and slopes to the drain, and you walk in. It suits walkers and wheelchairs best. A crawlspace makes recessing easier. A concrete slab takes more work, and we say so.
Walk in shower for seniors Knoxville bathrooms can hold
A standard 60 inch tub alcove can often hold a walk-in shower with a low threshold and a bench. It suits steady walkers who cannot lift a leg over a tub wall. See our tub-to-shower conversions.
Blocking and grab bars
A bar is only as strong as its backing. The ADA guide says 33 to 36 inches high. It calls for a 1.25 to 1.5 inch round bar, set 1.5 inches off the wall. We set solid blocking before the wall closes, so grab bar installation Knoxville TN homes need can happen later.
Signs a Fountain City or Sequoyah Hills bathroom has outgrown you
You grab the towel bar to stand. You sit on the tub edge to dry your feet. You skip showers on bad days. Any one means plan now, not after a fall.
Curbless shower, walk-in tub or a liner over the old tub: how they compare in Knoxville
| Option | Entry | Best for | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Curbless shower | Level floor | Walkers and wheelchairs | Needs floor work |
| Low threshold shower | Short step | Steady walkers | Not for wheelchairs |
| Walk-in tub | Door and seat | People who want to soak | You wait while it drains |
| Liner over old tub | Old tub wall | Looks and cleaning | Step usually stays |
One franchise installs its system "directly over your existing one," per its Knoxville page. So it follows the old tub's footprint.
What drives the cost of an accessible remodel in Knoxville and how long it takes
Floor framing, drain location, shower size and tile move the price. A slab takes more labor than a crawlspace, and hidden rot adds time. The room is out of use while we work, so plan another bathroom. You get a written schedule at the estimate.
What 48 inches of rain and KUB's water mean for your new shower floor
Knoxville averages about 48 inches of rain a year (1991 to 2020 normals), so crawlspaces run damp. We probe the subfloor before recessing it.
KUB draws from the Tennessee River, with hardness averaging 94 ppm, so choose finishes that wipe clean. The city held 2024 public meetings on its code changes. So we confirm current rules at your permit.
Where we build accessible bathrooms: Knoxville, Farragut, Maryville and beyond
We work in Sequoyah Hills, Fountain City and across Knoxville. We also work in Farragut, Maryville, Alcoa, Oak Ridge and Lenoir City. See every area we serve.
You get a licensed and insured local crew, a free in-home estimate and a written warranty. Our Knoxville bathroom crew takes calls only. See also walk-in tubs.
What Sequoyah Hills and Fountain City homeowners worry about before the demo
Objection: I just need a shower I can step into
Then a low threshold may be enough, and we will say so.
Objection: it will look like a clinic
Not when bars match your faucet finish and the tile is one you would pick anyway. See our tile and flooring options.
Tennessee's 2014 Falls Prevention Day numbers, and what they mean for a Knoxville bathroom
Scene. On September 23, 2014, Tennessee marked Falls Prevention Awareness Day with state health figures.
Problem. Falls were the top cause of emergency visits, hospital stays and deaths for Tennesseans 65 and older. In 2012: 212,254 visits, 17,629 hospitalizations, 590 deaths.
Tension. The commissioner called a fall "a life change, all in an instant."
What We Did. A careful crew removes the step, sets blocking and picks slip-resistant tile.
Outcome. The wall holds when you reach for it.
Lesson. Build for the fall you hope never comes.
Sources and further reading
Knoxville questions about curbless showers, grab bars and who pays
Can I make my existing tub safer without a full remodel?
Partly. Grab bars on proper blocking and a handheld shower help in many Knoxville homes. If the tall tub wall is the problem, only removing the tub fixes it. We tell you which applies at the free in-home estimate, after measuring your room.
Will a curbless shower work in my Knoxville house?
Usually, yes. A crawlspace gives room to lower the floor. A concrete slab takes more work. We check the framing at the free in-home estimate, then give you a written scope. If it will not work, we say so first.
Does the ADA apply to my home bathroom in Knoxville?
No. The ADA covers public and commercial buildings. Its measurements still guide a handicap bathroom remodel Knoxville families plan, such as grab bars at 33 to 36 inches. Bathroom Remodeling Knoxville builds an accessible bathroom to those numbers whenever your space allows.
How strong does a grab bar need to be?
Strong enough to hold your full body weight when you pull or fall. That takes a rated bar fastened into solid wood blocking between the studs. A suction cup bar or towel bar does not qualify. We set the blocking before tile goes up.
Will Medicare pay for an accessible bathroom remodel?
Original Medicare generally does not pay for home remodels. Some state programs and veteran benefits help with home changes. Ask your plan or your local Area Agency on Aging. Bathroom Remodeling Knoxville gives you a written scope to take to them.
Roughly what does an accessible bathroom remodel cost in Knoxville?
It depends on your floor framing, drain location, shower size and tile. Those four choices move the price most. That is why we do not quote over the phone. Call (865) 298-9333 and we set a free in-home estimate for your actual bathroom.
Can I use my Knoxville bathroom while you work?
No. The room is torn out and the plumbing is open, so plan on another bathroom until the job ends. We give you a written schedule at the estimate. If hidden damage changes it, we tell you at once, so nothing surprises you.
Can a wheelchair turn around in a small Knoxville bathroom?
Often not. A turning circle needs floor space many older Knoxville bathrooms lack. We measure first, then tell you whether a wider door or borrowed closet space helps. See our small bathroom remodels for how we plan tight rooms around a walker or chair.
Call the Executive Park Drive office about your bathroom
Tell us who the bathroom is for and what worries you most. Call (865) 298-9333, Monday to Saturday, and a local person answers.
Call (865) 298-9333