Forum Discussion

mike54's avatar
mike54
Explorer
Apr 13, 2014

Hand rail question

I need to put a hand rail going up to the bedroom. The walls are thin paneling the shower is on the other side do you think it would be ok the put a suction cup grab bar on the shower glass?



  • Here's a thought, I'm sure you can find a friend or family member who's a bit of a wood-worker, the walls are 2x2" framed with 1/4' plywood or Masonite panelling but if you were to make a plate say 6" by the length of the handrail you need out of a matching hardwood nicely sanded with a small ogee routered around it stained and lacquered to match your interior and using PPL or a similar construction adhesive literally glue it to the wall using a few screws where the handrail bracket will cover the heads to hold it in place until the glue sets, the loading put on the handrail will be spread out over the entire wood plate instead the six to 9 wood screws of the handrail bracket and provided nobody attempts to slide down it or ties a 130LBS Rottweiler to it that set-up should offer more than enough support! "Da Bears"

    Red Green:
    Nothing bugs a handyman more than a
    stripper that works too slow.
  • thanks for the ideas I think I'm going to put the grab bar bolts through the wall.
  • I have put grab bars by the steps (and if possible across from the toilet) on three different fivers for my now 95 year old MIL. I have always found where I could go all the way through the wall(s) and put a fender washer and acorn nut on the other end.

    The attaching bolt must be cut to just the right length for the acorn nut to take up firmly without crushing the hollow wall. Put a drop of Lock-Tite on the threads.

    You can get washers and nuts in Chrome or paint them to match the wall covering with acrylic craft paints from Michael's on somesuch.
  • Left side of the staircase install handle. You can put a screw all the way through with a fender washer and locking nut.

    www.rvmall.com/index.php/grab-handle-chrome-10html# at the rvmall for $9.94

    Blessings,
  • H**l no on the suction cup . I needed to put one in for my 96 year old father-in-law and used a Moen grab handle simalar to what was pictured but I used toggle bolts.Now the wall would have to come loose. I pulled with all my might and it would not budge. Half the time I can't even keep my GPS on the windshield lwt alone trust a grab handle.
  • I put a rail on the wall, which is between the steps and the toilet. Put chrome acorn nuts on the inside on the toilet wall. I might pull out if someone put their full weight on it, but is is primarily just for steadying yourself instead of putting your hand on the wall.
  • Personally, I would not put it on the glass. If you slip and grab the bar, you may pull the shower door down on top of you.
    I don't think the glass doors are designed to be used as hand rails.
    But, I've been wrong before.

    It just doesn't seem like a wise move to me.
  • I don't think that I would trust that shower glass for that type of support going up stairs.
    Consider either going into the floor with a rail or reinforcing the wall area