Creating a barrier-free washroom is more than just a nice-to-have in your building’s retrofit and adding in these safe and inclusive spaces can be a significant upgrade to your commercial building’s amenities. In this blog, we will look at reasons why upgrading your existing washrooms to be barrier-free is worth the cost, and how the team at Accesio can support you throughout the process.
Enhanced Safety for Bathroom Users
Barrier-free washrooms are more than just a space with additional room for strollers or walkers; they create a safe space for all users. These accessible bathrooms are designed with safety as the priority and feature non-slip tiles, grab bars, emergency buttons, and automatic door operators, ensuring accessibility and usability are central to the space’s overall design. These features are not just for those with mobility issues or accessibility concerns. Instead, they are designed to ensure that all users can enjoy independent use of bathroom facilities and have been proven to prevent injuries and other emergencies.
Create a Versatile & Flexible Space
As a business, investing in a barrier-free washroom is not a trend or a design decision that will come back to bite you. Instead, these accessible spaces will be a valuable addition, especially as they ensure your multifamily building or retail space is truly accessible to staff and users. Whether you are grandfathered into an older building code, or are looking to revamp a leased space, barrier free washrooms create a versatile and flexible washroom that can be co-ed and allow you to meet current and future building codes that will continue to emphasize the use of barrier-free technology to allow those with accessibility concerns and all users a safe and flexible space to use the washroom, clean-up or even change a toddler in a modern and hygienic bathroom.
Increase your Property Value
For owners of commercial properties, a barrier-free washroom is a selling point for those looking for a turn-key commercial space in Edmonton. Not only does this type of bathroom allow for almost any retail, manufacturing or even corporate client to buy your property, but it will also ensure that your commercial building adheres to the accessibility requirements set out by the Alberta Building Code. Commercial real estate is a dime a dozen in downtown Edmonton, but having an already code-compliant, barrier-free bathroom can be a game-changer for attracting a buyer to your commercial building.
A Customized Washroom Designed Around Your Brand
A barrier-free washroom does not need to be boring, plain, and corporate-looking. Instead, these washrooms offer an opportunity to showcase your brand in every square foot of your commercial space. We have seen some truly amazing washrooms painted by local artists that speak to a brand’s colours and purpose. Now, as this is an accessible space, you do need to do some thinking in terms of colour choices as well as patterns, but when you work with a knowledgeable contractor, they can work through the design with accessibility in mind and create the space that you will love. A space that is modern, welcoming and most of all accessible for tenants, clients, and staff.
Create a Space that Promotes Independence
For those with accessibility challenges, a simple thing for most able-bodied people, like going to the bathroom or washing up before a meal, can be a significant barrier. Removing barriers is an important part of being a good corporate citizen, and a barrier-free washroom upgrade is an easy way to help the community here in Edmonton. Not only will it give all users the independence to use the facilities, but it will also help you recruit new staff and attract new clients who feel comfortable coming to your office or retail space, knowing they have a washroom designed with accessibility in mind.
How Accessio Can Help
As one of the best accessibility contractors specializing in access control, security and automatic door operators, our team of technicians is the right people to call when you are looking to install or repair a door operator and actuator in your space. Our team is well-versed in the Alberta Building Code and can work with you to install or retrofit your interior and exterior doors to be accessible and barrier-free. With a specialization in commercial doors, our team can work with your building management or property manager to secure the permits and install a code-compliant accessible washroom door that will not only function but will also be a valuable addition to your commercial property.
