Incorporating Universal Design into Your New Home - DesignCraft Building Corporation

Building Corporation

Home

Company

What We Do

Resources

Better...
by Design

CLIENT LOGIN

QUICK LINKS

Obtaining a Mortgage Moving Tips

Incorporating Universal Design into your dream home

Home-for-Life™ is our design philosophy of providing amenities that allow for comfort in everyday living for everyone in the home, even when their needs change. It doesn't matter if you are young or old, short or tall, healthy or sick, disabled or an Olympic athlete. Because of universal design, people who are very different can all enjoy the same home.

Here are some of the more common universal design features that we recommend for your new home:

· Entrances

· Garages

· Interiors

· Kitchens

· Bathrooms

· Utility Rooms

Entrances

	No-step entry – allows easy access for strollers, wheelchairs, or movement of heavy or large items in and out of the home. Also offers enhanced safety during wet or icy conditions.
	36” wide doors – allows easy access for strollers, wheelchairs, or movement of heavy or large items in and out of the home.
	½” threshold height – Reduced tripping hazard.
	Covered porches – allows protection from weather for people and packages.
	Motion activated lighting – allows for visual identification of visitors and illumination of locksets.
	Windowed doors or sidelights – allows for visual identification of visitors.
	Decks and patios built at floor level - allows easy access for strollers, wheelchairs, or movement of heavy or large items in and out of the home.

^ back to top

Garages

	No-step entry to home - allows easy access for strollers, wheelchairs, or movement of heavy or large items in and out of the home.
	8’ overhead door height – allows access for tall vehicles.
	Power operated overhead doors – allows ease of entry and exit.
	Over-sized parking areas – allows easier access to vehicles.

^ back to top

Interiors

	Open floor plans – minimizes barriers and maximizes vision.
	42” wide hallways – allows easier movement from room-to-room.
	36” doors – allows easy access to all rooms.
	ground floor living areas – includes a bedroom, bathroom, laundry facility, kitchen, and living room which are all accessible on one level.
	Handrails on both sides of stairs – allows for increased stability and safety during use of stairs.
	Rocker light switches and thermostats located at 48” height – allows ease of accessibility and use for short or tall people with a wide range of ability.
	Electrical outlets located at 18” height – allows use with less stooping and bending.
	Tall windows – allows viewing from a seated or standing position as well as enhanced natural light.
	Crank-operated casement windows – allows for easier opening and closing of windows.
	Additional lighting – allows appropriate lighting for a variety of conditions.
	Dual-height closet rods – allows clothing to be hung within reach of children or adults.
	Lever door handles - allows ease of accessibility and use for people with a wide range of ability.
	“U”-shaped handles on all drawers and cabinets - allows ease of accessibility and use for people with a wide range of dexterity.

^ back to top

Kitchens

	Full-extension drawers and pull-out shelves – allows easy access to all contents.
	Pull-out pantry storage – allows easy access and maximum storage capacity.
	Self-storing doors in sink base cabinet – allows knee space for seated access to sink.
	Front-mounted controls on all appliances – allows easy access.
	Elevated dishwasher – allows easy access with less bending.
	Built-in oven and microwave with side-opening doors – allows access from a seated position with minimal lifting when moving dishes to countertops.
	Task lighting under all wall cabinets – allows illumination of countertops and work surfaces.
	Heat and scratch-resistant countertops – allows sliding and minimizes lifting of dishes, pots and pans.
	Single-lever faucet – allows one-hand operation with a broad range of ability. ^ back to top

Bathrooms

	Single-lever faucet – allows one-hand operation with a broad range of ability.
	Self-storing doors in sink base cabinet – allows knee space for seated access to sink.
	In-wall blocking added for future installation of grab bars – allows increased stability for entering or exiting tub/shower.
	Front-mounted bathtub faucet – allows access from outside tub.
	Flat surface around tub - allows seated transition to/from tub.
	17” toilet height – allows reduced effort for access.
	Additional clear floor space – allows greater maneuverability.
	Walk-in shower – allows wheelchair access and reduced tripping hazard.
	Adjustable height hand-held shower head – allows comfortable positioning of showerhead for each user.
	Integrated seat in shower – allows seated use of shower. ^ back to top

Utility Rooms

Front-loading washers and dryers mounted on pedestals – allows use with less stooping and bending and access from a seated position.

Countertops with knee-space - allows use with less stooping and bending and access from a seated position.

^ back to top