Aging-in-place remodeling adapts a home for long-term accessibility, whether needed now or planned for the future.
Curbless showers, wider doorways, and main-floor primary suites are among the most valuable features to add.
Planning these features during any remodel costs far less than retrofitting them later.
Our Wildcat Mountain renovation won regional awards for aging-in-place design, including recognition in both 2023 and 2024.
Aging-in-place remodeling adapts a home so it continues to work well for its owners as mobility needs change over time, whether that need exists today or is simply anticipated for the future. Features like curbless showers, wider doorways, and main-floor primary suites cost relatively little to build into a remodel already underway but cost significantly more to retrofit into a finished home later. This page covers the features that matter most and how to plan for them.
Why plan for aging in place before you need it
Many of the most valuable aging-in-place features are inexpensive when built during a planned remodel but expensive when added as a standalone project later. Blocking behind a shower wall for a future grab bar costs almost nothing during construction but requires opening a finished wall to add afterward. Widening a doorway during a bathroom remodel adds modest cost; widening it years later as a dedicated project means new framing, drywall, trim, and paint all over again.
This is why many homeowners choose to incorporate these features proactively during any planned remodel, even years before they anticipate needing them, simply because the marginal cost is so much lower when the walls are already open.
Curbless showers and bathroom accessibility
A curbless shower, where the shower floor sits flush with the surrounding bathroom floor rather than behind a raised threshold, eliminates a common trip hazard and allows easier access for anyone using a wheelchair or walker, now or in the future. This feature requires careful floor slope planning and waterproofing during construction, making it far more practical to build during a bathroom remodel than to add afterward.
Our post on bathroom remodel costs in Asheville covers how curbless showers and other accessibility features factor into an overall bathroom remodel budget.
Wider doorways and hallways
Standard interior doorways often measure around 28 to 30 inches wide, which can be tight for a wheelchair or walker to pass through comfortably. Widening doorways to at least 32 to 36 inches during a remodel, when walls are already open for other work, adds relatively little cost compared to a dedicated widening project later. This applies to hallways too, where adequate width matters for anyone using mobility equipment to move through a home comfortably.
Main-floor primary suites
A primary bedroom and bathroom located on the main floor eliminates the need to navigate stairs for daily living, a significant consideration for long-term accessibility. Homeowners planning an addition sometimes choose to relocate their primary suite to the main level specifically for this reason, even well before they anticipate needing it. Our home addition cost guide covers the cost considerations for this kind of project.
Lever handles, blocking, and lighting
Smaller details matter too. Lever-style door handles are easier to operate than round knobs for anyone with limited hand strength or dexterity. Blocking installed behind walls during construction, even if a grab bar is not installed immediately, allows one to be added later without needing to open the wall again. Improved lighting throughout a home, particularly in stairwells and bathrooms, reduces fall risk for people of any age.
Our Wildcat Mountain project and aging-in-place recognition
Our Wildcat Mountain renovation, which added a rear porch and indoor pool, was recognized with the 2023 WNC Starz Award for Best Aging In Place Remodel and again with the 2024 NC Starz Award for Best Aging in Place Remodel. This recognition reflects our experience designing spaces that serve homeowners well for the long term, not just for the years immediately following a renovation.
Multigenerational living considerations
Aging-in-place principles often overlap with multigenerational living needs, where an addition or converted space serves an aging parent or family member moving into a home. Our post on ADU and multigenerational living additions covers how these projects incorporate many of the same accessibility principles discussed here.
Summary
Aging-in-place remodeling adapts a home for long-term accessibility through features like curbless showers, wider doorways, main-floor primary suites, and thoughtful details like blocking and lever handles. These features cost far less when planned during an already-scheduled remodel than when retrofitted as a standalone project later. Our Wildcat Mountain project reflects genuine experience in this area, recognized with regional awards in both 2023 and 2024. Homeowners planning any remodel should discuss aging-in-place features early, even if the need feels years away. Start that conversation through the contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is aging-in-place remodeling?
Aging-in-place remodeling adapts a home for long-term accessibility so it continues to work well as mobility needs change over time. Common features include curbless showers, wider doorways, main-floor primary suites, and details like grab bar blocking and lever door handles.
Should I add aging-in-place features even if I don’t need them yet?
Many homeowners do, since the marginal cost is much lower when built during an already-planned remodel compared to a dedicated retrofit project later. Features like wall blocking for future grab bars cost very little during construction but require opening finished walls to add afterward.
What is a curbless shower and why does it matter?
A curbless shower has a floor that sits flush with the surrounding bathroom floor rather than behind a raised threshold. This eliminates a common trip hazard and allows easier access for anyone using a wheelchair or walker, whether that need exists now or develops later.
How wide should doorways be for accessibility?
Standard doorways often measure 28 to 30 inches, which can be tight for mobility equipment. Widening doorways to at least 32 to 36 inches during a remodel, when walls are already open, adds relatively little cost compared to a dedicated widening project later.
Does TwinBrother Builders have experience with aging-in-place projects?
Yes. Our Wildcat Mountain renovation won the 2023 WNC Starz Award for Best Aging In Place Remodel and the 2024 NC Starz Award for Best Aging in Place Remodel, reflecting genuine experience designing homes that serve owners well over the long term.
