I have to put in a couple of rails in a shower for best friends father that had stroke.

Everywhere else I've used a 2x4 and just get onto some good studs in the house since there is no blocking. 70s house with tile surround.

I'm thinking maybe synthetic 2x4 in the shower but I've never used. Just get it in the area we need it and lag it into studs I'll have to find by pilot holes and stud finder.. and then screw rails to it.

I may even have to build the rails to fit but thats another story.

Thanks for any input. Kind of hate to put a wood 2x4 in there. But if thats a better thing I"ll just have to epoxy paint it or something.

Thanks, Jeff

PS may not reply to posts, leaving for the weekend in a few hours but I'll appreciate all the input come next week.

It be best to anchor into studs!

I don't know why you don't just buy grab bars. They make them to fit 18" and 24" stud spacing. Stainless steel with bead blast texturing.

I've bought diamond tipped tile drill bits (which I think are different than glass...can't remember) that worked quite well in allowing me to drill into the stud behind the tile for a support.

I had to use a bit longer screw because I was also going thru cement board.

You should be good to drill and mount them on top of the tile. Adding a 2x4 will diminish the useable space in the shower. I’ve done home health care since 1995. I’ve seen a lot of rails mounted on top of tile. It works out well.

Go to the home improvement store and buy a stainless grab bar and tie into studs. Or am I missing something? Shower chairs or tub seats are an option. You probably want to install at an angle which takes care of any stud spacing problems.

I just finished overhauling a shower with grab bars for my MIL who had a stroke. This is a mfg home and the interior wall studs are never where they should be. The spacing is really strange sometimes. I took out the tub and put in a tiled shower. I had to add a couple studs so they'd be where I needed them. I only had 1 stud for this fold down grab bar she needs to get off the toilet. I used a 1x6 with 4 heavy duty dry wall anchors plus a couple screws into the stud between the bar's ends.

Tile in good shape? Lots of work to replace it but it comes out clean. SIL and I redid ours to a shower as wife cant step over a tub. It is amazing how far and odd they can space studs.

This. I put an 18” grab rail for a now deceased friend. I angled it so I could hit 2 studs. I must’ve done it right since his fat ass never pulled it out, if anyone would’ve yanked it free it would’ve been him.

Ok, since my idea of the 2x4 is stupid, then explain how you get all 3 screws into a stud? And where you want the rail to be per the rehab folks?

But then again a better idea is HOW do you find studs in the old house behind tile wall? NO I'm not going to assume they are on 16 from the center of the corners. Don't want to drill through? tiles a number of times.

Hard to believe not more use the 2x4.. Its SO easy to grab what you need, gives you a wide base for how the triangle screws are lined up ( NOT for a 1.5 inch wide stud) and allow a nice lag into as many studs or parts of the stud as you want.

That said maybe I'm too anal, I know if I could accidentally find the studs perfectly.... yeah that won't happen, that 2 screws each end would be nice.

And since one of the rails has to be custom anyway figured might weld em all anyway. But thats another story. They want a rail to leave the walker outside the bathroom and all the way into the room along the outside wall. Needs weird length. Better to be off the way more than normal depth of rails and needs a 45 at the end in a precise place. Ah the joys of being called upon. But for a good cause for sure.

And Rocky, stud spacing is not 18 and 24 inches. LOL.

Thanks.

Two screws in the studs each end will make a solid mount. Height will vary based on the Bar and how it’s mounted. If on an angle, low end close to the shower/tub seat. As she stands she will stand into the higher part of the bar and find support. If parallel to the ground Id probably go for fold of the wrist height based on her standing tall with arms at the side. That usually puts a 15-20 degree bend in the elbow which allows more efficient use of the arm for support and balance.

What I was going to say. I'm sure there's a standard somewhere, there is for everything else. When I installed them I assessed the stature and ability of the person and imagined what I would want if I was that guy. Then I'd hold it in place and asked them what did they think if I had a chance. One end higher than the other makes it easier, the person can grab at the height most comfortable. Just don't get the angle so steep that their hand slips.

An electronic stud finder always worked for me.

You don’t have to be disabled to use grab rail. Good Safety addition. Hasbeen

Strap toggles. No stud needed. One bolt holds 250 pounds just in drywall. Simple to get at least 2 in each end plate of a grab bar. If you happen to hit a stud, that's a bonus.
That old tile wall is plenty strong

Anyone use those grab rails that have suction cups that hold them on?

I just can't see HOW they would hold on for very long?

Thanks for any feed back!

Virgil B.

They don't hold. Ask my mother. If you need grab rails, you need them bad so do it right.

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