ADA toilet paper height: why it matters and how to get it right
ADA toilet paper height, or the proper dispensing height of ADA toilet paper, may seem like an obscure point to cover, but this detail matters more than you might think. If you’ve ever walked into a public bathroom and found that the dispenser was too low or too high, you know how frustrating it can be to try to reach that last sheet of toilet paper—and if there are other people in the restroom, you don’t want to be waiting around for someone else to pull it down!
What Is an ADA Toilet?
An ADA toilet is a kind of commode designed for people with disabilities. It has certain features that make it easier for someone in a wheelchair or who is limited by mobility problems to use. In general, the seat height is 18 inches from the floor and there are grab bars on both sides of the toilet, which also have wider armrests to make them more comfortable. There are also other types of fixtures that can be installed in these toilets as well.
Why Does ADA Paper Size Matter?
While there are many other things to take into consideration when designing a bathroom, getting the height of the toilet paper rolls just right is important. It ensures that they’re not so high that they’re unapproachable but not so low that they become unwieldy. We don’t want an awkward reach every time someone needs to use the bathroom! In order to get this ADA-approved height on your own, follow these easy steps.
First off, make sure you have enough space at the top of the dispenser for taller rolls. You’ll need enough room for about three inches above each roll – more if you’re using jumbo-sized sheets. Next, pick up a roll and measure from where it comes out to its edge. Finally, install your new dispenser at this measurement or close to it so that all users can access them easily and comfortably.
How Do I Measure My Toilet Paper Roll Height?
To know if you have the right ADA-approved toilet paper, follow these three steps. First, measure the distance between your original floor to the top of your lavatory. Next, take a piece of paper and measure the distance from one edge to the other—this is called your paper width.
Last, measure the length from one side to the other—this is your roll length. If you find that your measurements are within an inch or so of the measurements recommended for standard toilet paper rolls by the American Disabilities Act (see image below), congratulations! You’ve got ADA-compliant toilet paper that’s sure to make everyone happy. If not, though, then don’t worry! There are several ways to fix this issue with an easy DIY project that can be completed in less than five minutes.
What If I Can’t Find the Right Paper Size?
If you can’t find the desired size, you have two options. You can either scale up the paper by making it wider. If you have space for a wider roll, this is a good option. Otherwise, you may be able to scale down by making the sheet taller on each sheet. Either way, consult with a manufacturing expert before scaling up or down because some designs cannot be scaled without degrading quality. When done correctly, ADA paper height shouldn’t make your bathroom stand out as being inaccessible; instead, it should simply fit in seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ADA toilet Paper Height? The maximum height that most people can comfortably reach, without leaning or bending from the waist, is 18 inches from the floor. What does this have to do with the Bathroom? Everything. How high your Toilet Paper Dispenser is positioned on the wall determines what type of Toilet Paper you are able to use.
The Bottom Line
The ADA’s guidelines state that the standard height for toilet paper should be 17 inches. It is important to follow this guideline because those with disabilities may not be able to reach higher without any assistance. There are two different methods in which you can measure the required heights of a bathroom’s fixtures – diagonally or vertically.
About the Author
Bryan Rogers is a freelance web designer that lives in Austin, Texas. He specializes in responsive WordPress website design, content management systems (CMS) like Drupal, Joomla, or WordPress itself, and open source frameworks like Bootstrap. Bryan is always trying to build the best user experience possible by integrating his skills as a designer with his love of technology.
