If you’re remodeling a bathroom in Metairie, it’s worth asking a question most remodels skip: will this room still work for the people who live here in ten or twenty years? A few accessible choices made now can save a second remodel later.
This guide from Big Easy Bathrooms looks at the upgrades that make the biggest difference, what to do about an old corner tub, and how permits work for a Jefferson Parish home.
Which accessible upgrades make the biggest difference in a Metairie bathroom?
The ones that remove a step, add support or let someone sit: a low or level shower entry, grab bars, a shower seat with a handheld shower, and a floor that grips when wet.
| Upgrade | What it solves |
|---|---|
| Walk-in or curbless shower | Climbing over a tub wall or a high curb |
| Grab bars with solid backing | Nothing safe to hold when stepping, sitting or turning |
| Shower seat and handheld shower | Standing on one leg to wash |
| Slip-resistant floor surfaces | Slick tile or a slippery tub bottom |
| Bright, even lighting | Shadows and night-time trips in the dark |
You don’t need all five at once. Start with whatever the people in your home struggle with most today.
Can a Metairie home have a curbless shower?
Often, yes, but it depends on the floor. A curbless shower needs the floor inside it to slope gently to the drain, which can mean lowering the floor where the shower sits.
How easy that is depends on how your house is built and what’s under the bathroom. An in-home look is the only way to know for sure.
Without a curb, the floor does the work of keeping water in. A gentle slope to the drain, a long linear drain at the entry or back wall, and a fixed glass panel all help keep the rest of the bathroom dry.
Our page on barrier-free showers in Metairie shows the level-entry showers we build, with grab bars and a seat.
What should you do about an old corner tub or garden tub?
If nobody soaks in it anymore, it’s usually the best space in the room for a larger walk-in shower. If someone still wants a bath, a walk-in tub is another option.
Corner and garden tubs often have a step or a wide ledge to climb over, which gets harder with age. They also take up floor space that a shower with a seat could use better.
Before you decide, think about who uses the tub now and who might in a few years. Removing a tub is easy to plan for and hard to undo.
Who issues permits for a bathroom remodel in Metairie?
Metairie is an unincorporated community, so building permits come from Jefferson Parish rather than a city hall.
Work that changes plumbing, wiring or walls is where permit questions usually come up. Ask your contractor which permits your project needs and who will apply for them before work starts.
A contractor who works in Jefferson Parish regularly should know the process and the inspections that come with it. Statewide, Louisiana’s construction code has used the 2021 International Residential Code for homes since January 1, 2023.
How should you plan an accessible remodel in Metairie?
Plan around the people first, then the room: who uses the bathroom, what’s hard for them now, and what might change.
- List who uses the bathroom and anything they find hard today.
- Measure the tub or shower space, the doorway and the floor in front.
- Decide on the shower entry: low curb, curbless or walk-in tub.
- Mark where grab bars and a seat will go, so backing goes in first.
- Choose floor and wall surfaces that grip and clean easily.
For a broader planning guide, see our article on where to start when remodeling a bathroom. Our Metairie service area page lists the work we do locally, and you can contact Big Easy Bathrooms or call 504-688-7786 for a free estimate in Metairie.
Frequently asked questions
Does Big Easy Bathrooms work in Metairie?
Yes. Metairie is one of the areas Big Easy Bathrooms serves, along with New Orleans, Abita Springs, Covington, Hammond, Madisonville, Mandeville and Slidell.
Is a curbless shower or a walk-in shower better for aging in place?
A curbless shower suits anyone who uses a wheelchair, walker or shower chair, since there’s nothing to step over. A walk-in shower with a low curb works well when everyone in the home walks steadily.
Can we make a bathroom accessible without changing its layout?
Often, yes. Replacing a tub with a walk-in shower in the same space, adding grab bars and a seat, and improving the lighting can all happen without moving walls.
What should we ask a contractor about an accessible remodel?
Ask where the grab bars and seat will go, how the shower entry will work for the person using it, and what’s behind the walls to anchor them. Ask to see the layout on a drawing before work starts.
Do we need a permit to replace a tub with a shower in Metairie?
It depends on the scope of the work, especially any plumbing changes. Jefferson Parish handles permits for Metairie, so ask your contractor to confirm what your project needs.
