Reinforcement For Grab Bars

zmusashi

hey guys
For reinforcement behind tiled walls for the installation of grab bars near toilet and on bathtub/shower walls, is 3/4 plywood screwed to wall studs sufficient? This is a residence. I imagine 1/2" ply is not sufficient.
I have done 2x framing in the past but this is a full bath/shower and grab bars may be added down the road for this client in some pattern to be determined. Sheathing the wall behind the cement board seems easy.

Thanks a lot

go dart

i could not imagine 3/4" ply set on studs then substrate wouldn't be ideal if not a little overkill. (shower size?). also donner thru moen makes some excellent brackets for a thru wall install if it comes up after the fact. can't remember the rating but they are very good

zmusashi

thank you

Mike Finley

3/4 ply on a wall where down the road the clients might install grab bars is considered the standard building practice.

If you do a search online for "aging in place" you will find information about exactly what you are proposing.