Enhancing Accessibility in the Kitchen : Exploring Worktop Lifts
Worktop Brackets
Worktop brackets are a solution to increase accessibility in your kitchen. They are mounted to the wall and then you place your worktop surface on top of it.
The support brackets allow you to adjust the height of the worktop to suit your needs. This product is designed for an individual that is not looking to adjust the height of the worktop frequently, but would like the capability to do so if necessary. These brackets serve as reliable supports for various worktops, not only in the kitchen but they can also be used in study rooms or commercial areas, again where only occasional adjustments are needed.
One of the key features of these support brackets is their ability to provide infinite height adjustments. This means that users can fine-tune the positioning of their worktops with precision, ensuring the height of the worktop is customised to the exact needs of the individual. This adaptability ensures that the brackets can accommodate a wide range of requirements, making them a valuable addition to any kitchen or workspace.
Read more about Worktop Support Brackets
Fixed, Reduced-Height Worktops
Fixed, reduced-height worktops in adapted kitchens are another great way to make your kitchen more accessible. These specialised worktops are designed to be lower than standard kitchen worktops, making them ideal for individuals with mobility limitations or those who use wheelchairs. There are several benefits associated with fixed, reduced-height worktops in adapted kitchens.
One of the primary advantages of these worktops is the improved accessibility. Lowered work surfaces allow individuals with mobility challenges to comfortably reach and use kitchen appliances and worktop spaces, promoting greater independence in daily cooking and food preparation tasks. This design also fosters inclusivity, ensuring that people of all abilities can participate in cooking and mealtime activities together.
However, there are some disadvantages to consider when installing fixed, reduced-height worktops in an adapted kitchen. One obvious drawback is that they are not easily adjustable. If you choose to change to height-adjustable worktops in the future, you may need to make alterations to your kitchen's plumbing infrastructure. The plumbing fixtures, such as sinks and faucets, are typically installed at a fixed height corresponding to the lowered worktops. Transitioning to adjustable worktops will require installing flexible hoses and wastes, potentially resulting in added costs and inconvenience. If you would like to benefit from the enhanced accessibility of a fixed, reduced-height worktop, but are looking for a more innovative solution, then continue reading to find out about manual and electric height adjustable worktops.
What is a worktop lift?
A worktop lift is a mechanical kitchen unit that is either manual or electric. It raises and lowers the worktop to improve accessibility. It is also known as a rise and fall worktop or a height adjustable worktop.
How would a rise and fall worktop benefit me?
A rise and fall worktop can help to adapt your kitchen to make it more accessible. A worktop lift has space below it, unlike standard worktops. This gives wheelchair users knee space, allowing them to sit below the worktop and therefore cook and prepare food comfortably.
Additionally, the user can adjust the height of the worktop. This not only means the worktop can be customised to the perfect height for a sitting user, but also altered to the height required for a standing user, making it the perfect addition to your kitchen.
If you expect wheelchair and non-wheelchair users to both be using the kitchen at the same time, we recommend purchasing multiple smaller worktop units rather than one long length unit. This means you can customise the height of each part of the worktop, allowing both sitting and standing users to cook and use the kitchen together with ease.
What can I use my worktop lift for?
A worktop lift has many of the same features you would expect from a standard kitchen worktop. They can be made in varying lengths ranging from 600mm to 2400mm, with the maximum length that can be achieved through the addition of a Plusmodule being 4800mm. There are also corner modules available for 90° or 45° walls.
These features mean that whatever the shape or size of your kitchen, there is a combination of worktop lift modules that will work for you, and allow you to create a fully height adjustable kitchen.
There are also plenty of accessories that can be added to your worktops:
- Controls/switches
- Drawers and cutlery trays
- Hanging cabinets + bins
- Cover panels and hose guards
The worktop lifts come in depths: 40mm and 103mm. The depth of your rise and fall worktop will determine what accessories are available to you.
If the 40mm (LA) depth is chosen, then the worktop lift will be suitable for hobs and basic worktops. You will only be able to use mini-buttons and the isolation switch to adjust the height and control the hob.
If you opt for the 103mm (HA) depth, then there will be more accessories available to you. This depth is needed to insert shallow bowl sinks and for drawers (note - drawers cannot be located below a cooking hob due to the fire risk). This depth is also suitable for hobs and can be controlled using mini-buttons and the isolation switch. However, unlike the LA, larger paddle buttons can be used on the thicker HA frame.
The average weight limit for the height adjustable worktops is 100kg evenly distributed.
What are the types of height adjustable worktops?
The next thing to consider is which type of worktop lift you should include in your home. There are two types of rise and fall worktops: electric and manual.
Manual
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There are two types of manual worktop lifts, but both must be wall mounted. The first option is a worktop with a crank handle that requires rotation by one person with good upper-body strength to adjust the worktop height. The second option is a gas assisted unit which can be lifted and lowered by two non-disabled people. If you choose to buy cover panels for the legs, then these must be removed prior to adjusting the height, as access is needed to the legs to lift and lower the worktop lift.
A benefit of choosing a manual height adjustable worktop system is that it is generally cheaper than the equivalent electric version.
Secondly, a manual system is ideal for occasional adjustment, such as in a nursing home or hospital. It means you have the flexibility and option to change the height if you need to in future, but you can set it to the perfect height for you to use the kitchen independently now.
Read more about Manual Worktop Lifts
Electric
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If you decide that you are likely to want to adjust the height of your worktops more regularly, then you may appreciate the flexibility of an electric worktop lift. An electric system may be the best option if there are wheelchair and non-wheelchair users living together, or if the wheelchair user has multiple wheelchairs that vary in height.
An electric rise and fall worktop can be floor- or wall-mounted. This means that if you realise that your walls are not strong enough to support the wall-mounted version, you have the choice to floor-mount your worktop lift. However, you must ensure that the floor beneath the unit does not have underfloor heating or any other services that may interfere with the assembly of the unit.
The main advantage of an electric worktop lift is that no upper-body strength is required to change the height of the worktop. The height of the worktop is adjusted using buttons on the front facia. There are two sizes of control buttons, and the larger buttons do not require good hand dexterity.
Additionally, with the electric rise and fall worktops, there are hanging cabinets available if you would like to increase your kitchen storage. This makes preparing meals easier as you can store food close to you and grab what you need quickly. There are also waste bins specifically made for the hanging cabinets, meaning that you can easily discard food waste when cooking.
