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What Is the Ella Grab Bar and How Is It Used?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary6
  1. Grab Bars on a Walk-In Tub
  2. Grab Bars on an Ella Shower
  3. Washers, Finish Marks and Custom Finishes
  4. Related Guides
  5. Related Videos
  6. Common Questions

An Ella grab bar is a fixed metal handhold mounted on a walk-in tub or an Ella shower so the bather has something solid to hold on to. Ella walk-in tubs come with grab bars on the sidewall inside the bathing well and a deck-mount grab bar on the rim, while Ella one-piece showers ship with three 24 inch stainless steel grab bars with concealed flanges. A bar has to carry a bather's weight, so the tub bars are bolted through the shell and the shower bars are screwed into solid backing, which is why a bar that does not fit is handled the way described in The 24 Inch Grab Bar Does Not Fit the Back Wall of My One-Piece Shower rather than by drilling somewhere else.

Grab Bars on a Walk-In Tub

The S-Class video on this page shows the two kinds of bar on a walk-in tub: sidewall grab bars inside the tub and a deck grab bar on the rim, both listed as safety features alongside the low threshold and the textured floor.

  • Interior grab bars. These are installed at the factory and bolted through the acrylic shell. Their mounting hole spacing matters when a bar is replaced, so a replacement is matched to your tub rather than chosen by size alone.
  • Deck-mount grab bar. This bar is not installed when the tub ships. It is packed loose in the parts box inside the crate, together with the door handle, and your installer mounts it on the deck. Its fittings seal with rubber washers.

Grab Bars on an Ella Shower

An Ella shower kit ships with the stall, the drain and the grab bar set listed for that kit, packed loose rather than pre-installed. One-piece showers have shipped with three 24 inch stainless steel bars with concealed flanges: one mounted horizontally on the back wall and the others on the side walls, as the product images and spec sheet show. Mounting them is part of the installation, and every bar must be anchored into solid backing to carry a bather's weight, following the backing requirements in the installation instructions. Confirm the bar count against your order when you unpack; the full kit contents are in What Comes in the Box With an Ella Shower Kit, and What You Still Need to Buy.

On some one-piece sizes the flat span of the back wall is shorter than 24 inches, so the bar cannot be anchored securely at both ends. That is a packaging mismatch, not a defect. Do not drill the wall or modify the bar. Measure the span, photograph the bar held against the wall, and open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850. The team confirms the mismatch and arranges an 18 inch concealed-flange bar so the shower can be finished as drawn.

Washers, Finish Marks and Custom Finishes

If a rubber washer for the deck-mount grab bar is missing or worn, the team can send just that washer. Because washers come in more than one style, send a photo of the other washers on the same part with your model and serial number, as explained in Missing or Worn Faucet Hose Washer? How to Get a Matching Replacement.

The finish around a grab bar is the most common place for fine cracks or whitening to appear, because the bar is bolted through the shell and pressure at the mounting points can show in the finish over time, even on a bar that is rarely used. Marks like these are usually in the finish itself and can often be repaired in place by a local acrylic refinisher. The process starts with photos, as described in Cracks or Stress Marks in the Acrylic Finish: How a Local Refinisher Repair Is Arranged.

Owners who want the bars plated in a custom finish can have a contractor remove them after delivery, but plating is a modification and the published warranty excludes tubs modified by anyone other than Ella's Bubbles. Ask the team about coverage first, test one part before removing the rest, and reinstall each bar snugly with every gasket in place.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Introducing The S-Class Walk-In Tub This chapter introduces the S-Class walk-in tub and its easy-entry S-shaped door.
  2. 0:20 Convenient Features And Fast Faucet This chapter highlights the convenient towel bar, sleek acrylic finish, and fast-fill faucet with a multi-function showerhead.
  3. 0:42 Safety Grab Bars And Efficient Drain This chapter shows the sidewall and deck grab bars, the easy-to-turn drain opener, and the fast-draining two-inch drain.
  4. 0:59 Optional Heated Seat Feature This chapter mentions the available option of a heated seat for added comfort.

Watch: The S-Class: Walk-In Tub with Easy Entry & Heated Seat: Comfortable & Safe Bathing | Ella's Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 S-Class Tub Features Ella's S-Class walk-in tubs feature a low threshold, textured floor, and a sturdy stainless steel frame.
  2. 0:46 Innovative Jetting Design Ella's walk-in tubs are known for their innovative jetting design, including hydro and air massage systems.
  3. 1:26 Faucet Sets and Safety Features Customers can choose from various fast-fill faucet sets, and the tubs include grab bars and a secure door latch for safety.
  4. 1:50 Optional Accessories for Comfort Ella's offers several accessories like a heated seat, glass screen, and support pillows for enhanced comfort.

Common Questions

Does the deck-mount grab bar come installed on the tub?
No. The deck-mount grab bar and the door handle are packed loose in the parts box inside the crate and are not installed when the tub ships. Your installer mounts the bar on the deck during installation. The interior sidewall bars are installed at the factory.
Why does the 24 inch shower grab bar not fit my back wall?
On some one-piece shower sizes the flat span of the back wall is shorter than 24 inches, so the bar cannot be anchored at both ends. It is a packaging mismatch, not a defect. Send photos of the span and the bar to ellasbubbles.com/support and the team arranges an 18 inch concealed-flange bar.
Can I get a single washer for the deck-mount grab bar?
Yes. The team can send just the washer you need. Photograph the other washers still in place on the same part so the style and color can be matched, and include your model and serial number with the ticket.
Why are there fine cracks in the finish around my grab bar?
The bar is bolted through the shell, and pressure at the mounting points can show up over time as fine cracks or whitening in the finish. These marks are usually in the finish itself and can often be repaired in place by a local acrylic refinisher. Start by sending photos and your serial number to the team.
Do I install the shower grab bars myself or does Ella?
Ella does not send technicians, so the bars are mounted by your installer as part of the shower installation. They ship loose and must be anchored into solid backing that meets the requirements in the installation instructions. If a bar location has no backing, the installer addresses that before any bar goes on.
Can the grab bars be plated to match my other fixtures?
Your contractor can remove the bars after delivery and send them to a plating shop, but Ella does not plate parts and cannot advise on the process. Plating is a modification, and the warranty excludes tubs modified by anyone other than Ella's Bubbles, so ask the team how it affects coverage before you start.

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