ROSELLE PARK, N.J., July 19, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- (WITH PACKAGE) As the leading edge of baby boomers enters their fifties, bathrooms are being turned into personal retreats with upgrades such as in-room media centers, luxury whirlpool tubs, dual showerheads and grab bars. Bathroom renovation, the second most popular home-improvement, is a $10 billion-a-year industry according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
Grab bars, once perceived only as a necessity for the elderly or disabled, are now viewed as a luxury accessory, according to Sal Sisto, President of Pinnacle Innovations, Inc., Roselle Park, N.J. "Homeowners are installing grab bars in tubs and showers as a convenience and safety item for themselves, their children and their parents."
"In the past, in order to meet safety guidelines, installation was costly and often required a homeowner or contractor to remove tile, tear the wall open, reinforce it and patch it," says Sisto.
In 1998, Pinnacle introduced WingIt(tm), a patented waterproof and fireproof grab-bar fastening system, to the commercial industry. The fastening system enabled homeowners to mount grab bars quickly and safely, and decreased installation time by 80%.
The Grab Bar WingIt meets ADA criteria, all federal and local building codes, and is the only legal alternative to blocking. Grab bars installed with WingIts are self-waterproofing and durable.
Originally developed under a government contract to replace rivets in military aerospace jet fighters, the unique configuration was quickly adopted by major hotel chains and won a Government General Service Administration contract. WingIt was launched into the consumer market in December of 2000.
While the Industry/Labor Council estimates current grab bar installation costs to range from $267 to $531, depending on wall surface, the cost of the WingIt system and grab bar is approximately $70 and can be installed in approximately 15 minutes.
For tips on home grab-bar installation, to get information on WingIt Sure Grip Designer Grab Bars or certified nationwide WingIt installation services, call WingIt Innovations at 877-8WINGIT (877-894-6448) or visit www.wingits.com.
Photo available for this release:
This is a side view of a grab bar installed with
WingIts into Sheetrock
To view photo, go to www.enewsrelease.com/pressroom and enter
Release I.D. 28219
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Ellen Langas Campbell
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