Which One Is Best For You, What To Install Inside Your Bathroom?
The bathroom may be one of the smallest rooms in your home, but it is one of the most commonly used rooms. This little space is where the start and end of the day are. When considering a bathroom remodeling project, homeowners often decide between a walk-in bathtub and a walk-in shower. The following questions can help you decide which one is the right choice.
Things to be considered before purchasing a tub or walk-in shower:
Who might use this bathroom?
Who is the most important person to use the bathing facilities in your home? Busy middle-aged couples and their busy schedules tend to be drawn to walk-in showers. It’s convenient and fast. However, the shower is not practical if you have children at home. When it comes to bathing babies and toddlers, the bathtub is more accessible. If you’re planning to start a family, you’ll want at least one bathtub in your home.
A walk-in shower is a good investment in your future if you want to age in place. Elderly and disabled people can quickly get in and out of the walk-in shower. However, for the elderly and disabled, having a place to sit and bathe can be a safety issue. The walk-in bathtub is a great solution.
What is your design preference?
The shower said it is more attractive because all the glass gives it a cool and modern look. Aesthetics are important because you may want to sell your property at some point in the future, and showers are certainly more attractive to potential home buyers of the younger generation.
However, the only thing that impresses me in terms of design is the large shower, but the smaller and cheaper variations are less attractive. Luxury and luxury are more often associated with ultra-modern bathtubs.
If you want your bathroom to resemble a spa or any luxurious bath, you can add luxury to your bathroom by installing a round or square tub. The contemporary design of the bathtub is made of glossy or matte acrylic, so you can quickly focus on any bathroom.
Pure enjoyment?
For many, a bathroom is more than a room with running water. The Romans had their baths in the complete pool, while the eastern world had their luxurious bath styles. In the west, luxury spa centers in urban areas play a hygienic and social role.
It’s no wonder that many people use toilets as shelters worldwide. A shower is not enough, as a long bubble bath with fragrant salt is much more beneficial. If you are such a hedonist or a pleasure-seeker, the only wise choice for your bathroom is the bathtub.
But if your idea of relaxation doesn’t include soaking in a (whirlpool) tub, or if you want to take a shower before work in the morning, then a walk-in shower is a better option.
Unfortunately, busy life has little time for personal hygiene habits.
Health benefits of both options?
Hot baths do more than have a physical effect on people. The bath is an ideal tonic for muscle soreness and is suitable for treating athletes and sports injuries. Choose a bathtub model with an air jet and whirlpool to enjoy a spa-like treatment while relaxing at home.
The sound of running water has calmed our nerves for thousands of years, but running water (or rather splashing) has other health benefits: detoxification of the whole body, uplifting mood, and softening skin. Then adding gelatin to the “mixture” can improve anti-aging effects or hydration. Bath salts can relieve pain, relax muscles and reduce inflammation.
All these health benefits apply to showers. Since the whole body is not soaked in water, the degree is small. However, a jet of water from the shower handle relieves muscle aches, increases oxytocin levels, and opens the sinuses.
All these are ideal for relieving the stress that has become a chronic pandemic in modern life. Some doctors recommend a cold shower to relieve depression and anxiety.
How much space is available?
An average bathroom is about 40 square feet, and a standard bathtub occupies 15 square feet. The bathroom is a busy space in the house and can be uncomfortable and stressful when it looks cramped. The shower is only about 12 square meters for small bathrooms, which is a good choice. It may not seem like much, but it makes a big difference and can make the room feel more spacious.
How much maintenance is involved?
Whether you choose a luxury tub or a modern looking walk-in shower, regular maintenance is required. For example, the bathtub is dirty after bathing and full of dead skin follicles, dirt, and hair.
If you don’t use it for a few days, fine dust will collect on the bottom of the bathtub. Therefore, it should be scrubbed weekly (preferably) and washed with water after each bath. Also, if you notice a lack of enamel, you should contact the plumber immediately. These chips are highly toxic and are intended to prevent them from floating in the bath water.
Even the shower is not maintenance-free. The biggest problem with the shower room is the wall. The walls are constantly splashed with dirty water, leaving unsightly stains every time you take a shower. To get rid of all the dirt, limescale (here, water hardness is a significant factor), and limescale, you need many scrubs to make the glass look good.
What is presently in your bathroom?
Consider replacing all large bathtubs with walk-in showers when planning a bathroom remodeling project. Real estate professionals advise against it. You must have a shower/tub combo if your home has a single bathroom. However, if your house has multiple bathrooms, you have different options. Here are some feasible options.
- If you have a tub in your small guest bathroom, you can replace it with a walk-in shower to provide space for changing clothes.
- If your main suite includes a bathtub, consider keeping it and updating it only for resale value. If you never use it, we recommend that you replace it with a walk-in shower.
What’s your bathroom remodeling budget?
Walk-in tubs are more expensive than walk-in showers. However, the convenience of showers has become the most trending choice of shower and bath solutions. Most homeowners often choose to upgrade their showers when remodeling their bathrooms. Modernized bathrooms can increase resale value by up to 20%. The total cost of a walk-in tub or shower depends on the brand and the features you add.
Of all the considerations that go into bathroom refurbishment, the choice of installing a bathtub or just a shower will affect the overall look and layout, not to mention the budget. It would help if you chose between them, assuming you don’t have square feet or money to invest in both. Would you like to replace the bathtub with a shower room? Or do you make room to move from the shower to the bath? Bathtubs and showers can be difficult, especially since the two have similarities.
- Both are sold in different styles. Bathtubs are available in standard, claw-foot, self-supporting or freestanding (separated from the wall), immersion (more profound and more comprehensive than standard), whirlpool (with built-in water jet), and walk-in types. Showers are provided in cubicles with doors or curtains and walk-in showers without doors or curtains.
- Both are available in multiple materials. Bathtubs can be made from various materials, from affordable acrylic to premium enamel cast iron.
- Both offer therapeutic water flow options. The whirlpool has a built-in jet that discharges massage water into the bathtub. The shower can be fitted with a rain or waterfall shower head that calmly discharges water.
Aside from the similarities, there are far more differences between bathtubs and showers. A complete understanding of them will help you avoid spending money on things that don’t fit your needs. Next, we’ll explore the pros and cons of these major bathroom fixtures.
The Pros and Cons of a Walk-in Bathtub
Unlike standard bathtubs, walk-in bathtubs have a lower threshold, high walls, built-in seats, and doors open for bathers.
Pros:
- It is safer and more convenient for the elderly and the disabled. It is an ideal choice for home care.
- Provides deeper water depth for a more comfortable and immersive bathing experience (A regular walk-in tub can hold up to 50 gallons of water. While a traditional tub can hold up to 42 gallons, some of that water is replaced when you enter the tub).
- Additional features include railings, burn prevention valves, non-slip floors, etc.
Cons:
- The bathtub cannot be pre-filled with water. You need to go in and sit down and start adding water. Similarly, the tub should be emptied before it finishes.
- Installation can be expensive.
The Pros and Cons of a Walk-in Showers
Walk-in showers don’t need a door and are free from curtains and a tub, so you can enter them without navigating any steps or obstacles. These modern showers may be partially enclosed with half walls and panes of glass or open with no surrounding barriers, offering a unique bathing experience.
Walk-in showers are trendy today and can be an element of a separate bathroom. Since there is no bathtub, it is narrower than the conventional shower tray combo and has a space-saving function. If space is not an issue, the walk-in shower is large enough for two people and may include equipment such as massage shower head. Consider their strengths and weaknesses:
Pros:
- Can take less space and free up space
- There are few places to collect water and dirt, and it is often easy to clean.
- Trends, often selling points.
Cons:
- Not practical for children
- Possibility of slipping
Final Thoughts
After all, when it comes to bathtub and walk-in shower issues, several factors determine the best choice. Consider the size of your bathroom, the people who use it, what you need, and what you like, and make your choice!
