There’s always been a debate of what’s better: a walk-in shower or a tub. The simple answer? It’s your choice. In reality, neither holds anything over the other. It comes down to your personal preference. This depends on any personal health requirements, the size of your bathroom, or even your desire to take a bath. Keep reading for a list of some questions to ask yourself when considering a shower or a tub.
● What do you have currently? The choice of shower or tub is something to consider whether you have a simple upgrade, or a full remodel of your bathroom.
● You can upgrade your current bathtub by including a shower extender, and shower curtain bar.
● If you’re planning on selling your home, it’s recommended not to rip out the tub. A lot of families with young children, or those who are planning on having kids, want a bathtub.
● If you have multiple bathrooms, then one of them can be converted to a walk-in shower unit, while keeping another with a tub.
“The choice of shower or tub is something to consider whether you have a simple upgrade, or a full remodel of your bathroom.”
“If your bathroom is on the smaller side, then a walk-in shower may be the best option.”
● Is there enough space? On average a tub is about 15 square feet, where the average bathroom is about 40 square feet. If your bathroom is on the smaller side, then a walk-in shower may be the best option. A standard walk-in shower is about 12 square feet, which can open up a bathroom quite a bit.
● Who’s going to be using the bathroom? For young children a tub or tub/shower combination is the best option. A walk-in shower is also great for the elderly and the disabled. It’s easier for them to maneuver into a walk-shower than a tub. In addition, one step further would be an ADA or Accessible compliant shower which has bars and a seat installed so those who need it can bathe themselves without any issues.
“For young children a tub or tub/shower combination is the best option.”
● How much water can you use? Baths tend to take more water, at about 30 gallons of water, where a shower with an energy-efficient head uses about 20 gallons.
● What’s your budget? Despite taking up more room, bathtubs are less expensive to install. On average it costs about $3,000 to install a tub, where a walk-in shower is an average of $6,000.
