When you’re remodeling a bathroom and going through the process of deciding things, you may come across the shower vs bathtub situation. If you want to know whether to opt for a bathtub or a shower during your bathroom remodeling, here are some key considerations to keep in mind.
Choosing Between A Walk-In Shower And A Bathtub
The Installation
You need to know about the installation and how easy it is to get the two things installed in your bathroom.
Walk-In Showers
Walk-in showers are great options if you don’t want to fuss too much with the space or installation. You just need to hook the shower to a water connection and you’re good to go. This is really great if you are renting a place and you don’t want to deal with something too heavy and big.
Showers are also quick to get installed, because there is little to no work involved other than connecting the shower to the main water line, connecting the faucets and boom! You’re ready for shower time. It is easy and you will love it.
Bathtubs
Bathtubs are not as hard to install either, especially if you’re going for a freestanding bathtub in the bathroom. Of course, it is going to be heavy, but that is to be expected when you’re lugging around a huge, human-sized bathtub in the bathroom.
As for installation, it is also relatively easy as compared to showers, because other than the huge size of the bathtub, the connections are pretty similar to showers. So, if you like soaking in a bathtub, then this is for you.
Space Required
Next up is the space and even though most people love the idea of baths, they don’t go for it, because there is just no space in their bathrooms for a big bathtub.
Walk-In Showers
Walk-in showers are basically shower cubicles that you can install in one corner of the bathroom with a drain. It is small and it is space-saving. So, if you have a small bathroom, then you can go for it and it will be quite all right.
This is something that a lot of people love, because it is an enclosed space and they won’t get the whole bathroom wet in the process.
Bathtubs
You need a considerable amount of space to a install bathtub because it will take up a huge chunk of the floor space in the bathroom. If you live in a small studio apartment, then a bathtub isn’t for you. You need space for it, otherwise, you’ll be tackling your way through things in the bathroom and that is not what you want.
So, if you have a decent-sized bathroom, then you can go for a bathtub and it will certainly satisfy your inner bath lover. It is worth a shot for medium-sized bathrooms.
Water Usage
Next up is the water usage and this is where a lot of people tend to go for different options, even though they may have other things in mind.
Walk-In Showers
Walk-in showers are amazing for a lot of reasons, one of them being that they are extremely water-efficient. Showers spray the water instead of a thick stream and in this way, the water used is way less than you think. This is great and it also cuts down on the water bills, so you know that you’re getting a good deal.
Bathtubs
Bathtubs are meant to be filled with water, and even if you don’t fill the tub up all the way, you might still need more water than you would use for a shower than for a bathtub. This is why bathtubs are generally unpopular, because they use a lot of water and all of that water ends up going to waste down the drain.
If you’re going to waste water, then at least it shouldn’t be too much like gallons of water draining down. People generally love bathtubs a lot, even more than showers, but this can change their minds.
Maintenance
The next thing to go over is the maintenance. You want to go for things that don’t require a lot of maintenance. Taking care of things is okay, but you don’t want things to get overboard, all in the name of maintenance.
Walk-In Showers
When it comes to walk-in showers, you don’t need to do a lot. There is little to no maintenance involved in showers other than cleaning the shower head from time to time, fixing up any leakage in the pipes leading to the shower and other things like that. You will have a breeze with walk-in showers.
Bathtubs
Bathtubs not that maintenance-heavy either. You don’t need to do anything for them either, other than just cleaning the faucet, fixing any problems with it and things like that. If you want the drain to be foolproof, then try not to obstruct it, as it is the only way for the water to go down.
And if there is something lodged in the drain, then the bathtub won’t be able to empty out. This is important to look after and this is pretty much all that you need to do.
Versatility
Walk-In Showers
Walk-in showers are amazing and all that, but that doesn’t mean that they’re the best. Walk-in showers are great for people who can stand up easily and wash themselves. They’re not exactly the best for kids and even the elderly, because they can have a hard time standing on the slippery floor and that is just an accident waiting to happen.
You also can’t give your pets a bath in a shower, because it is less restrictive and you can’t find a place to set your pet down and give them a good scrubbing. This is why showers, as amazing as they are, can be less versatile and that is not what you want.
Bathtubs
As for bathtubs, they are really great for kiddos as well as people who prefer to sit down and take a bath. They’re great for patients with bone issues and even balance issues, because there is nothing they need to worry about other than getting in and out of the tub.
A bathtub is also great to wash things like long rugs as well as carpets, because the space is enclosed and you don’t need to worry about water going everywhere. It will all stay in the tub and you’ll be good to go.
Cost
You also need to consider the costs of the two things.
Walk-In Showers
As for walk-in showers, they are a lot cheaper than bathtubs, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be expensive, either. If you’re going for really fancy showers with a lot of functions, then it is obviously going to cost you a lot.
Bathtubs
A bathtub generally is initially expensive, but as long as you go for something basic, you don’t need to worry about spending too much on it. Moreover, a bathtub adds value to your home.
Conclusion
Bathtubs and showers both have their own merits and demerits, and now you know exactly which one to choose with this guide. You can also take help from a bathroom remodeling contractor Silver Spring for choosing bathroom features that are practical and also add value.