How to Choose Between a Walk-In Shower vs. Tub
Choose between a walk-in shower and a tub for your bathroom design depending on their convenience and your preferences. In both cases, you will get plenty of options when it comes colours, designs, and styles. However, there are a few other factors that have to be taken into consideration besides thinking about your bathroom decor design. Here is a list of things that should be considered while choosing between a walk-in shower and a tub:
Time required to take a bath
When you need to take a bath fast, a shower is always the best option. After a long and tiring day when you want to wash your body quickly, a shower is more beneficial. Also, showers are more suitable for daily grooming because people often do not have the time to take long baths. Contrary to that, a tub may be more relaxing but a person requires more time while taking a bath in it. Most people may not be able to spend so much time in the morning before going to work. Hence, if you want to save time and take a quick bath, a walk-in shower is a far better option than a bathtub for your bathroom decor design.
Family’s needs
While choosing between a walk-in shower and bathtub, you need to consider not just your needs but your family members’ need too. For instance, some family members have mobility issues in many households. At times like this, a curbless shower proves to be very useful as the person can easily enter and exit the walk-in shower. Similarly, people who require a wheelchair or walking stick will find a walk-in shower more convenient to use. This is not the same with bathtubs. Old family members might find sitting in the bathtub or standing out of it difficult. On the other hand, young parents with little kids prefer bathtubs for them until they are old enough to clean themselves properly in a shower. The decision strictly depends on the needs of the family.
Consumption of water
To protect the environment, people should ensure minimum wastage of water. Hence, we should all consider opting for options that are more eco-friendly. Compared to bathtubs, showers use just two-third of the water. In some cases, the consumption of water can increase depending on the size of the bathtub. Hence, it becomes crucial to upgrade the home’s water heating system so that it can handle such abundant use of water.
On the other hand, the amount of water consumed during a shower also depends on the type of fixtures used and the length of the shower. The consumption of water can increase drastically in longer showers. It is estimated that a 10-minute shower with an average showerhead can consume up to 70 to 80 liters of water. You can control the consumption of water by reducing the shower time. However, it is not the same with bathtubs. Irrespective of how long you want to take a bath, it will consume the same amount of water. If you want to take a long bath, a tub will be a better option.
Cleaning & maintenance
Just like every element of your bathroom design, you have to ensure that cleanliness is maintained at all times irrespective of what you choose. While cleaning walk-in showers can be easy, maintaining and cleaning a tub are quite difficult. Many people do not find a tub beneficial when compared to the effort required to clean and hence, sell it. Contrary to a bathtub, cleaning a walk-in shower is very comfortable and convenient. The only thing that needs cleaning in a walk-in shower is the glass enclosure. You can just wipe it clean with a clean cloth and any cleaning solution instead of bending over and scrubbing the surface.
If you are still confused and do not know what is the best option for you, you should consider adding both a tub and shower together in the bathroom. This will add a touch of luxury to your bathroom design and make it more functional. A tub is a statement fixture and will attract more attention to the bath. Look for a shower that has a similar design and an equally elegant look. The combination will give your walk-in shower a spa-like appearance.
