Introduction:
When deciding between walk in shower vs. bathtub, consider your routine, the space of your bathroom and your future goals. A bathtub might be necessary for families with young children and pets. Whereas a walk in shower is easy maintenance and accessible, making it the trending feature of recent remodels. It provides a comfortable bathing experience for family members with mobility issues. When upgrading your bathroom, it’s best to keep both for purposes of practicality and resale.
Want an Open and Airy Bath or Love a Deeply Immersive Experience? Choose What’s Best For your Bathroom Remodel
It’s not easy to choose between a walk in shower and a bathtub when planning a bathroom remodel. Both have their distinct appeal and usages. Think about your current and future needs and whether you plan to age in the house before making the final decision. For a safe bet, it’s best to keep both if you have space to improve your home’s appeal and market value.
| Fast Fact The walk in shower market value was $7.2 billion in 2024, and it is expected to reach $12.4 billion by 2033 growing at a CAGR of 5.5%. A walk in tub market is expected to reach 941.6 million by 2028. |
Read on if you want to understand the difference between a walk in shower and a bathtub, and which one suits your remodeling plans.
- Consider your Space and Layout
When deciding between a walk in shower vs a bathtub, you should consider the bathroom size and its layout. Walk in showers can maximize space and make a small compact bathroom feel more spacious. If space is not an issue, you can go ahead with modern free standing bathtubs and give a luxurious touch to your remodeling project.
- Consider Accessibility Factor
Step over walls of a bathtub can be a challenge for older people or those with mobility issues. However walk in bathtubs provide a comfortable living experience. Walk in showers are ideal for families with people using wheelchairs to have a comfortable bathing experience.
- Compare the Costs of a Walk in Shower and a Bathtub
A high end walk in shower can be a costly installation and may not be within the budgetary range of many homeowners. Customizing it with benches, niches, and frameless glass doors and custom tile can increase the cost. However affordable options are also available in the market.
Bathtubs are more affordable but also vary in price. Installing one comes with its fair share of costs but enhances your bathroom’s value.
- Consider the maintenance Requirements
A walk in shower requires less maintenance and is easy to clean. A smooth flat surface can be easily wiped down, making the cleaning task effortless. However you need to be vigilant in wiping the water marks from the glass doors to keep them spotless.
Removing soap scum from the bathtub surface and cleaning the drain and nooks can be a real challenge. When choosing between the two, consider the seesaw of maintenance and which option suits your lifestyle.
- The Environmental Impact
Walkin shower with water saving shower heads can be ideal for homeowners aiming for water efficiency. If you prefer quick showers choose walkin showers. However if you are more inclined towards a relaxing soak, a bathtub is the right choice for your bathroom remodel.
- Consider Your Future Goals
Walkin showers are convenient to use and are ideal for people with busy schedules and hectic lifestyles as well as for those with mobility issues. Bathtubs on the other hand are ideal for families with children and pets. If you are planning to age in place, consider having both to suit the needs of all family members.
| Did you know? More than 25% of older people in the US report at least one fall each year. |
Conclusion
If you have space, the best solution is to have a combination of both walk in shower and a bathtub. Go for bathubs if you want therapeutic relaxation. Soaking in a warm bath reduces stress and provides a spa like experience but bathtubs take up more space and can make a small bathroom feel more compact. They can cause a tripping hazard and are difficult to clean and maintain compared to a walkin shower. The final decision depends on the available space, your budgetary constraints, future goals and your style preferences.
FAQs
What is the downside of a walk in shower?
The cold floors in winter can be a major downside of walk in showers unless you plan to install radiant heated floors beneath your shower area.
What raises the home value the most?
An updated kitchen and bathroom offer the most impressive ROI when it comes to renovation projects that improve home value.
Is a bathtub or a shower better for increasing the home’s resale value?
Despite the walk in showers becoming increasingly popular in recent years, many surveys show that homes with at least one tub sell faster in family centric market.