There are many things that need to be considered when you are remodeling a bathroom and many decisions will have to be made including if you want a bathroom shower or bathtub. This decision will have a significant impact on the layout, the aesthetics, and the budget. We have to assume here that you do not have the required area, or a budget, that will allow you to install both. So, do you put in a shower instead of a bathtub? Or, do you put in a tub, if you do have the space for it?
It is not easy to make the right decision of bathtub vs. shower, as both these fixtures share some similarities. However, EnRich Construction is here to help. Keep reading for tips on choosing a bathroom shower vs. a bathtub.
Similarities Between a Bathroom Shower and Bathtubs
You will find both showers and bathtubs being sold in various styles. Tubs can be standard, with claw feet, free standing and not connected to the wall, tubs can be made for soaking and are larger than standard, the whirlpool which has water jets that are built in, or even varieties that you can walk into. Showers can be all of the above with stalls that are closed with curtains or sliding doors, or of the walk-in type that has no curtains nor sliding doors.
Tubs and showers can be made from various materials. This range extends from the very inexpensive acrylic all the way to the more expensive high-end tubs that are made of cast iron and coated with enamel. Showers can be made of fiberglass or of the more expensive stone.
Both these bathroom fixtures can come to you with options that give water flow that is therapeutic. Jets that are built-in to the whirlpool tubs release water blasts that massage you, while shower heads can be changed to those that are soothing and have the water falling like rain, or a waterfall.
These are the similarities, but you also need to look at the differences. To put in the fixture that best suits your needs, it is important to look at the differences of a shower and a bathtub. Let’s look at the benefits as well as the setbacks of the following two staple bathroom fixtures to ensure the money you spend on either of them is not considered a waste.
Differences Between a Bathroom Shower and Bathtubs
It is More Affordable to Install Tubs
While a tub can cost anywhere between $400 and $8,000, a shower will put you back by $450 to $10,000. Any installation of a standard bathtub or shower stall costs the least, while whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers are costlier. A whirlpool tub installation costs $4,500 on an average while the average cost of a walk-in shower is $6,000.
Showers Need Lesser Space
Standard shower stalls as well as walk-in showers require an average of 9 square feet of space, whereas even a standard bathtub will require 13 square feet of space. If your bathroom is smaller than the average and has an area of just 32 square feet, you will do well with the choice of a shower stall. Average bathrooms are 40 square feet, and so a shower would require less than a quarter of the space, whereas a tub would take away a third. So, if you replace the tub with a shower, the savings in space can be used for a double vanity for storage, or for a luxurious walk-in steam shower.
Showers Give More Accessibility
For those people who are elderly or confined to wheel-chairs, they can find it challenging to use a bathtub due to the need to climb in and out of it. On the other hand, to use a shower, they just have to open the curtain or door, and if the shower has no curbs they can even just glide in. Put in grab bars on the walls for them or have benches to make the showers user-friendly. You can also install walk-in bathtubs that can be easily accessed, but they do cost $5,500 or more for their installation.
A Good Resale Value Comes With Bathtubs
A survey by the National Association of Home Builders indicated that a little over half the people surveyed were not in favor of a master bathroom without a bathtub. To them, a full bathroom meant one with a bathtub and made for an attraction to home buyers, whether they were married or single. Additionally, parents with children or those expecting them, preferred a bathtub as it is easier to bathe children in a tub than in a shower.
Short Showers Use Less Water
Showers use 2.1 gallons of water every minute, so you would use 17 gallons for an eight minute shower (Statistics from a Home Water Works project). Even if you use your shower for 12 minutes your water bill will be lower than taking a bath. Baths require anywhere between 25 and 40 gallons in a standard bathtub, while a whirlpool tub will require anything ranging from 80 to a 100 gallons.
Showers Can be DIY Installations
Installing a tub or custom shower is better left to the pros. Tubs, if not properly handled can cause cracks in floors if dropped, while custom showers have to be built on site, as they require base waterproofing, or concrete on walls as a backing to support the glass or tiling.
However, prefabricated shower stalls or walk-in showers come in kits that you can get at home centers like Home Depot. You do need some carpentry and plumbing DIY skills, but you can take just a day to install these light-weight components including the shower’s base, its walls, a drain, and shower heads.
Last Thoughts on Choosing Between a Bathroom Shower vs. Bathtub
If you’re looking to renovate your bathroom, we hope the above pros and cons of a bathroom shower vs. a bathtub help you decide which fixture is right for you. As always, EnRich Construction is here to help with any home remodeling needs you may have. Our team prides themselves on creating effective and efficient timelines to complete remodels on a budget. So, what are you waiting for? Contact EnRich Construction today to start designing the bathroom of your dreams.