The Shower Stall vs. The Bath Tub: What You Need to Know for Your Bathroom Renovation

The latest designs in bathroom renovation ditch the once-popular shower and bathtub combo in exchange for one or the other: either a freestanding bathtub or a separate glass paneled shower. If you’ve got the budget (and enough room in your home) for both, then by all means, go for it. But for many homeowners — especially those with small bathroom spaces and even smaller budgets — there comes a time to choose between the big and bulky bathtub and the small and slender shower. For your next bathroom renovation project, consider the pros and cons of each one to help you make the best choice.

Bathtub Pros
There are definite upsides to bathtubs. For families with small children, the pros are obvious. For married couples looking for romance and athletes looking for muscle relief, the pros are more subtle. Explore the advantages and find what speaks to you. 

• Great for post-workout relaxation and minor injury recovery: the bathtub is a simple home remedy for sore muscles. Sit back and soak up the satisfaction.
• Rubber ducky ready: kids love bath time (and so does the dog)!
• Find the perfect fit: from a tiny tub to Tony “Scarface” Montana’s super spa, unlimited bathtub sizes accommodate any size bathroom.
• Feel the freedom of freestanding units: finished on all sides, you can put a freestanding bathtub just about anywhere.
• Endless design options: Signature styles. Multiple materials. Find the functional and fashion-forward bathtub of your dreams.
• Specially equipped for added comfort: air jets and whirlpool versions elevate the bathtub experience.
• Ready for romance: just add the candles and bubbles.

Bathtub Cons
A bathtub also has its downsides. The potential dangers are less than ideal for seniors and the disabled. Plus, the jacked up water bills do little to help first-time homebuyers looking to save a buck. Consider the cons of a bathtub for your bathroom renovation.   

• Dangerous for the elderly and the injured: climbing in and out puts you at risk of slip and fall.
• Large and in charge: bathtubs take up prime bathroom real estate you might want for other furniture and fixtures.
• Harder on your water bill: baths use more water than a quick shower.
• More expensive in the heat of the moment: a hot bath requires an adequate water heater.
• Filling the bathtub fills the time: if you’re in a rush, a five-minute wash and rinse is out of the question.

Shower Pros
Whether you want to save time, money, water, space or even the planet, the shower stall does the trick. Consider the parts on the plus side of the page. 

• Fast and efficient: showers keep your water bill down.
• Quick and convenient: jump in and jump out. Easily wash from head to toe.
• Safety first: showers promote easy access ideal for mobility issues. Add grab bars, non-slip tiles and benches for extra security.
• Better for the planet: the earth loves a small footprint.
• Built for high-end upgrades: add rain showers, jets, steam options and other luxuries.
• Shower enclosures keep the water inside: a smart alternative to shower-bath combos that get the floor wet 90% of the time.
• A real space saver: stick the shower in the corner and save room for other amenities.

Shower Cons
In the minus column are price, practicality (for some families) and patience (for fixing leaks). Think about the downsides of a shower stall.

• First and foremost: price. Elegant shower units are expensive.
• Impractical for families with small children: no bathtub means no corralling kids into a bath time.
• More cleaning and maintenance: shower doors are vulnerable to visible lime and calcium stains.
• Hard-to-fix leaks require time to fix, glue and dry: expect to start your morning without a shower for any given length of time.

What You Need to Know
For any bathroom renovation, always consider your home’s resale value. Neglecting a bathtub in a one-bathroom home could limit the number of potential buyers and keep your home on the market for longer. Consider also the buyer pool for your community. Where young families demand a bathtub, retired adults probably prefer a shower. The best case scenario is having two bathrooms in your home: one for a tub and the other for a shower. The best compromise for a one-bathroom house is a bathtub and shower combo unit.

Looking for more helpful tips to build your dream bathroom? Reach out to NDA Kitchens today!