The bathroom is one of the most high traffic rooms of any home. It is important to consider form and function during a bathroom renovation and that means choosing between a bath tub and shower. It’s common to see a traditional tub-shower combo in older homes but these aren’t always the best option. When navigating mobility issues, smaller bathroom spaces or looking to add value to your home it’s important to review the pros and cons of each option.
Planning Ahead For Your Bathroom Remodel
There are plenty of reasons to consider a bathroom remodel.When weighing out whether or not you are better served by a bathtub or shower it is important to weigh your lifestyle, family needs and long-term goals. For example, if you plan on selling your home you want to make sure that your bathroom space is appealing to the widest audience of potential buyers.
There is a major difference between remodelling a bathroom because you are planning to sell, creating a plan to start a family or aging in place. If you are planning to sell your home bathroom remodel ideas will focus around resale values but if you are hoping to update your forever home, the only thing you need to worry about is your own convenience.
When it’s time to remodel your bathroom choosing tiles or new bathroom floors, picking paint colours or even replacing outdated shower heads can be fun. Depending on the style of your home you may love the look of a large, clawfoot tub but they may not suit your lifestyle.
Bathtubs: Pros
Traditional homes designs include bathtubs as an attractive feature for rest, relaxation and a great option for families. Modern tubs come in a range of sizes and styles, some of which include walk-in options for homeowners with limited mobility.
- Higher resale value when selling a home
- Great for families with young children or couples who plan to start a family in the near future
- The option for relaxing baths
Bathtubs: Cons
- Outdated looks
- Standard bathtubs take up more space than a standard shower
- Use more hot water, increased utility bills and stresses water heaters
- Difficult for seniors or those with limited mobility to use bathtubs
- Bathtubs are large making it difficult to maximize the layout of your space
Walk-In Showers: Pros
The majority of modern bathroom remodels have homeowners trading in traditional bathtubs or tub-shower combos for walk-in showers. There are a few reasons for this, namely space, time and accessibility. The process of filling up a bathtub takes a large amount of water and a lot of time to fill it up. This doesn’t always suit the daily needs of homeowners on the go.
- More modern look
- Glass walls give the illusion of more space making small bathrooms look bigger
- Easily updated with accessibility features like grab bars and railings
- Incredibly versatile for a diverse population
- The option for more storage space
- More versatile for potential buyers including seniors choosing to age in place
- More options for handheld wands, steam or rainfall showers
Walk-In Showers: Cons
- Eliminates the possibility of a bath
- Makes it difficult for families with smaller children
- Can reduce resale value of a home
Bathroom renovations are expensive so it is best that you only have to do it once. Thoughtful designs and professional execution mean long-lasting results for your remodelling projects. Don’t just create the bathroom that you need in the moment, create a bathroom that you’re going to love for life!
Reliable Plumbing Experts: Choosing the Right Team For Your Bathroom Remodel
Whether you are installing a walk-in tub, shower or combination of both it is important not to tackle plumbing on your own. Anytime that there are water hookups or fixtures involved it is best to leave the heavy lifting up to the experts. All it takes is one loose hookup, a bit of corrosion or improper installation to result in serious water damage. Managing a shower means dealing with pluming lines that are hidden behind walls or under flooring. If there is even a small leak happening behind the scenes it will get worse over time, leading to rot, softened materials and damage. The experts at Pete & Son Plumbing can help to install your walk-in shower or bathtub during your next bathroom remodel pr
