Bathtub vs. Shower Pros and Cons

A bathroom can add value and comfort to a home as long as it incorporates the latest trends and upgrades of modern décor. Many bathrooms cannot accommodate both shower and bathtubs at once. This brings about the debate on whether a shower or a bathtub is suitable for your new bathroom or remodeling project.

There are many factors that may affect the choice you need to make between the two bearing in mind space, energy costs, and people who will be using it every day. Although both of them have their own advantages, they also come with their own downsides and the only way to determine what will work best for you is to look at the reasons why you need a shower or a bathtub.

In this article, we will be looking at the pros and cons of a bathtub and shower, and highlight the factors that influence your decisions in making a choice between the two.

Bathtub

Modern standalone bathtubs usually have taps mounted onto them, they are also equipped with overflow, and waste drains. They can be sunken, built-in, or freestanding and comes in different designs and colors.

Pros

• It makes it easier to bathe young children.
• They can fit into all size bathrooms because they come in different shapes and sizes.
• They add value and beauty to a home making it easier to sell.
• They are ideal for having a relaxing bath when you have sore muscles.
• Freestanding bathtubs are finished on all sides and they can be placed anywhere.

Cons

• They are more expensive than showers.
• More time is spent filling a bathtub since it requires a lot of water.
• A large amount of heated water used in a bathtub increases your energy costs.
• Older people may find it difficult to climb in and out of the tab.

Shower

A shower allows you to bathe under a spray or water sprinkled at high pressure. It is usually designed to produce hot or cold water and has drains on the floor. Showers come in different designs and shapes to fit perfectly in a modern bathroom.

Pros

• It uses less water than a shower because you only turn it on when needed.
• It is much faster than a bath which requires you to fill it first before use.
• It requires little space compared to a bathtub.
• A shower is energy efficient because it uses less energy to heat water.
• The elderly or people with different abilities can easily access them.

Cons

• Families with children may find it difficult to bathe their kids in a shower.
• Shower curtains need to be replaced occasionally while the shower doors demand routine cleaning.
• There is no time to relax in a shower since you will be standing all the time.
• It is difficult to repair leaks in a shower.
• Factors to Consider When Making a Choice between a Shower and a Bathtub

Space

It all boils down to the amount of space you have to accommodate a bathtub or a shower in your bathroom. If you have enough space, you can go for the bathtub, as it is wide and will require a lot of water to fill. If you are economizing on the space you have, then you are better off with a shower as it takes up little space.

People using it

If you have young children, it is much practical bathing them in a bathtub rather than a shower. It also gives you an easy time when you want to bathe at least two children at once. A shower, on the other hand, works best for the elderly or injured since they do not have to go through the hustle of climbing in and out of the bathtub.

Expenditure

A bathtub requires a lot of water and it may consume a larger percentage of energy to heat up the water. Not only will you spend on the costs of energy but also a large amount of water goes to waste. A shower is usually turned on and off when needed which saves the energy costs since less water is spent on bathing.

Return on investment

A bathtub offers a higher return on investment compared to a shower if you want to sell a home. Statistics show that homes with a bathtub tend to sell more than those with a luxurious shower.

The choice as to whether you should go for a shower or a bathtub depends on the above factors. Homeowners prefer a combo but it still has its own disadvantages that cannot be avoided. That is the reason why others will opt for multiple bathrooms. Whatever the decision you make, always keep in mind the people who will be using your bathroom and if you can meet the costs of maintenance.