Walk-in showers are an ongoing trend. They range from the exceedingly simple to the epitome of luxury. If you are thinking or remodeling your bathroom and ditching the tub in favor of a walk-in shower, make sure you consider the pros and cons. Here are three things to consider before you tear out that tub.
How big is the bathroom? The average bathroom is around 40 square feet. A shower take us an average of 12 square feet versus a tub that takes up 15 square feet. That’s 7% more floor space that could make a huge difference how cramped users feel in tiny bathrooms.
Who will be using it? Busy young couples prefer showers over tubs. Elderly and disabled individuals as well. If the bathroom remodel is in your master suite usually only used by adults, perhaps a luxury shower is more up your alley than a soaker tub. If the remodel is a secondary bathroom or guest bath, it’s preferable to leave a full tub there so expectant couples and families with small children have a location to bathe small children. Likewise with houses that have a single bathroom. Eliminating a home’s only full bathroom could turn off potential buyers.
Are you looking for monetary return? The average shower utilizes ten gallons of water less than a bath, which means lower utility charges and improved energy efficiency. Price-wise, an average walk-in shower costs almost twice as much as a tub installation, but in the long run bathroom remodels can increase resale value by 20%.
