Of all the decisions that go into a plumber birmingham bathroom renovation, none have the potential to impact its look and functionality than the choice between a bathtub or shower. If bathroom size and budget don’t allow for both, you’ll need to choose one. The question is, which one is right for your lifestyle and household? Both are sold in a variety of materials and styles, both offer therapeutic options, and both can get your family clean and ready to tackle the day ahead.
Yet there are several differences between the two and understanding them will help ensure you make a choice you won’t regret.
Showers require less space.
If your bathroom is on the smaller side, a shower can free up valuable space. On average, a walk-in or standard shower stall occupies 9 square feet of space whereas a standard bathtub chews up 13 square feet. By replacing a tub with a shower, you can make room for a larger, more luxurious shower experience (walk-in shower, multiple shower heads, bench seating, etc.) or more bathroom storage options like a double vanity.
A shower is more accessible.
Household members who are wheelchair bound, elderly, or have other mobility issues will find it easier to enter and exit a shower than a bathtub, especially zero-threshold showers that simply allow one to step or glide in. To make a shower even more user-friendly, consider installing a built-in bench along with grab bars.
Showers use less water.
That is, unless you take a 20 minute shower. On average, a shower with a low-flow showerhead uses 2.1 gallons of water per minute, which translates to 21 gallons for a 10-minute shower. Cut your shower by just 2 or 3 minutes and you can save even more water. By comparison, a standard bathtub consumes up to 40 gallons of water while a whirlpool tub can use up to 100 gallons of water per soak.
Bathtubs are cheaper to install.
A shower can cost up to $10,000 to install while a bathtub, fully installed, runs up to $8,000 on the high end. Standard tubs and shower stalls can cost significantly less; the more bells and whistles and the higher-end the finishes, the higher the cost.
Bathtubs attract more buyers.
Most would-be home buyers prefer a home with at least one bathtub. If you’re planning to sell anytime soon, you’d be smart to leave your one and only bathtub intact. However, if your home is equipped with an en-suite bathroom plus a second full bath, replacing one of the tubs with a large shower should not be a deterrent.
At Eagle Service Company, kitchen and bath renovations are among our specialty services which means you can count on sound advice, answers to all your questions, a guaranteed quote, and your 100% satisfaction with the result. Contact us today for a free in-home consultation.
