What are the differences and similarities between walk-in showers and tubs? Let’s find out!
What Is A Walk-In Shower?
A walk-in shower can be a bit confusing because you can walk in nearly any shower. However, this is a really specific term and there are a few different reasons why you may want to choose a walk-in shower.
Walk-in showers are completely free of any doors or curtains. Some of these showers can be closed off by half walls, but the idea here is that it will completely or at least partially open to walk into.
Walk-In Shower Pros
Time is always at a premium for homeowners living busy lives. There is often no time to relax in a walk-in tub. This is why so many homeowners are choosing to install these showers. Let’s take a look at the advantages of walk-in showers below.
Modernized Design
Many homeowners opt to create a more modern design by replacing their shower tub combo with these showers.
Mobility
It’s no secret that getting in and out of these showers will be easier than trying to do the same with bathtubs. This a great and safe options for seniors living at home.
Large Area
Choosing to remove your existing shower tub combo can open up at least 5-feet of space.
Room To Add A Bench
Large walk-in showers will feature plenty of room for a bench, if desired. Benches work well for self-grooming tasks and offer a safe space to rest.
Increase Home Value
If installation of the walk-in shower doesn’t increase the value of your property, it can at least offer a great selling feature for future buyers.
What Is A Walk-In Tub?
Walk-in tubs are bathtubs designed for disabled people and that are normally used for the same things as a traditional bathtub is; although, it was designed to provide seniors or disabled individuals with a more convenient, comfortable, and safer bathing experience. Most walk-in baths are normally for those who have mobility issues like those who have physical handicaps, elderly, and/or those who have silent yet painful ailments.
They were made to meet the needs of those who want to be able to bath securely and independently. There are some that will purchase accessories for their traditional bathtub such as grab bars, bath seats, etc. in order to give themselves some sort of security and independence during bath time.
Oftentimes, though, they will find that those types of solutions aren’t a solution at all. Traditional bathtubs, even with the accessories aren’t actually designed for those who have mobility issues. This is where a walk-in tub comes into play.
Walk-In Tub Pros
If a walk-in tub happens to be on your wish list, then a quick review of pros and cons is needed.
Ideal For Individuals With Mobility Issues
The biggest pro is that walk-in tubs make bathing easier for disabled individuals who have mobility issues. There’s some elderly that will use these doors for balance or stability, which is always a bad idea because the doors aren’t designed to withstand a lot of weight. A walk-in tub is also meant to remove the need for a shower door, which is a big danger for the elderly.
Safety
Safety is the main design for a walk-in bathtub. Some of the features for safety are a chair height seat that allows for a secure and comfortable bath, grab handles or handlebars which ensure that it will be easier to move around in your tub, and a non-skid floor to keep the person from slipping and then falling.
Walk-in tubs, with the specific design and additional options and features may be used for other types of purposes than just taking a bath. For instance, walk-in tubs may offer a Jacuzzi/whirlpool option that will put air bubbles/jets into the bath to use for comfort, to ease aches and pains, and to relax. Also, because a walk-in tub is deeper and larger, they offer a more immersive bath. Many walk-in tubs may be used for showering and bathing too.
Comfort
Additionally, the door is a pro, but so is the non-slip flooring which are designed to prevent slipping. Seats, textured pads, and handrails will help people to keep their heads above the water.
Additional Features
A walk-in tub offers additional features that are used for more specific purposes that you don’t get with traditional bathtubs. For instance, a traditional bathtub can be 20 inches tall or higher from the bathroom floor, which can be an issue for some, although walk-in tubs will offer a V or U-shaped door that opens to allow you to walk into it instead of having to step over to get into and out of the tub.
These walk-in doors are sealed so that they become quite watertight to keep them from leaking and will come in left-hand or right-hand configurations to meet the specific needs of a person. This is why walk-in tubs are often called step-in bathtubs or tubs with doors.
Increases Home Value
Another pro to installing walk-in tubs is that it can raise the overall value of your home, especially if you happen to live in a retirement community.
