Walk-In Shower vs. Bathtub: Which Is Better for Your Bathroom Remodel?

One of the biggest decisions during a bathroom remodel is whether or not to keep a bathtub or replace it with a walk-in shower. There’s no right answer, it really depends on the homeowners space, style, resale plans and budget. In DFW, homeowners are mixed between a soaking tub and a walk-in shower but we are seeing a trend in larger walk-in showers with dual heads. The key question when making your decision is what’s best for your lifestyle? If you plan on keeping the home for years, go with you gut and choose what will ultimately let you enjoy the space more. If you are undecided, check out these pros and cons below: 

Walk-In Shower: Pros

1. Ease of entry. Walk-in showers are naturally easier to get in and out of so if you’re looking for ease of entry, this is a huge plus. 

2. Space. A walk-in shower can make your space feel much more open, bigger and overall allow for a clear centerpiece focal point in a bathroom. 

3. Trends. This is a huge trend for master bathrooms and because of that, this can help with your resale value. 

4. Customization. You can make a lot of decisions with a walk-in shower that you cannot make with a tub. Tiles, niches, benches, glass and fixtures are a few ways you can design this to be custom to your space. 

5. Age. Older people or those thinking they will age in the home should consider a walk-in shower for the ease of entry and overall functionality. 

6. Modern/Upscale. You can create a more modern/upscale look with the finishes in a walk-in shower much easier than you can with a bathroom tub. 

Walk-In Shower: Cons 

1. Removing the home’s only bathtub may not be ideal. Think young kids, aching muscles that need to soak or just the relaxation factor. Removing the only tub in the home can limit use and potential resale value. 

2. Families with small children often need a bathtub so if you plan on selling your house or might have little one’s in the house at some point, a walk-in shower may limit you. 

3. Walk-in showers can become expensive depending on selection of custom tiles, glass and the overall labor of the install. 

4. Larger showers do not necessarily mean cheaper or simpler, they can often become complex, increasing overall time and cost. 

Bathtub: Pros

1. Bathtubs are especially useful for families with children and/or pets. The ease of kneeling to bathe a child or pet makes a bathtub especially important for these families. 

2. Relaxation is a factor to consider as well. Many people enjoy soaking in a warm tub after a long day. Sore/tight muscles can benefit greatly from soaking in a tub. 

3. In terms of resale value, a tub has more upside and can appeal to more families and those described above. So if you are thinking about selling your home at some point, a bathtub is a big pro. 

4. For smaller spaces, a tub/shower combination can be especially beneficial for it’s functionality and use of space. 

5. Footprint is important to consider as well, if your existing bathroom footprint has a tub then keeping that layout may save a significant amount of money in labor. 

Bathtub: Cons

1. Size. Tubs can take up a considerable amount of floor space which is especially important to consider in a smaller space. 

2. Age and mobility considerations. For older individuals or those with physical imitations a tub can be very difficult to step in and out of. 

3. Trends. Older tub surrounds can make a bathroom look old, outdated and even dirty. 

4. Space. The space that a tub can take up may not make sense for the amount of use it gets in your home. 

The Resale Question 

When it comes to the question of resale value, consider that having at least one bathtub in a home is better than none at all because it broadens your buying audience to families with small children. If your home has two bathrooms, you could consider a walk-in shower in the primary and then a tub in the secondary. This allows the best of both worlds and won’t limit you potential buyers in the future. Remodeling your home though should also be about how you actually live in it and not just hypothetical resales. If you plan on being in your home for some time, go with the option that ultimately fits your lifestyle best. 

Questions a homeowner should ask themselves when deciding: 

• Do we actually use our bathroom? 

• Is this our only bathtub? 

• Do we have now or will we have kids in the future? 

• Are we planning on being in this home long-term? 

• Will accessibility become important? 

• How much space do we have? 

• What’s our remodeling budget? 

Once you decide, we’re here to help! If you are ready to get your bathroom remodel underway, give us a call at (817) 875-7748 - Brace A-Cross would be happy to help!