When you’re renovating or designing a bathroom, you’ll eventually have to decide if you want a bathtub or a shower. Generally speaking, many will opt for both, but there are circumstances where you’ll prefer one over the other, such as if you’re planning on selling your property immediately or if you have mobility-impaired occupants in your home.
If you’re set on having just one of these options, it helps to understand the distinct ways in which each can impact the functionality and value of your bathroom. Thankfully, whether you want a bathtub, shower, or a combination of both, you can always find bathroom renovations Auckland homeowners can depend on.
While they are the traditional option, they are no longer a given in many new homes. Still, bathtubs remain a much sought-after bathroom feature.
Relaxation and Therapeutic Benefits. Bathtubs are more than just a place to clean yourself. For many, their main draw is the way that they invite relaxation. Soaking in a warm bath can soothe sore muscles and reduce stress, and it may even provide more specific benefits for people with blood circulation or skin issues.
Family-Friendly. Bathtubs are especially advantageous for families with young children or pets. Bathing a child or a pet in a tub is much easier than in a shower area, and many tubs also have the benefit of finer temperature control. A tub can also provide a handy secondary space for deep cleaning large, awkward items like drapes and area rugs.
Increased Home Value. A properly installed bathtub can increase the ‘wow factor’ and resale value of your home. In particular, people seeking out family homes may strongly consider a bathtub to be a must-have feature. If you’re renovating or building a home in preparation for resale, a luxurious tub can also be an attractive centrepiece for your real estate marketing.
Space Requirements. If you want a conventional bathtub that you can lie down in, you will need to allocate a significant amount of bathroom space. There are compact Japanese-style bathtubs, but these still require space and may not be feasible in smaller bathrooms. Installing a tub in a compact bathroom can also make the space feel cramped and lessen the bathtub’s appeal.
Water and Energy Consumption. Filling a bathtub and heating bathwater requires a considerable amount of resources. For that reason, many homeowners also pair tubs with showers for day-to-day use.
Maintenance and Cleaning. Though certain tubs are harder to clean than others, they are all more challenging to maintain than showers. Soap scum, mildew, and hard water stains tend to accumulate up to a tub’s usual fill level, often requiring frequent cleaning.
Showers come standard in smaller homes and are typically installed in many larger houses as well. They offer convenience but lack some of the more luxurious aspects of a traditional bathtub.
Space-Saving. Showers are often the only solution for smaller bathrooms or en-suites because of their more compact size compared to a tub. A walk-in shower, in particular, can make a bathroom feel more spacious and modern, enhancing the bathroom’s appeal for some homeowners.
Water and Energy Efficiency. With typical reasonable use, showers use far less water than baths, with the savings being further increased when they’re equipped with low-flow showerheads. This also means that less water has to be heated, which is great news for your monthly energy bills.
Ease of Access and Safety. Seniors and those with mobility issues may appreciate the convenience of walk-in showers. These eliminate the need to step over a high tub edge, potentially reducing the risk of slips and falls.
Not as Relaxing. While showers feel good, most people would agree that they’re not as leisurely or as relaxing as a soak in a tub. After all, the main reason to have a shower installed is to be able to clean yourself as quickly as possible.
Less Appeal for Families with Children or Pets. Bathing a child or a pet in a shower can be challenging and less enjoyable for everyone. This can make a shower-only setup less appealing for families who want to give their kids a thorough wash.
Potential Impact on Resale Value. If your home only has showers and no bathtubs, it might lose significant appeal in the housing market, potentially affecting its resale value. A shower is pretty much expected in most homes, so people who are checking real estate listings may not consider it anything special.
If space is not an issue, then you’ll probably want to have both a bathtub and a shower in your bathroom. However, if you have to choose just one, be sure to consider not just your personal preferences but also the needs of your household and the future resale value of your home.
Regardless of which option you choose, you should get professional bathroom renovation experts to install it. You might save money upfront by going DIY or having a fly-by-night operation do the job, but your home’s value and your family’s safety might be negatively impacted. Having licensed experts install your choice of bath fixtures takes out all the guesswork and frustration and leaves you with a much safer bathroom and a more delightful, valuable home.
