Bath Or Shower? Choosing The Right Option For Your Bathroom
In this article, we address one of the most common bathroom design questions… Bath or shower?
In the UK, there tends to be a preference for showers. Nearly two thirds (64%) prefer showering to bathing, according to a recent survey reported by Professional Heating & Plumbing Installer (PHPI) magazine.
Of course, it depends on your personal preferences. But if you can’t decide between a bath or shower for your new wet room, in this guide we’ll outline the advantages of each option.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at these two options.
Shower vs bath – advantages of each option
We’ll start with the traditional bathtub. Here are some of the typical advantages of a bath over a shower:
- Relaxation and stress relief: Soaking in a warm bath can soothe tense muscles, improve circulation, and promote feelings of calm.
- Pain relief: The buoyancy of water can help ease pressure on joints and muscles, offering temporary relief from aches and pains.
- Skin benefits: Baths can help soften dry skin and promote gentle exfoliation, especially when combined with bath salts or oils.
- Great for young children: Bath time can be a fun and playful way to introduce young children to hygiene routines.
- Luxury and aesthetics: Freestanding tubs or bathtubs with unique designs can add a touch of luxury and visual appeal to your bathroom.
- Accommodates medical needs: Walk-in tubs or tubs with grab bars can be a safer bathing option for people with limited mobility.
For more information about bathtubs, here is what to do if you need help getting in and out of the bathtub and how much a walk-in bathtub costs.
If that’s the case, then what are the advantages of a shower over a bath? Here they are:
- Time-saving: Showers are generally much quicker than baths, allowing for a more efficient cleaning routine.
- Water conservation: Showers typically use significantly less water than filling a bathtub, making them a more eco-friendly option.
- Accessibility: Showers are often easier to enter and exit, especially for individuals with mobility limitations.
- Hygiene: The constant flow of water in a shower can be more effective at rinsing away soap scum and dirt compared to sitting in bathwater.
- Space-saving: Showers take up less bathroom space than bathtubs, making them ideal for smaller bathrooms.
- Maintenance: Showers are generally easier to clean and maintain than bathtubs.
Replacing a bath with a shower: key considerations
If you already have a bathtub but are thinking of replacing it with a shower, let’s look at the factors to weigh up before making your decision. Below we share our thoughts on replacing a bath with a shower.
Before you decide whether to replace a bath with a shower, you will need to make several choices. This will help you to make an informed decision and will ensure you get your shower and set it up correctly:
- Shower size and shape: Choose from various options to fit your bathroom space and showering style. Consider both functionality and comfort.
- Shower enclosure design: Decide between a modern fixed screen, fully-closing doors, or space-saving sliding doors. Each adds a unique touch to your bathroom’s overall look.
- Shower walls and flooring: Opt for waterproof materials like plasterboard and tiles to withstand water splashes. Prioritise safety by installing slip-resistant flooring.
- Project cost: Replacing a bath involves labour and materials. Costs vary based on shower type, location, electrical work, and potential plastering or tiling needs. Know your desired outcome to get accurate quotes from professionals.
In other words, if you are looking to replace your bath with a shower, it helps to understand exactly which of the different types of shower you want. This way, when the time comes to speak with the experts and ask for a quote, you can find out exactly what the project will cost.
Final thoughts: Bath vs shower considerations
Replacing a bath with a shower is simple enough if the new shower will go in the same place as the old tub. This is because the existing plumbing is already there in the right place, so the job can be done in a matter of hours.
The process only becomes more difficult when you are thinking of reconfiguring your bathroom layout. So, if you are going to put your new shower in a new location, the existing plumbing will need to be rerouted, including the water supply and the drainage pipework.
That said, no matter how complex the work is, it doesn’t need to take a long time. Find out how long a bathroom remodel takes in the UK.
We are Ability Bathe – specialising in wet rooms and walk-in showers for Devon and far beyond.
Our team is full of experienced bathroom designers for Devon, Cornwall, Bristol and many other locations. For more information or any enquiries, please get in touch.
