The criteria for furnishing a bathroom with a bathtub or shower can be different. They depend on the lifestyle, on the needs of the individual members of the family, but above all on the possibilities of the space itself. Both options have advantages, but also disadvantages. We have noted 8 factors, thanks to which you can compare both solutions. And we have some advice for the undecided.
If you prefer a quick clean and don’t like spending a lot of time in the bathroom, the shower is the obvious choice. This also applies if you are close to retirement or if you have an elderly person at home. The shower is safer for the elderly because it is easier to enter, many models today are even barrier-free.
With small children in the family, you should consider purchasing a bathtub. At the same time, bathing helps relieve stress, relax tension and muscles, so if you have a demanding job, a bath can do you a good service.
A separate chapter is the technical bathrooms, where bathtubs are used, for example, to wash shoes, wash clothes by hand or bathe pets. However, there are a number of other factors that you should definitely consider.
Inflexible square meters
Mathematics doesn’t want to let go. If you have a small bathroom, a walk-in shower will be a more practical solution, as it is more compact and does not take up as much space. Currently it is possible to have a corner measuring 80×80 cm, but it should be kept in mind that even such a miniature model will need a handling space of at least 100×100 cm, especially thanks to the convenient opening of the door. They should not invade the free space too much, but at the same time they should allow you to comfortably enter or exit the corner. And without the risk of damaging them. A good choice are, for example, sliding or folding doors. In the case of a brick corner, its dimensions must be adapted to the door.
Even a brick shower cubicle will take up more space, as here too the thickness of the walls must be taken into account, including the covering, which is approximately 15 cm on each wall. Added to this is the high-quality insulation of the walls, because it will be exposed to a lot of moisture.
Read also
A washing machine and a bathtub fit into the minimalist bathroom. How did they make the space so airy?
A bathtub undoubtedly requires more space. The minimum size of the bathroom to accommodate it is approximately 1.5×2 m. A normal bathtub is approximately 160-180 cm long, but there are also so-called bathtubs with a length of 100 cm. Even if they don’t offer this comfort, they give the sensation of being in a full bathtub.
Last but not least, let’s think about the other sanitary elements, such as sinks and any toilet or bidet, but also about bathroom furniture and appliances, which most often include a washing machine and dryer. The individual functional elements of the bathroom must not in any way limit or create a feeling of narrow or crowded space.
The common dimensions of the bathtub are around 160-180 cm, but there are also shorter versions on the market with a length of 100 cm. Source: Annie Sloan
How much will it cost you?
In general, the purchase costs for purchasing a bathtub and installing it are higher. The products themselves range from hundreds to thousands of euros. In addition to the bathtub, the price will also include the drainage system and, in the case of the built-in bathtub, the ceramic tiles.
Read also
10 best tips for a practical bathroom
Shower corners, on the other hand, tend to be more convenient and easier to install. Of course, here too, some models or versions can be much more expensive if you choose a shower enclosure or a frameless designer shower solution. Even in the case of a brick shower enclosure, a higher price must be expected, which depends not only on the price of the materials, but also on the demolition work or the work of the master. On the other hand, if it is large enough, it won’t even have to have a door, or just a glass screen will suffice.
A larger built-in shower doesn’t even need a door. If it’s smaller, top it with a minimalist glass door without a prominent frame structure. Source: Tap Warehouse
Assembly difficulty
A bathtub usually requires a professional plumber to connect the plumbing and drainage systems. Assembling or installing the shower corner can be easier, although even in this case the help of a professional is often needed to connect the water and drain to the sewer. However, installing a shower is usually less complicated.
Read also
Learn from the mistakes others make! These are the 9 most common mistakes in bathroom renovations
Of course, a brick shower is another matter. While it can also be built in an apartment block, the floor usually needs to be raised due to drainage, which can be more financially and technically challenging. The gutter will always look better and more design in the interior of the bathroom, if it is at floor level, it visually inflates the bathroom. However, its installation and grouting requires a real master, careful preparation and proper composition of the floor with sufficient thickness for assembly. The advantage of the shower tray, however, is that it is usually warmer to the touch than the floor itself, so it is more pleasant to enter.
The bathtub is usually warmer to the touch than the floor. Source: Shutterstock
Where can you save the most water?
The logical answer is a walk-in shower. An average bathtub has a volume of approximately 170 liters and when completely filled by one person requires approximately 100 liters of water. You can quickly reach this number even while taking a shower, as long as it takes longer. With a decent cleaning of the shower, which takes a few minutes at most, and an economical head, perhaps with a flow of 14 liters per minute, you can spend about 50 to 75 liters of water. If you are one of those who have fun, you will definitely choose a corner or semi-corner bathtub. However, their big disadvantage is the increased water consumption, which can reach 150-200 liters.
Read also
How to organize a small bathroom to fit everything you need
Maintenance factor
In general, maintenance of the tub is easier since it does not have as many folds and profiles. The shower corners are also equipped with tracks, movable doors, tracks and a large part is made of glass. Hard-to-reach places present a higher risk of dirt and mold. It is therefore advisable to carry out at least basic maintenance on the shower cubicles after each cleaning, so that humidity does not stick to the glass and critical areas and limescale do not deposit here. By cleaning the glass regularly you will also eliminate unsightly stains.
If dirt bothers you, it is less visible on decorative glass. And if you still insist on a shower corner, but aren’t willing to spend a lot of time cleaning it, invest in glass with a special surface treatment that prevents limescale. Masonry shower cabins require less maintenance, which, unlike models with a tub, have mostly straight shapes, minimal folds and mouldings. Thanks to this, their maintenance is relatively simple.
Because bathtubs don’t have as many creases and seams as shower stalls, they are easier to clean. Source: Shutterstock/Pixel-Shot
Weight differences
The weight of the product affects the strength of the floor, but also the installation options. However, the weight of the tub does not only depend on its size, but also on the material. Regular bathtubs range from 30 to 100 kg, freestanding bathtubs can be even heavier – perhaps these are cast models that can weigh up to 150 kg.
The shower cabin usually weighs less, approximately 20 to 50 kg. Of course, a brick shower enclosure can be heavier than a frame structure, it is usually made of materials such as perhaps aerated concrete blocks or cement-based building panels intended for humid environments.
A bathtub, especially if freestanding, is a dominant loner. He needs a space where he can stand out. Source: Shutterstock
Risk of water leaks
From a technical point of view, shower cubicles are more problematic in terms of water leaks. Sometimes they tend to have an insufficient seal, especially around walls and doors, which need to be repaired because otherwise water could leak. However, eliminating this problem also comes at a cost.
Read also
Do you want to have a timeless bathroom? Choose these color combinations
The risk of bathroom flooding is mainly caused by shower cubicles without a tub. In this case the drain plays a fundamental role in the design: it should have a flow rate of at least 40 liters per minute and a minimum slope of 1.5%. Water leaks can be better prevented with framed shower enclosures, where all glass seals are mounted directly to the frames. On the one hand they guarantee the stability of the entire shower enclosure, on the other they guarantee an optimal seal. If you want to avoid accidents, choose a shower screen with a higher frame bar at the bottom.
The risk of flooding in the bathroom with a shower cubicle without a bathtub is greater. Especially if the drain does not have enough time to drain the water. Source: Steve Cordony
A bathroom like an amphibian
Under the supervision of an experienced architect or designer, a medium-sized bathroom can accommodate both a tub and a shower. You can choose, for example, compatible models, so-called twins that have a shape adapted to each other so that they work side by side without problems. The minimum bathroom size for the combination of both options is approximately 2×3 m. However, we must think not only about the possibility of placing them there, but also about the convenience of movement throughout the bathroom.
The compromise is a tub with a dividing wall, which will offer the possibility of a luxurious bath, but also a refreshing shower. The disadvantage is the more difficult availability on the market and the higher price of these models.
The screen turns your bathtub into a comfortable shower and at the same time prevents water from splashing. Source: Armac Martin
However, you can help yourself by choosing a tub with a foot drain, which has one rounded part and the other straight, or a flatter bottom and more vertical walls. All you need to do is add a screen and your two-in-one solution is ready. For a tub of this type it is also possible to integrate a massage panel into the corner of the wall.
The screen itself can be fixed, or retractable or rotating, made of tempered safety glass or transparent acrylic material, which is lighter and easier to handle, but is easily scratched and deposits form on it, so it can be difficult to clean.
There is no clear winner in the tub vs. shower duel. Which option is best for you depends on several factors. The common dimensions of the bathtub are around 160-180 cm, but there are also shorter versions on the market with a length of 100 cm. A larger built-in shower doesn’t even need a door. If it’s smaller, top it with a minimalist glass door without a prominent frame structure.
The bathtub is usually warmer to the touch than the floor. Because bathtubs don’t have as many creases and seams as shower stalls, they are easier to clean. A bathtub, especially if freestanding, is a dominant loner. He needs a space where he can stand out.
The screen turns your bathtub into a comfortable shower and at the same time prevents water from splashing. A round shower cabin significantly saves space, but when purchasing make sure that the door and tub have the same radius. The risk of flooding in the bathroom with a shower cubicle without a bathtub is greater. Especially if the drain does not have enough time to drain the water.
Even in the attic it is possible to set up bathrooms with a large bathtub and shower. However, it is better to enlist the help of an architect. Neutral shades are often associated with the colors of nature: stones, earth or wood.
Text by Anna Salvová
Photo: Shutterstock, Touch Warehouse, Armac Martin, Steve Cordony, Annie Sloan
Source: Mój dom magazine
2023-12-27 17:28:24
#bathtub #walkin #shower #factors #decide