When you pick a room to remodel in your home, you’ve likely already started to envision the final results and how much more functional it will be when complete. This is especially true for those who make the exciting decision to renovate their bathroom. You can choose brand-new features or upgrade the ones you already have—the choices are endless.
Perhaps one of the biggest choices to make is whether you’d like a shower, a bathtub, or both in your updated space. Each comes with its own set of benefits and factors to consider. Let’s look at some questions to ask yourself about this decision in more detail:
Who Will Use the Bathroom?
The most important factor to consider is the person using the bathroom. Bathtubs aren’t a great idea for seniors, those with arthritis, and those who have limited accessibility. Young individuals with fast-paced lives tend to prefer a walk-in shower since they don’t always have the time to fill a tub and take a bath.
Do You Have a Tub Already?
While it’s tempting to get the existing bathtub that came with the home removed to get a trendy shower installed, real estate experts advise against it. Removing the bathtub will narrow down the number of people interested in buying your home when you eventually sell it. It will isolate families with little children and expectant couples.
Are You Concerned About Energy Efficiency?
There are many energy-efficient shower heads available today that can be installed in your bathroom. They reduce your water consumption and ultimately save on your utilities bill. Although these shower heads are more expensive than regular shower heads, they can make a positive impact on the environment. In terms of bathtubs compared to showers, it’s worth noting that a regular shower requires 17 gallons of water, while a bath requires 24 gallons of water.
What’s Your Budget?
Budget is an important deciding factor between the shower and a bathtub. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of installing a bathtub in 2021 was around $5,000, while building and installing a shower can cost between $6,200 to $10,000. In either case, homeowners investing in their bathroom remodeling can also add up to 20% to the resale value of their home.
Shower Resale Value
A shower is one of those features that has broad appeal for potential home buyers. For example, installing a large curbless shower in a universally designed bathroom can give you a return on investment of approximately 46% as of 2023.
Bathtub Resale Value
A porcelain tub-shower combination gives you an average ROI of about 60 to 66% of the cost based on data from recent years. Most real estate agents tell homeowners to leave at least one bathtub in the home so it’s more appealing to families with small children.
If you only have one bathroom, instead of having a separate tub, a tub-shower combo may work to give you double the benefits with half the footprint.
Other Factors to Consider
- Convenience: Don’t forget to design the space based on your personal preferences. If you prefer to get clean quickly, a shower is your best bet. Moreover, a hot shower can be soothing for sore muscles after a tiring day. But if you prefer taking your time, a bath provides a luxurious experience. While you may not soak in your tub every day, it can be helpful for these evenings when you want to wind down and relax.
- Luxury: In a spa-like bathroom, it’s important not to skimp on any features. If you want to make your master bathroom more luxurious, you can add a tub and shower. A free-standing tub can act as a centerpiece for the room, and a walk-in shower can create a richer experience.
- Water Consumption: Showers tend to use less water than a full bath, but this all depends on the time spent in the shower and the showerhead. A one-time soak in a bath typically consumes about 40-70 gallons, and with a whirlpool or a deep soaker, it may increase to 80-100 gallons. With showers, you can install different fixtures to reduce your water consumption. Taking a ten-minute shower with a low-flow showerhead only uses 20 gallons of water. With less time, you may consume even less water. But with a tub, you always use the same amount of water, no matter how long you spend in it.
Trust the Expert Opinion of Tremblay Renovation
Suffice to say, there’s plenty to consider when remodeling your bathroom, especially when it comes to deciding between a shower vs. a bathtub. At Tremblay Renovation, we have over 30 years of experience in home renovations. Our clients looking for bathroom renos for their Ottawa homes trust our expertise and advice when it comes to upgrading their spaces. Come tour our showroom for a high-level look at the finishes that spark your interest, and discuss with our team whether you’re new space will be a shower or tub. Get in touch with us to get a free quote now!
