One of the biggest elements to any bathroom design or remodeling project is the shower – after all, it’s the centerpiece of your bathroom and the place where you are likely to spend most of your time. Therefore, it’s important that you choose the right shower unit for your needs. A two-in-one shower tub is a very popular option, and here’s why:
Practicality
Maybe you have a big family and some like to shower while others prefer to take a bath. It’s also helpful if you have young children because you can all get in there at once! Or maybe you’ve got limited space in your bathroom, but don’t want to miss out on the luxury of having a bath for when you just want to soak your worries away and relax. A shower tub is the perfect choice for either scenario as it meets the needs of every bathroom-user in a stylish and compact way.
Safety and Mobility
Shower-tubs are a common choice for people who have mobility issues because they can be installed with handrails or slip-resistant floors and give the user a bit more room to move. If this is the case for you, you might like to consider a walk-in tub, which eliminates having to step over the wall of the tub to get in.
Variety
The good thing about shower tubs these days is that you can be sure to find one that suits your budget, style and the amount of space you have available. Shower tub enclosures can be pre-fabricated or customized to your specific needs. Another thing to consider if your looking for a little bit of extra detail on your enclosure is whether you want to have a frame – you can choose from a range of materials, including silver, gold, brass, chrome, brushed nickel, stainless steel or even antiqued brass for a vintage look. Finally, you can have fun choosing individual fixtures, or going for built-in soap or shampoo holders.
What to look out for with a shower tub
Whether you’re designing a bathroom from scratch, or about to embark on a total overhaul of your existing bathroom, here are some things you need to keep in mind if you are considering a shower tub:
Price
Because they are larger than stand-alone shower enclosures, shower tubs can be on the more expensive end of the scale, sometimes costing up to $700 new (not including installation costs!). That’s why it’s important to consider if you want to replace your existing shower tub or just give it a bit of a “touch up”.
If you're watching your pennies, check out our tips for Shower Remodeling On A Budget.
Replace or just “revamp”?
Another thing to remember if you are looking to replace your current shower tub is that you’re likely to damage the surrounding walls when you take out the original unit. This will mean re-painting or new tiles to join and seal your new shower tub. A cheaper and lower-impact option is to just replace the insert (usually made of fiberglass) and redo the seal around the tub. This will halve your costs and you’ll be amazed by the result. Lastly, to add a little extra something to your renovation, you could also look into replacing the fixtures (a hand-held showerhead is a popular choice).
Cleaning
While showers aren’t always nicest things to clean, you can make your job easier by the materials you use for your shower tub. The benefit of an acrylic or fibreglass tub is that the surface smooth, waterproof and doesn’t have any crevices to collect mildew. If you want to use tiles for the tub or enclosing alcove, you need to be prepared for more regular maintenance on the mold that can collect in the grout. You also need to consider if you want to use an enclosure that completely seals the tub (such as glass doors), or opt for a simple and classic shower curtain – which you can change as often as you like with minimal expense!
Practicality
Maybe you have a big family and some like to shower while others prefer to take a bath. It’s also helpful if you have young children because you can all get in there at once! Or maybe you’ve got limited space in your bathroom, but don’t want to miss out on the luxury of having a bath for when you just want to soak your worries away and relax. A shower tub is the perfect choice for either scenario as it meets the needs of every bathroom-user in a stylish and compact way.
Safety and Mobility
Shower-tubs are a common choice for people who have mobility issues because they can be installed with handrails or slip-resistant floors and give the user a bit more room to move. If this is the case for you, you might like to consider a walk-in tub, which eliminates having to step over the wall of the tub to get in.
Variety
The good thing about shower tubs these days is that you can be sure to find one that suits your budget, style and the amount of space you have available. Shower tub enclosures can be pre-fabricated or customized to your specific needs. Another thing to consider if your looking for a little bit of extra detail on your enclosure is whether you want to have a frame – you can choose from a range of materials, including silver, gold, brass, chrome, brushed nickel, stainless steel or even antiqued brass for a vintage look. Finally, you can have fun choosing individual fixtures, or going for built-in soap or shampoo holders.
What to look out for with a shower tub
Whether you’re designing a bathroom from scratch, or about to embark on a total overhaul of your existing bathroom, here are some things you need to keep in mind if you are considering a shower tub:
Price
Because they are larger than stand-alone shower enclosures, shower tubs can be on the more expensive end of the scale, sometimes costing up to $700 new (not including installation costs!). That’s why it’s important to consider if you want to replace your existing shower tub or just give it a bit of a “touch up”.
If you're watching your pennies, check out our tips for Shower Remodeling On A Budget.
Replace or just “revamp”?
Another thing to remember if you are looking to replace your current shower tub is that you’re likely to damage the surrounding walls when you take out the original unit. This will mean re-painting or new tiles to join and seal your new shower tub. A cheaper and lower-impact option is to just replace the insert (usually made of fiberglass) and redo the seal around the tub. This will halve your costs and you’ll be amazed by the result. Lastly, to add a little extra something to your renovation, you could also look into replacing the fixtures (a hand-held showerhead is a popular choice).
Cleaning
While showers aren’t always nicest things to clean, you can make your job easier by the materials you use for your shower tub. The benefit of an acrylic or fibreglass tub is that the surface smooth, waterproof and doesn’t have any crevices to collect mildew. If you want to use tiles for the tub or enclosing alcove, you need to be prepared for more regular maintenance on the mold that can collect in the grout. You also need to consider if you want to use an enclosure that completely seals the tub (such as glass doors), or opt for a simple and classic shower curtain – which you can change as often as you like with minimal expense!
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