It’s one of those common dilemmas among home owners planning bathroom refurbishments – should I get rid of the bath and have a stand-alone shower instead? While there is a common perception that a ‘bath-room’ should contain a bath, showers are much more popular for everyday use – they’re quick and fuss-free – perfect for our busy lives.
Of course, with any major household decision, there are advantages and disadvantages. Here we’ll take you through some of the main pros and cons of replacing your bath with a shower:
Advantages
1.) Increased space
Generally, when you replace a bath with a showering enclosure, you will free up some space in your bathroom. And with bathrooms frequently being the smallest room in the home, space is valuable! Showering enclosures are normally placed in the corner of the room, leaving you the rest of the room to arrange how you like.
2.) Time saving
It’s a fact that showers are quicker than baths. There’s no need to fill the bathtub and then spend half an hour sitting within the increasingly lukewarm water. Showers give you a burst of energy – just what you need in the morning to wake you up. And in fact, digital showers will even indicate to you when the water is heated to your preference and the shower is ready to go – preventing you from having to test the water with your arm. All in all, using less water will also save you money and be better for the environment!
3.) Greater choice
Today’s showers offer such a huge choice – from the different types of technology (electric, mixer or digital), through to different colours and designs, so there’s something to suit every household’s needs. While there is a great choice of different of different bath finishes, there is much more variety when it comes to showers and showering enclosures.
4.) Extra features
From dual shower heads, massaging body jets to LED lights that change the colour of water, modern showers are available with a whole host of features that baths can’t really compete with!
Disadvantages
Replacing the bath with a shower may be suitable for many people, but it may not be the right solution for everyone. Here are some of the potential drawbacks:
1.) Families prefer baths
It’s much easier to wash a child (or indeed, children) in a bath. Children can have playtime with their toys in the bath, so it’s much more appealing than a shower, and therefore much easier to work into a bedtime routine.
2.) Baths are relaxing
There’s nothing that can compare to a relaxing, steamy bath when you’re stressed or a little bit run down. So while a shower is fantastic for day-to-day washing, baths really are in a league of their own when it comes to relaxing.
3.) May struggle to sell your home
When it comes to sell your property in the future, you may find that it is not as appealing to families if you remove the bath. As detailed above, families, particularly those with younger children, will require at least bath in the property. Of course, if you are not planning to sell your property for some time, and replacing the bath with a shower suits your lifestyle more, then this is something you will need to weigh up.
