Walk-In Showers vs. Tub-Shower Combos: Which Is Right for You?
Do you live in Northern Arizona and want to give one or more of your bathrooms a makeover? If so, you might be wondering whether to install a traditional shower-tub unit or a more modern, accessible walk-in shower.
For some of our clients, this is a fairly easy question to answer. However, there are a number of things to consider before making up your mind. For example, the age of the home, the age of the individual using the unit or family living in the home, the amount of space to work with, and so on.
Below we aim to answer this question for those who do have a lot of considerations and, perhaps, limitations to what they can work with in regard to fixtures. If you have further bathroom remodel questions, please reach out directly to speak with a member of our design team.
Walk-In Showers vs. Tub-Shower Combos
Photos courtesy of Outlook Construction & Remodeling, Inc.
Let’s start by seeing how walk-ins compare to tub-shower units:
Walk-In Showers:
- No tub, just a shower area with an open or enclosed design
- Often includes glass panels or tiled walls
- Easier to enter and exit, with no stepping over a tub wall
- Popular in modern and updated bathrooms
Tub-Shower Combos:
- A bathtub with a showerhead above
- Enclosed with a curtain or glass door
- Versatile, great if you love baths and showers
- Found in most homes built in the last 100 years
Space & Layout Considerations for Arizona Homes
Many of our clients are Northern and Central Arizona homeowners, often residing in Flagstaff and the Verde Valley, living in older, smaller-spaced houses. With smaller homes, you typically get smaller bathrooms, which is a major design consideration.
Walk-in showers are space savers and can make a bathroom appear and feel more spacious. Tub-shower combinations require more floor space but provide two features in a single fixture.
If you’re remodeling and really want a tub to soak in, look at your existing space. Here are a few common considerations:
- Can you squeeze in a walk-in without knocking down walls?
- Are you remodeling an old tub or building from scratch?
- Does door swing, plumbing, or traffic patterns pose an issue?
In small bathrooms, a corner walk-in or compact tub-shower combination may be the ideal choice to keep remodeling costs at a minimum.
Accessibility & Safety for Aging Arizonans
Source: Endurance Tubs
Age is an important aspect of the features that go into a client’s bathroom remodel. A lot of Arizona homeowners intend to remain in their homes for the long haul.
Walk-in showers are perfect for aging in place. They usually have low or no thresholds, grab bar potential, and built-in seating. That’s a major consideration if you’re planning ahead for mobility or recovering from injury.
Tub-shower combinations are more challenging to get in and out of, involving stepping over a ledge–a potential tripping point. Bathtubs are far more difficult to use if you require a walker or stool.
Another popular option is the walk-in tub. These units, like a walk-in shower, have a low threshold to step over and have a seat. Unlike the shower, however, the user is sitting in a tub that fills with water.
Here are some highlights of walk-in, sit-down tubs:
- Deep tub with a watertight door for easy entry
- Built-in seat allows for upright soaking
- Often includes safety bars, non-slip floors, and hand-held showers
- Takes longer to fill and drain compared to regular tubs
- Ideal for seniors or those with limited mobility
- Less common in standard homes but growing in popularity
- Some models include jets or heated seating for comfort
- Uses more water than a walk-in shower
- Requires sitting and waiting inside while it fills or drains
- Best for therapeutic soaking, not quick showers
Water Use & Drought-Friendly Design Choices
Northern Arizona receives low rainfall, so conserving water is a good idea. Walk-in showers can be more water-efficient, especially if they have low-flow showerheads. You get a quick, generally speaking, rinse without having to fill a big basin.
Tub-shower combinations usually require more water per bath (versus taking a shower), particularly if you’re filling the tub. This can make a difference if you’re monitoring your utility bills or attempting to conserve water during dry seasons.
Take the household members into account as well. For example, if everyone showers, an efficient walk-in can save gallons. But if children or pets require frequent baths, a combination may still be worth using the additional water.
Stand Out if You’re Listing Your Home
New walk-in showers are modern and sleek. Buyers viewing homes in and around the Verde Valley or Flagstaff area may perceive them as more luxurious, particularly in the main bathroom.
Frameless glass, stone tile, and custom fixtures all enhance appeal. That being said, most buyers with families still prefer a tub, particularly in guest or secondary baths. A home with no tubs at all might hurt resale to families.
Best approach? A combination. Do a walk-in in the main ensuite and a tub-shower combination if you have a second full bath. That way, your home is functional for a broad selection of buyers and still feels modern.
Installation Costs & Renovation Factors
Many owners of older homes find replacing a tub-shower combination with a walk-in shower can be more expensive than they initially expected. Plumbing may have to be rerouted. Tile, glass, waterproofing, and labor quickly add up.
A custom shower costs more than a standard combo unit. However, if you already have to replace old plumbing or cut out water-damaged drywall, it could be a good opportunity to make the upgrade.
If you’re on a tight budget, simple tub-shower kits are less expensive and simpler to install. In older homes, installation prices can increase if the existing construction requires significant updates–walls, floors, or ceilings to be worked on.
Cold Weather Comfort: Steam, Heat Lamps & Enclosures
If you’ve lived in Northern Arizona for more than a couple of years, you know winters are chilly.
Walk-in showers can be drafty if they’re not enclosed. Moreover, frameless glass is aesthetically pleasing but allows heat to escape. If you choose a walk-in, consider installing a heat lamp or steam feature.
Another thing to keep in mind is that tiled walls also retain heat better than open designs. Tub-shower combinations inherently keep heat in, particularly with a curtain or glass door.
Soaking in a full tub can also warm you up on a cold day.
Comfort is key, particularly when you get out of a hot shower into a freezing bathroom in the early morning hours, so you might consider a heated floor to step onto.
Let Us Show You What Your Bathroom Could Look Like!
At Outlook Construction & Remodeling, we know bathroom renovations! We’ve installed countless showers, bathtubs, combos, and walk-in tubs in recent years and we know exactly what works best for your needs.
Our team can match you with a unit that meets your budget, mobility, and design space. If you want to know what your bathroom will look like with a new shower or bath unit installed, give us a call to discuss your ideas. We’ll put them to paper and provide you with renderings!
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