While showers are quick and practical, a hot and relaxing bath at the end of the day works wonders to soothe and calm your sore muscles. Showers are more common in Indian households. The latest trend is a glass-panelled shower. Of late, bathtubs have gained popularity as well.

Both showers, as well as tubs, have their own pros and cons. There are various factors that you need to consider like cost, space, availability of time, end users etc. Most bathrooms cannot accommodate both shower and bathtub. Hence you would need to choose the one best suited to your needs.

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But how does one decide whether to opt for a shower, a tub, or a shower and tub combination?

In this article, we list down the pros and cons of showers and tubs as these factors would influence your decision.

Tubs

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Bathtubs were seen as items of luxury a few years ago, but now they are not luxurious fittings anymore. Increasing awareness and demand have made tubs more affordable and within the reach of many. Ideally designed with an aim to fit in an adult laying back and enjoying a relaxing bath, they are available in various shapes and sizes.

The many advantages of using a bathtub

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• Great for relaxation. You can enjoy a nice soothing bath using aroma oils, bath salts, candles etc.
• Children enjoy taking baths in tubs.
• Available in a variety of sizes, materials, colours, styles and designs. Depending on the available space, you can opt for a big or medium-sized tub. Stand-alone tubs are gaining popularity and can be installed in addition to a shower.
• Can be modernized and personalized by including special features such as jets, whirlpools etc.
• Freestanding tubs can be placed anywhere as they are finished and smoothened on all sides.
• Bathroom aesthetics lend a better ROI. A bathroom with a bathtub adds to the home’s retail value. New house owners especially those with children would be keener to invest in a house with a bathtub.

Bathtubs are not free of Cons

• The biggest drawback of a tub is the challenges it imposes on people with mobility issues. Older people might find taking baths a bit challenging.
• High risk of accidents and falls, especially for older people and small children. Many accidents occur while getting in or out of the tub. Anti-skid mats can be placed to enhance safety levels.
• Tubs are ideal in bathrooms where space is not a constraint. Since they occupy a lot of space, tubs would not be the right choice for smaller bathrooms as they might make you feel claustrophobic.
• Bathtubs have a high water consumption. Around 50-150 litres of water are required for a single bath. And this quantity would increase depending on the number of people taking a bath.
• Filling a tub is a time-consuming process and would be impractical on a daily basis.
• Also, energy costs would increase if you wish to take hot baths.

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Showers

Showers let you take bathe under water sprinkled at high pressure. They come in different shapes and sizes and even have additional features like a rain shower, hot and cold water options etc.  

Image – Max Vakhtbovych/ PexelsPros of using a Shower

Pros of using shower

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• Water consumption in a shower is significantly lower as compared with a tub. A typical 10-minute shower would require about 5 litres of water.
• Taking a shower is free of fuss, convenient and more efficient.
• It is also quick and practical and is best suited for people who lead busy lifestyles.
• Less time-consuming as you don’t need to wait for the tub to fill up.
• Also, it occupies less space as compared to a tub.
• Safer to use especially for older people and for those with mobility issues
• Can be customized according to individual preferences like adding rain showers, jets, steam etc.

A few Cons to be considered

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• If showers haven’t been installed properly, water can seep into the walls and result in damp walls and cause long-term damage.
• A reoccurring problem with showers is leakage. Leeks in showers are a pain to fix as they are time-consuming, inconvenient and expensive.
• Though you would feel refreshed after a shower, you won’t be able to relax and unwind as you would be standing all the while.
• Shower doors are prone to visible stains from calcium and lime deposits. Infrequent cleaning can lead to a buildup of stains.

In case you are planning to renovate your bathroom, consider these pros and cons as it would help you in making an informed decision.

If you are looking for more bathroom renovation ideas, please reach out to us. We would love to chat with you and help in designing your perfect bathroom.