Baths Versus Showers – The Pros and Cons

Written by NewsCo

When you are ready to renovate your bathroom, you may be trying to decide on whether you should install a bath or a shower, or a combination of both. What are the pros and cons to both bathtubs and showers?

The Pros of a Bathtub

* Bathtubs are excellent when you need a soak and want to relax your sore muscles.
* You can buy bathtubs in a wide range of sizes to fit any bathroom.
* If you want to place your bathtub in the middle of the bathroom, you can purchase a freestanding bathtub that is finished on all sides.
* Bathtubs are perfect for getting children clean (and pets too).
* You can purchase a bathtub with special features such as jets and whirlpool features.
* You can purchase bathtubs in many design choices and add tile surrounds or whatever you like to make them extremely beautiful.

The Cons of a Bathtub

* Bathtubs take a lot of water to fill them up. They also have a large footprint and take up a lot of space.
* Bathtubs require a hot water heater that has the capacity to fill the whole tub with hot water.
* It takes a lot of time to fill a bathtub and have a complete bath.
* Elderly people and those who have injuries may find it difficult to get in or out of a bathtub if the sides are too high.

The Pros of a Shower

* Showers use less water than bathtubs
* It is fast and easy to have a shower.
* Showers do not take up much space in a bathroom although larger luxury stalls are starting to become wildly popular.
* It is easy for people to get in and out of a shower and special bars, non-slip bases and benches can be installed inside the shower.
* Many options for high-end features such as steam, jets and rain showers.

The Cons of a Shower

* Shower doors take work to be cleaned and often show a visible build-up of calcium and lime stains.
* If your shower has a leak, it can be a real issue to fix the leak. You must fix the leak, glue it, allow it to dry and not use the shower until dry which means you will have a lengthy period of time without access to a shower.
* Not realistic for people who have children.

If you have a shower, it can be restorative to stand in it and enjoy the water as it flows over your whole body. Make sure that you get you hot water for the best possible price by specifying one of the best hot water systems.You can direct your shower jets to your back and neck and with many different types of shower heads available, you can adjust the flow and pressure to suit your needs on any given day.

Many people believe that showers require a lot more water than a bathtub. The average shower uses 7.9 liters per minute with an average shower lasting around 8 minutes. Truthfully, modern shower heads have a lower flow rate and this can save the amount of water being used with the trade off being better pressure and more volume.

A bath can take anywhere from 185 to 454 liters of water to fill. The retention of heat in your bath water is low, with water staying warm on average for about 8 minutes.

A common question is skin health and whether it is bad to have a hot shower when it comes to skin. When you soak in a bathtub and you get that “pruny skin” it is your skin absorbing water and expanding and is only temporary. Bathing and showering both wash away grime and dirt but they also remove the natural oils from your skin which can dry it out.

Whether you prefer to shower or bath, the main thing to remember is to have a shorter time under the hot water and do not make the water too hot. Pat your skin dry instead of rubbing it and apply moisturizer after you have gotten out of the shower or tub.

It really comes down to personal preference whether you should bathe or shower. Some believe that baths are not sanitary because you sit in your own filth. Baths are restorative and showers are designed to cleanse quickly. It is the best idea to have both a shower and a bathtub in your home because it is better for your return on investment. If you are selling your home, a family may not want to purchase a home that does not have a bathtub.

In most homes, a shower is used more often than a tub, but a bathtub is a luxury and a necessity that should not be omitted from a home. A shower and a bath each have their place in the process of getting you clean. It is a matter of personal preference, but also is a consideration that both need to be included in any modern home.