Walk-In Shower vs. Bathtub: Which One Adds More Value to Your Home?

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Written By Trisha

Hi, I’m Trisha McNamara, a contributor at The HomeTrotters.

The decision between getting a fashionable walk-in shower or a common tub can be a hard task while doing bathroom renovations. Each one will suit the needs of the homeowner differently and may even affect how much your house will sell for. This will depend on who the buyer will be, how the rooms are arranged, and the trend in the purchase of properties in the area.

It is always important to think about the benefits that one is likely to get from the renovation while considering bathroom renovations. Other than that, one must think about the renovations which will give you good value for money.

Evaluating Value: Walk-In Showers vs. Bathtubs

To see which thing adds more value to your place, you need to look at how each one does when buyers look at what they want.

Return on Investment and Buyer Appeal

The trend of having walk-in showers is becoming common among house buyers. Majority of them find appeal in the stylish design of the showers and functionality too. Walk-in showers do not take much space at all.

  • Appealing look: Frameless glass enclosures with seam-free tiles on the floor give the impression of an open shower. Therefore, home buyers who find luxury features appealing will definitely like it.
  • Safe and comfortable for everyone: A level entry shower makes it easy for people of all ages to get in and out. This is good for those planning to stay in their house for many years or for anyone who has trouble moving around.
  • Water- and energy-saving: A shower uses much less water each time compared to a bathtub. So, it matches the new lifestyle that cares about the environment.
  • Bathtub remains a thing desired by many buyers, especially for the main and family bathroom. There are some clients who have no choice but to have a bathtub.
  • Family need: Those families with children or pets will want at least one bath at home to be able to bathe.
  • Spa effect: Free-standing bathtubs in master bathrooms appeal to luxury purchasers.

Spatial Considerations and Floor Plan Logic

The amount of space within a room will determine what layout works best. Removing an awkward tub/shower combination in a bathroom and replacing it with a walk-in shower would open up the space considerably. However, removing all bathtubs from a house could prevent as many as 50 percent of potential buyers from purchasing the property, particularly families with children.

Strategic Guidelines for Homeowners

To get the most out of your investment and keep the value up, real estate and design experts say you should follow some tried and tested rules:

  1. Keep at least one bathtub: Make sure to have a tub in the main or hallway bathroom. This helps attract young families.
  2. Make walk-in showers a top choice in main bedrooms: Update the main bathroom of the house with a big shower that has two shower heads. This gives a spa feel.
  3. Use good materials: Pick tiles that last, strong waterproofing, and modern taps and handles, no matter which one you pick.

Modern Trends in Bathroom Upgrades

Current real estate data shows that more homes now come with big, walk-in showers. These showers do not have a curb. They often have built-in benches, drains along the side, and controls that help keep water at the right temperature. Also, deep tubs that stand alone are taking the place of the old built-in acrylic tubs in large main bathrooms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will the removal of the only bath in your house reduce the property value?

The answer is yes. The elimination of all baths in the house will make it difficult to sell. People who have children usually feel that having at least one bath is essential.

Which installation is less costly – a shower or a bath?

In most cases, the costs incurred during the installation of either the shower or the bath are almost equal. The main factors that determine the final cost include the kind of material used, whether the plumbing needs to be relocated, and the amount of tiling work involved. However, installation of costly tiled walk-in showers with glass screens is more expensive than installation of an ordinary acrylic tub.

Which choice is better for small bathrooms?

Installing a walk-in shower with glass walls makes small bathrooms look much more spacious. It makes the room seem bigger than having a large bath. With the walk-in shower, it becomes easier to enter and exit the shower.

Conclusion

Walk-in showers and bathtubs can both add a lot of value if you put them in the right spots in your home. The best one for you will depend on how your home is set up, what kinds of people want to buy homes like yours, and what you use every day in your home. If you plan your bathroom renovations so you keep at least one tub and also make the main places you wash up feel new, you make your home feel nice now. You also help your home be worth more later.

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