Walk-in showers have become one of the top renovation/remodel projects over the past few years and with good reason.
Whether you are planning to sell your home in the near future or not, adding to your home’s value is always a good investment. And converting to a walk-in shower as part of a bathroom re-do is one of the best ways to add curb appeal and value.
Few things lower a home’s appeal more than a dingy, outdated bathroom with a fixed bathtub shower combo.
They are also hard to clean and hard to get into, particularly for older folks or people with reduced mobility.
Apart from curb appeal, walk-in showers bring real, practical benefits to outdated bathrooms. Design flexibility, easier maintenance, accessibility, safety – all come with a walk-in shower.
So just how popular are walk-in showers? Very. In fact, the American Institute of Architects annual surveys show that over 60% of respondents prefer walk-in showers. That’s a continuing trend that’s been going up year after year for the past ten years or so.
Read on to find out why they have become so popular and what the top five advantages are.
1. Walk-In Showers Are Spacious and Elegant
Even in a small space, walk-in showers open up the room by eliminating a fixed tub, curtains, and doors.
Unlike tubs, walk-in showers don’t have fixed dimensions, so the shower can be adapted to best suit the space. That opens up a world of design options that just aren’t possible with a traditional tub and shower.
Opt for an all-tile design or add fixed glass panels or even stationary walls for more privacy. Whichever way you go, a sleek, spacious and elegant look is easy to achieve in any space.
2. Easy Cleaning and Maintenance
Are you tired of grungy shower curtains, dirty caulking, or hard-to-reach places? With their flat and tiled walls, gently sloping floors, and glass panels, walk-in showers are far easier to clean and maintain.
Today’s stain-resistant tiles are easy to clean – and keep clean. And if you opt for glass, that’s easier still. Daily shower sprays that eliminate soap and scum buildup on glass (and tile) are available at most grocery stores.
Traditional ceramic tubs are far more likely to stain, and with all the crevices and seams, far harder to maintain.
Best of all for most people? Convert tub to shower and ditch your shower curtain! That’s right. No rod. No hooks. No liner. No mold. No swapping out an old, dirty curtain for a new curtain.
3. Assures Universal Accessibility
Walk-in showers offer much-improved accessibility for people with reduced or limited mobility. That’s especially true for those in wheelchairs. Showering once again becomes simple and hassle-free for everyone.
And that’s an important consideration as the population ages, of course. But it’s also true for young children who may not be able to get in and out of a traditional tub on their own.
Because door-less walk-in showers can be designed with no curbs or lips at the entrance, there is nothing to step over or trip on when accessing the shower. That means less likelihood of tripping and fewer slips and falls, a big safety plus.
4. Design Adaptability to Fit Any Space
With no fixed dimensions, walk-in shower conversions can be adapted to work in practically any bathroom space, large, small, or oddly shaped.
And unlike traditional tub and shower combinations with their standard sizes and shapes, you’ll have practically unlimited flexibility.
You can design the shower to fit into whatever space and shape you have even if the space is unusual or small. Walk-in shower design is limited only by the designer’s creativity.
You can work within the space you have and create an elegant and spacious look.
5. Walk-In Shower: Options Galore
With all of the design options, you can create the perfect solution for your space adding the features you want. Sleek and modern? Industrial? Retro? Rustic? The options are only limited by your imagination.
Glass walls separating the shower from the rest of the room? A glass door? No problem.
Or, if privacy is a concern, add etched glass privacy panels or tiled wing walls providing a simple, elegant solution.
A flush entrance with no lip or curb for ultimate accessibility and safety? You’ve got it with a recessed drain and a very gently sloping floor.
Today’s tiles are available in an incredible array of colors, shapes, and textures to match any look or style. Porcelain tiles are available that look like marble, granite, travertine, and other natural stone.
Not only is porcelain less expensive than natural stone, it’s less porous, so it’s easier to clean and care for.
If you’d like to add a little warmth to the equation (beyond the hot water!), install a ceiling heat lamp or even under-floor radiant heating.
Want a shelf for toiletries or even a bench to sit on? Consider a walk-in shower with a seat.
Tired of boring old round showerheads? Let your imagination run wild. Today’s options include fantastic new designs in gorgeous, modern geometric shapes to match any design theme.
Want the feel and atmosphere of a gentle rainforest shower? Multiple showerheads at various heights from several directions? All possible.
What Are You Waiting For?
Now that you’ve taken a look at some of the leading benefits of a walk-in shower, let your imagination get to work. With all of the walk-in shower ideas and flexible designs, there’s definitely one that will work for you!
You’ll be adding to your home’s value and curb appeal. Time spent cleaning and maintaining your bathroom is reduced. Folks with limited mobility, and parents with small children, will appreciate the easy access.
With all of the design and feature options available, you can create a space that matches your needs and dreams to perfection.
Find more great tips, tricks, and ideas on updating your home inside and out, check out all of our other articles!
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