There is no right answer to this question. Some people might say that replacing a bath with a shower devalues the property because it takes away one of the main features of the home.
Others might say that a shower is just as important as a bath and that it’s worth the extra money to have both options available.
Analyzing the real estate market in So-Cal, we didn’t find any discrepancies between units with showers/baths, as of June of 2022, units with walk-in showers have a 3% lower price than similar units with baths included.
It seems that having a bath in a house is not something the newer generation thinks about anyways.
Ultimately, it depends on the individual’s preferences and what they think is important in a home.
Advantages Of Replacing Bath with Shower
Water usage depends on a variety of factors, including the climate, the type of water heater, and the user’s habits. However, on average, a shower takes about 17 gallons of water. This number can vary depending on the length of the shower, the water pressure, and other factors.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, while taking a five-minute shower uses 10 to 25 gallons. You might argue that very few people fill the tub to the top, but a simple calculation shows that either way, baths use more water.
So the first advantage of replacing a bath with a shower is economical and environmental. You save water and money.
The second advantage of removing the bath is that you will get extra space in your bathroom, and you never get enough space for all of your bathroom necessities.
Generally speaking, when you remove your old bath with a walk-in shower, you will save up to 5 sq ft. While that doesn’t look much, when we look at bathroom sizes, that is a lot!
Downsides Of Replacing Bath With Shower
Other than the actual money cost of replacing a bath with a shower there are no other major disadvantages other than subjective matters like the noise of the showers and loss of comfort from having a bath in the first place.
Showers can be noisy when the water pressure is high and the water hits the tile floor or shower pan. When the door is closed, the sound reverberates. If there is a window in the shower, the sound of the rain can be louder than the sound of traffic outside.
It is possible to muffle the sound of a shower by installing a noise-reducing shower curtain and adding acoustic tiles to the ceiling and walls. Another way to reduce the noise from a high-pressure shower is to install a water pressure regulator.
Another downside is the fact that the comfort of a shower isn’t comparable with those of a large bath. But, in our opinion, people don’t have time for long baths, especially if you do it every day. And having a bath for one per week soak really isn’t worth it.
How Much Is A Tub Versus A Shower?
The cost of shower installation can vary greatly, depending on the type of shower you choose, the materials used in the construction, and the complexity of the installation. However, in general, the cost of installing a shower is much less than that of installing a bathtub.
This is because showers take up far less space and are much simpler to install.
Showers come in a variety of styles, from basic models with a few simple features to luxurious showers with multiple heads and body sprayers.
The most important consideration when choosing a shower is how you will use it. If you plan to use your shower as a place to relax and soak in a hot bath, then you will need a larger model with more features. If you plan to use your shower mainly for washing yourself and your hair, a smaller model with fewer features may be all you need.
Final Decision
To conclude, turning a bath into a shower is a great way to conserve water and save money on your monthly water bill. It is also a great way to save time in the morning by shaving or bathing without having to wait for the bathtub to fill up. If you are thinking about converting your bathtub into a shower, be sure to consult with a professional to make sure that you have all of the necessary components in place.