Walk-in showers bring immense value and functionality to all types of bathrooms, but if you’re not yet sure whether you want to get one or not, you’re in the right place.
In this article, you’ll discover everything about having a walk in shower, including its pros and cons, its cost, functionality, and how difficult it is to maintain (if at all).
Let’s begin!
What Is A Walk-In Shower
Walk in showers are showers where you do not have to step over a tub to get in. They are good for people who have a lot of trouble stepping over things. They can also be good if you want to save space in your bathroom.
There are many different types of walk-in showers. Some have a door that you open and close, while others do not. Some have shower curtains, while others do not. There are also different sizes of walk-in showers. You can find ones that fit into small bathrooms, and others that are large enough for two people to shower in at the same time.
Walk-in showers can be made out of different materials. The most common type is tile, but you can also find them made out of stone, glass, or metal. NKBA has a lot of resources on walk-in showers and upcoming trends, so be sure to check out their website!
What Are The Pros Of Having A Walk-In Shower?
- One of the biggest is that they are very easy to get into. If you have trouble stepping over a tub, or if you are in a wheelchair, a walk in shower can be a great option.
- They can also save space in your bathroom. If you do not want a tub, or if you have a small bathroom, a walk in shower can be a great way to save space.
- Walk-in showers are also very easy to clean. Since there is no tub to step over, you can simply wipe down the walls and floor after each use. This can save you a lot of time when it comes to cleaning your bathroom.
What Are The Cons Of Having A Walk-In Shower?
But there are also a few drawback of having a walk in shower.
- They can be more expensive than traditional showers because they require more materials, and they often require special doors or shower curtains.
- Walk-in showers can be less private than traditional showers. Without a door, your privacy will be compromised, and unfortunately, glass doors are an expensive feature of walk-in showers.
- Walk-in showers can take longer to heat up than traditional showers. This is because the water has to travel farther to reach the shower head. So, if you like to take long showers, a walk in shower might not be the best option for you.
How Much Does A Walk-In Shower Cost?
Walk-in showers can cost as much as several thousand dollars. The cost will depend on the size of the shower, the materials it is made out of, and whether or not you need installing a shower door or shower curtain.
If you are looking to save money, you can find walk-in showers made out of cheaper materials, such as fiberglass or plastic. You can also choose a smaller shower, which will cost less than a larger one.
If you want a higher-end shower for, say, your master bath, you can choose more upscale materials such as stone or tile. You can also get a bigger shower, which will cost more.
Check out how long does it take to replace a shower and what this project involves from our article “How Long Does It Take To Replace A Shower: A Timeline For Your Bathroom Remodel“.
The Best Materials For A Walk-In Shower
There are quite a few options when it comes to the material of your walk in shower.
- The most popular material for your shower surround (or the shower walls) is porcelain tile. This is more of an upscale option, but it'll make your shower enclosure look amazing.
- For the shower door, a glass door is perfect, but if you're on a tight budget, a shower curtain will do just fine.
- If your shower surround is made of 3 walls, you'll need a door, but if you only have two walls around it, you'll need a glass panel or wall, and a door. A glass panel will be more expensive, but building a wall will require more time and labor.
- For the shower floor, it would look great to use the same material as your bathroom floor. However, this is not always possible, especially if your floor is luxury vinyl tile. As an alternative, natural stone, porcelain, or ceramic tile flooring are great options.
- For shower heads, you can choose a detachable one with all the blows and whistles and expect to pay around $1k, or you can get a decent one, nothing too flashy, at around a couple hundred dollars.
Note: Many walk in showers are actually a glass enclosure with a glass panel and a glass door in the corner of a bath. This saves a lot of space while at the same time creating an amazing shower, ideal for a master bathroom.
The Maintenance of a walk-in shower
Walk-in showers are very easy to maintain. Since they’re made of tiling and glass, you will not have to spend a lot of time cleaning them. Because of that you won’t have to worry about mold or mildew build-up as well.
However, if you choose a walk in shower made out of stone or tile, you may need to seal it every few years to keep the water away from seeping through the gaps. For a glass enclosed shower, you will mostly need to be careful not to break the glass.
Are Walk-In Showers Worth The Cost?
Walk-in showers can be a great addition to your home. They are easy to get into, easy to clean, and can save you space. However, they can be more expensive than traditional showers, and they might not be the best option if you like to take long showers.
If you are looking for a way to save space in your bathroom, or if you have trouble stepping over a tub, a walk in shower might be the right choice for you. Otherwise, you might want to stick with a traditional shower, or even a bathtub.
Note: You can have both the walk in shower and the bathtub, though! A quick shower is perfect when you’re in a rush and you want to get someplace faster, but nothing compares to how relaxing a soaking tub is.
If you want to find out more about the advantages of getting a walk in shower for your new bathroom, contact your local experts from MGS right now! We’re offering professional bathroom remodeling services in Leesburg, Ashburn, Sterling, Herndon, Reston, Vienna, Great Falls and more of Loudoun County and Fairfax County.
Call today at (571) 577-9554 to discuss your project, or request a free quote right now!
