Often homeowners wonder if they should have a bathtub or a shower in their bathroom. In small bathrooms, it’s a very relevant question, but there’s no definitive answer. You need to think about the space you have available and what’s best for your family’s needs. Here are some pointers about what to consider during bathroom installations in Ottawa when choosing between showers and tubs.
What are your bathroom renovation goals?
If you’re renovating your bathroom to sell your home, you want your bathrooms to appeal to a wide range of people. If the bathroom is being renovated for your family’s enjoyment and greater convenience, you want to make sure your bathroom fits your needs. The one rule of thumb you should keep in mind is that the house needs at least one bathroom with a tub. Choosing a shower or tub for the second bathroom can be a personal decision based on space and personal needs.
Showers do have more benefits
Showers take up less space, but they also have other benefits. A shower is more energy-efficient, provided you take quick showers. If accessibility is an issue, or you’re thinking about aging-in-place modifications, showers are preferable to tubs. A well-designed shower can make it safer and easier for seniors or other individuals with mobility issues. Keep in mind that families with small children often prefer bathtubs.
Tub and Shower Options
Don’t go into your bathroom renovations in Ottawa with preconceived notions about what your bathroom can fit. Modern bathroom design offers a range of options that can fit into smaller spaces. If you’re trying to maximize space, you have many choices that can fit into your budget and meet your goals. Showers are the most practical, and because you have a lot of design choices, you can find something that fits your bathroom. If you really need a tub, there are ways to fit it in, but showers tend to be the better choice for smaller bathrooms.
At the furthest spectrum of shower options, you can have a full-out custom shower with tiled floor and tiled walls, such as what you can get with a Schluter shower system. These are the most expensive to build as they require the most premium materials and the most amount of skilled labour. However, they are also the most customizable when it comes to size and shape as well as the most beautiful. Custom showers are sometimes the only option for those of us who have mobility issues. They are also called barrier-free showers or ledge-less showers.
If the space is limited and you need to have a tub but want to use it as a shower, a combination or an alcove bathtub and water-proofed and tiled walls above will give you something we call – Tub/Shower combo. These are most common in modern homes and for a reason. They can be beautiful and practical. They are also fairly reasonable for the installation cost.
Hire Experienced Bathroom Contractors in Ottawa for Professional Renovations
We hope we were able to give you some guidance as to choosing the right installation of tub or shower. Talk to our team of bathroom contractors in Ottawa about your particular situation to answer all your questions about small bathroom renovations.