Good morning!
So, over the last few years we have worked on numerous projects that involved a bathroom renovation, and one of the most common dilemmas is; should I get rid of the bath? There are many of us that do not have the luxury of a second bathroom, so we have to fit it all into one. This leaves us with the decision of bath vs shower. I’m hoping to tackle some of the issues and questions around this common dilemma…..
Have both!
If you are lucky enough to have a pretty large bathroom, then you shouldn’t have to compromise. Plan the space well and try to incorporate both a bath and a shower.
If you are a bit tighter on space, then it would be wise to incorporate a shower in the bath. There are really lovely fixtures and fittings available now, so you do not have to compromise on the design with this option.
What are the thoughts behind this?
If you don’t have the luxury of a second bathroom in your home, here are some of the reasons for not getting rid of the bath:
1. Long term planning – if you do not already have children, do you plan to have them in the future? Lets face it, it will be much easier to bathe them in a bath….
2. Resale Value – when looking to purchase a home, most people will prefer to have the option of a bath.
3. Treat Yourself – With today’s hectic lifestyle, its always nice to have the option of soaking in the bath after a long day at work.
Bath vs Shower
If you have the option of both a bath and a shower, how do they stack up against each other?
Which uses more water?
So can depend on a few things:
1. The size of your bath, and how high you fill it
2. The length of time that you spend in the shower
3. The flow rate of your shower head
Bath Size
An average bath will hold 80 litres of water before overflowing. So we can assume that a full bath will hold 75 litres and a half bath will hold 40 litres.
Shower Time
The average shower takes 8 minutes
Shower head flow rate
A conventional electric shower uses 62 litres of water during an average 8 minute shower.
So, it could be argued that a bath uses less water, or a shower uses less water. It really depends on the level of water used in a bath and the amount of time that you spend in the shower.
Which is easier to clean?
In terms of which is easier to clean, that can really come down to personal preference. However, when it boils down to it, the bath only has the tub and taps to clean (based on no shower or screen), while the shower has the tray, shower head, valve, tiles and grout. So I think we can give this one to the bath owners…. 🙂
Which costs less to use?
Again, this will come down to personal circumstances. Both will require the cost of the water, along with the cost of heating the water. So if you are a very efficient shower taker, then this is the way to go!
So there are pro’s and con’s to both and you really need to figure out what will work best for you and your family. However, if you are planning to sell your house down the line, then I would strongly recommend to hold onto the bath.
Be Creative….
The Think Contemporary Team.
