Walk-in tub or walk-in shower?
An honest comparison to help you decide which one fits how you bathe.
Both get rid of the high tub wall. Which one is right comes down to how you like to bathe and how easily you can sit down and stand up.
| Walk-in tub | Walk-in shower | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting in | Low step, usually a few inches, through a door | Can be zero-step (curbless), or a low curb |
| Bathing | Seated soak, water up to your chest | Standing, or seated on a bench |
| Waiting | You sit inside while it fills and drains | No waiting |
| Water use | High. Needs a strong water heater. | Normal |
| Wheelchair or walker | Possible with an outward-swinging door, but you still transfer to a seat | Easier. You can roll right up to a bench or into a curbless shower. |
| Good for | People who love baths and want warm-water soaks | People who mainly shower, or whose mobility may change a lot |
Choose a walk-in tub if…
- You'd miss taking baths
- You can sit down and stand up from a chair-height seat without much trouble
- A few minutes of waiting while the tub fills and drains doesn't bother you
Choose a walk-in shower if…
- You use a wheelchair or walker, or expect to soon
- A caregiver helps you bathe, since they can reach you more easily
- You'd rather not deal with a door seal or the wait
A note on the wait
This is the complaint we hear most from people who already own a walk-in tub. You close the door, then fill the tub. Afterward you wait for it to drain before you can open the door. Fast-drain models help. Ask for the fill and drain times of any model you're considering, and ask whether it has a heated seat or backrest so you stay warm while you wait.
Still not sure? At the free estimate we'll look at your bathroom and tell you honestly which one makes more sense. Call (916) 964-9373.
Talk to someone local
Call and describe your bathroom. We'll set up a free in-home visit to measure, check your water heater, and give you a written price. There's no obligation.