Chicago Bathroom Remodeling Pros - Walk-In Shower vs Bathtub
Bathroom Remodeling Pros Serving Chicago, IL Neighborhoods
Walk-In Shower vs Bathtub
Which Option Is Best for Your Bathroom Remodel?
One of the biggest decisions homeowners make during a bathroom remodel is whether to install a walk-in shower or keep (or add) a bathtub. Both options offer distinct advantages, and the right choice depends on your lifestyle, family needs, budget, available space, and long-term plans for your home.
This guide compares walk-in showers and bathtubs to help you make an informed remodeling decision.
Bathtub
Walk-In Shower
At a Glance
| Feature | Walk-In Shower | Bathtub |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility | Excellent | Fair |
| Space Efficiency | Excellent | Good |
| Cleaning & Maintenance | Easy | Moderate |
| Customization | Excellent | Moderate |
| Relaxation | Good | Excellent |
| Family Friendly | Good | Excellent |
| Aging in Place | Excellent | Fair |
| Luxury Appearance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Water Usage | Often Lower | Typically Higher |
| Resale Appeal | Excellent (if another tub exists) | Excellent(especially if it's the home's only tub) |
Walk-In Showers
Walk-in showers have become one of the most requested features in modern bathroom remodeling. Their open design creates a spacious appearance while offering outstanding accessibility and nearly unlimited customization options.
They are especially popular in Chicago condominiums, townhomes, and primary bathrooms.
Advantages of Walk-In Showers
- Modern, open appearance
- Easier entry and exit
- Excellent for aging in place
- Custom sizes available
- Works well in small bathrooms
- Can include luxury features
- Easier to clean than many tub/shower combinations
- Creates a spacious feel
- Supports curbless designs
- Often uses less water than filling a bathtub
Walk-In Shower Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Contemporary appearance | Not ideal for soaking baths |
| Excellent accessibility | May not suit families with infants |
| Great for smaller bathrooms | Luxury upgrades can increase cost |
| Highly customizable | Glass requires routine cleaning |
| Easier to enter and exit | May reduce appeal if it's the only bathroom and no tub remains |
| Supports aging-in-place designs | Requires quality waterproofing |
| Can increase usable floor space | Some homeowners simply prefer baths |
Bathtubs
Bathtubs continue to be a valuable feature in many homes, particularly for families with young children or homeowners who enjoy relaxing baths. Today's options range from traditional alcove tubs to elegant freestanding soaking tubs that serve as striking focal points.
Advantages of Bathtubs
- Ideal for bathing children
- Great for soaking and relaxation
- Timeless design
- Wide variety of styles
- Can enhance luxury bathrooms
- Excellent option for guest bathrooms
- Attractive to many homebuyers
- Available in many sizes and materials
Bathtub Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect for soaking | Takes up more floor space |
| Family Friendly | Higher water usage |
| Excellent for homes with young children | Harder to enter and exit |
| Timeless appearance | More difficult to clean around |
| Wide variety of styles | Not ideal for limited mobility |
| Strong resale appeal | Can make small bathrooms feel smaller |
| Adds luxury to primary suites | Less practical for homeowners who only shower |
Space Considerations
Walk-In Shower
Walk-in showers maximize usable floor space and create a bright, open appearance. Frameless glass enclosures allow light to flow throughout the room, making even compact bathrooms feel larger.
Bathtub
Bathtubs generally require more floor space but can serve as an attractive centerpiece in larger bathrooms, especially when paired with decorative tile surrounds or freestanding designs.
Accessibility
Walk-In Shower
Walk-in showers are often the preferred choice for homeowners planning to age in place or improve accessibility. Features such as curbless entries, built-in benches, handheld shower heads, grab bars, and slip-resistant flooring can make showering safer and more comfortable.
Bathtub
Stepping over the side of a bathtub may become more challenging over time. While grab bars and transfer benches can improve safety, many homeowners eventually choose a walk-in shower for greater convenience.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Walk-In Shower
Walk-in showers generally require less routine maintenance, especially when finished with large-format porcelain tile or acrylic wall systems. Frameless glass should be cleaned regularly to reduce water spots, and grout and caulking should be inspected periodically.
Bathtub
Bathtubs require regular cleaning of the tub surface and surrounding walls. Shower curtains or glass doors, depending on the design, also require routine maintenance.
Design Flexibility
Walk-In Shower
A walk-in shower offers virtually unlimited customization, including:
- Frameless glass
- Decorative tile
- Built-in benches
- Recessed niches
- Rain shower heads
- Handheld shower systems
- Linear drains
- Curbless entry
- Accent lighting
Bathtub
Modern bathtubs are available in many styles, including:
- Alcove tubs
- Freestanding soaking tubs
- Drop-in tubs
- Corner tubs
- Whirlpool tubs
- Air baths
These options allow homeowners to create anything from a classic bathroom to a luxury spa retreat.
Which Option Fits Your Lifestyle?
Choose a Walk-In Shower If You:
✔ Shower every day and rarely take baths
✔ Want a modern appearance
✔ Have a smaller bathroom
✔ Want easier maintenance
✔ Plan to age in place
✔ Prefer an open, spacious design
✔ Want custom design features
Choose a Bathtub If You:
✔ Enjoy relaxing baths
✔ Have young children
✔ Want a soaking tub
✔ Have adequate bathroom space
✔ Are creating a luxury primary bathroom
✔ Want to maintain a bathtub because it's the only one in the home
Final Thoughts
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing between a walk-in shower and a bathtub. If your priorities are accessibility, easy maintenance, and a clean contemporary design, a walk-in shower may be the ideal solution. If relaxation, bathing children, or preserving the home's only bathtub is important, a bathtub may better meet your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is replacing a bathtub with a walk-in shower a good idea?
For many homeowners, yes. If your home already has another bathtub, replacing an underused tub with a walk-in shower can improve accessibility, create a more spacious layout, and modernize the bathroom. However, if the bathroom contains the home's only bathtub, it's worth considering how that change may affect future buyers, particularly families with young children.
Which option is easier to clean?
Walk-in showers are often easier to maintain because they eliminate the curved interior of a bathtub and can be designed with large-format tile, fewer grout joints, or acrylic wall panels. Regular cleaning and proper ventilation help keep either option looking its best.
Which option adds more value to a home?
Both can add value when thoughtfully designed and professionally installed. A custom walk-in shower is highly desirable in primary bathrooms, while maintaining at least one bathtub elsewhere in the home can appeal to a broader range of buyers. The best choice often depends on your home's layout and the needs of your household.
Can I have both a walk-in shower and a bathtub?
Absolutely. Many larger primary bathrooms include both a spacious walk-in shower and a freestanding soaking tub. This combination provides maximum flexibility, luxury, and functionality while appealing to a wide variety of homeowners.