Walk-In Showers: A Close Understanding of Everything You Need To Know
A walk-in shower makes a bold style statement and is an investment for your future. Its sleek, modern look provides accessibility and comfort features to enable a safe bathing experience at any age or stage of life.
Our walk-in shower guide covers everything you need to know to make an informed decision about whether it’s the right fit for your home and family.
What Is a Walk-In Shower?
A walk-in shower has an ultra-low threshold entry that’s flush with the bathroom floor, creating a seamless look and providing easy access for individuals with mobility limitations.
Many walk-in showers feature glass doors, creating a spacious, airy appearance and minimalist design. With clean lines, easy access and a spa-like vibe, a walk-in shower blends both form and function.
A tub-to-shower transformation maximizes space and elevates style. Safe Step’s team handles installations with minimal disruption to your daily routine.
Walk-In Showers vs. Traditional Shower Stalls
Unlike traditional shower stalls, walk-in showers feature modern amenities designed to enhance the look and functionality of a bathroom, increasing a home’s resale value.
Here’s what makes them stand out:
| Walk-In Shower | Traditional Stall | |
|---|---|---|
| Design Aesthetic | A walk-in shower’s spacious and sleek, minimalist design has a modern appeal for an upgraded design aesthetic. | In primary bathrooms with a traditional shower stall, jetted tubs are often the focal point. The fully enclosed shower is usually nestled into a compact corner as an afterthought. |
| Cleaning | The open design makes a walk-in shower easy to clean with no nooks and crannies. Safe Step Walk-In Showers feature antimicrobial walls to prevent mildew. | The small size and significant enclosure make stall showers challenging to keep clean. |
| Customizeable | Walk-in showers come with a variety of customizable features, including wall color, tile accents, hardware and more. | With their small footprint, shower stalls offer limited opportunity for enhancement. |
| Lighting | The open design creates a light and airy atmosphere that can be enhanced with soft lighting to create a soothing atmosphere. | Shower stalls are fully enclosed and require dedicated lighting for proper visibility. |
| Ventilation | The open layout naturally increases ventilation, and Safe Step’s quick-drain design enables the shower to dry faster. | Shower stalls trap warm, moist air, creating ideal conditions for mildew and mold growth. |
Is a Walk-In Shower a Better Option Than a Walk-In Tub?
Choosing between a walk-in shower or tub depends on your unique mobility and comfort needs. If you suffer from arthritis or other pain associated with aging, a walk-in tub may be a better choice.
A walk-in tub has many therapeutic benefits that are not available with walk-in showers, including:
- MicroSoothe® air therapy: Cleanse and nourish your skin with gentle, oxygen-enriched bubbles.
- Hydro massage jets: Target and massage aches and pains with ten propulsive water jets.
- Heated seat and backrest: Ease tension in your joints and muscles as your tub fills and drains.
- Chromotherapy: Use color therapy to calm your mind and body with seven built-in color-changing lights.
- Aromatherapy: Diffuse soothing essential oils in your tub to relieve stress.
Benefits of Installing a Walk-In Shower
The average American spends more than 16 minutes in the shower each day. Why not make the time you spend on your daily routine enjoyable?
A thoughtfully designed bathroom should feel like a daily escape, blending comfort, safety and smart features that elevate your routine.
- Accessibility: With a low-threshold entry, a walk-in shower provides easy access for the entire family, including kids and people with mobility limitations.
- Modern design: With glass, pivot doors and customizable style features, a walk-in shower offers a cutting-edge design to match your aesthetic.
- Conserves water: Filling a bathtub can require up to 70 gallons of water. Showering conserves water and can lower your utility bill.
- Space optimization: Walk-in showers take up less space than traditional tub-shower combos. Glass doors create uninterrupted lines of sight and can make your bathroom feel larger.
- Home value: Homeowners recoup at least 50% of the cost of a bathroom renovation when they sell their home, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors. The high return on investment makes a walk-in shower a savvy project for homeowners.
Limitations To Consider
Walk-in showers provide design enhancements and improved accessibility, but there may be some potential limitations to keep in mind.
- Temperature: An open layout may feel chilly, especially in colder climates or bathrooms lacking sufficient heating. Unlike tubs or enclosed showers, there’s no steamy enclosure to trap warmth.
- Less privacy: Walk-in showers featuring glass doors offer less privacy for bathers.
- Fewer safety features: Walk-in showers have fewer safety features than a traditional walk-in tub. They do offer an easy step-in design, grab bars and temperature controls to enhance comfort and accessibility.
Despite potential drawbacks, walk-in showers are a one-time investment in your home that allows you to age in place comfortably.
“The installers were very friendly and professional. The results were fantastic. The shower is beautiful,” said P. Gillespie, a satisfied Safe Step customer.
Walk-In Shower Features
Safe Step Walk-In Showers are thoughtfully designed to fit your individual lifestyle and design needs.
Design Features
A walk-in shower offers barrier-free entry and customizable design features to appeal to every aesthetic. With a modern design and minimalist style, a walk-in shower is a seamless addition.
Safe Step Walk-In Showers feature five acrylic wall colors and styles that are artfully designed and easy to maintain. Tile accents provide a pop of color.
Bring your bathroom to life with stylish hardware finishes suitable for every taste. Our range of options will complement your bathroom’s faucets and cabinet hardware.
Round out your design with glass doors or curtains, offering elegant entry and exit to your walk-in shower.
Convenience Features
At Safe Step, we believe bathing should be simple, safe and stress-free. Our walk-in showers are designed with the features you need to support your daily routine, including easy-to-reach shower niches, sturdy built-in shelves and an optional fold-away seat that helps you bathe comfortably and independently.
Every shower also includes a pressure- and temperature-balancing valve for safer adjustments, plus a convenient foot spout so you can test the water before stepping in. And with our efficient 2-inch drain kit, water drains quickly, enabling your shower to dry faster and be ready for the next use.
Safety Features
If you want to age in place or have mobility limitations and don’t necessarily want to switch to taking a bath in a walk-in tub, a walk-in shower offers safety features to help you enjoy independent bathing.
Low threshold bases let you step in and out of the shower easily. Our ultra-low threshold base is wheelchair accessible to accommodate mobility concerns over time.
Grab bars are securely anchored to the wall to provide support where you need it most. They feature an ergonomic shape that fits comfortably in your hand.
What Does a Walk-In Shower Cost?
Walk-in shower designs are tailored to your style and budget. Since every installation is unique, we provide custom pricing rather than one-size-fits-all estimates online or by phone.
Our design specialists will work with you to find a walk-in shower that fits your budget.
Is a Walk-In Shower Right for Your Home?
Deciding if a walk-in shower is the right choice for your home comes down to your family’s preferences and long-term plans. A walk-in shower is a stylish, accessible bathing solution. If you’re looking for a modern upgrade with minimal maintenance, a walk-in shower is an ideal choice.
If you prefer relaxing in a bath with therapeutic features to soothe aches and pains, the Safe Step Hybrid Tub offers versatile bathing for the entire household.
Ready To Design Your Walk-In Shower?
Get personalized pricing and expert guidance from the Safe Step team. Request a free quote to get started today.
