Walk-In Tub vs. Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo: Find Your Perfect Fit
Finding the right bathing solution to meet your health and safety goals can be challenging. Our walk-in tub vs. walk-in tub-shower combo overview eliminates the guesswork to help you evaluate the pros and cons of each type. Soak up the facts to make an informed investment in both comfort and convenience.
Walk-In Tub Essentials
If coping with the aches and pains of aging or mobility limitations is hampering your ability to live life to the fullest, you’re not alone. At least 7 out of 10 seniors over the age of 72 face some form of these challenges.
Maintaining a consistent daily routine is vital to your health and well-being. A walk-in tub allows you to embrace your independence and safely enjoy the golden years at home. The one-time investment of a walk-in tub enables you to maximize your retirement and eases the caretaking burden.
From soothing sore muscles to increasing your home’s value, explore the pros and cons of this bathing upgrade:
Pros
- Reduce the risk of slips and falls: Safety is a top concern for seniors living at home, and the risk of falling increases with age. Taking steps to improve bathroom safety is crucial to maintain your quality of life and independence. A walk-in tub has textured flooring and grab bars to improve balance and stability. The low threshold entry makes it easy to navigate with confidence.
- Improve physical health: Soaking in a walk-in tub is soothing, and hydrotherapy has many health benefits. Hydrotherapy uses targeted jets of water to provide pain relief and increase flexibility. Relaxing in warm water also improves circulation, which affects every cell in your body. Blood circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to your cells, helping with brain function, heart health, wound healing and more.
- Boost mood: Everyday stress can take a toll on your mental well-being. Taking time for self-care by soaking in a walk-in tub is calming and helps reduce stress.
- Designed for comfort: Bathing can be a chore for people with mobility issues. A walk-in tub improves the time you spend on your hygiene routine. The easy-to-use door and tub design allows you to submerge more of your body in water, and the heated seat keeps you warm.
Cons
- Limited functionality: Family members with a preference for showering won’t reap the benefits of a walk-in tub. Safe Step’s Walk-In Tubs ease the caretaking load for family members and enable people to retain their independence for years to come.
- Traditional design: Walk-in tubs feature a standard design that may not appeal to homeowners who prefer a sleek, modern style. While the design may be standard, tubs from Safe Step feature color light therapy and aromatherapy to bring healing innovation to the bathing experience.
Explore the Hybrid Tub-Shower Combo
A walk-in tub-shower combo is a versatile, space-saving choice for many bathers. Each feature is engineered to meet the needs and abilities of the entire household, with the addition of a shower head to the tub base. Hybrid tubs offer the comfort and convenience of a walk-in tub combined with a standing shower.
Is the combo option a good fit for your family? Take a closer look at the advantages of this model:
Pros
- Versatility: A walk-in tub-shower offers the best of both worlds for customers who prioritize versatility. Whether you want to take a long soak or a quick shower, you’ll have options. It helps future-proof your home as you age.
- Enhanced safety features: The Centers for Disease Control reports falls are one of the leading causes of injury for seniors. A hybrid tub offers the convenience of a low-threshold shower with all the same safety features of a walk-in tub. Grab bars, slip-resistant flooring, a built-in door, and anti-scald technology prevent slips and falls during bathing.
- Space-saving: By combining two functions in one space, a hybrid tub eliminates the need for a separate shower, which is useful for bathrooms with a smaller footprint.
- Raise home value: Investing in a walk-in tub-shower combo has the potential to increase the value of your home and cater to a broader audience. Over the next 15 years, the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to grow to 78.3 million, more than double the number recorded in 2020. Upgrading your bathroom with a walk-in tub-shower can be appealing to this growing demographic and their families, particularly if you live in an area that’s popular with seniors.
Cons
- Requires professional Installation: Outfitting your bathroom with a hybrid tub is more complex than a traditional tub. It requires professional installers with the training and tools to get the job done right. Safe Step’s professional tub and shower installers provide expert installation in as little as one day. Our team goes the extra mile to deliver high-quality service and treat your home with respect.
- Maintenance: A hybrid tub has more components than a traditional walk-in tub. More components mean more parts to clean. With Safe Step, our tubs come standard with a germ-blocking sanitary gel coating. The mold and bacteria-resistant coating makes cleaning a breeze.
- Cost: A hybrid tub may cost more than a walk-in tub. The one-time investment of both hybrid and standard walk-in tubs allows you to live at home for as long as possible, reducing long-term care expenses.
Soaking vs. Showering: Which Experience Do You Prefer?
Knowing your whole household’s bathing preferences will help you decide between a walk-in tub or a hybrid option. If you enjoy the convenience of a quick shower and soaking only when time allows, having a walk-in tub-shower will meet your needs. If mobility limitations prevent you from standing during your daily routine, a shower feature may not be necessary.
Installation Considerations
Bathroom layout plays a role in your bathing decisions to ensure safety and functionality. Assess the available space in your bathroom to determine the ideal tub size and orientation. The door needs to be accessible to match the user’s mobility needs. Making a choice that’s compatible with your current bathroom layout reduces the need for a major renovation.
Safe Step has more than 15 years of experience helping people enjoy the comfort and convenience of a walk-in tub. Our team can provide guidance and tips for a seamless experience, so you can get back to bathing on your terms.
“The quality and workmanship with Safe Step is far superior,” said Paul H., a Safe Step customer.
Which Option Is Right for You?
| Preference | Walk-In Tub | Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo |
|---|---|---|
| You prefer a relaxing soak over quick showers | ✅ Deep soaking for comfort and therapy | ✅ Option for both soaking and showering |
| You need the flexibility to sit or stand while bathing | ❌ Only for sitting (no standing shower) | ✅ Both sitting and standing options available |
| You need therapeutic features (e.g., hydrotherapy) | ✅ Hydrotherapy jets, color light therapy and heated backrests | ✅ Hydrotherapy options with the flexibility of showering |
| You prefer easy maintenance with fewer moving parts | ✅ Simple tub with fewer components to maintain | ❌ More components require more upkeep |
| You share the bathroom with others who prefer showers | ❌ Not ideal for showering | ✅ Perfect for households with diverse bathing needs |
Choose Safe Step for Your Safe Bathing Needs
When you’re ready to upgrade your bathing experience, Safe Step is an industry-leader. We offer a lifetime warranty, and our tubs are American-made. To learn more about walk-in bathtubs and showers, request your free quote today to connect with an expert from the Safe Step team.
