A good bubble bath is rejuvenating and simply irresistible. But in today’s fast-paced lifestyle, a bath is time-consuming and can seem like a luxury, especially on weekdays. And a quiet, relaxing bath is not an option when you’re busy, which is the reality on most days.
On the contrary, a shower is much quicker and takes a lot less time. That’s because, unlike soaking in a bathtub filled with water during a bath, you only shower water on yourself. A shower is easy and fast and helps you get ready in a jiffy.
In this blog post, we’ll take a close look at the pros and cons of both a bath and a shower and help you determine which one is right for your bathroom.
- Are Baths Better Than Showers?
- Water Consumption and Efficiency
- Cost Considerations
- Environmental Impact
- Time Efficiency
- Which Option Is Better for Families and Kids?
- Style and Design Considerations
- Bath or Shower Alternative: A Shower Bath
Navigate to any section of this post by clicking on the links above.
Are Baths Better Than Showers?
Let’s consider the pros and cons of a bath first.
Pros of a Bath:
- A bath lowers your blood pressure, offering protection to your cardiac muscles. So, regular baths improve your heart health.
- A bath is a great stress reliever. A protracted bath releases endorphins – the feel-good hormones – into your bloodstream. And stress that has accumulated in your system right through the day simply melts away.
- A bath is good for your skin, depending on the additive you put in the bathwater. Bath time ingredients that can replenish your skin include essential oils, honey, oatmeal, bath bombs, mineral salts, etc.
- A bath can lower your blood sugar level. If you’ve been advised by your doctor to keep an eye on your blood sugar level, then a hot bath is an effective option to lower it.
- A bath is just as clean as a shower. A shower is better than a bath when you’re drenched in sweat, or you’re really dirty from strenuous exercise or being outdoors, whereas a bath can get you just as clean on a normal day when dirt and grime are not major considerations.
Cons of a Bath:
- A bath is time-consuming. Unlike a shower where you turn On the knob and start showering in an instant, a bath takes time. You need to fill up the bathtub and ensure that the water temperature is right before you get in. And after you get in, you tend to forget the world, and time flies.
- A bath consumes a lot of water. Unlike a shower where you can control the water consumption by turning off the water when you’re applying soap on your body, you’ll need to fill up the bathtub before you start washing.
- A bathtub occupies more space in your bathroom compared to a showering unit. And it can be a real challenge to install a bathtub in most ultra-small modern bathrooms.
- The dirt and grime from your body float on the bath water and will remain on its surface. This is a real concern, especially after a session of strenuous exercise or after a long, exhausting day. And the only way you can overcome this issue is you will need to take a quick shower before you step inside the bathtub.
- People with mobility issues and the elderly may have difficulties using a bath. Stepping in and climbing out of a bath is more challenging than stepping in and out of a shower enclosure, especially for people with mobility issues and the elderly.
(All the cons of a bath detailed above are automatically the pros of a shower.)
Water Consumption and Efficiency
The water consumption for an average bath in the UK is 80 litres, whereas it’s 45 litres for a normal 5-minute shower. That’s a clear 35 litres lower water consumption. Hence, showers are more water efficient than baths.
The water flow rate in an average showerhead is around 10 litres per minute. However, it’s possible to achieve significant water savings by fitting a low-flow showerhead (6 litres per minute).
The good news is that these showerheads deliver the feel of a normal shower, as they don’t compromise on water pressure.
Likewise, to reduce water wastage, plug the drain in the bath first, and fill it only halfway to ensure zero water spillage.
Cost Considerations
The cost difference between baths and showers isn’t significant. But the difference in cost range is huge.
The cost of a bath ranges between £127 for a basic model and £9,594 for a premium model. You can choose from several hundred models.
Similarly, the cost of a shower enclosure ranges between £200 for a quadrant corner shower enclosure and £2,777 for a premium model. You are really spoilt for choice, as there are about a thousand different shower enclosures you can choose from.
Installation Cost:
The installation cost will depend on the complexity of the task and the labour involved. On average, the cost of installing a shower enclosure is lower than the cost of installing a bath.
Maintenance:
A shower enclosure is easier to maintain compared to a bath. You only need to wipe the glass of the enclosure with a clean towel after use each day to remove traces of soap, shampoo, or bath gel.
Wiping a bath dry can be a tougher task, as there are more nooks and crannies where dirt and grime tend to settle.
Energy Bill:
In regards to the utility bill, since the energy required to heat 80 litres of water to 42°C to fill a bath is much higher than the energy required to heat half that volume needed for a shower, the energy cost of using a bath is more than double that of a shower.
Environmental Impact
Both baths and showers impact the environment because they use water and consume electricity.
Excess water usage – e.g., filling the bathtub to the brim or showers lasting 15 to 20 minutes – can deplete natural resources.
Water wastage in the bath or shower will result in higher utility bills. So, it’s important to minimise water wastage.
Examples of Water-Saving Showerheads and Eco-Friendly Bath Products:
An aerating showerhead will use fewer litres of water per minute. Similarly, the Revive showerhead with multiple water flow modes can use up to 5 times less water while ensuring showering is still an enjoyable experience.
Peace with the Wild natural bath salts are crafted to soothe and relax your mind, body, and soul. The eco-friendly bath salts detoxify your body, leaving your skin soft and glowing.
Time Efficiency
A shower can be quick. When you’re in a hurry, you can finish showering fast – in just three minutes flat. (The average shower in the UK lasts for about 8 minutes.)
Compare that with the time it takes to fill an average bathtub – 5 to 10 minutes. It can take much longer to fill a large bathtub. Obviously, a shower is leagues ahead when it comes to time efficiency.
A bath is, however, a better option when you desire to treat chronic pain, ease fatigue, or promote relaxation. A long soak can also relieve stress and muscle soreness.
Which Option Is Better for Families and Kids?
A bath is definitely an exciting option for a family with young kids, especially on weekends. It’s the easiest way to help them stay clean and have fun while doing it. After all, nothing can come close to splashing around in a bathtub.
But for a family with older children, a shower is a more practical and water-efficient option. A shower is also a better option for people with mobility issues and the elderly, as entering/exiting a shower enclosure is much easier compared to stepping in and climbing out of a bath.
For a household that comprises mostly people who need to get ready quickly – for instance, office-goers and school- and college-going children – a shower or shower bath is the perfect solution.
Style and Design Considerations
The choice between a bath and a shower can influence bathroom design and aesthetics in several ways, including functionality, style, and water usage.
Functionality:
A shower enclosure is easily accessible – you simply step in – compared to a bath, as it may require stepping over the bath edge/climbing steps to enter the bath.
Style:
A freestanding bath is a luxurious fixture that will create a style statement, especially if positioned in the centre of the bathroom. A corner bath can also be a great style choice, adding a touch of luxury to your space.
A shower enclosure can be compact, minimalist, and modern. The showering unit can also be designed to be luxurious with a rainfall showerhead, body jets, and a smart shower.
Water Usage:
While a shower needs a lot less water compared to a bath, water wastage in a bath can be minimised by deliberately filling the tub just halfway to the brim.
The Growing Trend of Walk-in showers and Freestanding Bathtubs
The open-plan aesthetic of walk-in showers has been all the rage in the last few years. Superior convenience and easy accessibility are the compelling features that have made them so popular among homeowners.
The extravagant shapes of freestanding bathtubs can make a stunning artistic statement. And thanks to the preference for classic designs over the last decade or so, the popularity of these fixtures has been on the rise.
Bath or Shower Alternative: A Shower Bath
a. What Is a Shower Bath?
A shower bath is really a bathtub and showering unit combo. In many countries, households with families prefer a shower/tub combination over a separate bathtub and a separate showering unit, as this new design takes up considerably less space in their bathroom.
The fast-paced life of the internet age has made those long, relaxing baths almost redundant, at least on busy weekdays. It’s this busy lifestyle that has resulted in the design and manufacture of L-shaped and P-shaped shower baths.
A shower bath allows you to experience the best of both worlds – you can shower quickly and get ready fast on weekdays, and you can enjoy a long, pleasant bath on weekends.
b. Why Should You Invest in a Shower Bath?
A shower bath allows you to take a hasty shower and get ready quickly at the beginning of your day. And you can end your long day with a pleasurable bath. Also, the clever design of a shower bath permits you to maximize the space in your bathroom.
So, if you want to have both a tub and shower in your bathroom, but there’s no space to install them separately, it’s time for you to invest in a shower bath.
A shower/tub combo takes a lot less space than a separate bathtub and a separate showering unit. And as a shower bath integrates well with a sliding bath screen, you can minimize – or even eliminate – leaking and splashing.
A sliding bath screen will help you transform a P-shaped shower bath into a shower enclosure. And an L-shaped shower bath is the ideal standard for bathing young children.
c. Where Can You Buy Shower Baths?
Bathroom City stocks an assortment of L-Shaped, P-Shaped, and corner shower baths that cater to a wide range of preferences. You can find both traditional and modern designs. And you can select the ideal one, depending on the dimensions and shape of your bathroom.
The perfect shower bath is one that matches the rest of the decor in your traditional or modern bathroom and adds elegance, luxury, and style. And we have designs that we’re sure will fit your preferences and suit your lifestyle.
Shop Complete Bathrooms
At Bathroom City, we are confident that you will find an awesome bath for your modern bathroom in our vast baths collection.
Our collection of shower enclosures is truly enormous. Every shower enclosure we dispatch to fulfill an online order or in our showroom passes our strictest quality control tests before it’s offered to you.
Other related articles you might also like to read: