Stand-Alone Shower or Tub-Shower Combo?

People are known to split into different sides of arguments – for example, cat people and dog people (you know what we’re talking about). When it comes to remodeling your bathroom, the split appears when talking about the shower. We ask ourselves, “Am I a stand-alone shower person or a tub-shower combo person?”

If you’re not quite sure which side of the divide you fall on, don’t worry. This article will help explain the pros and cons of each.

The Hidden Design

First and foremost, you need to realize that, when it comes to showers and baths, there’s more than meets the eye. Everyone enjoys looking at trendy bath fixtures, but the hidden aspects that are often forgotten are just as important when considering a new design.

Remember that the high-end fixture you have your heart set on will probably require ¾” plumbing. That means you’ll be replacing the ½” plumbing that is standard in most showers. It’s also a good idea to replace the hot and cold water valves so they will age at the same rate as your new faucets. By dealing with these issues upfront you will save yourself major headaches down the road.

Stand-Alone

With stand-alone showers you are free of the space restrictions of a tub. This means you can configure your shower almost any way you want. You want a shower in the corner? Put it in the corner. You want it in the middle of the bathroom? Put it in the middle of the bathroom. Having a stand-alone shower gives you more freedom to design your bathroom exactly how you want it.

The flipside of that freedom and creativity is the fact that stand-alone showers - especially the more custom they are – are typically more expensive and require additional plumbing. Those six body sprayers you want? Yeah, they’re going to need plumbing too.

Tub-Shower Combo

The majority of homes in America have at least one tub-shower combo. We say that and you probably imagine the simple, white-acrylic combo that you never really wanted when thinking about your dream bathroom, but tub-shower combos have come a long way. While the footprint of the tub will dictate where you can place them, tub-shower combos still offer a wide variety in styles.

It’s also a common belief that having a tub-shower combo in your home – as opposed to stand-alone showers only – can help your home sell when it’s on the market. Not to mention the fact that you can never just sit back, turn some water jets on and relax in your stand-alone shower like you can in a bathtub.

When designing your bathroom and trying to decide between a stand-alone shower and a tub-shower combo it’s important to know what you need, what you want, and what you can afford. By finding the perfect shower or tub for your needs you can make your bathroom a place that’s not only functional, but enjoyable too.