Walk-in Showers

By far the best spot in the house for most of us is the bathroom. Reason why? There are few places on this planet (especially if you have a family) where you can truly be alone. We’re social creatures, granted, but every now and again having 5 or 10 minutes to ourselves is in a word – awesome! Bathrooms have come a long way, and while sinks and flooring are fantastic, the focal point of every bathroom is the shower.

Before we break into showers however, it should be noted that bathtubs are still the cat’s pajamas. Showers have taken center stage from a practicality standpoint, but a nice bath is still a tremendous value-added. If you have the time, nothing beats being able to light a handful of candles, put on some Barry White, slip into a warm puddle of bubbles and simply chill. Combine this with your beverage of choice and that’s the icing on your bathtub cake.

So now that we’ve gotten how great bathtubs are out of the way, let’s key in on walk-in showers. The walk-in shower took hold roughly a decade ago, a new design that changed how we thought about the shower. Once looked at as a practical way to bathe quickly, the walk-in shower is leisurely, but can also of course be practical and quick as well. Before you move forward with the installation however there are some things to consider. First, prefab walk-in showers have shallow curbs that will keep excess water from leaking out to the bathroom floor. This helps with those with mobility issues or joint injuries that hinder them from stepping into something. Another excellent feature of walk-in showers is the multi-nozzle spray. Make sure this is present and depending on what you’re into you can have up to 10 spray nozzles at one time directed to hit different parts of your body.

The one drawback some point to however when installing a walk-in shower has to do with the re-sale value of your house. Appraisers and real estate agents can only consider a home with a “full-size” bath if said bathroom has a tub. A bathroom with a shower, no matter how large your walk-in shower, will be frequently referred to as a “three-quarter bath.” Something to keep in mind.

Some other items to consider is bathing small kids is easier in a tub than a walk-in shower, there is less privacy with an open shower than one with a door, and walk-in showers without doors can create a drafty feel depending on the climate of your home. The size of the walk-in shower is determined first and foremost by the available floor space. From there you are free to choose the color and type of tile, install glass panels, or even mess around with glass blocks on the sides.

Geometrics (hexagons, rectangles and squares) are popular shapes and most building codes recommend a minimum of 30 inches of walking space between bathroom fixtures. It is always a good idea to construct whatever you have in mind with the walk-in shower according to the guidelines stipulated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Following this will ensure a happy walk-in shower and even happier occupants.