Shower vs Bathtub: A Money-Saving Guide for Homeowners [2025]

Your choice between a shower and bathtub will affect your daily life and your budget. A bathroom renovation brings a big price difference to the table: an average walk-in shower costs about $9,000, while you’ll pay around $5,525 for a standard bathtub. The price difference is just the start of what you need to think about.

The latest Houzz 2023 bathroom trend report shows that homeowners are moving away from tubs. More than 25% now remove their tubs during renovations, and 77% of these homeowners make their showers bigger. People clearly want walk-in showers or shower-tub combinations these days. Real estate experts still recommend keeping at least one tub in your home. This helps protect your home’s resale value, especially if you live where young families buy homes.

The shower-or-tub choice changes your monthly bills too. A typical 10-minute shower uses about 21 gallons of water, but a standard tub needs 25-40 gallons to fill. Your family’s bathing habits could make this difference show up clearly on your water bill.

This piece covers the financial side of picking between a shower and bathtub. You’ll learn what you need to know before investing – from switching your tub to a shower to picking the right walk-in shower-tub combo. We’ll help you balance today’s costs against long-term value.

Lifestyle Fit: How Your Daily Routine Affects the Right Choice

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The choice between a shower and bathtub depends on your daily routine and family needs. Americans take showers or baths five to six times weekly, and each session lasts about 10-15 minutes. Your lifestyle plays a big role in making the right choice.

Do You Actually Use the Tub?

Most homeowners keep bathtubs they barely use, which wastes precious bathroom space. Many people choose bigger showers instead of rarely-used tubs during renovations. The space might work better as a larger shower area or extra storage if you haven’t taken a bath in the last month.

Bathing Kids or Pets: Practical Needs

A bathtub becomes a must-have for families with young kids. Most children under eight find showers challenging to use. Tubs let you bathe multiple kids at once in a contained space. Pet owners love tubs too—they keep both animals and the mess under control. While shower options exist (like adjustable handheld showerheads and non-slip surfaces), most parents say tubs make bath time much easier for children.

Relaxation vs Quick Showers

Your choice between relaxation and speed makes a big difference. A 2022 study in the Journal of Applied Physiology showed that regular 30-minute baths at 40°C reduced sympathetic nerve activity, which helps both body and mind. Research from Japan also suggests people fall asleep faster after baths, especially during winter.

Showers shine when it comes to convenience. They save time and energy while still offering health perks—cold showers boost endorphin levels, and warm showers help you relax before bed.

Shared vs Private Bathroom Use

Flexibility becomes key in shared bathrooms. A tub-shower combo works great for different family members’ needs. Homes with multiple bathrooms might benefit from at least one tub while adding walk-in showers in other spaces. A combo unit might be your best bet if you have just one bathroom.

Budget Planning: Upfront Costs vs Long-Term Value

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Smart financial planning helps you decide between installing a shower or bathtub. Homeowners make better decisions that line up with their budgets and future needs by understanding both immediate costs and what lies ahead.

Replacing Bathtub with Shower: What to Expect

A bathtub-to-shower conversion typically runs about $3,000. The price ranges from $1,500 to $8,000 based on your choice of materials and job complexity. You should budget between $6,000 and $10,000 if you want to renovate the entire wet area.

Your existing tub’s removal plays a big role in the total cost. Standard tubs cost $150 to $300 to remove. Heavy cast iron tubs can get pricey at $450 to $2,000. Most contractors include the removal cost in their quotes.

Your final bill depends on several key factors:

1. Shower type (stall: $700-$3,000; walk-in: $1,150-$8,000; tile: $3,500-$15,000)

2. Door selection (framed: $200-$600; frameless: $500-$3,000)

3. Structural modifications or repairs

4. Permit requirements ($200-$2,000 based on location)

Walk-In Shower Tub Combo: Is It Worth the Price?

Standard walk-in tubs without installation usually cost under $10,000. Premium models with extra features and installation can run over $25,000. Simple models with standard safety features cost between $2,000 and $5,000.

These combinations are a great way to get accessibility benefits that might save you from expensive bathroom renovations later. They also meet different household needs while keeping good resale value.

Plumbing and Structural Costs

Surprise plumbing changes often increase renovation costs. Plumbers charge $45 to $200 per hour. You’ll pay extra for specific jobs like shower installation ($8,200) or pipe replacement ($1,250).

There’s another reason to think about structural changes – you might need stronger floors, especially for bigger tubs. Waterproofing is a vital investment you shouldn’t skip to prevent future damage.

DIY vs Professional Installation

Professional bathroom renovations usually put 40-65% of the total budget into labor. DIY shower installations start at $400, while bathtub remodels begin around $200.

All the same, professionals should handle most plumbing work to avoid water damage and meet building codes. Amateur installations might need expensive fixes later. Poorly installed glass doors can leak, and bad plumbing could seriously damage your home’s structure.

Safety and Accessibility: Planning for the Future

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Safety should be your top priority when deciding between a shower vs bathtub for long-term home use. Bathroom accidents account for more than 2/3 of emergency room visits due to falls. This is a vital consideration for homeowners of all ages.

Curbless Showers for Aging in Place

Curbless showers are the life-blood of available bathroom design. These zero-threshold installations don’t require stepping over raised edges, so they reduce tripping and falling risks. Homeowners who plan to age in place will find several advantages:

• Small bathrooms look larger with optimized design

• Wheelchairs can easily access spaces at least 36″x36″

• Cleaning becomes simpler with fewer grout lines

• Moving mobility aids like benches in and out becomes easier

These benefits are great, but curbless showers need proper drainage and waterproofing to keep water from spreading beyond the shower area.

Walk-In Shower Bathtub Options for Mobility

Walk-in tub options provide a practical middle ground in the shower vs bathtub decision for people who enjoy bathing but need available features. These specialized units come with:

Doors that swing outward, so you don’t have to step over high tub walls. Most models drain and fill quickly, which means less waiting time. High-end models come with built-in seating, grab bars, and handheld shower attachments.

Cost considerations vary widely. Simple models with standard safety features cost between $2,000 and $5,000, while premium installations can cost more than $10,000.

Slip Hazards and Waterproofing Essentials

Preventing accidents means addressing simple safety concerns. Hard surfaces combined with water make bathrooms especially dangerous.

Non-slip flooring, well-placed grab bars, and good lighting work best to prevent accidents, especially at night. Waterproofing is another significant factor. Poor installation can cause water damage, mold growth, and breathing problems.

Many professionals recommend complete waterproofing systems like Schluter that provide continuous moisture protection throughout the bathroom. These systems use uncoupling membranes to prevent tile and grout cracking by letting the substrate expand and contract on its own.

Environmental Impact: Water and Energy Efficiency

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Your choice between a shower or bathtub affects more than your wallet – it has a big effect on our planet. Smart environmental choices help you save resources and cut down utility bills over time.

Water Consumption: Tub vs Shower

Showers and baths use very different amounts of water. A standard bathtub holds between 120 and 150 liters of water, and needs 70-80 liters even when it’s half full. A typical 5-minute shower uses just 30-40 liters. Standard showerheads flow at 2.5 gallons per minute, so a 10-minute shower uses about 25 gallons, while a full bath needs up to 50 gallons. Quick showers are the best way to save water.

Low-Flow Fixtures and Eco-Friendly Upgrades

Water-efficient fixtures are a great way to get impressive savings. WaterSense labeled showerheads can save the average family about 2,700 gallons annually. These water savings help conserve energy too—about 330 kilowatt hours of electricity each year, enough to power a house for 11 days.

Low-flow fixtures use about half the gallons per minute compared to standard ones. You can save more water by:

• Adding aerators to taps and showerheads to reduce flow while keeping good pressure

• Shutting off water while you shampoo or soap up

• Using a timer for showers

• Catching warm-up water in a bucket

Tankless Water Heaters and Energy Savings

Tankless water heaters give you hot water right away and eliminate wasted energy from storage heaters. Homes using 41 gallons or less of hot water daily find these systems 24-34% more energy efficient than regular models. Houses with higher water usage (around 86 gallons daily) still see efficiency gains of 8-14%.

The original cost of tankless systems is higher than traditional water heaters, but they last longer—usually over 20 years compared to 10-15 years for tank models. Lower operating costs often make up for the higher purchase price.

Comparison Table

Comparison Factor	Shower	Bathtub
Installation Costs	Average $9,000	Average $5,525
Water Usage	~21 gallons (10-minute shower)	25-40 gallons (per bath)
Installation Types	– Standard stall: $700-$3,000 – Walk-in: $1,150-$8,000 – Tile: $3,500-$15,000	– Standard tub installation – Walk-in tub: $2,000-$25,000
Accessibility Features	– No curb design – Level entry – Wheelchair accessible – Portable seating options	– Walk-in designs available – Built-in seats – Grab bars – Handheld fixtures
Best Suited For	– Quick daily use – Small spaces – Energy efficiency – Easy mobility	– Families with young children – Pet owners – Therapy needs – Relaxation time
Energy Efficiency	Better option for daily use	Uses more energy due to water volume
Resale Value Effect	Modern choice that buyers prefer, but homes need at least one bathtub	Essential for families with children; keeping one tub recommended
Maintenance	– Minimal grout lines – Simple cleaning with level design	– Regular upkeep needed – Larger area to clean

Conclusion

Making the Right Choice for Your Home and Budget

Your choice between a shower and bathtub comes down to several connected factors. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. A good decision needs careful thought about installation costs, water usage, access needs, and environmental effects – things every homeowner should think about when planning bathroom updates.

Money matters show a big gap in original costs. Standard bathtubs cost less upfront at $5,525 on average. Showers need a bigger investment at around $9,000. But when it comes to water usage, showers win in the long run. A 10-minute shower uses 21 gallons while a single bath needs 25-40 gallons.

Your lifestyle will shape what works best for your home. Families with kids or pets need at least one bathtub. Busy professionals might prefer quick showers instead. Many homeowners go for a mix – keeping one tub while adding walk-in showers in other bathrooms.

Access is a vital factor, especially if you plan to stay in your home as you age. Curbless showers are safer with their zero-threshold entries. Walk-in tubs offer therapy benefits for those who love soaking. Both need proper waterproofing and setup to stay safe.

Environmental effects play a big role in making this choice. Low-flow showerheads can help an average family save 2,700 gallons each year. On top of that, tankless water heaters with shower systems help cut utility bills by 24-34% for regular water users.

Before you lock in your bathroom renovation plans:

• Take a real look at your daily routine and family needs

• Add up both current costs and future bills

• Plan for future access needs

• Look into eco-friendly options

• Talk to qualified pros about installation

The best bathroom setup matches your needs with practical solutions. Modern trends favor bigger shower spaces. Still, keeping one bathtub helps your home’s resale value, especially in areas with young families. Whatever you pick, quality materials and professional installation will give you a safe, efficient bathroom you’ll enjoy for years.

FAQs

Q1. How much water does a shower use compared to a bath? A typical 10-minute shower uses about 21 gallons of water, while a standard bathtub requires 25-40 gallons to fill. Showers are generally more water-efficient for daily use, especially with low-flow fixtures.

Q2. What are the average costs for installing a shower versus a bathtub? On average, installing a walk-in shower costs around $9,000, while a standard bathtub installation is typically about $5,525. However, costs can vary widely depending on materials, features, and labor.

Q3. Are there accessibility options for both showers and bathtubs? Yes, there are accessibility options for both. Curbless showers offer zero-threshold entry, while walk-in tubs provide built-in seating and easy access. Both can be equipped with grab bars and handheld showerheads for improved safety and convenience.

Q4. How do showers and bathtubs affect home resale value? While modern homeowners often prefer expanded shower spaces, it’s recommended to keep at least one bathtub in the house for resale value. This is especially important in neighborhoods with young families who may prefer bathtubs for children.

Q5. What are some eco-friendly upgrades for bathrooms? Eco-friendly bathroom upgrades include installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, using WaterSense labeled fixtures, and considering tankless water heaters. These can significantly reduce water and energy consumption, leading to lower utility bills.

References

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