What to choose - bath or shower
When arranging a bathroom, you will inevitably encounter a lot of small and large worries and troubles. And immediately you will face the question of choosing plumbing equipment. Bath or shower - which is better to please all households? To determine, you need to study the advantages and disadvantages of both options, compare these plumbing fixtures.
Content:
Occupied floor space
Tiny bathrooms, alas, still remain the main trouble of our apartments. But we use this room not only for washing, therefore we would like to place here a washing machine, a basket for dirty linen, and all kinds of shelves and cabinets for storing everything you need. Is it really necessary to give up something? Refuse the bathtub in favor of a shower cabin, and then even in a modest-sized bathroom, for sure, there is a place for all of the above.
Especially for a bathtub in which you can relax, stretching your legs, often simply not enough meters: the owners of such "doll" apartments, as a rule, have to be content with a bowl of medium dimensions, where it’s not possible to get away. If the architects, creating the project, thought about anything, but not about the comfort of future residents, as a result of which the bathroom turned out to be long but narrow, the shower cabin becomes the only acceptable solution.
A shower cabin is usually advertised as a great option to save space, and in principle it is. However, before making a final decision, we strongly recommend that you visit a plumbing store and take a closer look at the shower stalls. It will be good if, after receiving the consent of the sellers, you even get into the cabin that you intend to purchase. With a high probability you will find that a modest-sized cabin is not very convenient for you, and the spacious one is already so large that the desired saving of space becomes ghostly.
In addition, do not forget that the height of the shower is at least two meters. Being located in the bathroom of a typical apartment, where the ceilings are usually quite low, it will create a feeling of crowding, even if it itself occupies a small area.
Let us also recall such wealth as shampoos, shower gels, scrubs, masks, creams ... I want all of this (or almost all) to be at hand during washing. You can hang a shelf and more than one above the bathtub, and on the sides of the bathtub itself there are many jars and tubes. Of course, you can also hang shelves in the shower cabin, but, firstly, they will “eat” a lot of space in an already cramped cabin, and secondly, be prepared for the fact that due to the tightness of space you will be regularly washing hurt and drop something.
Good place to think ...
Water consumption
The widespread introduction of individual meters for water consumption made us finally seriously think about saving, and a new argument appeared in the dispute between the bathroom and the shower. The volume of the medium-sized bath is about 200 liters. That is the amount of water you spend on swimming. Repeating this procedure every night can be overly expensive for many.
Those who prefer to rinse in the shower spend three to four times less water, which implies that the installation of a shower cabin leads to a significant reduction in utility bills, which means it is beneficial for the family budget.
Here the word “but” appears again ... It was not for nothing that we used the verb “rinse” above, meaning that you spend a few minutes in the shower just to wash away the dirt and sweat from the body. If you prefer not to rush anywhere, if you love to sing while in the shower, if you like to stand under tight jets of water for a long time, this means that each time you spend no less water than you need to fill the bath. Of course, there is no question of saving in this case.
Multifunctionality
What is the bath for? Of course, for water hygiene procedures. The answer is correct, but not complete. Russian people tend to look for alternative ways to use things and objects that have seemingly quite specific functions, and the bathtub is no exception. So, we consider ...
At firstThe bath is washable. Of course, almost every house today has a washing machine. However, sometimes there is a need to wash some voluminous and heavy thing - curtains, bedspreads, winter clothes, etc. And then a big bowl of bathtub comes to the rescue. Here you can place a basin with things made of delicate fabric, which many housewives simply do not dare to entrust to the washing machine.
Secondly, in the bathroom, if necessary, you can wash the dishes. Of course, for these purposes there is a kitchen sink. But how to tear off a baking sheet without pouring water on the floor? Or wash a ten-liter pan that simply does not fit in the sink?
Thirdly, bath - an indispensable thing for dog breeders. Shaggy pets need to be bathed periodically, and you have to wash your paws after every walk. And if you can try to bathe a Chihuahua, a toy terrier or a Pekingese in a basin, then what about the owners of large dogs?
Fourth, the bath allows you to store a supply of water if necessary. In our country, an announcement on the porch door about a planned or emergency shutdown of water is almost common. It happens that cold water is turned off for a day or even more. And without water, as you know, neither tudes nor syuds. What to do? In anticipation of the upcoming “drought”, simply fill the roomy bowl of the bath.
FifthlyA bath will help prolong the life of flowers. After all, sometimes they give you bouquets? Well, at least on the occasion of a major event, such as an anniversary? (Although, for sure, there were still romantics, showering their women with roses for no reason ...) How I want to keep this splendor longer! And for this, the flowers that stand in the vase during the day are best left in cool water for the night. And here the bath helps out again.
And how, in addition to washing, can I use a shower cabin? In which of the above situations can she come to the rescue? Alas, the shower cannot boast of such multifunctionality ...
If it comes to comparing the bath and the shower, we can mention one more function of the bath: it can play the role of ... a shower. If you do not have time or desire to bask, lying in warm water, you can take a shower in the bathroom. All you need for this is a curtain that will prevent water flowing from the watering can onto the floor. The ability to replace your direct competitor is one-sided: you can take a shower in the bathroom, but you can’t swim in the shower.
What is better for children
In families where there are small children, the question "What to choose - a bath or shower?" Does not even arise. For young parents, the answer is obvious - definitely a bath.
It is difficult to imagine how you can bathe in the shower of a newborn baby who needs especially careful care for delicate skin. A simple bath under running water will not allow you to do this fully. In addition, refusing a bathtub in favor of a shower cabin, you deprive the baby of its first pool, and swimming is very useful for strengthening a muscle corset.
What next? In a year, in three, in five? For a long time, the baby will need the help of mom or dad during washing - soaping his back, rinsing his hair, tearing off his knees blackened from crawling on the ground and belly painted with felt-tip pens ... In the shower you have to do this with one hand, since the other will have to hold a removable watering can so as not to get wet yourself and do not fill the floor outside the cab. We’ll warn those who are just planning to have a baby: some preschoolers often manage to get dirty so that only prolonged soaking in the bathroom can save the situation.
Now let's try to look at this issue through the eyes of a child. What do you think your child will prefer? Undoubtedly, the child is much more willing to play in the bathroom than to take a shower. After all, a bath is not just a vessel filled with water, but a small sea - a source of delight and joy. Be sure - the child will not exchange the bath for anything.
Accessibility for people with disabilities
We talked about the children, it was time to remember about the parents. Most elderly people will undoubtedly prefer a shower cabin. The fact is that over the years, the mobility of the joints decreases, the strength of the muscles decreases, and it becomes harder and harder for an elderly person to overcome such an obstacle as a bathtub rim. The same problem is faced by people with various injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Entering the bath for them can be an overwhelming and even dangerous task.
Entering the shower is much easier. If necessary, you can refuse even a low pallet by arranging a drain directly at the floor level. If it is difficult for a person close to you while washing in the shower, you can buy a shower cabin with a seat. In addition, such a sitting will allow you not to worry that the old man may suddenly become dizzy during water procedures.
Recall also that with some ailments the bath does fall into the list of taboos. First of all, we are talking about people with high blood pressure and / or cardiovascular diseases. Immersion in hot water can lead to a serious deterioration in their well-being, but being in the shower is not contraindicated for them.
Relaxation
Nothing better than water will allow you to relax and rest after a hard day. The effectiveness of relaxation depends largely on what kind of water treatment you have chosen.
The shower cabin will easily provide you with the opportunity to relax your body and soul. Substitute your tired muscles under the directed jets of water, beating under strong pressure from the wall nozzles, and in a few minutes you will feel as wonderful as after a professional massage. By the way, nozzles can be mounted at different levels, which will allow each member of the family, including the smallest, to regularly enjoy such a hydromassage. The soft pressure of the water pouring from the ceiling shower will create the effect of a summer rain and will help calm the overexcited nerves. Some models are equipped with steam generators, which allows you to simulate the microclimate of the bath inside the shower.
As you can see, it’s quite possible to relax in the shower. But how can this compare with the opportunities that a bath provides you? Only in the bathroom can you lie down comfortably with your eyes closed and legs extended. Only in the bathroom can you soak up the fragrant foam and enjoy the smell of essential oils. Only in the bathroom does your skin deeply steam, which guarantees the preservation of its elasticity and flowering appearance, and gives you a feeling of lightness and good mood. Only in the bathroom, finally, you can retire with your favorite book - here, for sure, no one will distract you.
And in the bathroom you can spend pleasant minutes alone with your soulmate. Is it possible in your soul to enjoy the flickering of candles? To drink champagne? To let rose petals through the waves? Having intimate conversations in the end? It is unlikely that you will choose a shower cabin if you still have at least a little romance.
Additional features
By the richness of its functionality, the bathtub cannot be compared with a modern shower cabin. The first is just a snow-white tank without any frills, the second is a bit like a spaceship. Using the buttons on the control panel of the shower cabin, you can adjust the temperature of the water, its pressure and method of supply.
Smart sensors will instruct you to dispense a portion of liquid soap as soon as you raise your hand to the dispenser. Manufacturers even took care of those who like to sing, standing under the elastic streams of water: waterproof speakers will fill the shower cubicle with pleasant music. Some showers can easily be turned into a real sauna - they are finished with special heat-insulating materials, equipped with steam generators and equipped with control systems.
Of course, the greater the number of additional functions that a shower booth is equipped with, the higher its cost. But no matter what you go, to feel like the master of water.
Care and cleaning
Every housewife wants the place where hygienic procedures are carried out to sparkle clean, but, alas, not everyone has a free minute to put gloss on. What is easier to clean - smooth surfaces of the bathtub or numerous protrusions of the technical elements of the shower cabin, which also has high walls? The answer, we think, is obvious.
Drops of water on the transparent walls of the shower cabin, if they are not wiped off in a timely manner, turn into unaesthetic stains. However, wiping the walls and doors of the cab after each session of water procedures you will not be limited. Each time, the cabin must be thoroughly dried out without fail: insufficient ventilation in an enclosed space leads to the rapid multiplication of various microorganisms and, as a result, to the appearance of fungus, mold and unpleasant odors.
Final comparison and conclusion
 |  | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bath | Shower stall | |||||||
| Footprint | Requires more space | Can be installed in small rooms | ||||||
| Water consumption | More | Less if you take a short shower | ||||||
| Multifunctionality | Many uses not for their intended purpose | Off-label uses significantly less | ||||||
| What is better for children | Kids love bathing more | Shower less attracts small households | ||||||
| What is better for people with disabilities | In some cases, the bath is contraindicated or available. | Better cabs with low pallets | ||||||
| Relaxation | More possibilities | Less opportunity | ||||||
| Additional functions | They are equipped with a small number of additional functions. | They can be equipped with a large number of additional functions. | ||||||
| Care and cleaning | Less demanding | More demanding | ||||||
So, after weighing the pros and cons, you can decide what to choose - a bath or shower. There is no definite answer to this question. You will have to make the final decision yourself. Each option, as you may have noticed, has approximately the same number of pluses and minuses, which means that you have to not only focus on the advantages and disadvantages of this or that type of sanitary equipment, but also understand what you want yourself.
Are you a supporter of a calm and measured lifestyle? Do you think that the best way to relieve tension and stress is to soak in warm water? Then the traditional font, as if created so that you can relax, is undoubtedly your choice.
Do you love the swiftness of modern life? Do you consider yourself a practical and constantly rushing people for whom water procedures are just a hygienic norm? We have no doubt that you will give preference to a stylish shower cabin - a modern solution for a dynamic life.
Think, evaluate, weigh ...
