Bathrooms used to be dull shower spaces with tubs and sinks. Today, bathrooms and showers have come a long way in terms of versatility, functionality, and aesthetics. Walk-in or open showers are becoming more popular as a symbol of modern bathrooms.
If you are planning to remodel your bathroom, this article looks at the advantages and disadvantages of a doorless shower. Take a look at the pros and cons to decide if a walk-in shower suits your liking and lifestyle.
PROS:
Visually Opens the Space
If you want to achieve a luxury spa or high-end hotel ambiance, go for a walk-in shower. It removes the doors, curtains, or other barriers to give your bathroom a modern touch. Many custom doorless showers are designed with just panes of glass and no curbs to step over. This results in a continuous design to give you a clear view of the entire bathroom space.
Open-Air Feel
An open shower stall gives you the luxury of showering in the open air, which can be especially wonderful in warmer months when you can open up windows and let the sun pour in. But these doorless showers can also make for a chillier shower experience throughout the winter season. Luckily, with bathroom design options like radiant floor heating, heated towel racks, and heat lamps, you can maintain that open-air feel while keeping your bathroom warm and cozy.
Easier to Clean and Maintain
Most walk-in showers only have glass panels and semi-frameless shower screens. Glass panels have fewer chrome frames and brackets to clean. You don’t always need to clean your shower area because there will be less soap scum, grime, and gunk in the corners. Simply wipe the walls and other surfaces with a sponge or microfiber cloth.
More Accessible
A walk-in shower with an aging-in-place design makes the space more accessible for all ages and mobility levels. When there is no shower door, there is no need to step up or down. The tripping hazard is removed to allow wheelchair or walker access. This design improves bathroom safety, which is very important for toddlers and the elderly.
Versatile and Customizable
You can install a walk-in shower almost anywhere and any bathroom size. Curbless designs look great in both large and small spaces. It can be customized to suit your actual space and personal style. As the homeowner, you can freely choose the placement of niches, accessories, and fixtures with the help of an experienced bathroom remodeler.
CONS:
Lack of Privacy
Walk-in showers do not provide enough privacy since there is no visible barrier. This type of bathroom is suitable for bedrooms because you can’t share the space with someone. If you put great importance on privacy and personal space, doorless showers might make you feel unprotected and exposed.
More Humid
This type of bathroom design is more prone to mold growth because hot air is free to circulate into the open-concept shower. The hot air will create high humidity and moisture that will cause a damp environment. Keep your bathroom mold-free by using a dehumidifier and an exhaust fan during and after your bath. You may also pick surfaces that do not absorb much water, such as porcelain, glass tile, and metal stone.
More Expensive
You might think that an open shower remodel is much cheaper because of the absence of a door. However, the opposite is true. These showers are all custom-designed due to design complexity, high-quality glass materials, and complex drainage systems. According to the HomeAdvisor, a tile walk-in shower costs from $4,200 to $8,500 for a 32-inch square model.
Water Splashing
Without a shower door, your bathroom will always get soaked when you’re taking a bath. To minimize the possibility of water splashing into your shower room by installing the right shower head and flooring tiles. You can choose between rain showerheads or handheld showerheads to control the spray direction.
You should also pick a graded shower floor to ensure that water flows directly to your shower drain and to protect the surrounding region from water damage. For additional safety features, install non-slip floor tiles like Honed Granite, porcelain, and quarry.
Get Started With Your Open Shower Project
Contact Erie Bathroom Remodeling if you need help in creating the walk-in shower of your dreams. We’ll show you different shower designs that would be suitable for your home. Give us a call to schedule an appointment with us.