Walk-In Showers vs. Tubs for Treasure Valley Homes

One of the most significant decisions in any bathroom remodel is the choice between a walk-in shower and a bathtub. This single element defines the room’s function, style, and overall feel. For homeowners in Idaho’s Treasure Valley, where lifestyles range from active and outdoorsy to family-focused and tranquil, the “shower versus tub” debate is particularly relevant. Should you opt for a spacious, modern walk-in shower or a luxurious, relaxing soaking tub?

The right answer depends entirely on your personal needs, your home’s layout, and your long-term goals. This decision impacts everything from your daily routine to your property’s resale value. In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the pros and cons of both walk-in showers and tubs, specifically for Treasure Valley homes. We will cover design considerations, functionality, accessibility, and market trends to help you make an informed choice for your next bathroom project. Whether you’re planning a full renovation or just gathering ideas, Eliezer Custom Homes is here to provide the expert insight you need.

The Rise of the Walk-In Shower

In recent years, the walk-in shower has surged in popularity, often replacing the traditional tub/shower combo in primary bathrooms. A walk-in shower is defined by its open, accessible design, typically enclosed by glass panels and featuring a low or non-existent curb. This trend reflects a shift in how homeowners view their bathrooms—less as a purely utilitarian space and more as a personalized retreat.

Advantages of a Walk-In Shower

1. Enhanced Accessibility and Safety

This is perhaps the most significant benefit of a walk-in shower. The low or zero-threshold entry eliminates the need to step over a high tub wall, drastically reducing the risk of slips and falls. This makes it an ideal choice for:

• Aging in Place: For homeowners planning to stay in their homes long-term, a curbless shower is a crucial feature for future-proofing the space.
• Multi-Generational Households: It provides safety and independence for older family members.
• Varying Mobility Needs: It’s easily accessible for individuals with injuries or mobility challenges.

This focus on long-term livability is a core principle in quality remodeling and renovations.

2. Creates a Sense of Space

Walk-in showers, especially those with frameless glass enclosures, make a bathroom feel significantly larger and more open. The seamless transition from the floor into the shower area and the transparent walls allow light to flow freely throughout the room. This is particularly effective in smaller bathrooms, where a traditional tub or a framed shower can feel bulky and confining.

3. Customization and Luxury Features

Walk-in showers offer nearly limitless design possibilities. You can create a true spa-like experience tailored to your exact preferences. Popular luxury upgrades include:

• Multiple Showerheads: Combine a ceiling-mounted rain showerhead with a handheld wand and wall-mounted body jets for a full-body hydrotherapy experience.
• Built-in Benches and Niches: A built-in bench provides a comfortable place to sit and relax, while custom niches offer stylish, integrated storage for shampoo and soap.
• Steam Shower Systems: For the ultimate in luxury, a fully enclosed walk-in shower can be converted into a steam room, offering wellness benefits like improved circulation and muscle relaxation.
• Digital Controls: High-tech thermostatic controls allow you to set the precise water temperature and pressure for a perfect shower every time.

4. Easier to Clean

With fewer corners and crevices than a traditional tub/shower combo, walk-in showers can be easier to maintain. Large-format tiles or solid surface walls mean fewer grout lines to scrub. A simple squeegee for the glass doors after each use can keep the space looking pristine.

Disadvantages of a Walk-In Shower

1. Lack of a Soaking Option

The most obvious drawback is the inability to take a bath. For those who cherish a long, relaxing soak, eliminating the tub entirely from the primary bathroom might be a deal-breaker. This is a personal preference that should be carefully considered.

2. Potential for Higher Cost

While a basic walk-in shower can be comparable in cost to a tub installation, a highly customized, luxury shower can be significantly more expensive. Features like custom tilework, frameless glass, multiple showerheads, and especially curbless construction require specialized labor and materials, driving up the price.

3. May Impact Resale Value (In Some Cases)

This is a critical point of consideration for Treasure Valley homeowners. The long-standing real estate advice has been that every home needs at least one bathtub to appeal to families with young children. While this is still largely true, the trend is shifting.

If you are removing the only bathtub in your home, it could potentially deter some buyers, particularly families. However, if you are renovating a primary bathroom and another full bathroom in the home has a tub, replacing the primary tub with a luxurious walk-in shower is now widely seen as a desirable upgrade that can increase home value. Our team can help you navigate this decision; learn more about our client-focused approach.

4. Can Feel Cold and Drafty

The open nature of a walk-in shower means it can feel colder than a more enclosed tub/shower combo. This is a valid concern during Idaho’s colder months. This can be mitigated with features like radiant floor heating that extends into the shower floor or by installing a fully enclosed design with a full-height glass door.

The Timeless Appeal of the Bathtub

Despite the popularity of walk-in showers, the bathtub remains a cherished fixture in many homes. Tubs have evolved far beyond the standard builder-grade model, now serving as stunning focal points and symbols of relaxation and comfort.

Advantages of a Bathtub

1. The Ultimate Relaxation Experience

For many, there is no substitute for a deep, warm bath. It’s a way to de-stress, soothe sore muscles after a day of hiking in the Boise foothills, and unplug from the world. This therapeutic aspect is a major reason why tubs endure.

2. Essential for Families with Young Children

For families with infants and small children, a bathtub is a practical necessity. Bath time is a daily ritual, and trying to bathe a toddler in a walk-in shower is challenging and often impractical. This is why having at least one tub in the house is crucial for family functionality and broad resale appeal.

3. Variety of Types and Styles

Tubs come in a wide array of styles to suit any bathroom design:

• Alcove Tubs: The standard tub/shower combination, installed within a three-walled alcove. This is a space-efficient and cost-effective option.
• Freestanding Tubs: These serve as a dramatic sculptural centerpiece. Available in modern, minimalist designs or classic clawfoot styles, they instantly elevate the luxury of a bathroom.
• Drop-In Tubs: The tub shell is dropped into a custom-built deck or surround, which can be finished with tile or stone to match the rest of the bathroom.
• Soaking Tubs: Deeper than standard tubs, these are designed for full-body immersion and comfort.

4. Potentially Higher Resale Value

As mentioned, having at least one bathtub in the home is a safe bet for maintaining broad market appeal. If your home has only one full bathroom, keeping a tub (or a tub/shower combo) is generally the wisest choice for protecting your investment.

Disadvantages of a Bathtub

1. Accessibility Issues

The high wall of a bathtub is a significant barrier and a safety hazard, especially for the elderly or those with mobility issues. As a primary bathing fixture for adults, it becomes less practical with age.

2. Takes Up More Floor Space

A bathtub, particularly a large freestanding or drop-in model, has a significant footprint. In a smaller bathroom, a tub can make the space feel cramped and leave little room for storage or comfortable movement. Expanding a bathroom’s footprint with one of our custom additions can sometimes solve this problem.

3. Limited Functionality for Daily Use

While great for soaking, most adults take showers for daily cleansing. A tub/shower combination can feel cramped, and a standalone tub requires a separate shower stall, which demands a very large bathroom footprint.

4. Can Be More Difficult to Clean

Cleaning around a large tub, especially a freestanding model, can be awkward. Tub/shower combos have more corners and seams that can collect grime and mildew.

Making the Right Choice for Your Treasure Valley Home

So, how do you decide? The best approach is to evaluate your decision based on three key factors: your lifestyle, your bathroom, and your future plans.

Factor 1: Your Lifestyle and Personal Preferences

• Who uses this bathroom? Is it a primary suite for two adults, a hall bathroom for kids and guests, or the only bathroom in the house?
• Are you a “bath person” or a “shower person”? Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t taken a bath in years, a beautiful soaking tub might just end up being a large, decorative dust collector.
• Do you have young children, or do you plan to? If so, a tub in at least one bathroom is essential.
• What is your daily routine? Do you prefer a quick, efficient shower in the morning, or do you value a long, relaxing soak at night?

Factor 2: Your Bathroom’s Layout and Size

• For a small bathroom: A walk-in shower is almost always the better choice to maximize the feeling of space. A corner shower unit or a sleek glass enclosure will make the room feel larger than a bulky tub.
• For a large primary bathroom: You may have the luxury of including both! A popular high-end layout features a large walk-in shower and a separate freestanding soaking tub. This “wet room” concept offers the best of both worlds.
• For the only bathroom in the house: A high-quality alcove tub with an updated tile surround and a modern glass door offers the most versatile solution, combining showering and bathing functions while protecting resale value.

Factor 3: Your Future Plans and Resale Value

• Are you planning to sell in the next 5 years? If so, a more conservative approach is wise. Ensure your home has at least one bathtub. In the primary suite, a high-quality walk-in shower is a strong selling point in the Treasure Valley market, provided a tub exists elsewhere.
• Is this your “forever home”? If you plan to age in place, the safety and accessibility of a curbless walk-in shower in your primary bathroom should be a top priority.

Ready to explore the possibilities for your home? Contact Eliezer Custom Homes today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

The Best of Both Worlds: Creative Solutions

You don’t always have to choose. If you have the space and budget, you can incorporate both.

• The Wet Room: This design places a freestanding tub inside a large, open shower area that is fully waterproofed and separated from the rest of the bathroom by a glass panel. It’s a sophisticated, high-end solution that contains all the water in one zone.
• Separate Installations: In a large primary bathroom, placing a statement tub and a spacious walk-in shower in different areas of the room creates distinct zones for relaxation and daily function. This is the ultimate in bathroom luxury and a key feature when you build your dream home with Eliezer Custom Homes.

Final Thoughts: A Personal Decision with Professional Guidance

Ultimately, the decision between a walk-in shower and a bathtub is deeply personal. By weighing the pros and cons against your unique circumstances, you can arrive at the perfect choice for your Treasure Valley home. A luxurious walk-in shower can transform your morning routine into a spa-like experience, while a deep soaking tub can provide an unparalleled sense of relaxation.

The key is to make a deliberate choice that enhances your life today while respecting your home’s long-term value. Working with an experienced design-build firm can help you navigate these options, visualize the possibilities, and execute the project with precision and quality craftsmanship.

Whether you envision a sleek, modern shower or an elegant, classic tub, our team is here to bring that vision to life. Let’s create a bathroom that you’ll love for years to come.