Shower, bathtub or both?
Anyone who is building a new house or renovating their bathroom is inevitably faced with the question: do I need a bathtub or is a shower enough for a fresh kick in the morning? Both options do not always fit in the bathroom. Moreover, many people hardly ever use the bathtub. So would a combined solution make sense? And what modern shower options are there?
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Pleasant relaxation in the bathtub
For many people, it is impossible to imagine the bathroom without a bathtub. A bathtub is a sensible purchase for anyone who regularly spends cosy wellness hours in the tub, relaxes in the warm water after a long day at work or enjoys a full bath when they have aching joints, sore muscles or a cold. Some manufacturers have special wellness bathtubs in their range, which provide a beautiful atmosphere with light spots or have whirlpool character with massage jets. Fragrant oils or bath additives round off the experience. Whether it should be a built-in or free-standing model depends primarily on personal taste. But the size of the bathroom and the layout of the room must also be taken into account in the planning. Bathtubs are now available in many different shapes, some of them unusual.
In addition to corner bathtubs and rectangular models, you can also find space-saving bathtubs for small bathrooms, ergonomically shaped models or extra-large XL bathtubs that can even accommodate couples. Freestanding bathtubs are a special eye-catcher in the bathroom. They are often oval-shaped and have a generous interior. But angular models are also an absolute eye-catcher. Standard bathtubs are usually between 170 and 190 cm long and about 75 to 80 cm wide. For small bathrooms, there are also lengths of 140 or 150 cm, although this limits comfort considerably. Large bathtubs can be up to 220 cm long.
The bathtub: sizing and material comparison
The size of the bathtub is optimal if you can dive in up to your neck and your shoulders fit comfortably between the walls. You should also be able to stretch your legs out completely. To determine the length, measure your legs from hip to foot. The tub should be at least this long. But be careful: if the bathtub is much longer, you may keep slipping down while bathing.
The height of the tub depends on the angle of the backrest. At 45 degrees, you have a stronger reclining position, which means that the height can be somewhat lower. At a 30 degree angle, you need more water depth to cover your shoulders. Also consider the overflow of the bath. This is about 10 cm below the edge of the bath.
| Material | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitary acrylic | Hygienic surface, easy to clean, good heat retention, insensitive to stains | Scratch sensitive, discolouration possible |
| Steel enamel | Scratch and abrasion resistant, hygienic, does not discolour, stain resistant | Cooler feel, less heat retention |
| Cast iron | Resistant, enamelled surface, vintage look | High weight, expensive, cool feel |
| Mineral cast | Resistant, easy to clean, warm feel, many designs possible | Heavy, scratch-sensitive, high purchase price |
| Glass | Smooth surface, easy to clean, high impact resistance | Shock sensitive |
| Natural stone | Individual look, robust, durable, long heat storage | Very expensive, high weight, sensitive to acid |
A shower for all occasions
The most beautiful bathtub makes no sense if it remains unused for most of the year and only serves as a clothes rack. So if you only take a quick shower in the morning and generally like to refresh yourself under a shower spray, you would be better off investing your money in a high-quality shower. Above all, by dispensing with the bathtub, you can have a more spacious shower installed and gain more freedom of movement in the bathroom.
Floor-level, i.e. accessible showers are particularly popular. These can be tiled or have a shower tray (also: shower tray). The advantage of shower trays is that they have no joints. This makes them easier to clean. However, you have to choose the size of your shower (and your shower enclosure) according to what the manufacturer offers. This is not the case with tiles. Here you can decide for yourself how large your shower area should be. The floor drain can also be placed anywhere.
A so-called walk-in shower is a shower area that can be accessed at ground level, where brick walls or free-standing glass surfaces serve as splash protection instead of a shower cubicle. Advantage: Unlike a cubicle, no limescale or dirt can accumulate on hinges and frames.
Pampering moments in the shower
For a special experience during your daily hygiene ritual, you can equip the shower area with a shower panel including massage jets or install a shower head with rain simulation, waterfall effect or atmospheric LED light. For maximum comfort, there are now shower fittings and shower systems that can be operated with one hand, conveniently at the touch of a button or with a rotary control. Some models can save the favourite water temperature or regulate the amount of water. But of course, the more special the wishes, the more expensive it gets. In addition, large amounts of water come out of the shower head in rain showers. Therefore, a generous floor drain or a long channel with good drainage capacity must be installed.
There is also a middle way
Bathtub yes or no? If you can't decide, a so-called shower tray could be a good compromise. It can be used for both and therefore requires less floor space. The shower zone is located at the foot of the bathtub and is usually slightly wider (often slightly curved or bulbous). Some models also have a tightly closing cabin door, which allows convenient, almost floor-level entry. A shower screen attached to the rim of the bath keeps splashing water out. If you're still having trouble deciding, visit a bathroom studio near you. Take a look at different shower systems and try out different bathtubs. This is the best way to find out which one suits your needs.
Two people can make themselves comfortable in a duo bathtub. For this, the bath is at least 185 cm long and 100 cm wide. In addition, the water drain is in the middle of the tub or on the edge so that no one has to sit in the unloved place.
Heating costs are incurred for hot water. As a rule, a full bath consumes more energy than an average shower. However, the opposite can be true for a very extensive and hot shower. When it comes to water consumption, the Federal Environment Agency says: Ten minutes of showering uses only half as much hot water as a full bath
.Tiles with glazed surfaces can quickly become slippery. You can recognise slip-resistant tiles by the class they have. For the shower, R10 or R11 are suitable.
Due to the higher risk of splashing in open walk-in showers, there are often damp spots on the floor in front of the shower. In addition, it is generally cooler in an open shower than in a cubicle.
A rain shower enriches water with air and thus forms many individual, thick drops. It has a much larger and flatter shower head, so the whole body is covered by the rain.
Conclusion
Shower, bathtub, combination or both? There is no clear recommendation, because in the end the decision depends on the local conditions, the habits of the user and not least on the available budget. If you have to do without a bathtub because of a lack of space, you can also convert your shower into a place of relaxation. Sophisticated shower systems with state-of-the-art technology ensure that the stress of everyday life simply rolls off you.
