blog posts tagged with bath

Showers are great for washing off the dirt and grime of the day, but nothing beats a luxurious soak in a lovely hot bath. In an ideal world we would have both in the bathroom, but in many modern homes there is barely room for a shower never mind a full-sized bath. But if you do have room for a bath, here are a few tips to help you choose the right one.

You also need to decide whether (or not) you want a separate shower enclosure. Compact baths are perfect for small bathrooms because they take up the least amount of room, but a tall person would feel seriously cramped in a super short bath. Freestanding baths are lovely, but again you need lots of floor space or the bathroom design won’t work.

Who Will Be Using the Bath?

When you have children, baths are very useful. Most young kids don’t really like having a shower because the water goes in their eyes. They much prefer having a bath because they can splash around, play with toys, and generally burn off excess energy. Non-slip surfaces are useful for families as they help to prevent accidents. Non-slip baths are also a sensible choice for the older generation; you may also wish to buy hand grips for a bath if anyone has mobility issues.

Multi Purpose Shower-Baths for Modern Families

Shower baths are the perfect solution for smaller family bathrooms, or bathrooms where the layout won’t accommodate a separate shower cubicle. Shower baths are P-shaped. The shower is fitted at the wider end of the bath and a glass screen or shower curtain installed to prevent the water from splashing all over the floor. A shower bath is not as spacious as a separate shower cubicle, but they are economical and are available from all reputable bathroom suppliers.

Spa Baths – the Luxury Option

Sometimes a normal bath is not enough. Spa baths pump air bubbles into the water and can be both therapeutic and relaxing. Some spa baths even have lights included in the design so you can lie back and enjoy a massage and light show at the same time. They are, however, a lot more expensive than a regular bath and require specialist installation because of the extra equipment needed. But if you can afford it, a spa bath will definitely add the ‘wow’ factor to your bathroom together with a designer stainless steel bathroom radiator.

Bathroom design is not always straightforward and even if you are planning on doing the work yourself, it is sensible to have a design drawn up by a bathroom installation company. Most large stores will come and measure up for free, so why not take advantage of the service and that way you can ensure everything fits exactly where it is supposed to.

Once upon a time, most families were lucky to have a tin bath for special occasions. But times have changed and modern households can easily have two, three or even four bathrooms and en-suites. However, some smaller properties only have room for one small bathroom, so the question of whether a shower would be more space efficient is a pertinent one. Naturally there isn’t a straight forward answer, so if you are wondering whether to swap your bath for a power shower, or vice versa, here are a few points to bear in mind. Water Consumption According to the study, the average eight-minute shower used 62 litres of hot water, and some power showers can use up to 136 litres, compared with an average bath's 80 litres. Even four minutes under a water-inefficient power shower still uses less water than the average bath. Using less water in the bathroom isn’t just about the environment – there is a strong link between the hot water you use and the size of your energy bill.

Advantages of a Bath

Most homes have at least one bath, but we all lead busy lives so in this day and age, a bath might not be right for your home. However, there are some advantages to installing a bath rather than a shower.

• Kids – Younger children love baths. It gives them a chance to play in warm water and relaxes them just in time for bed. Parents can also have a bath at the same time, which is useful when you have a baby as well as a toddler.
• Joint problems – For anyone suffering with the pain of arthritis, soaking in a hot bath can be a huge comfort. It won’t cure the disease, but the heat of a bath can significantly soothe the symptoms.
• Relaxation – At the end of a long, stressful day, nothing beats lying in a nice, hot bath, with a glass of wine nearby and a few scented candles dotted around the bathroom. After about thirty minutes, you might actually feel human again.

Advantages of a Shower

• Speed – Running a bath takes time, and when you are late for work, time is something you probably don’t have. It is possible to have a quick shower in less than five minutes, so showers are the ideal solution for busy people.
• Mobility issues – It isn’t easy climbing into a bath when you are crippled with arthritis or you have some other serious mobility issue. A shower is more suitable for those who are unable to sit down without help. Showers can also be adapted for wheelchair users.
• Space – A small shower cubicle takes up less space than a large bath, so if your bathroom is a touch on the ‘compact’ size, installing a shower will give you more room to play with. Showers are also more suited to en-suite bathrooms because of the space issue.

Selling a Home

No matter what your preference is, should there be any possibility that you might need to sell your home in the future, be careful of removing a bath and replacing it with a shower. Most people, in particular families, are going to want a bath and a property without one is likely to be less attractive to potential buyers. So bear this in mind.

The ideal solution is to have both. If space is a problem, consider installing a bath-shower as this will take up less room than a shower cubicle and separate bath. And don’t forget to look at towel rails with electric options for an extra ‘wow’ factor.