Walk-In Tubs

Walk-in tubs bring plenty of benefits and minimal drawbacks. They’re safer, more accessible, and more ergonomic.

First of all, for some, walk-in tubs may be a need rather than a want. If you’ve got seniors at home or kids, or you’re just worried about having to constantly climb in and out of bathtubs, walk-in bathtubs are the solution.

Not only is there no risk of slipping, but it also requires much less effort to get in and out of a walk in bathtub.

Walk in tubs also tend to be more ergonomic. I mean, let’s be honest. How many of us really find bowl-shaped bathtubs comfortable?

With walk in bathtubs, the built-in seats tend to be ergonomically built at around chair height to ensure easy sitting down and standing up. This reduces the strain on your knees.

The backrests are also usually contoured so that you feel more comfortable when you lean backward than with regular bathtubs. Walk-in tubs also incorporate slip-resistant materials in key areas so that you can lie back without slipping down like you would with traditional tubs.

Given that walk-in tubs are made for safety, there are also usually handrails to provide additional support.

In short, a walk in bathtub is going to be a lot more ergonomic than a regular bathtub, so you’ll find using a walk in tub not only safer, but also more comfortable.

Of course, there are some drawbacks, though not major ones.

Firstly, there is the issue of higher prices. Not only does each walk in tub cost more than a regular bathtub due to the harder manufacturing process, but installation is also much tricker and will also cost more.

Overall, this can add up to make walk-in tubs quite a bit more expensive.

Another unavoidable downside is that each time when you use a walk-in tub, you need to get in, then wait for it to fill up. You can’t fill it up beforehand or you won’t be able to open the door without the water getting out.

The same goes for when you’re done showering. You need to let all the water drain first before you can open the door and exit.

This can be annoying as it means you’ll waste anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes or even more just waiting for the water to fill up and drain.

But this is really a small tradeoff when you consider the safety and accessibility you’re getting.

Another con of walk-in tubs is that the sealing mechanism requires regular checking and maintenance.

Seals will definitely wear out over time, so regular checks and maintenance need to be performed to ensure no leakage. Eventually, seals will need to be replaced too, which is additional cost.

Still, even regular bathtubs also need maintenance, walk-in bathtubs just require a bit more.

The final con of walk-in tubs is that there is limited space for stand-up showering. Even for walk-in bathtubs with showers, the built-in seating limits the amount of space you have to move around.

Walk-in tubs aren’t designed for moving around. They’re meant for you to go in, sit down, and take a bath. As such, you won’t have much space for movement, making stand-up showers difficult, even if you have a walk-in shower tub combo.

Overall though, these are all relatively minor drawbacks for the safety and accessibility that walk-in tubs bring.

So if you’re looking to make your bathroom safer and more accessible, give us a call today at 720-702-4753 to get started on your walk-in tub installation.