Pros and Cons of Walk-In Tubs: Are They Worth It?

Walk-in tubs are an excellent way to find comfort while bathing. These bathtubs utilize a sealed door that you enter before filling the tub and then leave shut while the bathtub drains. It makes for a safe and easy way to enter and exit the bath so that you don’t have to skip out on a great way to relax.

But this doesn’t necessarily mean that the walk-in tub is for everyone. Here are the pros and cons of walk-in tubs you should consider before purchasing one.

What Are Walk-In Tubs?

A walk-in tub is a special style of bathtub that features high sides that include a watertight door over a low threshold. The door can be opened and closed before the tub is filled, allowing the user to walk in rather than step over the side of a traditional tub. It will hold the water in the tub, and once the tub is drained, the door can be opened, so the user can step out easily.

Benefits of a Walk-In Tub 

A walk-in tub offers many benefits that can make them the right choice for people with mobility issues or those that want a more comfortable experience getting in and out of the tub. A walk-in tub can also include a showerhead for showers, allowing more people to benefit from it or allowing you to shower while sitting down.

Comfort

Walk-in tubs are typically deeper than traditional tubs to make room for the door. This allows the tub to hold 2 to 4 feet of water, as opposed to the 1 foot of water offered by traditional tubs, which means that you’ll likely be able to submerge more of your body in the water. They often come with a built-in seat where you can sit while the water fills. In higher end models, this seat can even be heated. The seat also means that you won’t have to keep yourself propped up as you would in a traditional tub.

Safety 

One of the most important benefits of a walk-in tub is its increased safety over a traditional bathtub. The low threshold makes it easy to enter and exit, and the seat means you won’t have to fully lower yourself to the bottom of the tub. Walk-in tubs are especially beneficial for those with mobility issues and many models are based around the idea of aging-in-place, making it easier for people to grow old in their own home rather than move to a residential facility or nursing home. 

Improve Health 

A warm bath offers many health benefits, and a walk-in tub makes sure these benefits are available to as many people as possible. The warm water can help to loosen stiff joints and increase circulation which helps improve mobility. A walk-in tub helps to maintain hygiene even as mobility declines. It can also foster a sense of independence which can maintain or improve mental health. 

Increase Home Value 

The amount that a walk-in tub can increase home value varies, but if the home is located in a neighborhood populated by older residents, was installed as part of a larger bathroom renovation, or is in a home that also includes a traditional bathtub or walk-in shower, it can increase home value when it’s time to sell.

Disadvantages of a Walk-in Tub 

For all of their benefits, walk-in tubs do come with some disadvantages, namely that they can be more expensive than a standard tub, and they take awhile to fill and drain.

Walk-In Tub Cost 

A walk-in tub can cost more than a traditional bathtub. Bathtub replacement cost typically falls between $1,700 and $8,500. Walk-in tub cost, on the other hand, averages around $4,000, and while it can be as low as $1,500, it can also run as much as $12,000, significantly adding to the bathroom remodel cost. If the primary user of the walk-in tub is on Medicare or Medicare Advantage, it’s possible that the program will cover some or all of the cost if the tub will provide health related benefits.

Fill and Drain Times

Traditional tubs allow you to fill the water and then immediately step into a hot bath. This obviously isn’t possible with a walk-in tub that must allow the door to open and close. Because of this, you’ll have to get into the tub and then wait for it to fill. At the end of the bath, you’ll have to wait for the water to drain. A heated seat feature can make this wait more comfortable, but it will also add to the total walk-in tub cost.

Water Usage 

Walk-in tubs and standalone bathtubs use approximately the same amount of water—40 to 50 gallons for a walk-in vs 40 to 80 gallons for a standalone. Where the difference comes in is if you’re transitioning from taking showers to taking baths due to mobility or safety issues. Showers typically use between 12 and 40 gallons depending on water pressure and the length of the shower, so switching over to a tub vs a shower can significantly increase your water usage.

Installation 

Walk-in tubs are typically larger than the standard bathtub size, so installation may require more work than simply removing the old tub and replacing it with a new one. If a walk-in tub is included in your bathroom remodel ideas, it’s important to take the right measurements and evaluate the work needed to install it properly.

Is a Walk-In Tub Worth It?

Deciding whether or not a walk-in tub is worth it really comes down to individual needs and preferences. For older adults or people with mobility issues, the purchase may be worth it to get built-in safety features and maintain or improve hygiene levels. In certain situations, a walk-in tub can also increase the home’s value and improve physical and mental health. But there is a significant cost associated with walk-in tubs, so you may be better off to convert the tub to a walk-in shower with a seat. Talking to a bathtub professional near you and weighing your options can help you decide if a walk-in tub is worth it for your bathroom.