Home renovations give us a lot of opportunities to transform our mobile homes into ideal reflections of our personal needs. Mobile homes offer a lot of unique customization options with easy-to-navigate floorplans and a wide range of replacement parts and pieces.
When redoing your bathroom, you might wonder whether a bathtub or shower is right for your mobile home. Mobile Home Outfitters is here to discuss some common factors and the advantages of both options to help you make an informed decision.
Existing Factors To Consider
Before debating between putting in a bathtub or a shower, you may want to consider some of the established conditions of your mobile home.
Current Layout
Some homeowners may want to upgrade their bathroom but not swap out its existing fixtures. Before you begin, take note of your home’s existing bathtub or shower. It's worth considering the current layout of your home. Switching from a bathtub to a shower requires additional work and renovations as you adjust your plumbing. Depending on the scope of your project, keeping your current fixtures may be a good option.
Bathroom Size
Accounting for size is one of the most challenging things to deal with when remodeling your bathroom. If your bathroom has a shower stall, consider if there is space to install a tub. Will you need to move your sink or toilet to accommodate it? Switching from a bathtub to a shower stall may provide extra space in your bathroom.
Cost of Remodel
Budgeting is always a good idea, no matter what type of renovation plans you have. If you want to swap out your tub for a shower, confirm your budget can accommodate that change. Whether you need to readjust the plumbing or expand the size of your bathroom, account for all expenses when planning your bathroom remodel.
Advantages of a Bathtub
Regardless of which way you want to go, it helps to consider the benefits of each option. When deciding which is right for your mobile home, between a bathtub or shower, think about the advantages of each.
More Relaxing
While a shower is good for a quick wash, sometimes you want a nice, long, and relaxing bath. It’s easy to add Epsom salts or soaps to enjoy a soak or bubble bath in your tub. Baths are beneficial for relaxing your muscles, reducing stress on your nervous system, and improving your mental health.
Better for Families
A bathtub can increase the market for potential buyers if you plan to sell or rent your home. Bathtubs are better options for families with young children or pets since giving them baths is easier with a tub than in a small, shallow shower stall.
Storm Preparedness
Depending on where you live, bathtubs are valuable for storm preparedness. If you live in a region with a high risk of tornadoes, hurricanes, or other natural disasters that may knock out your power or water for an extended period, it helps to have a bathtub. Filling up a bathtub with water can provide homeowners with a large source of clean water to flush the toilet, cook, or drink if they anticipate a lengthy utility outage.
Cost Effective
When browsing mobile home parts catalogs, you may notice that bathtubs generally come in a wider selection of styles, colors, and materials. Despite their increased size, bathtubs are often more cost-effective and easier to install than showers. Homeowners looking to upgrade their bathroom may find more room in their budget when shopping for bathtubs.
Advantages of a Shower
Despite the many advantages of having a bathtub, it’s a good idea to consider the benefits of a shower stall. Both options provide things the other one may not accommodate, so mobile homeowners should look at all sides of the argument when determining which option is best for them.
More Bathroom Space
As mentioned earlier, a shower stall takes up far less space than a bathtub. Homeowners may use the additional space to install a storage closet for towels or toiletries. You may also use the area to install a double sink for couples or decorative pieces to fit an aesthetic. Some homeowners may just want to have the extra space to make their bathroom feel more open and inviting.
Easier To Maintain
Because shower stalls are smaller, they are generally easier to maintain. You have to caulk a smaller area around the edges when making repairs and sealing up the corners. Shower stalls often have glass doors that are easier to clean than sliding doors or curtains.
Generally Cleaner
Because we fill up a bathtub and soak in it, the tub is typically harder to clean than a shower. Bathtubs frequently leave skin cells, soap residue, hair, and other debris along a wider surface area than showers. The reduced space in a shower stall guides most of the dander toward the drain, making showers more sanitary and easier to clean.
Which Uses Less Water?
One of the main questions people ask when looking at tubs and showers is which one uses less water. Does filling up a bathtub use more gallons of water than leaving the water running during a shower?
A standard bathtub holds around 42 gallons of water, while an average showerhead uses just over two gallons of water per minute. When looking at which of the two options uses more water, it typically depends on the length of your shower. So, as long as your showers are less than 20 minutes, many water conservationists believe a shower is a better option when trying to reduce water usage. However, other factors, like a high-pressure showerhead, may impact your water usage.
Mobile Home Outfitters is here for you if you’d like to learn more about shower stalls for mobile homes. We have a wide range of replacement parts for any mobile home renovation project and helpful guides to offer advice for your biggest remodeling needs. For more information or to speak with a member of our team, please contact us at any time, and we'd be happy to address your questions, comments, and concerns.
