Walk in showers with a shower chair are better for seniors than a walk in tub as a walk in shower gets you clean much better than sitting in the bath water.
Showers are much more cleaner and hygienic than baths.
However walk in tubs can also be good for seniors who want to relax in the tub but for cleanliness a walk in shower is better for the senior.
Walk in tubs are also safer than a walk in shower as they prevent less of a fall risk.
Walk in tubs are good for seniors, especially for seniors that have mobility issues or trouble climbing into a standard tub.
With a walk in tub you open the door and walk into the tub and then close the door and start filling the tub and then you wait until the water is drained before you open the walk in tub door and get out.
The cost of a walk in tub is between $2,500.00 to $5,000.00 to $8,000.00 for the walk in tub itself depending on the brand, model and features as well as size of the walk in tub.
With professional installation the real cost of the walk in tub with professional installation can be as high as $10,000.00 to $20,000.00.
The amount of room you need to install a walk in tub is enough room to accommodate at least 52 inches to 60 inches long and 28 inches to 32 inches wide depending on the size of the walk in tub.
If your bathroom fits a standard bathtub size then you should have enough room for a walk in tub.
Although you have to also consider the door that swings out and allow enough space for that as well.
You can put a walk in tub in a small bathroom as many walk in tubs can accommodate small bathrooms and they come in different sizes.
Compact walk in tubs can be great for small bathrooms when you have limited space and can fit into the same area as a standard bathtub.
Walk in tubs come in sizes of 52 inches to 60 inches long and 28 inches to 32 inches wide and 30 inches by 52 inches and 30 inches to 52 inches.
Walk in tubs come in wheel chair accessible models, standard size models and even bariatric models.
larger models of walk in tubs can come in sizes of 60 inches x 40 inches.
The average size of walk in tubs is 60 inches long by 32 inches wide and a height of 38 inches.
Standard walk in tubs have a weight limit of around 300 lbs.
Bariatric walk in tubs have a weight limit of around 600 lbs and some models of walk in tubs such as the Model 3555 walk in tubs have no weight limit.
The disadvantages of a walk in tub are that the walk in tubs cost more than traditional tubs and may require changes in plumbing and electrical and the are also more complex to install than traditional tubs which can increase the installation costs of the walk in tubs.
You may also have to upgrade your water heater and they can also be less convenient for people who want showering and bathing options.
Many models of walk in tubs also require bathroom modifications and use more hot water than standard bathtubs and also require you to wait inside the walk in tub until the tub drains as well as fills.
The reason why walk in tubs are so expensive is due to the more labor required to make the walk in tubs as well as other factors which include the engineering and and inclusion of various luxury and safety features.
Walk in tubs are more labor intensive than traditional tubs are to manufacture and also have additional safety features and luxury features.
Walk in tubs are often equipped with safety features like non slip flooring, anti scald valves as well as features for luxury and comfort such as heated seats, aromatherapy and hydrotherapy jets.
These additional features in a walk in tub add to the higher cost of the walk in tubs when compared to traditional tubs.
The materials used to make walk in tubs which include fiberglass and acrylic also require specialized techniques for reinforcement and shaving, which also drives up the costs of manufacturer.
Walk in tubs are also not as widely used or bought like traditional tubs so they cost more due to less less demand.
Higher end walk in tubs that are better quality and more durable are often more expensive than the lesser known brands of walk in tubs.
And installation costs for walk in tubs can cost more than installing traditional tubs as walk in tubs can be more complex to install than a traditional bathtub and may require adjustments and changes to electrical work and plumbing, which can also lead to higher labor costs and higher costs for materials and installation.