Bathrooms Part III: Showers
In a previous blog, we explored the types of bathtubs and their pros and cons. What we left out, though, is the growing appeal of shower-only alcoves. As their installation and materials grow cheaper, standalone shower stalls are becoming a popular fixture in newer bathrooms and an affordable upgrade or addition to existing ones. More than ever before, contractors and builders are increasingly able to build or add such fixtures with relative ease and at a lower cost. Not only are showers a space-saving choice as well as an aesthetic one, they’re also surprisingly easy to maintain. The choice ultimately comes down to your personal maintenance preferences, budget, and long-term plans.
Don’t underestimate the importance of upgrading the bathroom; this room, like the kitchen, is one of the most frequently used rooms in your home and adds a great deal to its resale value. Custom designed units can be made to fit any opening. Consider your needs for an enclosure, a bath adjacent to the master bedroom, or another in a hallway or a unit that can be specially angle-cut for a sloped ceiling application. There are bi-fold doors that are perfect for those tight spaces; or you may want mirrored panels for smaller baths to make the room appear larger.
For most homeowners, buyers, or investors, the first question should be, “Is a shower, which has strictly one use, a reasonable or feasible addition to the home?” The short answer is, for the most part, but only if there’s an actual bathtub elsewhere in the house. We’ve heard more than one real estate agent quip, “You’re never going to sell this place without a bathtub,” so even if you don’t have children who need to be bathed or venetian blinds to wash (we’ve all been there), the fact is that most potential buyers prize the utility and versatility of a bathtub. In other words, don’t remove the only tub in the house and replace it with a shower.
If your property only has one full bath, then it makes sense to keep the bathtub unless the home has a half-bath that can accommodate the addition of a shower. Building a shower into a half-bath without the necessary plumbing fixtures in place is likely to be more labor-intensive and expensive, so keep that in mind.
Assuming you elect to focus on the full bath and its tub, there’s no reason you can’t make the shower function of that bathtub more pleasant for everyday use.
If you’re using a tub and a shower curtain, it’s important to keep both clean. Inner curtains, in particular, can trap moisture easily and allow mold to grow if not properly maintained. Both the inner and outer curtains should be replaced every year or so, and in this day and age be mindful of what materials they’re made of, since recent studies have shown that vinyl shower curtains contain polyvinyl chloride or PVC, which itself contains chemicals that are extremely detrimental towards human health and the environment. These vinyl curtains can release volatile organic compounds and DEHP (a suspected carcinogen) into the air, which can cause headaches, nausea, respiratory problems, and damage to the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system. Developing young children are especially sensitive to these chemicals, making them poor choices for families who need bathtubs for bathing children.
The good news is that most retailers have completely discontinued selling PVC curtains, but some still stock them alongside non-PVC alternatives. It’s best to check the label or ask an employee before purchasing a shower curtain from any store. Non-PVC curtains can be made out of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), which is healthier but still made out of polycarbonate based plastic and detrimental towards the environment. Fabric curtains tend to be the best choice because not only are they non-toxic, they’re also machine washable, so maintenance is fairly easy. Hemp is an ideal material for fabric shower curtains because it’s naturally resistant to mold and mildew, and even if the materials in your curtain aren’t releasing toxins into the air, mold spores can still be an issue.
You can do this whether you have a shower or a tub, but in either case get a high-pressure showerhead. It helps spruce up the functionality of a tub-and-shower setup – because no one likes camp-style showers with a trickle of water on a cold morning – and makes the entire bathroom itself more comfortable and desirable for potential buyers. These heads are fairly inexpensive, and you can also find high-pressure heads that conserve water.
Shower curtains carry their own set of disadvantages, but the fact is that to most buyers they also aren’t considered to be as innovative or as fashionable in a modern bathroom as shower doors. If you have the space to reasonably install a shower, or already have one with a curtain, it’s worth looking into installing sliding or frameless doors. There are many advantages associated with having a shower door, starting with the fact that only safety tempered or laminated glass is used in the manufacture, allowing you many years of durability with minimal maintenance. They’re also safer than curtains, which can cause occupants to trip or otherwise injure themselves.
The durability of shower doors more than makes up for the added expense of continually replacing shower curtains. Shower doors can be kept looking new for years by applying a protective coating to the glass, making it easier to clean. It’s also recommended that the doors be wiped down after each use. Should they become soiled from hard water or soap residue buildup, a sponge with warm soapy water can be used.
Framed shower doors traditionally feature aluminum or composite frames surrounding sheets of tempered or textured glass. The frames may be coated to create a chrome, bronze, nickel or gold finish. The metal on a framed shower door not only surrounds the operable part of the partition, but also other parts of the enclosure, such as the top, bottom, sides and joints. Seals, sweeps and magnetic hardware around the door help to create a watertight fit and prevent water from the shower and bath from leaking onto the floor of the bathroom. With no need for highly polished edges, thicker glass and specialty hardware, framed enclosures also tend to cost less than frameless models. They also offer plenty of decorative glass options because the frame lends much of the support needed for the enclosure, so less strength is needed from the glass itself. Potential drawbacks to framed enclosures are that they may appear dated in modern bathrooms, and they come in a limited range of sizes and shapes. Due to the frame, the doors on these structures only open out, which unfortunately limits design options and layout.
Unlike framed doors, frameless shower doors rely on heavy-duty glass and special pivots for structural support. These units are free of metal around the operable part of the partition, but some may incorporate a metal frame or tracks along other parts of the enclosure, such as the bottom or edges. Shower doors and tub enclosures with metal on any part of the structure are sometimes referred to as semi-frameless. The greatest advantage here is the variety of design options available. Frameless shower and tub enclosures may come in any size or style, allowing for optimal customization. The doors open in or out based on layout and design needs and, with no frames to get in the way, frameless doors provide a more open, airy look, making it easy to show off beautiful tiles and other finishes. The lack of frames also makes for easier cleaning. Because of the heavier glass and smooth polished edges in their construction, frameless enclosures come at a more expensive price compared to framed shower doors. The lack of seals and sweeps also means a greater chance of leaks, and limits where you can place the door in relation to the showerhead.
Beyond their structural and practical advantages, shower doors are very much an aesthetic choice, and one that is consistently preferred by potential homebuyers. Since the bathroom is one of a home’s most intimate rooms, every detail in it should be beautiful, and the entire place should feel comfortable. The shower itself is a focal point and an integral part of a bathroom. Shower doors are one of the most prominent fixtures you see when entering the bath, so it seems logical that the enclosure should look elegant and beautiful. The growing trend is towards the frameless doors. This adds to the open style of the design and creates a feeling of space. It can be costly when designing the shower door, but in the long term the investment will add to the equity of the home home and make even the most functional room a veritable showcase.
Whether you go with framed or frameless doors, the shower enclosure gives a finished look to any bathroom and more often than not sets the tone for your decorating scheme. Whatever your decision, adding a shower or tub enclosure will add dramatic result and create a truly personalized bathroom. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates and real estate advice, and keep up with our blog for more on the art of real estate investment!
– Get It Right Solutions