Buyers Guide to Walk in Showers
Featured in the image above Simpsons Design Walk In Panel
The modern shower has over time, undergone improvements that have seen it change from a simple device that sprayed water, whose temperature could vary and was normally situated over a bath. We are proud to offer you a wide selection of walk in showers. We have a number of different styles and designs which come in a range of sizes, allowing you to find something to fit the space you have.
The modern walk-in shower today is very different, and just like a bracing walk, the morning shower is a great means of starting the day. Walk-in showers are designed to be easily accessible for old and young alike, in fact, a walk-in shower lessens the possible risk of an elderly person slipping or getting into or out of the bath.
All our walk in showers are all designed to the legal safety requirements and are built for durability. There are many advantages when you choose a walk-in shower, naturally, there is easy access, but a walk-in shower is usually easier to clean than a small enclosure, or a shower which is fitted over the bath. Many of the examples on our web pages have easy clean glass ensuring that the glass remains clear and sparkling clean, without cleaning each time the shower is used.
What are Walk in Showers?
Walk in showers work on the same principle as a Wet Room, there is no traditional door for you to pass through like with a Shower Enclosure. The only real difference between a wetroom and a Walk in Shower is that there's a shower tray.
Featured in the image above Kudos Ultimate 2 Walk In
Traditionally popular in Europe, Walk Ins are the fastest growing design trend we have seen. A Walk In shower is different to your normal shower enclosure. A normal shower enclosure will have some sort of door, be that hinged, pivot or slider. This is mainly because here in the UK we are very conscious of leaks and damaging our bathrooms.
The way we build our bathrooms is very different to on the continent, we will mount our trays on timber structures and joists. In countries like Germany, they have their trays directly on concrete, so they are less conscious about leaks.
Walk In showers work on the same principle as a wet room, there is no traditional enclosure or door for you to pass through. The only real difference between a wetroom and a walk in is the shower tray. A lot of our walk in and wet room panels can be used in either a wet room or walk in shower. It’s a little perplexing sometimes as other retailers and manufacturers will blur the lines and confuse the terms; mainly because most of the glass panels can be used with both. So if you see something in our wetroom section and you like the look of it and wonder if it is available as a Walk in shower, just give us a call or drop us an email and we will confirm it for you.
Walk in Shower sizes
Featured in the image above Matki Boutique Walk In Shower Enclosure
One of the biggest trends we have seen in recent years is customers are ripping out their cumbersome impractical baths in favour of a Walk In Shower.
There isn’t really any restrictions on the size you can have with a Walk In. They generally work better in larger spaces, but that is more of a rule of thumb opposed to a restriction. There are also multiple types of configurations you can install. Most common installations are what we call recessed, where you are installing the walk in between 3 walls and the other configuration is corner.
Walk in Showers vs Baths
Featured in the image above Kudos Ultimate 2 Recess Walk In
Is your bath looking a bit tired? Do you prefer a shower to a bath? Is the bath being hardly used? Are you a bath or a shower person? Bath people look away now.
It might be time to look at pulling your bath out and putting in a brand new walk in shower. Here are some great reasons to look at a new Walk In shower:
- Walk ins make your bathroom look and feel bigger and brighter
- Creates a contemporary and minimalist look
- You can have a larger showering area
- If you have mobility problems then a shower will be much easier on joints than a bath
- You can fit more than one person in the walk in – nudge nudge, wink wink
- This is a cheaper option than installing a full wet room, it’s also easier to install than most Wet room solutions
- Cheaper to replace the tray in a Walk In than replacing a Wet room tray
- Showers are better for you skin according to dermatologists
- Walk In showers are easier to clean, especially when they have easy clean coatings!
Are showers more efficient than baths?
Featured in the image above Kudos Ultimate 2 Curved Recess Walk In Shower
This very much comes down to how long you spend in the shower. If you are in there half a day then it’s not going to be very environmental. However, if you are having a typical 10-minute shower then would be using around 20 gallons of water whereas if you are using an average bath then it will take around 36 gallons to fill it.
Being water efficient is not only good for the environment it’s also good for your bank account. It’s a no-brainer, the more water you use the more it will cost you. So using more water efficient means like a Walk In shower will overall cost you less. You can go a step further with this and look at showers and shower heads with water saving technology in them. We would recommend looking at partnering up any Walk In Shower with the German manufacturer Hansgrohe, as they specialise in water efficient products. Hansgrohe has a range of products call EcoSmart which over a period of time are better for the environment and will save you money.
Where to buy Walk in Showers?
Featured in the image above Matki Original Walk In Curved Corner
Some say that the only way to buy a bathroom is to see it in the flesh, as you have no idea what the quality is going to be like. We disagree with that totally, we are here to make sure you don’t need to waste hours of your life (which you don’t get back by the way!) trawling round a showroom whilst sales advisors stare at you and stalk you round their showroom like a pack of hungry hyenas who have just found lunch.
All the Brands and Manufacturers found on ukbathrooms.com have been handpicked and have to pass the most rigours and toughest industry standard test in the UK; would we have this in our own homes ('n wea'ar eur fussy lot fra Yorksha, sa if it dunt last 'n it dunt fettle then we don’t want it)? You can be certain of the quality of the feel of any Walk In Enclosure. Which means all you need to do is match it to the style and look you are trying to achieve for your entire bathroom (we can help with that if you get stuck) which you could do from the comfort of your own sofa and we recommend with a nice cup of Yorkshire Tea.
What does a Walk in Shower cost?
Featured in the image above Matki Square Walk In Shower
Walk In showers can vary in price depending on a few different factors:
Brand
We specialise in branded bathrooms. These are manufacturers that put their name to their product and are proud to stand by it. Each brand will have its own ethos and pedigree. There are plenty of people in the industry who sell unbranded bathroom products, where you do not know where it was manufactured and to what standard it was manufactured.
Saying that not all brands were created equally and we sell an array of different manufacturers and brands.
If you are looking for an entry-level product then we would recommend looking at Sommer which starts from £203 inc VAT. If you are looking for a mid-range product then we would recommend looking at Simpsons, Kudos and Roman Showers. If you are looking for the best of the best then without a doubt you need to be looking at AQATA and Matki. Matki probably being the most recognisable name in shower enclosure, and there is a good reason for that!
Glass thickness
Generally, you will find walk in screens are available in a 6mm, 8mm and 10mm thickness option. The 6mm glass will come in at a lower price than the 10mm glass. Regardless of the size all the enclosures and screens we sell are made with safety glass.
Configuration
We have touched on this above but there are many different ways to configure a Walk In shower. The reason there are so many options is that everyone’s home is different and everyone’s style is different. We ensure we have got as many options and permutations as possible to ensure you can find exactly what you are looking for. From a single fixed panels to multiple panels with a hinged deflector panel. If you are not sure what you need, why not take a look at our Kudos Ultimate 2 Walk In Packs which can guide you through what you need.
Frequently asked questions about Walk in Shower Enclosures
Featured in the image above Aqata SpectraWalk In Shower
How to clean Walk in Showers?
As Walk In are easier to clean than baths this is nice and easy. Most of our Walk In Enclosures come with an easy clean solution that makes it harder for dirt and grit to cling on to the glass. It’s perfect for those of you in hard water areas!
When cleaning the enclosure it is best to only use warm soapy water on it. Anything stronger and abrasive can damage the Walk In shower profiles.
Are Walk in Showers cold?
With the right heating your bathroom should never be cold, why not check out our radiators and underfloor heating.
If you want to make sure you are warm and covered in the shower you can get a bigger shower head to do this. Why not look at the large Hansgrohe shower heads, as a showering experience we are confident they are the best in the industry.
Are Walk in Showers any good?
We can safely say they are and there are a few people in the office that have them. But everyone is different, so if you are not sure if a Walk In shower is the best fit for you then why not give our sales team a call?
FAQs
What is the standard walk in shower tray size? ›
Walk in shower trays are simply larger trays that are similar in size to a bath - so generally around 1700 x 700mm or 1700 x 800mm. Sometimes they have a draining area with integral grooves to allow the water to easily drain back to the waste area.
What is the difference between a walk in shower and a shower enclosure? ›Shower enclosures are the traditional type of wet rooms which include a shower area enclosed with glass panels. On the other hand, walk-in showers are open shower areas which do not include a shower tray or glass panels – they are more luxurious and modern.
What is the total cost of a walk in shower? ›| Average Walk-In Shower Cost | |
|---|---|
| Average Cost | $6,641 |
| Highest Cost | $10,168 |
| Lowest Cost | $3,121 |
Minimum Walk-In Shower Size
Our professional and experienced opinion would advise that as a minimum, the tray should be at least 1200mm in length and anything between 700 and 900mm in width. This will help to ensure that water stays within the shower area.
The ADA suggests a minimum size of 36 inches by 36 inches for a walk-in shower, which features a bench attached to one wall for sitting. Even if you eschew the bench, 36 inches by 36 inches is a good minimum size for ease of showering.
What is the best size shower tray? ›A standard shower enclosure size starts from 30″ x 30″ (700mm x 700mm) but most people feel comfortable in the shower cubicle size of 48″ x 36″ (1200mm X 900mm).
Should I put a door on my walk in shower? ›Typically, a true walk-in shower is constructed without a door. But there are no strict rules when it comes to your bathroom. That means you're free to design your walk-in shower to best meet your personal tastes. Fortunately, this aesthetic provides many design possibilities.
What floor do you need for a walk in shower? ›Tiled Floor. The most common choice of flooring finish when it comes to a wet room or walk in shower is tiles. A tiled floor finish also means that you have the widest choice of under tray / wet room tray available as nearly all wetroom trays are designed to accept at least a tiled floor finish.
How big does a walk in shower with no door need to be? ›How Big Should a Doorless Shower Be? A doorless shower layout requires a larger footprint than a standard tub or shower stall. Building codes may specify that a standard shower stall must be a minimum of 36 inches by 36 inches while the average doorless shower is about seven feet by four feet with many much larger.
Do walk-in showers lower home value? ›In general, removing a tub and installing a well-appointed walk-in shower also increases the value of a home. That being said, if you have to choose between a bathtub and a walk-in shower, and most of us do, it's important to consider if you have another tub.
Which is more expensive walk-in tub or walk-in shower? ›
Tubs are often cheaper to install.
Standard bathtubs and shower stalls are at the low end, while whirlpool tubs and walk-in showers are pricier. You can have a whirlpool tub installed for an average of $4,500, less than three-fourths of what you'd pay for a walk-in shower, priced at $6,000 on average.
Prefabricated shower inserts are the cheapest option as they are assembled in a factory and are easier to install in your bathroom. A walk-in shower is usually the most expensive as a lot of tile work and custom glazing is often involvedg.
Does water splash out of a walk in shower? ›Doorless walk in showers have a greater propensity for water to splash out of as opposed to walk in shower enclosures that feature shower doors. However, any sort of walk in shower space should be designed to incorporate adequate room to contain the splashback and water flow.
What is the most common shower size? ›The standard enclosure shower sizes are 36 inches wide and 60-inches long. However, there are about a dozen “standard shower sizes” in the US alone. But showers bigger than 48-inches wide or 60-inches long are rare. Longer showers over 48 inches wide are tub-shower units.
What is the best thickness of shower tray? ›Best Glass Thickness for Shower Enclosures
At a compromise, if you are looking for a great balance between affordability and reliability then 8mm toughened glass is the best option for a shower enclosure. This will provide a sturdy enough supporting enclosure.
Best Materials for Shower Floors
There are various types of shower pans, but they will all slope inward to direct water to a shower drain. Typically, an acrylic shower pan or a polyurethane shower pan are the most popular choices.
Cons of a Walk-In Shower
Taking hot showers in walk-in showers raises your bathroom's humidity and moisture levels, which leads to eventual mold growth. Homeowners should also note that water can splash on their bathroom's other parts as the walk-in shower is used, leading to a messy or slippery bathroom.
Install a Shower Splash Guard
Splash guards are small, triangular-shaped rubber fins that are placed along the corners where the shower wall meets the floor. They're typically glued in place or attached with self-adhesive strips and can stop water from leaking out the corners of the shower.
If you have a shower with a door, leave the door open to air out the inside of the shower. Doing these simple things each day after you bathe is the easiest way to prevent mold and mildew growth.
What is the easiest shower floor to maintain? ›Porcelain tile is often the best choice for a number of reasons. First, porcelain is extremely durable and it can withstand heavy traffic. Second, it is resistant to moisture and mold, making it an ideal choice for a wet environment. Third, porcelain tile is easy to clean and maintain.
What is best for walk-in shower walls? ›
For durable, water-resistant, safe (not scratchy or slippery), and easy-to-maintain flooring, ceramic and porcelain tiles are both excellent choices for walk-in showers. Both are made of dense clay and are widely available.
How do I keep my doorless shower warm? ›Doorless showers simply don't retain heat as well as those with doors, and they can even feel cold at times. However, you can install a heated shower floor to help counteract this undesirable effect and keep the space cozy and warm while you're rinsing off.
Are doorless showers a good idea? ›A doorless shower can bring out a more modern and high-end look to any bathroom. This bathroom feature also creates an open and spacious atmosphere. The seamless entry and movement provided by a doorless shower upgrade a bathroom to a whole new level of luxury. Doorless showers also offer easy accessibility.
What is the minimum distance for a doorless shower? ›Plan to make the shower a minimum of five feet by five feet for mobility purposes (i.e., a wheeled shower chair), which will allow a shower chair, plus enough room for an aide to assist. Choose non-slippery flooring.
What is the least expensive walk-in shower? ›Prefabricated Walk-In Shower
Most manufactured shower stalls (typically made from fiberglass or acrylic) cost anywhere from $700 to $3,000 to install. You can find prefab models made from lightweight plastic for as little as $300.
“There absolutely has to be at least one bathtub in any condo or home. When you sell, you're also selling a lifestyle and having no tub will hinder a sale to most buyers,” she says. Research backs up the anecdotal evidence.
What is the average cost to convert a tub to a walk in shower? ›The cost to convert a tub into a walk-in shower ranges from $800 to $15,000 and depends on several factors, including shower size, material, style, whether you're installing doors, and any plumbing work. If you're replacing a tub with a prefabricated walk-in shower stall kit, you'll pay $1,000 to $8,000.
What is a shower with a bathtub called? ›If space is limited in your bathroom, one way to compromise is to purchase a bath tub and shower combo, known as a “shower bath”.
Which bathroom should have a tub? ›Ideally you should have at least one bathtub in your home if you plan to sell in the near future, but this does not have to be in your master bathroom. If you must choose one bathroom to keep a tub in, go for the hall bathroom as this would typically be used for bathing small children or pets.
How much does it cost to take out a tub and install a shower? ›Wet-area renovations like a tub to shower conversions cost about $6,000 to $10,000, including materials and labor. Your project may cost more or less, but this average figure is a good one to keep in mind.
Is it cheaper to tile a shower or buy a surround? ›
Because they are less laborious to install, surrounds are often less expensive than tile. Some high-end materials, however, such as granite, may be more expensive than tiling with some grades of tile.
What is the labor cost to install a stand up shower? ›Price of Installing a New Walk-In Shower
If you're looking for a custom shower, with an expensive door, faucet, and need to add plumbing, your simple shower can dramatically raise the price. There's also the cost of labor, which can run $400-$1,000* depending on who you hire.
A rain shower head is a stimulating shower head with a difference! They are also referred to as rainfall or waterfall shower heads. With a generous surface, rain shower heads feature a steady, even water flow that emulates rainfall. They do this by using all nozzles for a balanced, soft, and luxurious spray.
What is a comfortable shower height? ›Shower heads should be installed at 80" (203.2 cm) from the floor of the shower pan or bathtub. This height can be adjusted for special cases, but it has proven to be a comfortable industry standard for the typical person and for those that are slightly taller.
Is 32 too narrow for shower? ›Typically, the smallest shower size is 32 inches wide by 32 inches deep. However, the International Residential Code (which regulates houses, duplexes, and townhouses) allows for showers as small as 30 inches x 30 inches. Measurements go up incrementally from there, usually to about 36 inches by 60 inches.
What is the minimum size for a doorless shower? ›How Big Should a Doorless Shower Be? A doorless shower layout requires a larger footprint than a standard tub or shower stall. Building codes may specify that a standard shower stall must be a minimum of 36 inches by 36 inches while the average doorless shower is about seven feet by four feet with many much larger.
What are the dimensions of a walk in shower for two? ›As far as size goes, two of the most common sizes are 3-feet by 5-feet and 4-feet by 6-feet; there are no minimum requirements. It is whatever the couple in question feels comfortable with as far as space goes.