Many homeowners contemplating remodeling are planning ahead for their retirement years. If that’s you, or if you already have mobility issues, whether it’s due to the natural process of aging or something else, getting a walk-in tub as part of your remodeling project might look like a good idea. Before you make any purchases, we’d like to show you some of the pros and cons these tubs offer.
Pros
The biggest draw walk-in tubs offer is how easy they make bathing. Beyond the fact you don’t need to step over the rim of the tub, some of them also offer adjustable bubble jets and shower heads for maximum comfort. Handrails textured pads and in-tub seats also make slipping far less likely. Finally, they could also increase the resale value of your home, especially if you’re in a retirement community.
Cons
Although they make the overall act of bathing easier, they do come with their fair share of inconveniences. Before you start the water, you must enter the tub and make sure the tub is closed securely. Then, the tub must fill, which could make getting the right water temperature a hassle, and when you’re finished bathing, you need to wait for the water to drain completely before opening the door. Many models have new features like temperature controls and quick draining systems to combat those problems, but they come at an extra cost.
Installation of walk-in tubs is also expensive, since they must be professionally installed. For a lower-end model, expect to spend $2,500 for installation, but for higher end, you can expect to pay around $10,000. If you can’t afford this, there are portable tubs available, which simply hook into an existing faucet. However, since the tubs are bigger than traditional models, you may also need to install a new water heater as well.
Although up-front costs may seem daunting, walk-in tubs can make the bathing experience far more pleasant, and can help maintain an important sense of self-sufficiency for those who are aging or others who have mobility challenges.
