Walk-In Showers Vs. Tub-Shower Combos: Which is Safer?

You want your tub or shower area to be safer, but a walk-in shower and a tub-shower combo can look like two versions of the same remodel. However, the differences are practical in your day-to-day.

Shugarman's Bath has completed more than 6,500 tub and shower remodels. We’ve done our fair share of projects where safety was the primary concern. We know how much a walk-in shower’s lower threshold helps with safety.

A walk-in shower is safer since it removes the high threshold you have to step over. This article will go over why that threshold matters so much, which features make a walk-in shower even safer, and the specific situations where a tub-shower combo can still work for you.

Table of Contents:

• Is a Walk-In Shower Safer Than a Tub-Shower Combo?
• Why Is It Important to Have Low-Threshold Options?
• Who Is a Tub-Shower Combo the Right Fit For?
  
• What Features Make a Walk-In Shower Even Safer?

• Walk-in Shower and Tub-Shower Combo Safety Comparison Table

Is a Walk-In Shower Safer Than a Tub-Shower Combo?

Yes, a walk-in shower is safer than a tub-shower combo. When you have to step over a tub, you have to raise your leg above 15 to 19 inches. The risk of slipping is worse when wet. Getting in and out of the tub and shower area becomes riskier as you get older.

Falls are the leading cause of injury death for adults 65 and older. They caused more than 38,000 deaths in 2021. Emergency rooms saw nearly 3 million visits for falls that same year.

Compare this to a walk-in shower, which has low- and zero-threshold options.

Why Is It Important to Have Low-Threshold Options?

Every time you shower, you have to balance and step over the high threshold going in and out. You’re essentially stepping over a hurdle.

A bathtub also takes up space in the tub and shower area, making the space narrower. A tight space and a high wall are a dangerous combination, especially when wet.

Low-threshold options reduce the amount of balancing required each time you step in and out, especially as you age in place.

Who Is a Tub-Shower Combo the Right Fit For?

A tub-shower combo can still make sense for families with young kids or pets, or homeowners planning to sell in a neighborhood with young families.

A walk-in shower can still work for kids and pets by using a portable basin in the space. You can also use a handheld shower head to make rinsing off easier, since you have better control over where the water goes.

What Features Make a Walk-In Shower Even Safer?

While having a low-threshold shower makes the space safer, here are a few features you can add for extra safety:

• Grab bars at the entry and inside the shower give you something solid to hold onto.
• A slide bar with a handheld shower head lets you adjust the water height without moving your whole body.
• A built-in or portable shower seat provides a safe place to sit while you shower.
• Anti-slip strips add extra traction to reduce slipping.

Walk-in Shower and Tub-Shower Combo Safety Comparison Table

Looking to Make Your Space Safer?

A walk-in shower is safer than a tub-shower combo because it removes the high threshold that you need to step over. A wall you need to climb over every day only increases your risk of falling, especially when the tub and shower area is wet.

Now that you know a walk-in shower is the safer option, learn about other ways to make your tub and shower space safe.

Want to make your tub and shower space safer? Schedule a free design consultation with Shugarman’s Bath to have a professional help you with your space.