What Are the Drawbacks of a Tub-and-Shower Combo?

You're trying to figure out what you want for your tub and shower area. A tub-and-shower combo sounds like a good option. After all, it looks like a safe and familiar choice. However, their drawbacks aren’t as apparent until you’re living with them.

Shugarman's Bath conducts over 500 design consultations a month, and many of those conversations involve homeowners weighing whether to choose a tub-and-shower combo or a walk-in shower.

This article covers the three main drawbacks of a tub-and-shower combo, as well as some benefits.

Table of Contents:

• What Are the Drawbacks of a Tub-and-Shower Combo?
• Why Does a Tub's Threshold Make the Space Riskier?
• Is a Tub-and-Shower Combo Difficult to Clean?
• What Happens If the Tub Doesn't Get Used?
• Are There Any Benefits to a Shower-Tub Combo?

What Are the Drawbacks of a Tub-and-Shower Combo?

A shower-tub combo comes with 3 main drawbacks:

1. You have a high threshold to step over.
2. You have more surface to clean.
3. The tub can end up unused and take up space.

You'll deal with the threshold every time you shower. It doesn’t get easier to deal with as you age. Cleaning a tub can feel like a larger hassle, especially when it ends up unused and takes up space.

Why Does a Tub's Threshold Make the Space Riskier?

Stepping over a tub means lifting your leg 15 to 19 inches off the ground every time you shower. This is especially risky when the surface is wet. You’re trying to balance on one leg while clearing a potentially slippery surface.

Getting in and out of the tub and shower area becomes harder as you age. Getting in and out is also difficult if you have mobility issues, use a cane or walker, or are recovering from surgery.

A tub also narrows the tub-and-shower area, leaving less room to move safely once you're inside.

Read our article on how to make your tub and shower space safer.

Is a Tub-and-Shower Combo Difficult to Clean?

A shower-tub combo takes more effort to clean compared to a walk-in shower.

Even though a tub has a smooth surface, you still need to scrub the basin, sides, and corners. A bathtub has more surface area that needs attention.

What Happens If the Tub Doesn't Get Used?

If the tub is never used, it just sits there taking up space that could be used for a bigger shower. It still takes up space in the tub and shower area, still needs to be cleaned, and still carries the same fall risk you deal with when showering.

Are There Any Benefits to a Shower-Tub Combo?

A shower-tub combo does have a few upsides, depending on your situation:

• You want a tub to soak in.
• You have young kids or pets who are easier to bathe in a tub.
• You're in a neighborhood where a tub could help with resale value. If resale value is part of your decision, talk to a local realtor first.

A tub-and-shower combo can work in the long term if you enjoy your occasional soak. It can also help with your home’s resale value, but that depends on the community and location you’re selling in.

What Other Tub or Shower Alternatives Are There?

A tub-and-shower combo might work for your lifestyle. However, you still need to deal with a high threshold you encounter every time you shower, extra cleaning, and a tub that can end up costing you space without ever being used.

If you’re still looking for alternatives for your space, read our article on the benefits of a tub-to-shower conversion.

Do you have questions about your specific space? Contact Shugarman’s Bath today to talk with one of our experts.

The opinions expressed in the referenced materials are those of the authors only, not necessarily of Shugarman’s Bath. While these referenced materials are useful in answering generalized questions, each bathroom is unique. For a particular question about your tub or shower remodeling project, contact your Shugarman’s Bath consultant.