Choosing the right bathtub and shower head for the bathroom is most often than not overlooked by many. While there are a lot of factors that will help you have the bathroom of your dreams, having a good combination of bathtub and shower head helps make your bath and shower experience more fulfilling.
Of course, choosing a bathtub and shower head is more than just choosing the ones that look good. You’ll need to go beyond appearance and look at how they function and how they fit into your bathroom.
This short guide will help you choose the best bathtub and best shower head for your money.
Which Bathtub and Shower Configuration To Choose
Contents
The first thing that you’ll have to look into is the configuration of the bathtub and shower system. Here are the three types to choose from:
Bathtub and shower head combo
These are the types that feature both a bathtub and shower head. These types usually have one handle and one diverter for both the bathtub faucet and shower head. There is just a lever to switch function.
Shower only
These types only include the shower head. These shower heads are usually attached to a shower caddy and include a thermostatic shower valve.
Tub only
These types only include one bathtub and a tub faucet without the shower head. A new shower valve, shower head, and thermostat have to be separately installed.
The type that you choose will all depend on your own budget and your own preference. Most people opt for a bathtub and shower head combo so that they can get the best bathtub and the best shower head in one go.
However, there are also some people who buy the bathtub and shower head individually so that they won’t have to have permanent fixtures. The choice will all depend on what you want for your bathroom. However, if your the kind of person who has certain bathroom rituals and spends quite a long time taking a bath, then the bathtub and showerhead combo is the perfect choice for you.
Which Showerhead to Choose
No matter which type of package you’ll choose, you still need to pick the individual shower head and bathtub that you’ll add to your bath system. Let’s start with the shower head.
There are two kinds of shower heads that you can choose from, namely the handheld shower head and the fixed shower head.
Fixed Shower Head
The fixed shower heads are commonly seen in most shower and tub combos. These are permanent fixtures that can’t be moved from its spot. The advantage of fixed shower heads is that you won’t have to worry about accidentally soaking the room even without the help of a shower enclosure. You can also turn them on right away without having to adjust the height or direction. They can also hold shower caddies more easily than handheld showers.
Handheld Shower Head
The handheld shower heads are more common when you buy an individual shower head. The advantage of using them is that you can detach them if you want to focus rinsing specific parts of your body. These types are also cheaper and easier to maintain since the plumbing is outside the wall. The only disadvantage of using handheld shower heads is that you need to have the best shower enclosure you can find; otherwise, you might spray water outside.
Once again, the choice will depend on which one you will prefer for your bathroom. If you are the type who want to hold the shower around and focus rinsing on certain body parts, the handheld shower is better. However, if you just want to get in and just turn on the shower, a fixed shower head is the one to choose.
Which Bathtub to Choose
Just like the shower head, there are also two categories of bathtubs. These are the Built-in bathtubs and the freestanding bathtubs.
Built-in Bathtubs
The built-in bathtubs are the types that are already installed in the house as a permanent fixture. Just like the fixed shower heads, the plumbing of a built-in bathtub is also inside the wall. The advantages of built-in bathtubs are that they are cheaper, and they can be customized according to the space of your bathroom.
The plumbing is also less complex since the piping is already attached to the main piping on the wall. The only problem with built-in bathtubs is that they can’t be moved anymore if you want to renovate and move the bathtub location.
Freestanding Bathtubs
Freestanding tubs, on the other hand, are more versatile with bathroom design since they can look good anywhere. You can save up on hiring a bathroom decorator and contractor if you buy a nice freestanding tub.
They are also very practical in a sense that they can be moved anywhere. These are good for people who move homes often and need to take everything with them. The cons with freestanding tubs are that they are more expensive, and they take up more space.
The choice of the bathtub you want will ultimately depend on what kind of bathroom you have. If you have a bathroom that is cramped with a lot of stuff like a big sink, a bathroom fan (unless your bathroom fan is a ceiling one) and a bathroom chair, you might have a problem getting a freestanding tub. Thus, consider getting a built-in tub instead.
However, if you want a tub that can go with any design and can be moved anywhere, a better choice would be the freestanding tub. This is especially good if you have a shower enclosure. With the freestanding tub, you can customize the size to fit your enclosure.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to discern your bath system, you now have an idea on which bathtub and shower head to choose. The first thing to do is know which type of package you want to buy (whether combo or individual installation). Once you’ve determined that, you have to go a step further and look at which kind of bathtub to buy and which shower head to buy for your bathroom interior.
The last step is to make your final purchase. Buy the shower head and bathtub of your choice and install them. From there, all you have to do is enjoy your new bath system by taking a long and nice bath after a day of work.
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