Walk In Tubs vs. Traditional Tubs: Which One Is Right for You?

Do walk in tubs really make it harder to sell your home? Are traditional tubs actually impossible to upgrade for safety and accessibility? 

At ZINTEX Remodeling, we have over ten years of experiencing both walk in and traditional tubs, and we’re here to clear up the myths so you can make a confident choice. In this article, you will learn:

• How a Walk In Tub vs. Traditional Tub Fits Into Daily Life

• The Cost of Walk In Tubs vs Traditional Tubs
• Customization Options for Walk In and Traditional Tubs
• How Different Tubs Impact Property Value
• Signs You Should Choose a Walk In Tub
• Signs You Should Choose a Traditional Tub

How a Walk In Tub vs. Traditional Tub Fits Into Daily Life

Unless you’re remodeling right before listing your home for sale, functionality is going to have the biggest impact on your day-to-day life. (In fact, even if you are remodeling before a sale, you might want to put yourself in the buyer’s shoes–but more on that later.)

On the surface, the way you use a walk in tub versus a traditional tub is pretty obvious. With a walk in tub, you open the side door, step in, shut the door, and fill the tub. The walk in tub design eliminates the need to step over a ledge and into the tub, which can create safety risks for some users, such as seniors or disabled household members.

On the flip side, you’re typically going to fill a traditional tub before getting in. Some people prefer this because it can allow for more temperature adjustment before you’re submerged in the water. It’s worth noting that many walk in tubs have control panels that allow you to set the water temperature with ease, but not all of them have this feature.

Finally, what if you prefer the shower experience? 

While traditional tubs are commonly used in a tub and shower combo configuration, this isn’t as common with walk in tubs. With a bigger budget, you can certainly install a walk in tub and shower combo. An easy and cost-efficient alternative (we’re talking a few hundred dollars extra) is to install a handheld shower head in a walk in tub. 

The Cost of a Walk In Tub vs. Traditional Tub

Whether you’re remodeling your bathroom for personal use or to boost your property value, cost matters. Here’s a look at the estimated price range of both walk in tubs and traditional tubs, ranging from basic to deluxe models:

This breakdown encompasses three major costs: 

• The tub itself
• Labor
• Optional accessories (e.g., handheld shower heads, jets, etc.)

If your top priority is to keep costs low, you’re going to want to choose a basic tub and minimal accessories. You should also aim to use your original plumbing, as opposed to altering the layout of your bathroom appliances. 

💡Tip: Always allot at least 10% of your budget to unexpected costs, because your contractor may discover issues with the plumbing or supporting structure that need to be addressed before your new tub is installed.

Can You Customize Walk In or Traditional Tubs?

Some homeowners are happy with basic, as-is tubs. With a walk in tub, that means a simple faucet system, a single seat, and at most, a basic control panel that allows you to adjust the water temperature. With a traditional tub, “basic” translates to “barebones:” you have a tub, a faucet, and that’s it. A bigger budget will certainly allow you to customize both options.

Popular walk in tub accessories:

• Air or Whirlpool jets

• Heated backrest

• Handheld shower head

• Control panel to adjust water temperature, jet intensity, etc

• Extra grab bars

• Shower combinations

Popular traditional tub accessories include:

• Whirlpool jets

• Soap niches

• Grab bars

• Shower combinations 

You can also customize your design when choosing your tub or shower walls.

Property Value and Walk In Tubs vs. Traditional Tubs

What if you’re flipping a property or making improvements to your home before a sale? What if you simply have your eye on the future, even if you don’t intend to sell anytime soon?

In the past, any real estate agent would have told you that every home needed to have at least one traditional tub. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), traditional tubs aren’t quite as important to buyers now as they were ten years ago. However, this comes with an important caveat: tubs are still must-haves for most parents and luxury buyers.

Now, can you replace a traditional tub with a walk in tub and still see resale value? It’s not quite that simple. According to Consumer Affairs, walk in tubs don’t appeal to all buyers despite the fact that anyone can use them. The good news? Walk in tubs also aren’t going to decrease your property value, either–plus, the right demographic (such as seniors) will likely see a brand-new walk in tub as a value-add.

Signs to Choose a Walk in Tub

You’ve got a lot of information to sift through here. Let’s make things plain and simple. A walk in tub could be right for you if:

✅ Accessibility is your top priority

✅ You have a bigger budget 

✅ You’re aiming to sell your home to seniors or disabled buyers

💡Tip: To increase the versatility of a walk in tub, consider a walk in tub and shower combo or a handheld shower head.

Signs to Choose a Traditional Tub

Is a traditional tub better for your property? The answer might be yes if:

✅ Your primary bath takers are young children

✅ You have a limited budget (although high-end options can cost upwards of $13,000)

✅ You want your property to appeal to as many buyers as possible

💡Tip: To increase the accessibility of a traditional tub, install safety features like grab bars that increase stability while getting in and out of the tub.

Take the Next Steps: Build Your Bathroom Remodel Budget

When it comes to the pros and cons of walk in tubs vs. traditional tubs, your personal goals should steer the ship. While walk in tubs are typically the more disability-friendly option, traditional tubs may cost less and appeal to more buyers. Now you know this key difference and more and can make an informed decision.

Why, exactly, do walk in tubs tend to cost more and how can you budget for walk in tub installation? ZINTEX is here to help. Take a look at our breakdown of walk in tub costs.