Bathroom - Steam shower?

[Tigger71]

I am planning to refurb our bathroom. Its quite small but yet we managed to cram in a small walkin shower, bath, basin and toilet. After 11 years since it was done, the kids have grown up - I am the only one using the bath and the basin is crammed with stuff as the storage is poor.

So I have - very reluctantly as I love a long soak - agreed to remove the bath and get double vanity unit in instead. We also need to replace the walk in shower - its leaking under and some tiles have cracked. My husband wants us to get a shower cubicle instead as easier to replace in future.

I have seen steam showers - anyone got one? I am thinking it might be a good substitute for my bath when I am freezing to the bones in winter. Are they worth it? Difficult to install/ maintain?

[megaflyer]

Dont get rid of your bath - just dont. Nothing can replace having that soak - I have a steam shower in my en-suite and it’s fine on a winters morning but no substitute for a tub - zero . I could not live with out a tub - I could live without a shower.

[jheaton]

Yes we have one and we love it

It's freestanding so didn't take a lot of room preparations before our plumber installed it

I think you just need a waste water exit, water in and a power connection

It's been in 3 years now and is by Insignia

[jheaton]

Yes we have one and we love it

It's freestanding so didn't take a lot of room preparations before our plumber installed it

I think you just need a waste water exit, water in and a power connection

It's been in 3 years now and is by Insignia

Have posted a picture of the equivalent model available now

[Gull]

Yeah, our 2 ensuites have them, they're great, and were easy to install. We do have a bath in the bathroom as well however. I'm trying to cut down baths as they do waste a lot of water, but couldn't give it up completely.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

I'm of the same opinion as Megaflyer above. I would ditch the shower before ditching the bath. However due to back issues I can't lie down in a bath but I still wouldn't get rid of it.

However there is no right or wrong answer to this question as what suits one doesn't suit the other. Not having a bath does devalue a property but there again not by a huge amount.

OP. In your situation I think both sides need to compromise. What about retaining the bath and putting a full length sliding screen over it that slides back to a 2.5ft panel? Then you can have a powerful shower with multiple heads above the bath.

A bit like this.

[marypoppins38]

Have you thought of replacing the bath with a Japanese tub? They take up much less space than a bath so you may still be able to fit in a decent sized shower. They are lovely to soak in too as they are so deep and I find them much more comfortable than laying in a bath.

[Tigger71]

Thanks everyone! Got a local plumber / bathroom company around today to take measurements and then we will look at options. Previous years I have refused to get rid of it - for many reasons stated above including house value. I think however over time that is going to be less of an issue as people get more sustainability aware with regards to water usage and showers seems to have increased in popularity since we did the bathroom last.

I did consider the over bath solution as you suggested Mr Tom Morrow - and apart from my husband for some irrational reason doesnt like those , due to me having Fibromyalgia, I am starting to struggle to get out of the bath without help. I have therefore concluded - with my brain rather than heart - replacing the bath is probably for the best.

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by Tigger71

Thanks everyone! Got a local plumber / bathroom company around today to take measurements and then we will look at options. Previous years I have refused to get rid of it - for many reasons stated above including house value. I think however over time that is going to be less of an issue as people get more sustainability aware with regards to water usage and showers seems to have increased in popularity since we did the bathroom last.

I did consider the over bath solution as you suggested Mr Tom Morrow - and apart from my husband for some irrational reason doesnt like those , due to me having Fibromyalgia, I am starting to struggle to get out of the bath without help. I have therefore concluded - with my brain rather than heart - replacing the bath is probably for the best.

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Spot on ref mobility. My Wife found she couldn't use a bath for weeks after a hip replacement so that meant a shower became more essential.

Hope the Plumber comes up with some good ideas for you, they invariably will.

[EssexSue]

I don't use the bath often but I can't imagine not having the option. Surely if you can get into the bath you can get in and use it as a shower? Or am I missing something?