Which is better: a bath or a shower?

When arranging bathrooms, many homeowners are faced with a variety of chores and challenges. One of the most pressing problems is the choice between a classic font and a shower cubicle. In order to make the right choice, you should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages of each of these options.

The bathroom bowl is a classic solution: it is a practical and durable technique that is optimal for installation in absolutely every home for any family.

She has a lot of advantages:

• use of durable materials;
• ease of installation - it is quite easy to fix a bath of any design even on your own;
• democratic cost - typical bowls are much cheaper than shower cabins;
• a bath helps to relax, rest and recuperate after a hard day at work.

Modern industry offers equipment from different materials - it can be acrylic, cast iron, and steel structures. Each of them has its own pros and cons that you should be aware of if you are not planning to install a shower.

Pros:

• if you are careful with the enamel coating, such a product will serve for a rather long time, the warranty period is usually 20-25 years;
• the model is highly resistant, including to mechanical deformation;
• cast iron retains heat for a long time;
• no noise when the bowl comes into contact with the stream of water.

Minuses:

• in case of mechanical damage to the enamel coating, its restoration with home remedies is impossible;
• over time, the surface becomes porous, and it is more and more difficult to clean it of all contaminants each time;
• cast iron models have little choice in terms of shapes and sizes - in most cases these are the most familiar rectangles;
• cast iron products are very heavy, however, if in the next couple of decades you do not plan to move to a new place of residence, this drawback will not be so significant.

Pros:

• high quality models can be used up to 15-20 years;
• are manufactured in various configurations and sizes;
• steel plumbing fixtures weigh less than cast iron products;
• the option is optimal in conditions of limited budget.

Minuses:

• quite noisy when collecting water;
• with mechanical damage and frequent use by large users, deformation occurs;
• has increased thermal conductivity, as a result, the bowl heats up for a long time, but the water in it cools down very quickly.

Pros:

• the quietest in comparison with all other options;
• acrylic has a rather low thermal conductivity, so the surface heats up quickly, but retains heat for a long time;
• any damage to the surface is easy to restore;
• available in various forms;
• often equipped with additional functions;
• acrylic materials do not slip, so it is convenient and safe to wash in such bathtubs.

Minuses:

• the surface is easily scratched and loses its spectacular appearance over time;
• rather fragile in comparison with cast iron counterparts;
• baths from the budget segment are often painted in those cases, for example, if you wash colored linen in them;
• good quality models are quite expensive.

Regardless of which model you prefer, it should be borne in mind that any bathtub is characterized by exceptional versatility. Of course, the main purpose of this equipment is hygiene procedures.

So, you can always wash things in the bathtub. Of course, nowadays, almost all houses have a washing machine, but often there is a need to wash some oversized product (outerwear, blanket, large soft toys) - they do not fit into the drum of the washing machine, and then a font comes to the rescue. In addition, you can easily place a small basin with wearable items intended for delicate washing in it, which most housewives simply do not risk entrusting to the technique.

If necessary, you can always wash the dishes in the bowl. Of course, the sink is best suited for this purpose, but it will be quite difficult to clean a baking sheet or 10-liter saucepan in it without flooding the floor with water.

The bowl is indispensable for dog owners. These pets should be bathed from time to time, and in slushy weather, after each walk, you have to wash their paws. If small dogs, such as Pekingese and Chihuahuas, can always be tried to bathe by weight, for the owners of large dogs there is no other way out but to use a bath bowl.

If necessary, you can organize a supply of water in the bath. It is no secret that in Russia it is often disconnected, and it can last for several days. That's why practical housewives make supplies - this water can be used for cleaning, washing dishes and flushing the toilet.

However, the bath has its drawbacks.

• It takes up a lot of space - this problem is especially relevant in typical apartments that cannot boast of spacious bathrooms.
• Using a bathtub significantly increases water consumption. Accordingly, utility bills are also increasing.
• The hot tub is not suitable for people with disabilities and older users.

We draw special attention to the fact that for certain pathologies, washing in a bath is included in the list of forbidden procedures. First of all, this applies to people with high blood pressure, heart disease and blood vessels. Immersion in hot water can seriously worsen their condition, so bathing is contraindicated for them.

The creators of shower cabins declare the undoubted advantages of the design, namely:

• saving space - shower cabins are optimal for installation in small bathrooms;
• security - for the manufacture of booths, materials with anti-slip treatment are used, thanks to this solution, the risk of injury is minimized;
• using a shower saves on water consumption - as a rule, it is 2-3 times lower than when taking a bath;
• modern cabins can be equipped with additional functionality, for example, the options for switching modes of moisture supply, the use of inhalations, aromatherapy, creating a bath effect, and even installing a radio are allowed;
• shower cabins installed quickly and easily;
• designs are produced in a wide variety of designs.

Thus, showers in most situations are planned as the optimal solution to save space and money - in theory, this is the case. And yet, before making the final choice, be sure to visit a retail outlet and test the booth offered to you: stand in, raise your hands, bend over. Most likely, you will understand that the small-sized structure is not entirely comfortable, and the spacious one will take up so much space that the ergonomics will be very questionable.

In addition, please note that the height of a typical shower stall is usually 2 m. If you install it in standard apartments with low ceilings, then the effect of concealing space arises, even if the booth occupies a very modest area. Do not forget about such essential cosmetics as soap, scrubs, as well as masks, shampoos and all kinds of creams. It is important that all these accessories are at hand during the bathing process. You can always hang a shelf above the font, and the necessary jars can be placed on the sides of the bathtub without any problems.

The savings due to the reduction in water consumption can also be questioned. Let's make some small calculations: the volume of a standard size bath is approximately 200 liters, respectively, this is the amount of liquid you will spend while bathing. If the procedure is carried out every evening, such procedures will become too expensive for many. Those users who prefer to rinse in the shower will use 3-4 times less water, and this will be more economical for the budget. However, a small "but" appears here as well.

It was not in vain that we wrote “rinse” - this verb suggests that the user will spend only a few minutes in the shower just to cleanse himself of the dirt and sweat accumulated during the day. If you do not like to rush, but prefer to stand for a long time under streams of water, then its consumption will not be lower than is necessary to fill the font. In this case, there is simply no talk of any savings.

In addition, users highlight several more difficulties with the use of shower cabins:

• practical models made of solid materials are usually quite expensive;
• the functionality of the structure directly depends on the strength of the water pressure - if it is not high, then you can only take a shower, and all additional functions will become unavailable;
• whitish plaque begins to accumulate on the walls and door of the cabin as they are used, so they will have to be thoroughly washed after each bath.

It is not so easy to choose between a font and a shower cubicle. The owners of premises who have already faced a similar problem, as well as experts, recommend taking into account a number of points when making a decision.

If none of the household members likes to bask in the bath for too long, then a shower cabin will be the best solution, since in this case the design will at least save the usable area of ​​the room.

When purchasing a cabin, make a choice in favor of more expensive models, but without a set of additional functions (rain shower or Charcot shower).

If the owners often need to wash and rinse bulky items that do not fit into the washing machine, buy a bathtub.

If the apartment is inhabited by elderly people who, due to their physical condition, cannot take a bath and climb into a high bowl, then preference can be given to the soul.

For mega-busy people who can't afford to wait long for a bath, it's better to use a regular shower.

The shower is more hygienic - all the dirt immediately flows into the sewer. In the hot tub, the user is forced to be in the same water with dirt and germs.

Those who like to relax after a hard day's work are better off making their choice in favor of the hot tub - in the shower, most of the muscles remain tense.

Showers are much more economical in a private house where there is no city sewage system, since with frequent use of the bath, the drain pit quickly overflows.

Stubborn dirt is most successfully cleaned by "soaking" in a hot bowl, but washing your hair is much more comfortable in a booth.

The cab is more difficult to maintain, since it will have to be washed after any use, otherwise it will quickly lose its aesthetic appearance.

Using a bathtub, you always run the risk of spilling water on the floor, thereby flooding your neighbors.

It is impossible to give the correct answer to the question of what to prefer - a bath or a shower. The opinions of people on this matter are quite different. After all, the choice directly depends on a large number of factors.

It happens that household members do not agree, and in this case, you can always find a compromise. For example, buy a shower combined with a font. When choosing a model, it is advised to pay attention not only to the cost, but also on the available and functional capabilities of plumbing equipment - only in this case you can enjoy your purchase for a long time.

Users with children, as a rule, are unanimous - in such a family a bath is necessary. It is rather difficult to imagine how you can quickly and safely bathe a newborn baby in the shower. In addition, by abandoning the bowl in favor of a booth, you thereby deprive the child of his first pool, while experts recommend swimming for children from a very young age, as it helps to strengthen the muscle corset.

At an older age, babies may also face difficulties when using the shower - they will have to wash their backs, rinse their hair, clean dirty knees on their own, and do this with one hand, in the other there will be a watering can.

According to reviews, people in adulthood prefer a shower stall. The fact is that over time, the mobility of the ligaments and joints decreases, muscle strength weakens, and it becomes difficult to overcome obstacles in the form of the side of the bath bowl. Users with pathologies of the musculoskeletal system face similar difficulties, so in such families it is better to opt for cabins.

Many believe that shower cabin provides more opportunities for recuperation - to do this, you just need to substitute the tired muscles under a strong stream, and after 5-10 minutes you will feel vigorous, as if after a massage. However, lovers of relaxation in the bath say that this is absolutely nothing in comparison with the possibilities for rejuvenation that the font provides.

Only in the bowl can you calmly stretch your legs and relax, close your eyes, enjoy the fragrant foam and the aroma of essential oils... When taking a bath, the integument of the skin is steamed, which helps to maintain its health, increase turgor and elasticity. Such hygiene procedures invariably give a feeling of lightness and a great mood.

Having weighed all the pros and cons of the font and the pallet with the fence, having read the different reviews, you can always make the right choice. The set of pros and cons for both options is approximately the same, therefore, you will have to be guided not only by them, but also to understand what you yourself need.

If you love a measured lifestyle and think that the best way to relieve stress is to bask in a warm bath, then a traditional hot tub is for you.

What to choose - a bath or a shower cabin, see the video.