Essential Guide to Walk-In Showers: Planning, Design & Installation

A walk-in shower is one of the most stylish bathroom features. It is in popular demand because of its design, elegance, practicality, and accessibility. If you are also planning to enhance the look of your bathroom by installing a walk-in shower, then we can help. 

Millions of businesses and customers trust Billy.com as a reliable platform to find quality services. We have worked closely with leading bathroom restoration contractors, allowing us to pick up great hacks and tips for you.

Below, our expert team has made an essential guide to walk-in showers that will help efficiently plan, design, and install them in your house. -

What are Walk-in Showers? 

Let's start by understanding what walk-in showers are and how they work. Walk-in showers are bath additions that allow you to enter without stepping over any complications.

A walk-in shower is a type of shower enclosure designed for easy and unrestricted access without the need for a traditional door or a high threshold. Instead of being enclosed by doors or bulky frames, walk-in showers typically feature a partially open or fully open design, often utilizing glass panels, minimal framing, or even open walls to contain water within the shower area.

1. Conventional Open Walk-In Shower:  These showers are best for smaller bathrooms in an open walk-in unit. They have no door and often feature one glass panel on the side to control splashes in the rest of the bathroom.
2. Walk-In Shower with Enclosures: Enclosed walk-in showers are a safe-to-step-in, efficient type of walk-in shower with splash control. They have two types: long and short. Tiled bathroom walls flank the shower. A full-size frameless glass enclosure forms the third wall.
3. Barrier-Free Walk-In Showers: Barrier-free walk-in showers are more affordable than custom ones, allowing individuals with limited mobility to use the shower easily. These showers typically have a low 1-1/4-inch curb or no curb and are made of fibreglass with a smooth acrylic finish. Any skilled contractor can install them, and they don't require custom work.

Advantages of Walk-In Showers

Do you still need to decide whether to install a walk-in shower in your bathroom? We know how important it is to choose the correct fixture for your bathroom. We have made a list of pros that will help you make informed decisions while choosing your walk-in shower: 

Below are the five benefits that come with installing a Walk-In shower in your bathroom:

Accessibility 

Walk-in showers are preferable for bathroom renovations or additions because of their accessibility. This type of shower has an open entrance and does not have a door, drapes, handles, slides, or barriers. Its design makes it easier and more accessible for everyone to locate, enter, and exit from it.

Space Efficient 

Another great advantage of walk-in-showers is that they are highly space-efficient. These shower designs are wide-open, expansive, and have fewer walls. Although a walk-in shower looks wide and takes up too much space, it's an architectural delusion. They take up less space than a regular bathroom or a bathtub and provide more space.

Easier Cleaning

Cleaning a bathtub or bathroom is always challenging and tedious. A regular bathtub or bathroom has curbs, walls, and crevices where dirt, mold, and mildew get stuck, which is typically hard to clean. In comparison, walk-in showers have a simple design that is easier to clean.

Luxurious Designs 

Walk-in showers separate the bathroom into areas with different tiles and textures. They will make your bathroom look rich and stylish, with a well-balanced look that fits perfectly. Additionally, they improve how things look and may even make your bathroom look bigger.

Customizable Features

Walk-in showers allow you to customize the privacy of your shower by choosing the surrounding design. They can be fully open, enclosed with glass walls, a combination of solid walls and glass, or designed in any other way you prefer. You can also select the type of glass, such as clear, frosted, textured, or glass blocks. Additionally, you can incorporate niches, chairs, and fixtures further to customize the look and functionality of the shower.

Walk-in Shower Installation: 5 Factors to Consider

Billy.com is here to make your bathroom renovation project more manageable and stress-free. Below are some of the factors to consider while installing a walk-in shower.  

Choose the Right Dimensions 

Choosing the right dimensions is the first thing to consider while installing a walk-in shower. Your dimensions portray how big your walk-in shower will be. A good rule of thumb is to try for an area of at least 1.20 meters by 90 centimeters. This ensures enough room for a comfy shower and the plumbing that needs to be there.

The Perfect Shower Partition

The perfect partition also significantly affects your walk-in shower's look, space, and design. You must separate your shower from the bathroom with a solid wall, a glass divider, or no barrier. Be sure a glass partition has an anti-limescale coating. This will cut cleaning time and keep your shower clean. Good water drainage is essential for open designs without barriers to prevent shower flooding.

Right Shower Tiles

There are typically two approaches when selecting tiles for your walk-in shower. You can either choose tiles that match the rest of your bathroom or opt for a contrasting design. While the former approach creates a sense of continuity and can make the space appear more prominent, the latter restricts the shower area, adding an element of visual interest.

Ensure Waterproofing

Two methods are used to choose walk-in shower tiles. Choose tiles that complement or contrast with your bathroom. The former gives the space a feeling of continuity and makes it look more prominent, while the latter defines the shower area and adds visual appeal.

Efficient Water Drainage

The biggest challenge with walk-in showers is finding an efficient drainage system. Water runoff must be appropriately sloped since the drainage pipe is somewhat sunk into the floor. Ensure a one-centimeter-per-meter gradient, especially for short drainage lengths. Water evacuation will be more efficient, reducing pooling and damage.

Cost Guide of Walk-in Showers

Walk-in baths are more expensive because of their labor and materials. The side panels of a walk-in shower are made of tempered glass. For the other walls, porcelain or stone tile is often used. The shower pan needs to be pre-sloped and made by hand. A cement board might need to be put up on the walls. Because they are more significant and challenging to put in, walk-in bathtub labor costs tend to be higher.

Below, we have provided you with the estimated cost of a walk-in shower, labor, materials, and installation:

• A walk-in shower with plumbing and materials costs $7000 to $16,000.
• Built-in barrier-free walk-in baths cost from $2,000 to $4,500.
• Contractor and labor charges start from $500 to $2,200.

Tips to Choose the Right Walk-in Shower

If you want to master installing a suitable walk-in shower, let us help you. Below, we have provided you with some valuable tips to consider while installing a walk-in shower in your bathroom: 

The Right Size: Choosing the right size significantly impacts the installation of your walk-in shower. We suggest you do so before you start your renovation project. Measure your bathroom's length and width correctly. This will give you an idea of the size of the walk-in shower you want to install. 

Choose a style: Walk-in showers have no curbs, neo-angles, or corners, and there is a versatile range of styles. Go through the guide and choose a style that matches your bathroom and tastes.

Ensure Safety: Consider adding features such as grab bars or a built-in bench in your walk-in shower.

Right Materials: Walk-in showers are available in various materials, such as tile, acrylic, or fiberglass. Choose durable, upkeep-friendly, and attractive materials. 

Keep it Budget-Friendly: Finally, choose a walk-in shower within your budget. Depending on size, style, and materials, walk-in showers cost hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Conclusion
One of the most popular bathroom accessories right now, both in the US and throughout the world, is a walk-in shower. Its design, elegance, practicality, and accessibility put it at the forefront of every lavatory's architecture. Installing a walk-in shower is a great way to upgrade the aesthetic of any bathroom, and we can assist you with that as well. Billy.com is a reliable platform for finding quality services and versatile home improvement services.

Contact us today at (858) 438-3125 to find the best bathroom restoration contractors in your area.