Open design compromises privacy, making it less ideal for those who prioritize seclusion. Water containment issues may pose safety risks for young children. Lack of warmth retention can make showering uncomfortable in colder environments.
They're cold.
Showering without a door is like showering out in the open air.
Potential for Chilly Temps: Doorless showers do not lock in the steam that comes from your shower because there's no door or curtain to do so. Your doorless shower could feel a little drafty due to this.
Doorless showers offer several benefits that make them a smart choice for many homeowners. One of the main advantages of a doorless shower is its accessibility. With no threshold or glass barrier, these showers are easy to enter and exit, making them ideal for homeowners of all ages and mobility levels.
You could try a ceiling shower curtain track with a full length shower curtain. That will hold the warmth in. You'll need to repair a few holes in the ceiling when you leave but it should be minimal.
What we've discovered, though, is that a shower door is an option, not a necessity if the shower is designed with that in mind. I know you're probably thinking a doorless shower would only work in a home with a huge bathroom, but a door is no longer necessary even in a small space like replacing a tub with a shower.
Potential Drawbacks of Walk-in Showers
Excess Water: Because of the functionality of a shower (pressurized water falling from a high point to the surface) and fewer barriers (like tub walls and curtains), they are more susceptible to water splashing throughout your bathroom.
Walk-in showers can increase home value and are particularly attractive to buyers looking for modern design and accessibility, offering a potential return of $1.71 for every dollar spent, while also presenting challenges, such as the risk of alienating buyers who prefer bathtubs.
Without a door, water is going to end up splashing outside of the shower. Generally, a six-foot buffer zone around the shower is recommended. Assume that anything in that “splash zone” may get wet at some point.
If you plan to apply some of the principles of “universal design” in your shower project, the stall should be at least 36-by-36 inches, or optimally a minimum of 42-by-60 inches. This no-threshold walk-in shower was designed for an individual with compromised mobility.
The Cost of a Walk-In Shower
Nationally, the cost typically falls between $4,200 and $8,500, with more luxurious designs reaching upwards of $15,000. Along with materials, labor costs can significantly impact the overall expense of a walk-in shower installation, particularly for complex designs.
Despite the aesthetic appeal and spatial benefits of doorless showers, they inherently lack containment for water spray, leading to potential issues with water escaping the designated shower area. This can result in slippery floors, which pose a safety risk, and may require more frequent cleanup.
You should leave the bathroom door closed when you are using the bath or shower. This prevents moist air from escaping into the rest of your house where it can cause condensation to form in other rooms.
Crank up the thermostat before your shower.
You want to make sure that your bathroom and all adjacent rooms get as warm as possible, so remember to turn up the heat around 30 minutes before your shower. You won't need to keep your heat on full blast all day--just long enough to avoid becoming chilled when you're done.
Not only are walk-in showers without doors a modern trend, but they also are aging-in-place compliant and can make bathing a breeze. Your walk-in shower can become even more accessible with shower accessories and seating, which may be easier to incorporate in a doorless model.
Though trends come and go, it's safe to say that replacing a tub with a walk-in shower modernizes the overall look of your space. Offers better accessibility and safety. Stepping into a tub-shower combo is awkward and the surface could be slippery.
Initial Investment: Walk-in showers often come with a higher price tag compared to traditional showers. This is due to factors like the cost of materials (such as high-quality tiles or glass panels) and the complexity of the design and installation.
Generally, a bathtub is seen as more valuable in terms of resale value. This is because bathtubs are seen as more difficult and more expensive to install when compared to showers.
With a walk-in shower you'll get too much water on the bathroom floor. You'll be cold in there without a full glass enclosure or shower curtains.
If there are children, going for the bathtub might be a better idea since bathing them in it is easier. If there are elderly people or people with mobility issues, a walk-in shower might be easier to walk in and out of.
What Happens When You Shower Too Much? Normal skin has a protective layer of oil and a balance of “good” bacteria that help protect your skin from dryness and germs. If you clean it too often, especially with harsh soaps and lots of scrubbing, you can strip away this layer, leading to dry, irritated, itchy skin.
You will need at least 60 inches to contain the water. Also, think about getting in and out. Although you could make it smaller, for maximum comfort and accessibility, we want an opening at least 30 inches wide. If you have a wider shower, you might use a fixed panel and leave the opening doorless.
This wetroom flipper panel acts as a deflector to minimise water splashes, pivoting through 180o for ease of access.