Your typical bathroom setup will include a shower/bath combination that is separated from the rest of the room by a simple shower curtain.  What is also typical to find is a shower filled with mildew and soap scum, as well as a mangy shower curtain that should have been replaced months ago.  Not only is this unsightly it is also potentially dangerous for your health.  Since the curtain provides such a weak barrier to the rest of the bathroom the mold can start to creep out onto the rest of the walls.

Most people take it for granted that this is the way all bathrooms are, but this is simply not the truth.  When is the last time you actually used your bathtub?  Unless you are incredibly small or have a very fancy roman tub, then I am guessing it has probably been many years.  Why not upgrade with a fancy walk in shower enclosure?  This type of shower is healthier, more functional, and much more visually appealing. 

A walk in shower enclosure is simply a barrier that separates the shower from the rest of the room. A walk in shower does not contain a bath tub, only a shower head and a drain in the floor. The lowest level of enclosure would be a normal shower curtain, but is recommended that a glass enclosure be used instead. These come in all shapes and sizes from rectangular to round and from frameless shower doors to doorless.

A walk in shower with a glass enclosure will be much easier to maintain than any other option. You will be creating a true barrier, and ensuring that all the water stays where it belongs. They are incredibly easy to maintain and drastically reduce the threat of harmful mold and mildew.

Walk in showers are actually much safer than their bathtub combination counterparts. The tiles in this type of shower can be slip resistant, which definitely is not the case for a bathtub. Most of the accidents will occur getting in or out of the shower, and when you walk into it you are much less likely to trip and fall. Many old people and very young people can have difficulty getting into a normal setup. This trouble will go away completely if you install a walk in shower.

However, the true benefit comes from the increased personal enjoyment you get from this type of shower. With walk in shower enclosures you have much more freedom in your design, and are not restricted to the size of a bathtub. You are also able to install many more options, such as a shower column or have multiple shower heads spraying you from many directions. It also gives you the ability to install and show off a much more stylish design on the floor and walls of your shower. You can either have beautiful tile patterns or a gorgeous stained concrete floor. 

When you remove the bathtub you open up a whole world of possibilities. Real adults should be able to clean themselves each day in luxury. Most people consider the daily shower one of the most relaxing points of the day, and upgrading to a walk in will only intensify that experience.

There is also the little part of this drastically increasing the value of your home. It is common knowledge that one of the easiest, and most cost effective, ways to increase the value you can get for your home is by remodeling your bathroom. A stylish walk in shower enclosure will be sure to catch the eye of any prospective buyer.

There are many different styles of walk in shower enclosures to choose from when it comes time to find the perfect one.  Most of the enclosures will be made from glass, but it is also possible to find them as fiberglass or acrylic.  The shape is also one of the options you should consider.  They can be round, square, rectangular, curved, or D-shaped.  One of the main options you will find is what type of frame to have.  This can be frameless, semi-frameless, or full framed.  You can either have a sliding door, a pullout door, or even no door at all.

The average person spends about one year and seven months of their entire life in their bathroom, and most of that time in their shower. Do you want to waste your life getting into a grungy shower that you despise each day, or do you want to spend this time enjoying yourself with a luxurious walk in shower enclosure?

Photo Credit: Flikr user avidtile