Bathtubs & Showers Buying Guides

Choosing a bathtub means deciding on two things: the configuration (how it fits in your bathroom) and the material (what it is made of). Configuration determines your layout and installation requirements. Material determines durability, heat retention, weight, and price. This guide breaks down every combination so you can match the right tub to your bathroom, budget, and bathing style.

Low water pressure turns a shower into a sad trickle. A standard 2.5 GPM shower head at 30 PSI feels weak. A high-pressure shower head concentrates the same water volume into fewer, smaller nozzles -- creating stronger individual streams that feel more powerful without using more water. The key spec is the nozzle design, not the flow rate. A well-designed 2.0 GPM head at 30 PSI can feel stronger than a cheap 2.5 GPM head at 60 PSI. Here are the models that actually deliver.

A shower system can be as simple as a single head on a wall arm or as elaborate as a multi-outlet system with rain head, handhelds, body jets, and thermostatic controls. The right choice depends on your budget, water pressure, water heater capacity, and how you use the shower. More outlets means more complexity, more water use, and higher cost -- but also a dramatically better shower experience.

The tub-shower combo has been the American bathroom standard for decades -- one fixture handles both bathing and showering in minimal space. But separate tubs and showers are increasingly popular in primary bathrooms: a freestanding tub for soaking plus a walk-in shower for daily use. The right choice depends on your bathroom size, how your household actually uses the space, and resale considerations.

The tub-vs-shower decision affects daily comfort, bathroom space, resale value, and renovation cost. Walk-in showers are the trend in modern bathroom design -- open, accessible, spa-like. Bathtubs are the tradition -- essential for soaking, bathing children, and meeting buyer expectations. Neither is universally better. The right choice depends on your household, your bathroom count, and how you actually use the space. Here is the honest comparison.

Bathroom accessibility modifications allow people to bathe safely and independently as mobility changes. Walk-in tubs have a watertight door for step-in entry. Barrier-free showers eliminate the curb entirely. Grab bars, non-slip surfaces, and ADA-height fixtures complete the picture. Planning ahead (before a fall or injury forces emergency modifications) is cheaper and gives you more design options.