A walk-in tub with a shower gives you two ways to wash in one space: a seated soak on the days you have time, and a quick seated shower on the days you don’t.
If you’re weighing one for yourself or a parent, Big Easy Bathrooms lays out who a walk-in tub with a shower suits, how showering in it works, and what to check before you choose.
What is a walk-in tub with a shower?
It’s a walk-in tub, with a door in the side and a seat built in, plus a handheld shower so you can shower as well as soak.
The door is the big difference from a regular tub. You open it, step over a low threshold and sit down, instead of climbing over a high tub wall.
Our walk-in tubs have a door with a watertight seal, and inside are adjustable handrails, headrests and grab bars.
Who is a walk-in tub with a shower right for?
It suits people who still want to soak but can’t safely step over a tub wall, and homes where one person likes a bath and another prefers a quick shower.
It can also work well for someone who tires standing up, since both the bath and the shower happen on the seat.
If nobody in the home needs to soak, a walk-in or barrier-free shower is usually the simpler choice, with no waiting for water to fill or drain.
How does showering in a walk-in tub work?
You shower sitting on the tub’s built-in seat, using a handheld shower that you can hold or leave in its holder.
Look for a hose long enough to reach your feet and back comfortably. The 2010 ADA Standards, written for public buildings, call for a hose at least 59 inches long on tub hand showers, which is a useful benchmark at home.
A curtain or glass screen keeps spray off the bathroom floor. And under the residential code, new tub valves need a limiter that caps the hot water at 120°F, which helps prevent scalds.
Which safety features matter most in a walk-in tub with a shower?
Look for grab bars at the door and inside, a seat at a comfortable height, a floor with grip, and controls you can reach before you get in.
- Grab bars or handrails at the door and beside the seat, for sitting down and standing up.
- A seat height that lets your feet rest flat on the tub floor.
- A textured tub floor that grips when it’s wet.
- Controls placed so you can start the water and test the temperature from outside the spray.
- A handheld shower with its own on and off control, within reach of the seat.
How does it compare with a walk-in shower?
A walk-in tub with a shower gives you the choice of a soak, while a walk-in shower is quicker to use and has no door to seal.
| Question | Walk-in tub with a shower | Walk-in shower |
|---|---|---|
| Getting in | Through a side door, over a low threshold | Over a low curb, or no curb at all |
| Ways to wash | A seated soak or a seated shower | A standing or seated shower |
| Waiting | You sit inside while it fills and drains | None |
| Best for | People who want to keep soaking | People who want the quickest, simplest routine |
We compare the two in more depth in our article on walk-in tubs and barrier-free showers for aging in place.
What should you check before choosing one?
Check how the person will get in, sit, reach and wait, and make sure the bathroom and the water heater can handle the tub.
- Is there room in front of the tub for the door to open and for someone to step in?
- Can the person sit on the seat and stand up again using the grab bars?
- Can they reach the handheld shower and the controls from the seat?
- Is your water heater big enough to fill a deep tub with warm water?
- Will the person be comfortable sitting inside while the tub fills and drains?
To see which tub fits your bathroom, contact Big Easy Bathrooms or call 504-688-7786 for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Can you stand up to shower in a walk-in tub?
Some models leave room to stand, but walk-in tubs are designed around the seat. If standing showers matter most to you, a walk-in shower may suit you better.
Do you have to sit in a walk-in tub while it drains?
Yes. The door seals the water in, so it stays closed until the tub has drained. Keep a towel within reach so you stay warm while you wait.
Is a walk-in tub with a shower safer than a regular tub?
It can be for many people. Climbing over a high tub wall is hard for many older bathers, and a walk-in tub replaces that wall with a door and a low threshold.
Does a walk-in tub with a shower need special plumbing?
It uses the same kind of supply and drain as a regular tub, so check the maker’s requirements for the model you choose. Models with jets or air bubbles also need their own protected electrical circuit, and a deep tub needs more hot water.
