Stepping Into Shower Power

Stepping Into Shower Power

Master bathrooms used to revolve around their tubs, outfitted with Jacuzzi jets or seats so deep they could fit several people.

Not anymore. Elaborate showers are becoming common features in today’s master suites — and even pushing bathtubs out of the room altogether.

Kohler
The enhanced DTV II custom shower from Kohler lets bathers control not only water but also music, ambient lighting and steam by means of a digital interface.

Mary Jo Ball and her husband, John, are building a custom home in Farmers Branch and decided to forgo the bathtub in the master suite. Most of her friends were busy ripping theirs out because they don’t have time to soak in the tub, Ms. Ball says.

“One of my best friends said, ‘I haven’t been in it in years, and all I do is clean it,’” said Ms. Ball, 47. “I don’t take baths a whole lot, so I want a nice big shower and closet space.”

Their new bathroom will have a shower three times the average size, with two shower heads and a bench in back. It will also be curbless, so it can accommodate a walker or wheelchair if that’s necessary in future decades.

According to a survey released in February by the American Institute of Architects, nearly one in four architects reported less demand for whirlpool baths than in previous years. At the same time, more than 60 percent had increased demand for multihead showers and 35 percent fielded more requests for handheld shower heads.

“Bathtubs are kind of an out thing right now,” says Cyndi Conway-Booth, office manager at Dallas-based Conway Renovations. “People just don’t have the time.”

Not all bathrooms in the home are converting, though. Many homeowners make sure that at least one bathroom includes a tub, so it won’t affect the home’s sales potential later.

Often, that means the kids can take baths, while parents use the master suite for elaborate showers. Others are looking at air-jet tubs, which are easier to clean than water-jet models.

In the master bath, though, “we’re taking bathtubs out and replacing those with large showers,” says Don Wimberly, owner of Dallas-based Vanguard Construction.

Showers can even get as elaborate as having digitally controlled water, music and lighting, as in a high-end DTV shower from Kohler.

Most new-home clients are also in the market for two shower heads in the master bath, Mr. Wimberly says.

Other top options include body sprays, which have eight to 10 adjustable nozzles that spray water from head to toe. Rain-style shower heads that are mounted on the ceiling are also increasingly popular. They require slightly more plumbing than a typical shower head and mean the ceiling must also be tiled to prevent moisture damage.

Steam showers are another frequent request but can cost $2,500 more than a regular shower, says Abby Keyes, project developer and estimator at the Burke Co. in Dallas. And homeowners should make sure they’ll use the feature before investing — it can take just as much time to use as a bathtub, Ms. Keyes says.

Overall, the most important thing to keep in mind is that larger is better, says Joel Montfort, owner of MGC Renovations. That leaves you with plenty of options for later — and means future buyers can change the space to install a tub, if they like.

From:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/classifieds/news/homecenter/realestate/stories/0604class_homes_shower.14a9979a.html