When you were younger you might have thought of seating in a shower as a luxury. But as you age and get closer to your 65th ‘Medicare’ birthday, you start to look at showers – and shower seating differently.
Since our bodies are (unfortunately) a bunch of ‘wear parts’ they seldom function as they did when you were in high school. And if your balance (or your spouses’ – even though they don’t like to admit it) in a wet and slippery shower is a cause for concern you may have to come to the conclusion shower seating is a ……
NECESSITY!
And if the idea of buying a wobbly, institutional-looking shower chair from a medical supplies store is downright depressing, you’ll want to read this article about nicer looking fold down and recessed bench seats. And here’s why.
If you choose a well designed and stylish fold down or recessed bench seat you can get safety AND style and NOT feel like you’re in a hospital bathroom!
And while these are both good options, you may be wondering is a fold down seat or a recessed bench seat is best for you and your family. And this is exactly what this article is going to address.
In Part 1 you’ll learn the advantages and disadvantages of fold down seats vs. recessed bench seats. And then in part 2 I’ll turn the tables and tell you about the advantages and disadvantages of the bench seats vs. a fold down seat. So– let’s dig in.
Part 1 – The advantages and disadvantages of a fold down shower seat vs. a recessed built in bench seat
Advantage #1 – Fold down seats save money!
OK – if you’re Elon Musk you can bypass this advantage, but for the rest of us ‘commoners’ – cost matters. And since fold down seats don’t require special framing, or difficult waterproofing techniques, or a waterproof cap for the top– unlike the recessed bench seat – they’re less expensive.
With a fold down seat, simply buy the seat you like, make sure there’s adequate support behind the wall, then install it. And if you’re wondering how to install a fold down shower seat, check out the video below.
Advantage #2 – Fold down seats can be added after the shower is installed
Since fold down seats are attached to existing walls – and don’t require shower floor space and a smaller shower pan like a recessed built in bench seat, they can be added after the shower is installed (assuming there’s adequate backing behind the wall). This can be HUGE if you need a seat, but removing the existing shower is either an expense you don’t want or can’t afford.
Advantage #3 – You gain space in a smaller shower AND get a deeper seat with a fold down seat.
Bench seats (unless you’re anorexic and wafer thin and have a teeny-tiny butt!) require a minimum of 13” to 16” depth. And if you have a small shower this is space you won’t have to give.
So, if you need to preserve space, a fold down seat is the way to go (and the bonus is you can also make the seat deeper because it’s not ‘down’ all the time, unlike a bench seat).
Advantage #4 (a continuation of advantage #3)– Fold down seats can be used in ‘stand up’ showers
If you’ve got a tiny corner or alcove shower which is 32” x 32” or 36” x 36” it can feel like you’re showering in a ‘phone booth,’ assuming you’re old enough to even know what a phone booth is (and if not I’ve got a fun picture below)! Basically, there’s NO WAY a bench seat is going in this small space.
However, a fold down seat is a possibility if you’re strategic on where you place it.
Advantage #5 – Fold down seats CAN BE stylish
Fold down shower seats DO NOT have to have the medical supply store ‘geriatric-special’ look you’re dying (OK, don’t take that literally!) to avoid.
Advantage #6 – You can get a seat with ‘arms’ if you need side to side support
One of the legitimate concerns about fold down seats (especially for someone with balance problems) is they could contribute to a fall in the shower. However, if you need increased side to side stability you can also get fold down shower seats with arms.
Advantage #7 – You can put a fold down seat anywhere in the shower
Because recessed bench seats are bulky they’re often built in the furthest spot away from the shower head. This can leave you cold if you’re shaving your legs while sitting on the bench where the hot water is on the other side of the shower.
What’s nice about fold down seats is they can be placed anywhere in the shower – assuming you have adequate backing to support them.
Image source: www.teakworks4u
Disadvantage #1 – A fold down seat is smaller (generally) than a built in recessed bench seat
If you’d like room to spread out, a built in recessed bench seat is better.
Disadvantage #2 – The risk of falling is higher with a fold down seat than with a built in recessed bench seat
Since most fold down seats don’t have ‘sides,’ the chance of falling is higher than with a built in bench seat. This can be important for people with balance issues.
Disadvantage #3 – You need to pay attention to weight limits with fold down seats
Fold down shower seats will have weight limits. However, with a bench seat it’s constructed on framing and can support a lot of weight.
Disadvantage #4 – Some fold down seats look ugly
Let’s face it – there are fold down seats which WILL NOT win any fashion awards. However, with built in tile or solid surface bench seats – you’ll have a high-end luxury look (of course, that’s assuming you – or your housekeepers -if you’re living the high flatulent life- keep up with the tile grout maintenance if you don’t use solid surface).
Part 2 – The advantages and disadvantages of a recessed bench seat vs. a fold down seat.
Advantage #1 – You get a larger seat
What’s nice about a built in tile shower seat is it’s larger than the fold down seat. So, you’ll not only have a place to sit, shave your legs, or shower – but also a place for towels and supplies.
Advantage #2 – It’ll be uber-stable and supports a lot of weight
Fold down seats without arms at the side, leave the possibility an unbalanced person falling off. This can be a disaster for an older person.
With a bench seat you’ll know they’re on a solid surface (maybe even literally).
Advantage #3 – You’ll have more privacy
Since recessed bench seats are often built behind walls, you’ll enjoy more privacy vs. a fold down seat.
Advantage #4 – You can use the same tile pattern on the bench seat as you did with the rest of the shower
If picking colors and patterns is a head-scratching experience for you, you’ll be glad to know you could use the same tile or stone on your shower wall surrounds or tile shower pan floor and on the recessed bench seat. This can give you one less bath remodeling decision to make (and that’s ALWAYS a good thing).
Advantage #5 – A bench seat gives you a lot of room for storage and supplies
While many recessed bench seats are 32” to 36” wide – I’ve also seen them put on the longest wall of the shower. And that can be A LOT of space not only to sit or lay down– but also for towels and supplies!
Since you not only have to install the proper framing for a bench seat, but also have to waterproof it, use the right seat topper, and invest in the labor to get it installed, bench seats are NOT a cheap date. And if you’re on a tight budget they’re also NOT the type of thing you can come back and do later as your financial position improves (like you can with a fold down seat).
Disadvantage #2 – Shower bench seats take up A LOT of room!
For most people this is the biggest problem with built in bench seats. They eat up too much room. And the bench seat is occupying this space 24/7, 365 days a year. With a fold down seat it’s folded up so the person who doesn’t need the seat has more space to stand.
Disadvantage #3 – Recessed bench seats are difficult to waterproof.
Since a bench seat is a horizontal surface (and water doesn’t roll off it as simply as it does your shower wall surrounds), extra care must be made to ensure the bench is properly pitched and the ‘cap’ material at the top is waterproofed.
You also need to make sure water can’t get between the bench seat and the shower pan or wall surrounds.
The reality is bench seats add installation complexity – and if you – or your contractor are newer to this process, this feature can be the source of leaks down the road. However, if you heart’s set on a recessed bench seat, here’s a video to help you do the installation correctly.
Disadvantage #4 – Built in recessed bench seats require custom glass doors.
With a standard sized shower pan – and a fold down seat – you’ll be able to get a standard (‘er that’s code word for lower cost) glass shower door.
However, this is NOT the case if you use a built in recessed bench seat – even in a standard sized shower. With a built in bench seat you’ll either need a ‘custom offset shower pan’ and/or a custom glass door. And these types of shower pans and doors are neither cheap – nor available from stock. So, they’ll increase the time (and cost) to get your job done!
Image source: Shower Door Experts
So, which option is best for you … a fold down shower seat or a built in recessed bench seat?
After reading the advantages and disadvantages of fold down vs. recessed bench seats which is best for you and your family?
And if you’re not only NOT sure how to answer this question, but your mind is blown away with this entire shower remodeling process, never fear – Innovate Building Solutions is here (hey – did that line actually sound like a ‘Bathroom Remodeling Superhero???).
President of Innovate Building Solutions a nationwide supplier and regional (Cleveland and Columbus) remodeling contractors. Some of our product lines include glass counters, floors, backsplashes, glass blocks and grout free shower and tub wall panels
