Everything You Need to Know About Bathtub to Shower Conversions

Bathrooms are an important part of our lives – we use them every day! Deciding what sort of bathroom you want to have in your home is equally important. Most folks are familiar with shower and tub combinations but never use the tub. Why keep it around if you never use it, especially when there are many alternatives? It’s a tough question to answer! Let’s go over the factors to consider in a bathtub to shower conversion so that you can make an informed decision. 

Should I replace my bathtub with a walk-in shower? 

For most homeowners, unless there are children or elderly folks living in the house, a bathtub just isn’t necessary. If you’ve decided you want to change something and are considering converting that old tub into a shiny new shower, there are a few things to consider. 
 
For starters, think about what advantages a shower would have for you. Do you have a small bathroom that feels cramped for space? Do you want to swap your old bathtub for something more modern and aesthetically pleasing? Do you have accessibility needs that your tub cannot meet? If the answer to all these questions is yes, a shower conversion could be just the right choice. 

What are the advantages of a shower?

Compared to bathtubs, walk-in showers have a few main advantages:

• They have a modern, elegant design
• They’re smaller than tubs
• They’re more accessible at same cost 

Showers, especially the tiled walk-in variety, are very pleasing to the eye: they often serve as a focal point in modern bathrooms! There are also more fixtures and overall design elements to choose from versus tubs, adding to the overall aesthetic.  
 
Some bathrooms also have limited space, so smaller shower footprints can open space for other uses, such as storage, or just make the room feel larger. Tubs typically take up more space than showers, so replacing one gives you the option of getting a large, comfortable shower to cover the same footprint. 
 
The accessibility of showers is incomparable to tubs at the same price point. Walk-in showers can be entered easily and have many accessibility options, such as benches and bars, that can be added during installation. Meanwhile, accessible tubs with similar options tend to cost thousands more. 

How much space do I need for a shower? 

If you have a small bathroom, switching from a bathtub to a shower could free up a lot of space and make the room seem much larger. It can also give you the chance to incorporate some other bathroom decor ideas to fill the space! That said, if you have a lot of space, a bathtub could add a bit of sophistication and class. 

In general, walk-in showers take up less space than tubs, with averages of 9 square feet and 12 square feet, respectively. This change in footprint seems small but consider the fact that the average bathroom is only 80 square feet. If you have a large bathroom, you may be able to install a separate bathtub and shower. 

For bathtub to walk-in shower conversions, you have a few choices: a small shower or a large, elegant shower. A small shower opens up extra space for things like a double vanity, extra bathroom storage, or other fixtures. On the other hand, a large shower allows for more luxurious features and design, and taking the same footprint prevents extra floor remodelling costs.

When making your decision, consider the size of your bathroom and your goals. Regardless of which you choose, the smaller size requirement of showers is an important consideration. If you have a limited amount of space, the extra square footage may be worth the loss of a bathtub. 

Are showers more accessible than bathtubs? 

Standard bathtubs aren’t as accessible as showers for those with mobility difficulties. Regardless of the specific accessibility requirements of individuals, showers tend to offer more options to those who need them. That said, baths provide certain health benefits for those with conditions such as high blood pressure. Both options have positives and negatives for accessibility, so let’s go over their pros and cons. 

Walk-in showers

Curbed walk-in showers (3 x 4 ft) tend to cost between $2,500 and $4,000, but they can be problematic for folks with mobility issues. Even a 4-inch curb can be difficult to surmount for daily use. Curbless showers (3 x 4 ft) are much more accessible, but their prices can range from $4,500 to $8,500, depending on the material.

 Pros: 

• Freedom of movement 

  Walk-in showers have a lot more space to move around in without hitting the sides. The curbless variety can also be used to build a roll in shower for those in wheelchairs. 

• No barriers to entry 

  The name walk-in shower is very literal: you simply step in. There are no obstacles in the way, and it’s easy for people with mobility issues to use. 

• Accessible accessories 

  Showers tend to have lots of wall space available, so you can install grab bars, benches, movable showerheads, and more! There are also many custom mobility aids available to choose from. 

Cons: 

• Compromise comfort 

  Despite their easy access, showers tend to have less in the way of comfort. Without the ability to lay and soak in water, some may lose desired health benefits.

• Child safety 

  Unfortunately, the accessibility and freedom of movement leads showers to be less safe when used for bathing children. 

Bathtubs

Traditional bathtubs can be purchased and installed for as little as $800 (but can exceed $6,000, depending on the type), but walk-in bathtubs, which are more accessible, start at roughly $6,800 and can exceed $25,000. The cost of comfort is readily apparent with walk-in bathtubs, but that cost comes with unique add-ons like water jets.

Pros:   

• Children bathe freely

  Due to the contained nature of a tub, children are less prone to accidents in bathtubs than showers. 

• Walk ins available 

  Though most tubs have an immovable porcelain lip, there are varieties that feature a door you can open and walk through to enter the tub. Some even just have an opening to walk through. 

• Soothing soak 

  If the health benefits associated with a 30-minute soak are very important to you, a bathtub can’t be matched. 

Cons: 

• Cost of comfort 

  Accessible tubs come with a much higher price tag than accessible showers.

• Health hurdles  

  For those who wish to be independent, the lip of most bathtubs proves to be a hurdle. A third of the elderly have issues getting into traditional tubs, according to the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 

Does removing a bathtub devalue your home? 

In a word, no. However, this is only true when there is at least one bathtub present in your home.  

Many prospective homebuyers have families with young children; they tend to want a bathtub because it’s easier and safer to bathe children in one. Real estate agents attempting to sell a home consider bathrooms based on the four main fixtures being present. A full bath has a bathtub, shower, sink, and toilet. Removing either the bathtub or shower turns it into a ¾ bath. This may push away prospective buyers, but if a very small bathroom only has a shower, it will likely be seen as more of a positive than negative as space is at a premium. 

The actual value of the home is not as affected by having a bathtub than one might think. The current ROI seen for either a traditional bathtub setup or an accessible walk-in shower is comparable, with only 2% difference (60% vs. 58%, respectively). 

If you have more than one bathroom with a bathtub, (especially if one is small) a single bathtub to shower conversion is unlikely to lower the ROI of your home. Even if you only have one, it may still sell for the same value but will turn away some homebuyers. 

How much does it cost to replace a bathtub with a shower? 

If you’ve decided to opt for a bathtub to shower conversion, then the questions become which kind, how much will it cost, and am I doing it myself or hiring a professional?  

If you choose the DIY option, there are many concerns, such as getting permits and a disposal bin for the bathtub. It is advised to hire a professional for a shower conversion but, if you choose to do the work yourself, a prefabricated shower kit is your best choice. Keep in mind that plumbing must be done by a licensed professional.

Professional bathroom contractors can install prefabricated kits and custom shower designs. This will increase costs but also make it far more likely for your shower conversion to be done properly and prevent damage to your home. 

Are there grants for accessible showers and bathtubs? 

Yes! There are a number of government grants and credits available for seniors and folks with disabilities to help make their homes more accessible. For instance, in Ontario, the Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit can help seniors save up to 25% on the cost of accessible tub installation. Residents of Quebec can apply for a variety of accessible home renovation tax credits and grants. And, across Canada, there is also the Home Accessibility Tax Credit, which can lower the costs of mobility renovations substantially. Be sure to check your area for similar credits.

Shower thoughts 

There’s a lot to consider when deciding if a shower conversion is right for you! If you’re ready to take the plunge, tell us about your bathroom renovation project and one of our Advisors will get back to you!  

Looking for more information about bathroom renovations? Browse types of bathroom showers, materials, vanities, and design elements. You can also learn how to build a beautiful bathroom on a budget, how to make the most of your small bathroom, and how to spot problems in your current bathroom.