How to Plan a Tub-to-Shower Conversion With No Regrets

A tub-to-shower conversion is a specific type of bathroom remodel that’s growing in popularity among homeowners. It helps enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the space, and when properly designed and built by a trusted remodeler, it can provide more than just comfort and convenience, but also a few other benefits.

However, it takes more than a professional remodeler to ensure a successful tub-to-shower conversion. You’ll have to take the right approach and make the right decisions along the way. This prevents you from committing mistakes that can end up hurting your budget later on. After all, you should feel satisfaction instead of regret once the project’s completed.

Why You Should Avoid Misunderstandings

Without proper planning and communication, a few mistakes are bound to happen during a bathroom remodel project. Although they’re costly, they can also be avoidable if you know what you’re aiming for, especially when planning a tub-to-shower conversion. If you have a specific vision in mind, you should discuss it thoughtfully with your hired remodeler to avoid miscommunication during the planning stages. If you’re having trouble describing your needs and preferences, you can always research online and provide references. This also helps you understand what you’re getting into and avoid costly mistakes later. 

Mistakes to Avoid

Before your tub-to-shower conversion begins, you need to be aware of the possible mistakes that can happen during the process. This helps you know what to expect and avoid them at all costs. We’ve listed some of the most common ones below:

• Taking the DIY Approach

Although you might think that taking this approach saves a lot of money in your tub-to-shower project, it won’t always mean you’re able to do it successfully. It’s a big task to undertake on your own, and if you insist on doing this yourself, you’ll spend more than what you initially planned. This type of bath renovation should never be carried out without working with specially trained and experienced remodelers. They’ll know how to plan and design your project using the right equipment and act immediately in case they encounter hidden problems within your project.

• Choosing Cheap Materials

As a homeowner, it’s often natural that you find ways to save money in any given remodeling project. But while it won’t hurt to do the same in your bathroom remodeling project, there are certain materials that you shouldn’t consider skimping and saving over. You should also consider how your bathroom will be used when planning your tub-to-shower conversion. Cheap materials can wear down faster over time, so you’d rather invest in quality materials that last a long time.

• Upgrading the Only Bathtub

If your home only has a single bathtub, don’t consider turning it into a shower just yet. It’s fine to do this if that’s what you prefer, but if you’re selling your home soon, it may not be appealing to a few potential buyers. They may prefer having bathtubs for their kids since it makes bathing time easier rather than just a shower. Consider building a separate shower installation instead if your bathroom has enough room. 

• Not Considering the Aesthetics

Sometimes, when carrying out your shower conversion, you may become too focused on which features and functions to add. While this may be necessary for your needs and preferences, you shouldn’t forget how the visual design impacts the rest of your bathroom space. If you only concentrate on its functionality, it can stand out awkwardly in the bathroom layout. 

It’s usually easier to keep track of the entire layout if you’re planning a complete bathroom renovation so that everything is designed seamlessly. However, you should still make sure not to overlook even the key elements in the interior space, such as the colors, lighting and focal points. Doing this also allows you to design and build your shower conversion as if it were a natural part of the layout.

• Poor Lighting Design

Just like any other major bath renovation project, lighting must be considered when designing your tub-to-shower conversion. Some homeowners carry out their conversion without considering this and end up not having proper lighting in their shower area. This often forces them to redo part of the project again so they won’t feel regret even if it means spending extra for the job. 

Of course, this can be easily avoided if you carefully consider how much light you can provide for your converted shower unit. Artificial lighting is easy to install, but make sure that you have enough room so that it isn’t in the way when you shower. You should also use specialized fixtures that are waterproof to avoid accidents while in use. Natural lighting is even better, so don’t forget to consider where the windows are when designing your tub-to-shower conversion.

• Bad Drain Placement

The planning involved in a complex project like a tub-to-shower conversion usually includes knowledge about your bathroom’s current plumbing and drainage placement. Depending on your design, the drain can be placed either at the side or in the center of the shower unit. The placement must be done properly to avoid unwanted flooding and clogs within the unit. 

• Improper Shower Relocation

A tub-to-shower conversion usually involves upgrading just the visual appearance and features. But if you’re also planning to relocate the shower area, it becomes a more complicated project to complete. For instance, you’ll need to figure out a new way to redirect the water to reach your shower unit as well as reposition the drainage system. If this isn’t carefully planned out, it can easily lead to costly mistakes in your project. 

It’s usually better to keep the current water and drain lines when converting your bathtub into a shower unit. But if shower relocation has been your goal from the start, you should be well-prepared to take apart your current layout and redesign it to fit your needs and preferences.

If you want your converted shower installation done right, there’s only one name to trust in Bismarck and the surrounding communities. Talk to our team of experts at The Bathroom Store today by calling (701) 515-0370 or reaching us online. We look forward to hearing from you!