There’s nothing like taking a nice, long soak in the tub at the end of the day. However, a tub might not be the best choice for bathrooms with limited floor space. If you want to reduce your bathroom’s maintenance needs or make it look and feel more spacious, converting your bathtub into a shower is a great way to take care of your needs.
The Benefits of Converting Your Tub Into a Walk-In Shower
What are the benefits of a tub-to-shower conversion? For starters, converting your tub to a shower frees up valuable floor space. Shower stalls are easier to clean than bathtubs, so a walk-in shower is more of an essential feature in a low-maintenance bathroom. And if you’re looking to reduce your utility bills, it makes more practical—and financial—sense to install a shower. Technically, showers consume less water than tubs, provided they’re equipped with a water-saving showerhead, which limits household water consumption to a maximum of two gallons per minute.
There’s also the fact that the majority of Americans prefer showers over bathtubs. An online survey found that an overwhelming 90% of Americans like to use showers over baths. Given the benefits of showers over tubs, the results are not that surprising.
Things to Consider Before Starting Tub-to-Shower Conversion
A tub-to-shower can be a significant investment, which is why it’s important to do your research before starting bathroom renovations. Doing a bit of research can help you maximize the returns on investment on your new walk-in shower.
Here are some of the things you should consider before making any decisions:
- Shower curb – Would you prefer a standard curbed shower or a curbless one? Curbless showers, which have no entry or exit barriers, are trickier to install than curbless showers because the slope of its drainage floor needs to be slightly lower than the bathroom floor to ensure water flows to the drain properly. However, curbless showers also have several advantages over a regular curbed shower. For instance, anyone, including kids and seniors, can use curbless showers because they don’t have any entry or exit barriers. This is the same reason why they’d make a great addition to an age-friendly bathroom.
Note that it’s best to install non-slip flooring if you’re planning to make your bathroom more age- and mobility-friendly, it’s best to install a. For more tips on making your bathroom more age-friendly, it’s best to consult a bathroom remodel contractor.
- Wall material – The shower walls have a big impact on your bathroom’s design. What are your options? Fiberglass and acrylic shower walls are the most budget-friendly option. They’re easy-to-install and mostly come in white, although some brands have are other color options. Ceramic and porcelain shower walls would be a good choice for homeowners who want maximum design flexibility. They come in a wide variety of designs and can be easily replaced if some of the tiles get damaged. Stone-tile showers are one of the most expensive options on the market. However, if you want a luxurious bathroom, nothing comes close to stone tiles when it comes to aesthetic appeal.
- Drains – Do you want linear or circular drains installed? Keep in mind there are different kinds of linear drains. For instance, there are linear and tile-top linear drains. Linear drains are sleek, long rectangular drains that are usually found near the wall or the shower entrance. Their positioning makes them suited to barrier-free or curbless showers. Tile-top linear drains, on the other hand, match the surface of the shower floor, making them a great choice if you want to draw attention away from the shower drains.
Planning and Design Tips
Here are some planning and design tips you might want to consider:
- Check the building codes – The National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends installing a 36-inch-by-36-inch-wide shower stall, but your local building authority may have different requirements. As such, it’s best to consult your local contractor.
- Avoid building the shower around a window – The problem with building a shower around a window is that water can seep into window casings and deposit moisture in your walls. Trapped moisture is especially problematic because it creates damp conditions that are the perfect breeding ground for mold.
- Consider installing frameless glass shower doors – If you want to make your small bathroom look and feel larger, you may want to consider installing frameless glass shower doors. A frameless glass shower installation gives the illusion of continuous floor space, which can in turn make your bathroom look and feel larger.
- Keep it consistent – When it comes to bathroom design, consistency is key. Mismatched tiles or clashing designs not only lower your bathroom’s aesthetic appeal but also add to visual clutter, which can make your bathroom look cramped.
What to Expect During a Tub-to-Shower Conversion
Considering converting your tub into a shower? Here’s what to expect during a tub-to-shower conversion:
- Visit from your contractor – Your contractor will visit your home to evaluate your bathroom’s current condition. In particular, they’ll inspect your bathroom’s plumbing, the shower valve, the subfloor, and the framing. If your bathroom needs any upgrades, they’ll factor these into calculations for your bathroom remodel estimate. Keep in mind that, as the name suggests, estimates indicate how much contractors think a bathroom remodeling project will cost. If you want a more detailed breakdown of the estimated costs, you can ask for a quote.
- Consultation – Carefully go through the details of the estimate or quote. If you have any concerns about the details, don’t hesitate to bring them up with your contractor.
After the estimate or quote is approved, your contractor will discuss the specifics of your bathroom renovation, including the project timeline and the preparations for the project. During the consultation, it’s important that you inform your contractor about your preferences so they can make the necessary changes to their plans.
- Bathtub removal – After making the necessary preparations, your contractor will remove your old bathtub. Once your old tub is out of the way, the contractor can then start cleaning and prepping the area for the shower installation.
- Replumbing – If some of the plumbing needs to be replaced or the tub needs to be repositioned, your contractor may have to replace some of the piping.
- Shower installation – The contractor will first install the shower pan, cover it with surface tiles, waterproof it, and then install the wall system and shower door. How long does it take to complete the shower installation? In general, it’ll take about four days, although this may vary depending on the type of shower that’s being installed.
- Inspection and approval – The contractor will walk you through your new bathroom, so you can inspect it up close.
Vetting Tips
One more thing: Don’t forget to vet a prospective contractor before hiring them. After all, bathroom remodeling projects are essentially collaborations with your contractor, so it’s essential that you hire a contractor you can easily get along with.
Here are a few vetting tips:
- Check online reviews – Online reviews should give you a good idea of the level of service you can expect. Keep in mind that a few negative online reviews aren’t necessarily a red flag. After all, miscommunication can happen even in the best circumstances. What matters most in these cases is whether the contractor took the time to address customer complaints.
- Hire local – Hiring local contractors has its advantages. For starters, focusing your search on contractors near your area will help you narrow down your options faster. Not to mention local contractors can make better recommendations since they’re more familiar with the local building codes.
Looking for bathroom remodelers near you?
The Bathroom Store offers a wide range of professional bathroom renovation services. To schedule a consultation or request an estimate, call us at (701) 223-1008 or fill out this form. Talk to us today!