A tub-to-shower conversion is one of the simplest and most popular ways to remodel a bathroom. This simple swap of an outdated tub and shower combo for a beautiful, modern walk-in shower can make your entire bathroom feel bigger, brighter, and newer.
If you’re considering a tub-to-shower conversion for a bathroom in your home, here are some things to consider, plus a step-by-step walkthrough for how to get the job done.
Will a Tub Shower Conversion Work for My Bathroom?
Swapping out a tub for a walk-in shower may seem straightforward at first glance, and it’s easy in most cases! But there are a few things to consider for your shower conversion before you get in too deep.
Functionality
In many cases, a tub shower conversion will maximize space and functionality in your bathroom, as a walk-in shower often takes up less space than a tub and gives your bathroom a more open feel. However, you may not want to get rid of the tub if it’s the only one in your home, especially if you have younger kids (or plan to host younger grandkids!) who might need the tub for the next few years.
Resale Value
A bathroom remodel is an excellent way to improve the resale value of your home, but it can be a detriment if your home has no bathtub in the end. Having at least one tub in the home is an important factor for many home buyers, with 72% of first-time home buyers stating it’s important to them to have both a tub and a shower in the primary bathroom of their home.
Layout
In most cases, a bathroom with a tub in it will have more than enough room for a walk-in shower, but your bathroom layout may limit your options for a walk-in shower and how large the new shower can be.
To make sure your bathroom can accommodate a walk-in shower, here are the minimum dimensions required:
- 30 by 30 inches of floor space
- 80 inches in height from floor to ceiling
- 15 inches from the side of the toilet (or 21 inches from the front of the toilet) to the shower stall
If you’re installing a walk-in shower with a swinging door, make sure you have enough radius out from the shower stall for the width of the door.
Not sure if your layout works? Every home and every bathroom is unique. We can help! Give Rolox a call, and we’ll be glad to provide a free consultation for you.
DIY vs. Professional Tub-to-Shower Conversion
When thinking about converting a tub to a shower, you first need to decide whether you want to do it yourself or hire a professional bathroom remodeler. Attempting a tub-to-shower conversion requires a lot more effort and can be very time-consuming. DIY bathroom remodels can also become expensive quickly if you make costly mistakes trying to mess with the plumbing without professional training and licensing. Additionally, you may not have many financing options for a DIY remodeling project compared to the financing available with a professional contractor. It’s best to trust the professionals for tub-to-shower conversions.
How to Convert Tub to Walk-in Shower
When our team is on your side, converting a tub to a walk-in shower is easy! Here is what to expect when our team comes on-site to convert your tub to a walk-in shower.
1. Measure and Plan
We will begin by measuring the existing space and ensuring the placement aligns with the plumbing. If you decide to stick with the dimensions of the existing tub, this shouldn’t be a problem, but any changes from the current drain line or water supply locations will require plumbing work.
2. Choose a Design
Next, we will work with you to choose the materials and style of walk-in shower you want. In addition to choosing the wall tiling or material, floor tile, and shower door style, you also must determine whether you want a curbed or curbless walk-in shower. A curbed shower is the most popular because it doesn’t require lowering flooring, but curbless is ideal for those with mobility issues to reduce the risk of falls in the bathroom.
3. Prepare Work Area
Before our team begins working on your tub-to-shower conversion, understand they will need to prepare the workspace by:
- Covering the flooring with plywood or other protective material
- Turning off the home water supply
- Removing the drain cover, overflow drain cover, faucet knobs, and faucet from tub
- Disconnecting the main and overflow drains (either at the access panel behind the tub or in the basement)
4. Remove Wall Sections
To make it easier to remove the tub, the Rolox team will start by removing sections of the wall and tiling around the tub to a height of at least eight inches. Don’t worry! Our professionals are sure to wear protective goggles and a mask, especially if we need to break off ceramic tiles! If cutting through drywall is necessary, we will also be sure to not to cut through any studs.
5. Remove Tub
Now it’s time to remove the old tub from your bathroom! Here’s how our team will do it:
- Remove any nails or screws attaching the tub to wall studs
- Cut through the caulk between the tub and floor
- Pry the tub away from the wall with a prybar
- Remove the tub from the bathroom
6. Clean Up and Inspect
We stress the importance of a clean and safe workspace. After removal, we will clean up screws, nails, and other debris from the demolition of the old tub, then inspect the subflooring for damage. If any subflooring shows signs of water damage, it must be removed and replaced before you install the walk-in shower.
7. Install Walk-in Shower
Then, it’s time to install the walk-in shower! After completing the preparation work, our team will begin with the installation process and you’ll be closer than ever to a brand new walk-in shower!
Get Your Tub to Shower Conversion from Kansas City’s Best!
If you want peace of mind that your tub-to-shower conversion will be done right, the Rolox team is here to help! Our expert bathroom remodeling team will handle all the heavy lifting, giving you the stunning new walk-in shower of your dreams in as little as a day!
Contact us today to request your in-home consultation.
