How to Do a Tub to Shower Conversion in Your Master Bathroom

There are many reasons to convert a tub to a shower in a master bedroom or any bathroom for that matter. For one thing, most people prefer showers over baths. But perhaps more importantly, older and disabled people sometimes have difficulty stepping in and out of a bathtub. Converting a tub to a shower increases safety for people with mobility issues.

Considerations Before Doing a Tub to Shower Conversion

If you’re planning on moving in the future, consider that most home buyers want at least one bathtub in the house. If your home only has showers, this could lower its resale value. Also, if you have, or plan to have children, a bathtub will be better for bathing the little ones than a shower.

These are some of the things you should consider when doing a conversion like this. You should probably talk to your significant other to be able to decide what you want to do for sure. There is always time for this sort of thing. 

While you may prefer a shower, a bathtub can come in handy, also, it will preserve your home’s value. If you only have one bathroom with a tub, another option is to convert it into a walk-in tub. A walk-in tub has a water-tight door that allows a person to step in before the tub is filled with water.

These sorts of tubs are typically for handicapped people that have trouble getting in and out of the tub. It is also a common conversion for elderly people to do so they can make bathing themselves easier.

Planning Your Tub to Shower Conversion

Another thing to consider is your space. Often, a tub is narrower than a walk-in shower. Using the tub’s plumbing is preferable, so you’ll want to stay within that footprint. You can do a tub-to-shower conversion as long as you have the room.

But, you’ll need to make sure you have room to open and close doors, and that it’s not too close to the toilet or cabinets. This is something you should heavily consider when starting a project like this. You will want to make sure the new walk-in tub will fit in your existing bathroom too. After all, you do not want to have to remodel your entire bathroom just to accommodate the tub.

You’ll also need to plan your budget. Plastic and fiberglass shower surround kits are inexpensive but generic. If you want something more unique, like natural stone or ceramic tile, expect to pay significantly more.

You will want to evaluate the materials your tub will be made of, so be sure to do some research on the different types of materials used to make walk-in tubs.

DIY or Professional Tub to Shower Conversions

If you’re an accomplished do-it-yourselfer, you could do this project yourself. However, it will involve not only ripping out the old tub, but also could involve removing old tile, or even drywall. You’ll also need basic plumbing knowledge and skill. It’s not a job for an inexperienced homeowner.

You will want to ensure you are up to the task before starting. You do not want to get halfway through or part way and then figure out that the scope of the project is too big for you to complete. If you need to hire someone to do the work and they will do a better and more complete job than you, definitely hire them. 

Most homeowners opt to hire a professional contractor to do a tub-to-shower conversion. For one thing, once the tub is removed, it could reveal water damage to the subflooring. There is a multitude of unexpected obstacles that can occur which can require a professional. 

Converting a tub to a shower is not the most difficult bathroom remodeling job, but it does require a high level of skill. Finishing your tub-to-shower conversion will make you a happy homeowner.