Tub-to-Shower Conversion
Bubbly baths are the essence of relaxation and serenity and also the symbol of luxury when it comes to bathrooms, but they often take up more space and are less practical than showers. So, if you’ve been thinking about converting your bathtub to a shower, this article will inform you about all the essentials.
We know that remodeling a small bathroom can be a big undertaking; all the choices can seem overwhelming and the cost can be daunting. But with creativity and careful planning, a small bathroom can look more spacious if you design it correctly. Let’s give you ideas about how to do this in your bathroom.
Benefits of Converting Your Tub to a Shower
Before we dive into how you can convert your tub to a shower, let’s consider why you should do it.
Accessibility
Safety is one of the first benefits of tub-to-shower conversions since the bathroom is one of the places in the home where you’re most likely to get hurt, and most of these accidents happen when you’re trying to get in and out of your bathtub. Converting your bath to a shower can significantly decrease these accidents and make it more accessible for people with limited mobility. As an added safety measure, install a grab bar in your shower to help you get in and out.
Style
A bathroom remodel can also help us feel more excited about entering this room when getting ready in the morning. Swapping out your bath for a shower allows you to add new colors, shapes, and materials to your bathroom and make it seem new again.
Increased Space
Turning your bathtub in for a shower will open up space in your bathroom. Where you once had a medium-sized tub, you can now comfortably fit a full-sized shower and have some room left over that you can use to make more storage or add some decor. And if you miss sitting in your bathtub, you can also add a stool for those days when you feel like sitting while taking a shower.
Spa-Like Experience
We can all agree that having a bathtub feels like having a spa in the comfort of our home, but you don’t have to give up on that experience if you get a shower. As mentioned, you can include a bench or stool in your shower, add multiple shower heads, install speakers, and include features such as a steam shower to increase your comfort levels as you shower.
Less Maintenance
If you’ve had a bathtub, you probably know that they require a lot of cleaning since grime tends to build up very quickly. Showers, on the other hand, are easier and faster to clean, especially if you opt for a simple shower with just one side made of glass.
Tips on Tub-to-Shower Conversion
After learning what you stand to gain from converting your bathtub to a shower, let's look at different ways you can do that.
Create a Budget
Before you do any type of renovating or remodeling in your home, you should first establish a budget. This not only helps you plan out how much you can spend during each stage, but it also helps you figure out where you can save and where you can splurge to get the bathroom of your dreams under a budget.
Set Your Bathroom Priorities
By converting your bathtub to a shower, you’re bound to be left with some additional space. This leaves you with a lot of options on how to use this space. You can get a larger sink, have more storage, leave the space empty, create a space for laundry, or add a mirror, the options are really endless. Think about what works best for you and take this into consideration during the planning stages.
Figure Out Who You Will Hire
Unless you’re a plumber or contractor, you will need to hire professional help for this project since it isn’t DIY-friendly. Your contractor will help you assess the space and give you ideas about your new bathroom layout. They’ll also talk to you about your desired shower size, its location, exhaust fans, the plumbing system, lighting, and existing windows. Once you’ve decided on the layout, it’s time to start researching styles and designs.
The Materials
What truly makes your bathroom unique apart from the layout is the materials that you use. This is a good step to consult social media platforms, such as Pinterest, for inspiration on combining different materials. Then you can do another consultation with your contractor before ordering the materials, and you’re ready to transform your bathtub into a shower area.
Take the Tub Out and Build a New Shower
The easiest way to update your bathroom is to remove your bathtub and add a shower unit. Your plumber will first check the pipes and add additional pipes so you can get a showerhead. Next, it’s the contractor's job to add the tiles and create your ideal shower. Think about whether you’d like to have a built-in niche to put your shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other items that need to be in your shower area.
This is also a good time to decide whether you want to have a built-in bench or stool in this area. And finally, it’s time to install your shower. You can opt for a classic shower with shower doors, add shower curtains, or you can even opt for a partial glass wall for a more minimal look. As a bonus, you can consider adding a heated floor that will make your showers even more enjoyable.
Create a Shower/ Tub Unit
If you’re a fan of taking baths and showers, this option gives you the best of both worlds. By creating a shower/ tub unit, you can keep your bathtub and add plumbing that will enable you to also include a shower head. For this, you’ll need to hire a plumber who’ll open up the wall and install the additional pipes that will give you the option to have a shower as well. It’s also important to make this area waterproof by installing tiles on the walls where your bathtub is located, as well as replacing your wood window with a more durable option if you have a window close to your bathtub.
It’s also important to have an enclosure that will prevent water from getting out and all over the rest of your bathroom. You can either add shower curtains or install a protective screen on one side of your bathtub, depending on what style you’re going for. Apart from the protective enclosure, you’ll also need to upgrade the venting system to account for all the additional humidity that will come from your showers.
Planning for the Future
A bathtub isn’t the perfect option if you’re planning on living in your space for years to come into retirement and you don’t have a second bathroom. Therefore, you should plan with accessibility in mind when you’re renovating your bathroom. Replace a high-walled tub with a walk-in shower and include a grab rail to increase safety. Look into installing slip-resistant tiles or a rough stone floor for traction.
Create a Luxurious Shower
If you don’t convert your bathtub area to a standard shower and have additional space, you can have a spacious glass shower/tub combination. Make it a two-person shower by adding double shower heads, a rain shower area, and a bench where you can take relaxing showers with your significant other.
Will Having a Shower Affect the Resale Value of Your Home?
Some people opt out of the tub-to-shower conversion because they fear it will affect the resale value of their home, but this isn’t entirely the case. The truth is that homeowners with small children will want to have a bathtub in their bathroom if this is the main family bathroom. However, people who don’t like taking long baths, elderly people, and even families with older children will all prefer a shower over the bathtub. In the end, it all depends on what your target market is if you do end up selling your home.
Final Thoughts
Taking the plunge into a bathroom makeover and converting your tub to a shower can be exciting. However, if you aren't careful with the layout, you may end up with a room that doesn’t fit your needs. Consult with a professional to make sure that all your needs are met with this remodel and that your new bathroom ends up being as efficient as possible.