skip to main content

Converting standard tub/shower to walk-in shower

6 years ago

i'm considering converting a standard tub-shower to a walk-in shower in my 4 bedroom house. The master has a garden tub/shower. The standard tub-shower that I want to convert is in the hall bath used by the kids - they used the tub as children but switched to showers at age 10.

Would appreciate opinions on whether a family would not buy a house if the kid's bath had a fabulous shower instead of a tub. Real estate agent is advising against the conversion.

Comments (2)

MongoCT
6 years ago
Regarding resale, I think it's okay for a master bath to have a nice shower without a tub.

But having a shower with no tub in the "kid's bathroom" used by the secondary bedroom occupants? I can see buying resistance from families with young children should you ever put the house on the market.

If you're changing it "just because your kid's don't take baths", then I'd leave it as is. Let them step over the tub rim.

If there are mobility issues and changing it would improve someone's lifestyle, then I'd change it.

I wouldn't change it just to change it though.
Linda Halley thanked MongoCT
Najeebah
6 years ago
How imminent is possible resale?

What are typical buyers' family make-ups in your area?

Are no-tub homes common in your area?

Is it a buyers' or sellers' market?

Unless resale is in under 5 years, average age of kids in the neighbourhood is under 10, everyone has tubs, and it's a buyer's market, which is an unlikely combo, LOSE the tub. Too many people hang on to them because it's believed we 'should'.

A good walk-in shower with a built-in seat and large enough for a wheelchair is far more versatile and practical. It's not just stepping over the tub rim that makes people want to get rid of them. Tubs are far smaller, often messier, & less commfortable overall. And you have an outdoors one for the luxury aspect.

We need to LIVE in our homes fully, not under the shadows preceeding future owners :)
Linda Halley thanked Najeebah
Related Discussions
Tub/shower combo & 2 sinks or Separate Tub & Shower & 1 sink
Q
Comments (7)
Is there any way to run plumbing to the separate vanity area to make it into a sink? We are doing a gut remodel of our bathroom and we were able to cram in the shower, 5'6" claw foot tub, toilet and two sinks (on adjacent walls though, not next to each other) in a slightly less than 10'x11' space including sloped ceilings and a couple of windows. Here is an older version of our plan for the bathroom but shows the two sinks. The one next to the tub is a console sink (on chrome legs) so very open and the tub is now a double ended tub with plumbing in the middle. Here is a newer plan showing a tile layout I was messing with and the right tub. It also shows a bump out for a knee wall where the new drain is going to run - it turns out there was steel angle along that wall and we could not run the drain line under it so had to go through. It's more of a challenge to get the water there but wasn't impossible.
...See More
Converting Tub/Shower Combo to Dual head shower
Q
Comments (3)
cwalen, we're in a converted industrial warehouse building with concrete floors, so we didn't have much choice --- we had to build the floor up a little so the drain (we used a linear drain, which needs less buildup than a regular drain) wouldn't stick up. Then we built a curb which is tiled. We have not done a door at all yet -- just a shower curtain. I like the curtain, it looks great and it's easy to clean. No leaking as long as the curtain is closed. I don't seem to have a decent picture on my computer, but if you need pix, I'd be happy to take some tonight.
...See More
Approximate cost to convert tub to walk in shower?
Q
Comments (17)
The bathtub in my hall bath was "sinking" into the crawl space, and it was old and yucky anyway ... so we had it ripped out and replaced with an all-tile shower. 12x12 tiles on the walls, 2x2 tile on the floor, one shampoo niche, new sliding glass doors. Same size as the tub that was there before. New internal plumbing and plain shower head. No seat, no windows. We paid about $2600 ... that covered yanking out the old tub and surround and laying the tile. The handyman who did it gave me a list of what tile to buy, and I went and picked that myself -- and paid for it separately. That was another $250? Since we are prepping to sell in two years or so, I chose simple and neutral. If I'd chosen what I really like, my tile would've been more expensive. This was JUST the shower. He touched nothing else in the bathroom. My girls are thrilled with their new shower and don't miss the tub in the least. My regrets: I wish we'd had two niches put in -- the 12x12 niche holds a large pump-type bottle of shampoo and conditioner and a liquid soap ... but they also have body wash and shaving cream, and those things are sitting on the floor. And I wish I'd had them a hand-held fixture put in. That's easy enough to fix, we just haven't gotten around to it yet.
...See More
Converting tub to walking shower
Q
Comments (6)
I suggest you consider a kohler cast iron pan if there is any concerns for installations. I know they are made in sizes to fit into tub spaces. They'll have a drain on one end. There will be a tile flange to properly install tile on the walls. The slope is predetermined. Many colors. Easy, practical solution. I would really understand what you pan choices are before installing one you don't understand. Solid surface shower pans are great. But they are not tiled over.
...See More

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Planning Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 1 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Get all the remodel details down on paper

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — Waterproofing and Drainage

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 4 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick your waterproofing materials and drain, and don't forget to test

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Fixtures-Shopping Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 2 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Determine your mechanical needs and buy quality fixtures

BATHROOM DESIGN Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — the Tiling and Grouting Phase

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 3 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick the right tile and test it out, then choose your grout color and type

SHOWERS Convert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — Choosing Accessories

By By Any Design Ltd.

Step 5 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick the right niches, benches and bars for the best showering experience

BATHROOM DESIGN New This Week: 3 Baths With Walk-in Showers and Stand-Alone Tubs

By Mitchell Parker

See how these spacious bathrooms celebrate elegant stand-alone bathtubs and luxurious walk-in showers

BATHROOM DESIGN Shower Curtain or Shower Door?

By Lara Sargent

Find out which option is the ideal partner for your shower-bath combo

BATHROOM DESIGN Before and After: Room for a Tub and Shower in 84 Square Feet

By Allison McLeay

A Canadian couple replace the shower-tub combo in their bathroom with a walk-in shower and a built-in tub

MOST POPULAR 10 Stylish Small Bathrooms With Walk-In Showers

By Bryan Anthony

Get inspired by this collection of compact bathrooms that make a splash with standout design details

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Bathroom of the Week: Bright and Stylish With a Roomy Shower-Tub

By Jeannie Matteucci

A designer helps a Chicago condo owner lighten her dark master bath with an updated layout and a fresh, clean look

Sponsored

CHC & Family Developments

4 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

Minimum space between backlit led mirror and wall

1

Medicine cabinet says "recessed mount." Can it be flush-mounted?

3

How to change pride of Madeira flower color?

0

Shower pan or tile?

10

Should a gasket be used top shower wall bracket and sturdiness of wal

3