The Pros and Cons of Doing a Tub to Shower Conversion
October 10 2022
As aging in place becomes more common, people are increasingly looking at their bathrooms, seeking ways to make them more functional and convenient to accommodate any mobility challenges. A tub to shower conversion is a popular modification and a smart investment in your home. Take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of this conversion.
The Pros of a Tub to Shower Conversion
Converting a bathtub into a shower can breathe new life into a bathroom. It enables you to get rid of a worn-out and seldom-used tub in favor of a shower that's easy to use.
Fits Reality Better and Gives Your Bathroom a Contemporary Look
The vision of soaking in a bath, reading, enjoying music by candlelight, and relaxing in hot water may be appealing. It is not very practical, however. In real life, most people take showers, not baths.
Installing a shower lends your bathroom a contemporary air, replacing an outdated bathtub with a stylish new shower. Swapping out a '90s or even '80s tub for a glass shower with a rainfall showerhead does wonders for updating the look and feel of your bathroom.
Enables More Functionality for Seniors Aging in Place and People With Mobility Issues
A tub to shower conversion may be necessary for safety reasons. Showers present far fewer risks than bathtubs do. Washing in a tub involves lifting the feet to get in, as well as sitting, standing, and stepping out. Meanwhile, showers at most require users to lift their feet a bit to get in. Once they are inside, the bather can use seats or grab bars to stay safe.
You can even eliminate the issue of lifting your feet to enter the shower by opting for a curbless shower. These have no lip, enabling easier access. Curbless showers are also helpful for people with transfer chairs, walkers, and wheelchairs.
Moreover, if you are taking out a large tub, that can give you 5 feet or more of space in the new shower. That's more than enough room for a second person to help in the shower if necessary.
Make sure the new shower has grab bars for added safety. Moveable chairs or benches facilitate easier access to the shower as well.
Opens Up Space in the Bathroom
Converting your bathtub into a shower makes the bathroom look and feel more spacious. Tubs may lend a clunky aura to the bathroom, while showers tend to be sleeker. A shower’s glass doors also help your bathroom feel bigger.
Appeals to Homebuyers
Homebuyers love walk-in showers for their practicality and aesthetic. A shower in your home is a selling point, especially if it is oversized. When you convert from a tub, you usually have plenty of options for oversized showers. A tub to shower conversion is a good way to get more return on remodeling investments.
Offers a Visual Focal Point
Showers can be beautiful. For example, mosaic tile is attractive and stylish, and outlasts trends. It is also practical, hygienic, and durable. A new shower could be just the focal point your bathroom needs to shine.
Can Be Completed in a Short Time
You typically only need about a day to two weeks for a tub to shower conversion. The time frame depends on the type of enclosure you use. Tile, a popular option, is lovely but does take the most installation time. Contractors must prepare the bathroom, measure the enclosure, install the patterns, and give the grout and sealant time to cure.
If you are short on time, however, you can opt for acrylic products that require as little as one day's installation time. You can choose a look that is very similar to tile; many people will not even know the difference.
Lets You Relax
You can relax in the shower similar to the way you would in a bathtub. Install a bench in the shower so you can sit and enjoy the soothing steam and hot water. A bench is good for practical purposes, too, such as if you have children or mobility issues.
Lowers Your Utility Bills
Showers use less water than baths and are more energy-efficient. The savings especially add up when you have many people in your house taking showers instead of baths.
The Cons of a Tub to Shower Conversion
While useful and popular, turning a bathtub into a shower does have a few potential downsides.
May Not Work Well With Small Children
If you are a parent of babies or small children, it’s often easier to bathe them in a tub than in the shower. However, you can get portable tubs for shower stalls. Some of these tubs are inflatable or foldable for easy storage.
May Eliminate the Only Bathtub in the House
You might want to reconsider a tub to shower conversion if it involves the only bathtub in the house. While bathtubs have their cons, it is often convenient to have one around. Not having a tub can also hurt your home sale prospects. If you live in an area that isn’t popular among families with young children, eliminating the only tub in your house is less of a consideration.
Does Cost Money
Any home project costs at least some money. Tub to shower conversions tend to be great and affordable investments, but it is important to make sure this particular expense works for your situation.
Tub to Shower Conversion: Right for You?
Only you can answer whether a tub to shower conversion is right for you or your family. If you have a hard time deciding, use the following as a guideline. If you plan to stay in your home for at least 10 years, then you should decide based on what best fits your needs and lifestyle. That holds even if you would be taking out your only bathtub. Ten-plus years is a long time to be stuck with a tub when you’d rather have a shower! To explore your options for conversions, get a quote from Bathroom Design Quotes today.
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