You’re working with a tight bathroom remodeling budget and you know that whatever upgrades you choose, they need to pack a functional and aesthetic punch. You have a sense that your tub and shower combination is not only taking up too much space but giving your bathroom a stuffy, dated look, but you don’t know what to do about it.
At ZINTEX Remodeling, we’ve completed thousands of focused bathroom remodels, creating modern, safe, and attractive tubs and showers that let homeowners get the most out of their bathrooms. In all our years of service, we’ve become walk in shower experts, and we’re here to share what we know. Let’s take a look at the benefits of installing a walk in shower and the signs that it can solve your bathroom renovation problems.
Walk In Shower Costs Are Budget-Friendly
A full bathroom remodel typically costs a minimum of $25,000 on the low end and as much as $75,000 on the high end. This huge range reflects the difference between focusing on a few key areas and opting for affordable materials versus transforming your entire bathroom with luxury materials.
What if you don’t have $25,000 or more to spend on a bathroom renovation? Converting your tub to a walk in shower (or upgrading an existing walk in shower) is a great way to make your bathroom more modern and functional for an average of $11,000 to $24,000.
How can you stay on the lower end of the walk in shower cost range? Consider implementing a few of these tips:
💡Opt for shower wall materials like acrylic, which offer the lifespan of tile (an average of 15-20 years) at a lower price point
💡Choose basic accessories like single grab bars and standard showerheads rather than deluxe features like fold-down seats and rainfall showerheads
💡Reduce additional plumbing and electrical costs by sticking with your original bathroom layout
Walk In Showers Create At-home Accessibility
AARP confirms that nearly 80% of older adults in the U.S. want to age in place, a number that has been consistent for over a decade. Doing so, however, requires careful planning for safety and accessibility to prevent slips, trips, and falls.
Walk in showers are easy to customize with both your current and future needs in mind. Already, a walk in shower eliminates one of the biggest tripping hazards you’ll find in the typical household: the ledge of a bathtub, which is a minimum of 14” high. Rather than having to balance on one leg while raising the other to step in and out of the tub, you can walk at your normal pace and gait.
Additional accessories are available to increase the safety of your walk in shower, including affordable grab bars and, with a slightly bigger budget, seats or benches.
Walk In Showers Fit Bathrooms of All Sizes
If you’ve been searching for solutions for your small bathroom, a walk in shower is the perfect choice. While bathtubs tend to have a footprint of at least 30” x 60”, you can install walk in showers with a footprint of as little as 30” x 32”. By downsizing your shower, you can free up much-needed space for storage while making your small bathroom feel a little less cramped.
What if saving space isn’t a high priority? Walk in showers aren’t just ideal for small bathrooms. Standard shower footprints go up to 30”-32” x 60”. With a bigger budget, you can customize an even bigger shower. Spacious walk in showers can add a touch of luxury to your bathroom, allowing for features like:
- A second showerhead
- Built-in seating
- Additional storage features like soap niches
Walk In Showers Can Yield a Strong ROI
Not all homeowners are investing in home improvements for their benefit, alone. You may also be thinking about how your home improvements will pay off down the line when it’s time to sell your house. What kind of ROI can you expect from a brand-new walk in shower?
| Real Estate Expert | Average ROI Cited | Caveats Mentioned |
|---|---|---|
| 45.1% - 73.7% | 👉The low end (45.1%) is an average of upscale bathroom remodels 👉The high end (73.7%) is an average of midrange bathroom remodels | |
| 50 - 56% | 👉The low end (50%) is an average of all bathroom remodels 👉The high end (56%) is an average of all new bathroom additions
| |
| 56.2 - 70.1% | 👉The low end (56.2%) is an average of upscale bathroom remodels 👉The high end (70.1%) is an average of midrange bathroom remodels | |
| 45% - 73.7% | 👉The low end (45%) is an average of major bathroom remodels 👉The high end (73.7%) is an average of midrange bathroom remodels |
Installing a walk in shower as the primary upgrade of your bathroom renovation is generally going to fall into the midrange category. In other words, a new walk in shower has a high chance of yielding an ROI of around 70%.
What about the real estate agents who say that the value of your house will decrease without a bathtub? According to Remodel Inspo, it’s all in the eye of the beholder. While having at least one bathtub is going to increase your buyer appeal with families, a walk in shower is going to increase your appeal with young professionals. Meanwhile, seniors are looking for accessibility and safety, whether that’s in the form of a walk in shower or a walk in bathtub.
Top Signs a Walk In Shower Is Right for You
Understanding the benefits of a walk in shower and determining they’re worthwhile for you are two different things. You may want to invest in a walk in shower as part of your bathroom renovation if:
✅You want to make a big impact with a tight budget
✅You need to free up space in a small or mid-sized bathroom
✅You’re looking for a luxurious upgrade and either have a separate soaking tub or never utilize the tub part of your shower and tub combination
✅You’re preparing for long-term safety and prefer showers to baths (which can be made safer with walk in bathtubs
✅You plan to sell your home, want to boost property value, and either have a second tub in the house or can afford to limit buyer interest
Walk In Shower Alternatives: What They Are and When to Choose Them
What if the signs you should invest in a walk in shower just don’t seem to apply to you? What if they do, but you’re still on the fence? Walk in showers aren’t the only choice homeowners have when remodeling their bathrooms.
The standard alternative to a walk in shower is a bath and shower combination. You can still enjoy aesthetic and functional improvements with a bathtub replacement. This is a great choice for:
- Families with young children
- Young adults who will eventually sell
- Investors looking to improve a rental property
If you’re looking to improve accessibility without sacrificing the bathtub experience, consider a walk in tub. Walk in tubs come at a higher price point (typically starting at $20,000 including labor costs), but they are a great investment for seniors or household members with disabilities who want a safer way to enjoy a bath.
FAQs About Walk In Showers
Q: How long does it take to install a walk in shower?
A: Walk in shower installation timelines depend on factors like the materials you’re using and the amount of pre-installation work your bathroom needs. For example, it typically takes 1-2 days to install an acrylic walk in shower, but it can take longer if your bathroom needs significant plumbing upgrades..
Q: Can I DIY my walk in shower?
A: There are walk in shower kits available from retailers like Home Depot. However, shower installs can require electrical and plumbing work as well as water damage restoration. Unless you have experience in these areas, you’re better off leaving them to a professional.
Q: How long until after installation can I start using my new shower?
A: Once again, this will depend on the materials. Exposed grout, for example, takes at least 24 hours to cure, meaning you’ll need to wait at least one day before using a new tile shower. Acrylic showers and some solid surface showers are usable immediately after installation and cleanup.
Is A Walk In Shower the Right Choice for Your Bathroom Renovation?
As you gear up to renovate your bathroom, you want to make smart choices that work within your budget while packing a punch. After reading this guide, you know that a walk in shower would check a lot of important boxes, and just might be the right move.
At ZINTEX Remodeling, we’ve completed thousands of bathroom renovations across eleven states, and we know firsthand how transformative a walk in shower could be. We also know that you don’t want to make any decisions with unanswered questions. Find out how long a walk in shower remodel takes to see if it fits more than just your budget.
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