Can You Get a Walk-In Shower to Tub Conversion? Bathroom Remodel 101

A walk-in shower-to-tub conversion is a specific type of bathroom remodel that focuses on the tub and shower area (which we at ZINTEX often refer to as the “wet area” of a bathroom, because waterproofing this area is so important). In this case, you’re starting with a walk-in shower and ending with either a standalone tub or, more typically, a tub-shower combo.

How does a shower-to-tub conversion work? First, you’ll come up with your ideal design with your ZINTEX design consultant. Once approved, we’ll get your installation on the books, often in as little as three weeks. Then, we’ll come in, demolish your walk-in shower, install your new bathtub or tub-shower combo, and leave your bathroom clean and ready to use!

As we mentioned earlier, more of our customers are looking to replace a bathtub with a walk-in shower. However, there are many situations where replacing a walk-in shower with a bathtub or tub-shower combo has its benefits! Let’s take a look at why a new bathtub might be a good idea.

Bathtubs Offer Hydrotherapy and Relaxation

Walk-in tubs are great for everyday use, but there’s one thing they can’t offer: a relaxing, muscle-soothing soak. The hydrotherapy benefits of soaking in hot water can be helpful if you:

• Exercise or play sports and need to relax your muscles
• Have any conditions that cause chronic joint or muscle pain
• Are in recovery from certain injuries
• Simply enjoy the rest and rejuvenation of a relaxing bath

Bonus tip: If you’re looking for a tub for hydrotherapy purposes, talk to your design consultant about oversized tubs, jets, and other features that could maximize comfort.

Tub Shower Combos Create Versatility for Families

Oftentimes, homeowners want to replace their walk-in shower because a shower alone doesn’t accommodate everyone in the household. This is where a tub-shower combo really shines.

As the name suggests, a tub-shower combo has both a soaking tub and a typical shower, allowing you to use one or the other interchangeably. This is a great choice if you’re remodeling a bathroom that multiple age groups are using (as in kids under five who take baths and kids over five who take showers) or if you have young kids and plan to stay in your home as they get older.

Bonus tip: If you are designing a tub-shower combo for multiple household members, ask your design consultant about storage solutions like tower caddies to keep everyone’s toiletries organized.

One Tub Can Boost Your Property Value

Some smaller, newer, or recently flipped properties may not have any bathtub at all. While walk-in showers are a great remodel that can support a higher property value, it can be beneficial to offer at least one bathtub in your home.

In a larger bathroom, you can always opt to keep your walk-in shower and install a separate, standalone bathtub to boost your property value. If your space is limited, a tub-shower combo is probably the best option.

Bonus tip: A bathtub isn’t always the key to increasing your property value, especially in markets that have a lot of senior homebuyers who will prioritize accessibility. Before you invest in your property specifically to boost your property value, consult a local real estate expert to discover which renovations will have the highest ROI in your region.

At this point, you may be itching to get started on your shower-to-tub conversion. Before you commit, let’s look at a few important considerations that may come into play.

Your Current Shower Footprint

The easiest shower-to-tub conversion is one that maintains the same (or similar) dimensions. For example, if your current walk-in shower has a 30” x 60” base, it will be simple to find a standard tub that will fit in that same wet area.

If, however, you have a stall shower with a base of 30”-32” x 30”-32”, your remodel will be a little more complicated and costly. Because in this case your new bathtub will take up more space, your shower-to-tub conversion could require additional plumbing and even the relocation of surrounding features.

Your Overall Bathroom Footprint

In many cases, expanding your plumbing or adjusting the layout of your bathroom to accommodate a tub that is larger than your old shower is doable. However, it will come down to the footprint not just of your existing shower, but your overall bathroom.

Stall showers are typically used to save space in small bathrooms. If you have a stall shower in your home, it’s possible that you simply don’t have the square footage in the bathroom you want to remodel to accommodate a standard bathtub. Unfortunately, major changes like knocking out a wall to expand your bathroom will require the help of a general contractor, as opposed to a bathroom remodeler like ZINTEX.

Bathroom Accessibility and Future Needs

Before you decide to replace a walk-in shower with a tub or tub-shower combo, it’s important to think about your future. How long do you plan to stay in your current home? Do you plan to age in place?

Walk-in showers are ideal for aging in place because even a deep threshold is typically only 6” or less, as compared to the 14” minimum ledge of a bathtub. When combined with grab bars and built-in seating, walk-in showers are one of the best bathroom features for seniors or disabled household members because that lower threshold is safer to step over.

If you’re looking for the benefits of hydrotherapy but don’t want to lose the easy access of a walk-in shower, consider a walk-in tub. If you want that tub-shower experience, talk to your design consultant about walk-in tub-shower combos.

Replacing your shower with a tub or tub-shower combo might just be the remodel that transforms your house into a true home. The next step is finding the bathroom remodeler you trust to get the job done.

As a certified and award-winning company with 25 years of experience under our belts, the professionals at ZINTEX are here to deliver a five-star shower-to-tub conversion. Click the button below to schedule a consultation today!