Does your bathtub take up valuable bathroom space even though you rarely use it? Or has stepping over the tub wall become an inconvenience every time you shower?
A tub-to-shower conversion can transform an outdated bathing area into a more comfortable, accessible, and attractive walk-in shower without completely redesigning your bathroom.
But before making the switch, it’s important to understand your options, installation requirements, and costs.
At Bath Fitter of Colorado & Southern Wyoming, we’ve helped homeowners transform their bathrooms since 2003. Our experienced employee installers, not subcontractors, specialize in custom-fit acrylic shower solutions that combine lasting beauty with easy maintenance.
Ready to upgrade your bathroom? Call 303-788-0200 or contact us online for a free in-home consultation, or keep reading to learn whether a tub to shower conversion is right for your home.
What Is a Tub-to-Shower Conversion?
A tub-to-shower conversion involves removing an existing bathtub and installing a walk-in shower in its place.
Many conversions use the bathtub’s existing footprint, allowing homeowners to upgrade their bathing space without changing the entire bathroom layout.
Depending on your preferences, your new shower may include:
- A low-threshold shower base for easier entry
- Smooth, grout-free acrylic shower walls
- Sliding or hinged glass doors
- Handheld or adjustable showerheads
- Built-in shelving and storage
- Grab bars or seating for added support
The result is a customized shower designed around your everyday needs.
Why Convert a Bathtub to a Walk-In Shower?
Replacing an unused bathtub can improve more than your bathroom’s appearance. Here are five reasons homeowners choose this upgrade.
1. Enjoy Easier Shower Access
Stepping over a traditional bathtub wall can become uncomfortable or difficult, particularly for older adults or people with limited mobility.
A low-threshold walk-in shower reduces this obstacle, making entry and exit more convenient.
However, a low threshold doesn’t automatically make a shower wheelchair-accessible. Accessibility depends on the overall design and individual needs.
2. Create a More Open Bathroom
A streamlined shower enclosure can make your bathroom feel brighter and more spacious.
Clear glass doors, light-colored walls, and coordinated finishes create an open appearance without necessarily changing the room’s footprint.
3. Simplify Cleaning and Maintenance
Tired of scrubbing stained grout lines and dealing with hard-to-clean shower surfaces?
Acrylic shower systems feature smooth, nonporous surfaces that are easy to wipe down and maintain. Unlike traditional tiled showers, grout-free acrylic walls eliminate grout lines where soap residue and mildew can accumulate, helping reduce cleaning time and ongoing maintenance.
4. Customize Your Showering Experience
A dedicated shower allows you to choose features that better support your routine, including handheld showerheads, built-in storage, updated fixtures, and seating.
5. Plan for Changing Mobility Needs
A walk-in shower can support aging-in-place goals.
Low thresholds, appropriately installed grab bars, accessible controls, and seating may improve usability.
The U.S. Access Board provides helpful guidance on accessible shower design, although ADA requirements generally don’t apply to ordinary private-home bathrooms.
Is a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Right for Your Home?
Before removing your bathtub, consider how your household uses the bathroom.
A walk-in shower may be a good choice if:
- You rarely take baths and prefer showering.
- Stepping over the bathtub wall has become difficult.
- Your existing bathtub is outdated or damaged.
- You want a modern, low-maintenance bathing space.
- You’re planning for changing mobility needs.
- Another bathroom already has a bathtub.
Keeping a bathtub may make more sense if you have young children, regularly enjoy soaking, or need a tub for other household routines.
If your home has only one bathtub, consider how removing it might affect future occupants. A walk-in shower may appeal to some buyers, but increased resale value isn’t guaranteed.
How Does a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Work?
Understanding the installation process helps you know what to expect.
Step 1: Evaluate Your Existing Bathroom
A professional assesses your bathtub, plumbing, surrounding walls, and available space.
Drain placement, existing damage, and accessibility needs help determine the appropriate installation approach.
Step 2: Choose Your Walk-In Shower Design
Select your shower base, wall finishes, fixtures, doors, storage, and accessories.
Your choices should balance appearance, functionality, maintenance, and budget.
Step 3: Remove the Existing Bathtub
The installation team removes the bathtub and any surrounding materials necessary to prepare the space.
Hidden moisture damage or plumbing problems must be addressed before the new shower is installed.
Step 4: Install the New Shower System
The shower base, walls, fixtures, and enclosure are installed.
Proper waterproofing, drainage, plumbing connections, and secure accessory installation are essential.
Step 5: Complete Final Checks
Once installation is complete, the team inspects the shower, tests the fixtures, and checks drainage and plumbing connections to confirm everything functions properly.
The installation timeline depends on the project’s complexity. While some straightforward tub-to-shower conversions can be completed in as little as one day, projects involving plumbing modifications, water damage, or additional repairs may take longer.
What Features Should You Include in Your Walk-In Shower?
A tub to shower conversion is an opportunity to make your bathroom more attractive and functional.
Consider these popular features:
Feature | Benefit |
Low-threshold base | Makes shower entry easier |
Acrylic shower walls | Simplify cleaning with grout-free surfaces |
Glass doors | Create a more open appearance |
Handheld showerhead | Adds flexibility for bathing and cleaning |
Built-in shelving | Keeps toiletries organized |
Grab bars | Provide additional support |
Shower seating | Offers a seated bathing option |
For accessibility-focused projects, features should be selected and installed according to the user’s specific needs.
Why Choose Acrylic Shower Walls?
Acrylic is an excellent option for homeowners who want a beautiful shower without extensive maintenance.
Key benefits include:
- Easy cleaning: Smooth, nonporous surfaces are simple to maintain.
- Grout-free construction: Eliminates the grout lines found in traditional tiled walls.
- Design flexibility: Available colors and finishes complement different bathroom styles.
- Durability: Quality acrylic systems are designed for regular use.
- Custom-fit installation: Components are measured to fit your existing bathing area.
These advantages make acrylic especially appealing for homeowners who prioritize lasting appearance and everyday convenience.
How Much Does a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Cost?
The cost of converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower depends on your bathroom’s existing condition, the materials you choose, and the complexity of installation. While using the bathtub’s existing footprint may help limit remodeling work, every project has different requirements.
Several factors can influence the total cost:
- Shower Size and Layout: Larger or nonstandard spaces may require custom components or additional installation work.
- Plumbing Modifications: Relocating drains, adjusting water supply lines, or upgrading fixtures can increase costs.
- Shower Materials: Acrylic wall systems, shower bases, and glass enclosures vary in price.
- Fixtures and Accessories: Handheld showerheads, built-in storage, grab bars, and seating can affect your budget.
- Existing Bathroom Conditions: Hidden water damage, outdated plumbing, or necessary repairs may add to the project.
Is converting a tub to a shower cheaper than a full bathroom remodel? It often can be, particularly when the existing layout and plumbing can remain largely unchanged. However, the final cost depends on the scope of work.
For an accurate estimate, a professional assessment is more useful than relying on general online pricing.
Why Choose Bath Fitter of Colorado & Southern Wyoming?
A beautiful walk-in shower starts with quality materials, precise measurements, and professional installation.
Since 2003, Bath Fitter of Colorado & Southern Wyoming has helped homeowners upgrade their bathrooms with custom-fit bathtub and shower solutions.
As a BBB Accredited business, we’re committed to dependable service and quality workmanship.
Here’s what sets our team apart:
- Over 20 years of experience: Decades of bathroom remodeling expertise.
- Employees, not subcontractors: Our trained employee installers handle your project.
- Custom-fit acrylic systems: Shower solutions measured for your bathroom.
- Low-maintenance materials: Smooth acrylic surfaces and grout-free wall options.
- Efficient installation: Many qualifying projects can be completed in as little as one day.
- Personalized design: Choose from available colors, fixtures, doors, and bath and shower accessories.
- Warranty protection: Eligible systems include a transferable lifetime warranty, subject to applicable terms.
Our installation process begins with a free in-home consultation. We’ll assess your existing bathroom, discuss your goals, and recommend a walk-in shower solution suited to your space and budget.
Transform Your Bathroom With a Walk-In Shower
Your bathroom should make everyday life easier, not leave you working around an outdated bathtub that no longer meets your needs.
A tub-to-shower conversion can give you a more comfortable, accessible, and attractive bathing space with modern features and easy-to-maintain surfaces. Whether you’re looking for a stylish upgrade, easier shower access, or a bathroom that better supports your changing needs, the right walk-in shower can make a lasting difference.
At Bath Fitter of Colorado & Southern Wyoming, we’ve been helping homeowners transform their bathrooms since 2003. With custom-fit acrylic shower systems, personalized design options, and experienced employee installers, we make it easier to achieve beautiful results without the hassle of an extensive renovation.
Ready to say goodbye to your outdated bathtub? Call Bath Fitter of Colorado & Southern Wyoming at 303-788-0200 or contact us online today to schedule your free in-home consultation. Discover how a custom walk-in shower can transform your bathroom and make your daily routine more enjoyable.
FAQ: Tub-to-Shower Conversions
Is converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower worth it?
A tub-to-shower conversion can be a worthwhile investment if you rarely use your bathtub, want easier shower access, or prefer a more spacious, low-maintenance bathing area. The best choice depends on your household’s needs, bathroom layout, and long-term plans.
Can you convert a bathtub into a walk-in shower without remodeling the entire bathroom?
Yes. Many tub-to-shower conversions use the existing bathtub’s footprint, allowing homeowners to upgrade their bathing area without completely changing the bathroom layout. Plumbing modifications or repairs may still be necessary.
How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost?
Costs depend on shower size, materials, plumbing requirements, doors, fixtures, and accessories. A professional in-home consultation provides a more accurate estimate based on your bathroom and preferred features.
How long does it take to replace a bathtub with a walk-in shower?
Many qualifying installations by Bath Fitter of Colorado & Southern Wyoming can be completed in as little as one day. Projects requiring plumbing modifications, structural repairs, or additional preparation may take longer.
Can a walk-in shower make my bathroom more accessible?
Yes. A low-threshold shower can reduce the need to step over a high bathtub wall. Features such as grab bars, handheld showerheads, and seating may further improve usability. However, accessibility depends on the shower’s configuration and the user’s individual mobility needs.
Can I convert my bathtub to a shower without moving the plumbing?
In some cases, existing water supply lines can remain in place. However, the drain location, shower base, and fixture configuration must be evaluated to determine whether plumbing modifications are necessary.
Will removing my bathtub hurt my home's resale value?
Not necessarily. Walk-in showers appeal to many buyers, particularly those who prioritize convenience and accessibility. However, some buyers prefer homes with at least one bathtub. Consider your local housing market and whether another bathroom already has a tub.
What is the easiest type of walk-in shower to clean?
Acrylic walk-in showers with smooth, nonporous surfaces and grout-free wall systems are generally easy to maintain. Bath Fitter of Colorado & Southern Wyoming offers custom-fit acrylic shower solutions designed to simplify cleaning compared with traditional tiled surrounds.
Can I customize my new walk-in shower?
Yes. Depending on your bathroom and the available product options, you can choose wall colors, finishes, shower doors, fixtures, shelving, grab bars, and other accessories. Bath Fitter of Colorado & Southern Wyoming can help you explore options during a free in-home consultation.
