Top Tips for a Seamless Tub-to-Shower Conversion

There’s nothing like a relaxing soak in the tub, but who has the time to always sit in one? Showers are quicker and allow you to get in and out without the hassle of filling, soaking, and draining. Showers also evenly distribute water over the body, ensuring contaminated water is gone in seconds. 

Why Convert a Tub to Shower?

Before breaking down how to replace a tub with a shower, why would you want to make this change in the first place?

Here are the benefits of a bathtub-to-shower conversion.

Lower Maintenance

Showers don’t require the same maintenance as bathtubs. They’re better at resisting mold and mildew, and you don’t need to spray and scrub the walls to keep your shower clean. The same cannot be said for your bathtub, which requires regular attention.

More Space

Even the smallest bathtubs take up a considerable amount of space. You open up your bathroom when you convert a bathtub to a shower.

Freeing up space in your bathroom can make the room feel more spacious than before.

More Cost-Effective

Baths are a luxury that few people can indulge in regularly. Think about the tub-to-shower conversion costs and how much use you’re likely to get out of your shower vs. your old bathtub.

Consider how many showers you’ll take per year, and it’s easy to see that this is a cost-effective investment with a high rate of return.

The Safer Solution

Bathing has so many hidden dangers. Stepping over the wall of the tub can lead to tripping and slipping. It’s one of the most common causes of falls at home, which you need to consider if you’re older or have young children.

With a shower, you’re always standing and can step in and out with ease. It’s just the safer solution.

Customizable

A new shower gives you more options than you had before. Add shelves, mounted soap dishes, shaving stands, or even a corner bench if you feel like relaxing while the water pours over your head.

Your tub-to-shower conversion gives you more convenience and options to enjoy your bathing experience.

Make Your Home More Appealing

Planning to sell your home in the next couple of years?

If so, know that many people prefer showers over baths because they’re more convenient for busy people on the go. Including a shower as part of your home can add thousands to its value because you’re giving potential buyers what they want.

While it may not be a priority for you, it’s still something to keep in mind.

How Long Does It Take to Convert a Tub into a Shower?

Nobody wants to go days without a functional bathroom. It leaves you relying on friendly neighbors or public facilities.

The average bath-to-shower conversion doesn’t take anywhere near as long as you might think. Experienced contractors, such as those from Bordner, can convert a tub to a walk-in shower in as little as 24 hours.

We understand how frustrating having your bathroom entirely out of action can be. That’s why our contractors work as fast as possible without compromising on quality to complete your tub-to-shower conversion.

6 Tips for a Seamless Tub-to-Shower Conversion

How do you replace a bathtub with a shower? It’s not as complicated as you think. Streamline the process and reduce the chances of any potential headaches down the road by preparing for your new shower well in advance.

Here’s what you need to know about making this process a breeze.

1. Hire a Professional Team

Many homeowners go the DIY route because they believe it’s the more affordable option. At face value, they’re right. But that doesn’t take into account all the problems that arise when mistakes happen.

You’re messing with the plumbing system, which is a highly complex part of your home. Many DIYers try the conversion themselves, mess it up, and find themselves paying a professional team more to fix all the damage.

The solution is to hire a professional team from the start. You’re covered in the event a disaster occurs, your shower may even come with a warranty, and you’ll get a higher-quality finish because this is what these professionals do for a living.

Bordner proudly serves the people of Kansas City, Missouri, with simple, swift, and cost-effective tub-to-shower conversions across the city and in the greater metropolitan area. Contact Bordner now to learn more about what a professional team can do for you.

2. Measure Out the Space

While measuring your proposed shower space isn’t necessary, you’ll help your team by giving them a rough idea of what space they have to work with.

It’s also an ideal step to follow if you’re still choosing the size and features of your new shower. You can receive tailored recommendations for what might work with your bathroom with just some basic measurements.

In particular, measuring the space allows you to factor in the shower door. The biggest DIY disaster in the bathroom is inexperienced DIYers failing to account for the swing of the shower door, which can set your project back by weeks since you’ll have to rip the whole thing out and start again.

You don’t have to have a shower door if your bathroom is tiny. Small panels, a sliding door, or a curtain can keep most of the water inside. However, traditional doors are recommended because they’re the most effective option for containing the water inside.

3. Consider Lighting & Tile Options

The tiles and lighting of your bathroom make all the difference. The combination you choose can leave your bathroom feeling bland and cramped, or it can result in a bathroom that’s trendy, full of light, and a pleasure to spend time in.

Changing out your bathtub in favor of a shower alters the entire makeup of your bathroom. The key to getting the bathroom of your dreams is a polished-looking shower that fits in with the lighting and tile options.

Also, you’ll need to consider any lights installed within your shower. In some cases, you may want to combine your conversion with new lighting and tile.

Giving your bathroom a facelift can make you feel like you’ve installed an entirely new bathroom at a fraction of the cost.

4. Don’t Convert Your Only Tub

The caveat to a tub-to-shower conversion is that you shouldn’t rip out your only bathtub. Showers are always in demand, but if that’s all you have, your home won’t be suited to those with children.

Many people prefer tubs to bathe their children safely. If you only have a single tub, consider installing a showerhead in the tub so it can be used for both.

Of course, if you don’t care about resale value or are not planning to move, you can still choose to convert your only tub.

5. Think About It

Carefully weigh your options before you convert a bathtub to a shower. Think about the shower you want, and then give yourself at least 24 hours to consider it. You don’t want to change your mind halfway through the conversion when it’s much too late.

You may also want to talk it over with family and friends to get some inspiration for how you want your standalone shower to look after the conversion.

6. Prepare the Area Before Your Team Arrives

Preparing the area before your team arrives doesn’t have to necessitate anything drastic. Any qualified team will already have everything they need to do the job, including coverings and other protective equipment for your other fixtures and fittings.

However, you can help your team get to work immediately by clearing out your bathroom before they arrive. Remove all those soaps, bottles, and anything else that might be sitting on the edge of the sink. If you can scrub your tub, it’ll also be much appreciated by your contractors.

Make Your Bathroom Upgrades Count with Bordner

Home improvement is the ultimate American past-time. Whether you want to free up some bathroom space or find that you’re not getting any use out of your tub, converting it to a shower is a great way to get one step closer to your dream bathroom.

The last thing you want to experience during your home improvement project is unexpected costs and fixes. Bordner Home Improvement specializes in shower and bathtub installation in the Kansas City area, and we are ready to provide you with the upgrades that really count. Our friendly, experienced team can move at lightning speed to ensure your bathroom is out of use for the shortest time possible.

To learn more about your options for converting your old tub to a modern shower with all the cutting-edge features, contact the Bordner team by calling us at 816-852-3745.