Somebody in your house is hauling a bad knee over a tub wall at 6 a.m., and somebody else is fishing a rubber duck out of the drain, which is exactly why the walk-in shower vs tub fight never ends. Both sides have a point. Neither fits every house. So which one fits yours? Let’s sort it out before a demo crew shows up.
Who’s actually using this bathroom?
Before deciding between a bathtub and a shower, think about everyone in your household. You might have young children who still need a tub, aging parents who visit regularly, or relatives who stay over during the holidays. Bathing a slippery, soapy toddler in a standing shower can be a real challenge. On the other hand, someone with stiff hips may find a tub wall that stands 14 to 16 inches high difficult to step over. Most households have a combination of needs that change over time. Your kids will grow up, grandchildren may come along, and joint pain can become more of a concern. Families in McHenry County and across Northern Illinois know how quickly those needs can change. Plan for more than the next few months. You’ll likely live with this bathroom for many years.
Falls, mostly
Bathroom safety isn’t just about picking a tub or a shower. The CDC studied emergency room records from 2008 and found that more bathroom injuries happened in or around the tub or shower than anywhere else in the room. About 81 percent of all bathroom injuries were caused by falls. The bigger concern is often the wet floor, not the fixture itself. It only takes one slippery step and an awkward landing for someone to get hurt. Getting out of a tub or shower was a common time for injuries to occur, so pay close attention to the surface people step onto. The CDC suggests nonslip surfaces and grab bars. If grab bars aren’t part of your plans yet, you can still prepare by framing the walls to support them down the road. Injury rates also climb with age, which makes older adults especially vulnerable.
The resale question
A lot of homebuyers still want at least one bathtub in the house. For families with young children, not having a tub can be enough to rule out a property altogether. That’s why a shower or tub remodel that removes your only bathtub could limit your options when it’s time to sell. Have two full bathrooms? The decision is much easier. Convert one to a shower and keep the tub in the other. If there’s only one bathroom, take a little more time before deciding. A local real estate agent can tell you what buyers in your area typically look for.
Measure before you fall for a photo
Most alcove bathtubs measure roughly 60 inches long and 30 to 32 inches wide. If you’re replacing the tub with a shower, you’ll usually work within those same dimensions. A 30-by-30-inch shower may not meet local minimum-size requirements and can feel cramped; confirm dimensions with your building department. Going up to 36 by 36 inches can make a noticeable difference. What fits in your bathroom depends on your bathroom remodel layout, from the way the door opens to the location of the vanity and toilet. Measure the area before settling on a design. You may find the available space is tighter than you expected. At 60 by 30 inches, a shower can feel surprisingly narrow.
Water and cleaning
Choosing a shower instead of a bath can reduce water use, depending on shower length and flow rate. EPA figures put a typical shower at around eight minutes, using about 16 to 18 gallons. Filling an average bathtub, on the other hand, takes roughly 30 to 40 gallons, according to water-efficiency guides. Your own habits make a difference, though. If your shower uses two gallons per minute, an eight-minute shower adds up to 16 gallons. Filling a tub generally takes more water, including more hot water. Of course, cleaning is a job either way. Bathtubs can leave you dealing with a scummy ring, while glass shower doors tend to collect water spots. Frameless glass looks great, but every mark is easy to notice.
What the swap really involves
Many homeowners think a bathtub to shower conversion is as simple as pulling out the tub and installing a shower base. There’s quite a bit more to it. The tub drain is typically at one end, but a shower drain may need to sit near the middle. Making that change can mean cutting into the floor and moving the plumbing trap. Then everything has to be properly waterproofed. Because tile and grout are not a complete waterproofing system, the shower needs a properly installed waterproofing assembly. The shower floor also needs a slope of roughly a quarter of an inch per foot so water flows toward the drain. A simple project can be finished in a few days, but extra plumbing work, rotted flooring, or custom tile can push the timeline to two weeks or more. The catch is that you can’t see the condition of the subfloor until the tub comes out. Plan for a little uncertainty.
Who does the work matters more than the tile. Hire a crew that handles full bathroom remodeling services, because one skipped step can turn into a leak behind the wall. You won’t notice the leak right away.
And somebody’s got to coordinate every trade. The plumber, tile setter, and glass installer all share one small room. Custom glass also has a lead time, so plan around it.
Permits, because yes
In Illinois, plumbing work generally needs to be handled by a licensed plumber. If your remodel involves moving a drain, you’ll typically need a permit and an inspection, too. Each town has its own requirements, so check with the local building department before any demolition begins. Skipping those steps can create problems when you’re ready to sell your home. That’s not something you want to discover at the last minute.
So which one?
Go with a shower if you want easier entry, a more open feel, and lower water use, especially if there’s already a bathtub elsewhere in the house. Keep the tub if it’s your only one or you have young children at home. Have a spacious primary bathroom? You might have room for both. Before starting a bathtub to shower conversion, though, measure the space carefully and find out how much it will cost to relocate the drain.
Conclusion
The walk-in shower vs tub call comes down to who uses the room and how many inches you’ve got. A future buyer’s opinion counts, too. Keep a tub if you can. If you go with a shower, make it roomy and nonslip. Sort out the drain, the waterproofing, and the permit first. Then pick the tile.
Ready to Plan Your Bathroom?
Scheibe Construction helps homeowners across McHenry, Lake, Kane, and Walworth counties plan and build bathroom projects with clear communication from start to finish. Contact us today to talk through your project and request an estimate.
FAQs
Is a walk-in shower safer than a tub?
Usually, because there’s no high tub edge to climb over. That said, wet floors can still be slippery, so you’ll want nonslip tile and grab bars to help reduce the risk of falls.
Will removing the tub hurt resale?
It might, especially if it’s the only bathtub in the house. Keeping at least one tub gives you more flexibility when it comes time to sell.
What size shower fits where a tub was?
A 60-by-30-inch shower base can fit in the space, but it may feel a little cramped. Your bathroom remodel layout might give you enough room to go wider, which usually makes the shower more comfortable.
How long does the swap take?
A straightforward conversion may take just a few days. If the drain needs to be moved or you’re using custom tile, the project could take two weeks or longer.
Do I need a permit?
Often, yes, especially if you’re changing the plumbing. Check with your local building department before starting work.