Bath conversions come out on top in the list of the 5 most common remodeling projects for homeowners. Surprised? For years, kitchens reigned supreme as the most popular room to renovate. Not anymore.
Bathrooms have gotten more attention these days for good reason. Bathroom remodels yield the biggest return on the investment. For every dollar you spend on a minor cosmetic change, you can expect to increase your home’s value by $1.71.
Before you dive into a bath conversion project, you’ll want to decide which is better: bathtub, shower, or both? The answer might surprise you.
There was a time when real estate agents would advise homeowners against replacing a bathtub with a shower. Doing so could turn a full bath into a three-quarter bath. This can be a risky choice if you only have one bathroom in your home. It might turn off future buyers if you don’t have at least one full bath in your home.
Residences with more than one bath don’t have to worry about taking a hit on their home’s worth with a tub-to-shower conversion. Homes with a second or third bath to transform can enjoy a boost in their overall value. If your home has at least one bathtub, feel free to embark on a shower to bathtub or tub-to-shower conversion project.
Bathtubs have many advantages. One of the biggest benefits is they often are cheaper to install than showers. Standard tubs cost between $400 and $8,000, depending on the brand you choose and any space constraints. Besides affordability, there are other reasons why having a bathtub in your home benefits you.
Most parents prefer bathing their young children in the tub versus the shower. When only a shower is available it forces parents to get in with their little ones, which can be inconvenient and unsafe. Kids eventually reach an age where it makes them uncomfortable to shower with a parent, but they still can’t navigate the shower without help. Having a bath is a great solution.
There’s nothing quite like a soak in the tub to soothe sore muscles or relax after a long day at work. If you’re among the 1 in 5 Americans who suffer from chronic pain, a bathtub can be your salvation. Toss in some Epsom salts or your favorite bath bombs to enjoy some downtime before bed.
Shower-tub combinations are among the most common type of bathroom fixtures. Not only are they practical, but they also are efficient. Even if your tub and shower are separate, there can be challenges associated with having a bathtub.
Some of the downsides to bathtubs include:
Workarounds like walk-in bathtubs can be used to remedy some of these disadvantages. You can talk to your bath conversion specialist to explore all your options before deciding.
Showers have many advantages for homeowners. They provide easy access to those with mobility issues. Grab bars, non-slip tiles, and benches are among the features easily added to improve shower safety for everyone. Here are some other reasons you may want a shower instead of a bathtub if you must decide between the two.
High-end features for showers are virtually limitless. You can have your choice in fixtures, including monsoon showerheads that mimic the feel of standing in a tropical rainstorm. If you want to get sprayed from all angles, vertical spa systems can do the trick. You can even get a walk-in glass shower, one of the hottest bathroom conversion trends right now.
A full bathtub uses around 70 gallons of water, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In comparison, a 5-to-7-minute shower uses between 10 and 25 gallons of water, depending on your shower head.
As previously mentioned, showers aren’t always practical for families with young children. So, that’s a major con. Depending on the size of your bathroom, another disadvantage could be space constraints that make fitting into a stand-up shower challenging for larger people.
Some other downsides to showers include:
If you can’t decide between a tub or shower, the best solution is to have both. You can opt for a tub-shower combo unit if space is an issue. They are the perfect solution for one-bath homes to increase the functionality of the space. Tub-shower combinations also are more affordable than a separate tub and shower unit.
When space isn’t an issue, you might want to consider keeping the two separate. Working with a bath conversion specialist or tub-to-shower conversion company near you can help you decide which approach works best for your individual needs.
Before you dive into your bath conversion project, it’s best to speak with a bath conversion company near you. Just Bath delivers 5-star design and installation services for all bath conversion customers in the Pittsburgh area. You can rely on our combined 37 years of experience to help you navigate your tub-to-shower conversion or other bath conversion project.
Request a free quote today or schedule your free consultation with one of our design team members. Give us a call at 724-400-2284, send us an email, or contact us online to get started.
Just had my shower re-done and I’m in looooove!! We had it done in an AMAZING color (Alaskan Ivory) and it is absolutely gorgeous! Also, it’s very easy to clean.
We had our bathroom remodeled with Sentrel, we chose to go with the Abalone Travertine and we couldn’t be happier it looks amazing and I and my husband get compliments on our shower all the time. We would recommend them to anyone.
Loved the service, professionalism, but most importantly, the end result. Nicely done.
The difference between the before and after is so drastic that we can hardly believe it is the same bathroom. What a difference! We love it! We are so pleased with our remodeled bathroom and would recommend Sentrel Bath Systems to anyone.
When you gave us the “Dream Bathroom” you promised we were thrilled! We are proud to show our beautiful new bathroom to our friends and relatives. We highly recommend your company to anyone who appreciates quality workmanship done with concern for the customers’ wishes and needs.
My bathroom was a mess and it needed a redo, but I was worried about the expense. I couldn’t be happier with the result. The final cost remained within my budget and my bathroom is finally usable and it looks great.
Just Bath was amazing! Gave us many options and loved what we choose! Install was painless and they left everything clean! The guys did a great job!!
Just Bath was great, they did what they promised to do. Very professional and very polite. I would absolutely recommend them and Just Bath. Thank you all again. Great job guys…
