Are you thinking about remodeling your bathroom? There are a lot of things you can do to make your bathroom more functional. One of the most common bathtub remodeling jobs is a tub to shower conversion. Maybe your kids are long past the bathtub stage and you think a walk-in shower would be nice. Perhaps you’re tired of that shower head that hangs a little too low, or your porcelain tub is chipped and dull looking.
It might be that you’re just tired of the same old look. As with any home remodel, there is a lot to consider. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of tub to shower conversions to help you make the right decision for your bathroom.
The Pros of a Tub to Shower Conversion
You Boost the Value of Your Home
MSN’s real estate blog has some good news for you. As a homeowner, a bathtub to shower conversion adds value to the home. That might be why tearing out the tub and installing a shower is one of the most popular bathroom remodels.
Some remodeling projects never allow you to recoup your money when you sell your home. This is one that, in most cases, repays you more than your investment.
A Shower Takes up Less Room Than a Tub
If you have a lot of room you can install a luxurious shower. Sometimes you need to maximize the real estate in your bathroom. If your tub takes up most of the space in your bathroom, converting it to a shower makes a lot of sense.
A square shower unit can be installed in a space as a small as 30 inches by 30 inches. Your current tub might be 6 or more feet in length. This project gives you more room to move around, and you can use that extra space to make your bathroom more functional.
You’ll Save Money on Your Water Bill
It takes a lot of water to fill up a bathtub. You can’t really bathe effectively unless the tub is full. This is obviously not a requirement of a shower. Showering can save you hundreds of dollars a year over the cost of bathing. Some people don’t think about this aspect of a tub to shower conversion, but it’s always nice to save some money.
You Can Improve the Safety of Your Home
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States think you are making a smart decision. The bathroom is often the most dangerous room in a home. The CDC says more than 20 million people over the age of 18 sustain a bathroom injury every year, and that’s just in the US.
It is easier to slip in a bathtub than in a shower. You have to step up and over the side of the tub, and that can prove a problem as well. A tub to shower conversion can make your home, and especially your bathroom, a safer place.
The Perception of More Space
Showers with clear doors make your bathroom look bigger. They look roomier and you don’t feel as cramped. Your shower might take up more room than your tub, especially if it’s a luxury model. Even so, the room will look bigger.
Easier Access
This is nice. It’s one of the reasons showers are safer than baths. You also get a lot of extra elbow room and it is easy to make a shower handicap accessible. Build a walk-in shower without doors and you have the easiest access of all.
The Cons of a Tub to Shower Conversion
Kids Love Baths
This isn’t a big deal if you have a bathtub elsewhere in your home. However, if you are remodeling your only bathroom this could be a problem. You definitely need a bathtub in your home if you have young children.
Your Home May Be Less Appealing When You Sell
As we just mentioned, this might not be true if there is a bathtub somewhere else in the home. Families with young children might not be too keen on buying your home if you don’t have at least one bathtub.
No Tub for Soaking
Do you enjoy a long soak in a hot tub after a hard day? This is obviously not going to happen if you replace your tub/shower head combination with just a shower.