If the bathtub in your hall or primary bathroom mostly collects dust, you’re not alone. In many homes around Lewis Center, Powell and Westerville, the tub gets used a few times a year while the shower gets used every day. A tub-to-shower conversion replaces that tub with a low-threshold shower that’s easier to step into, easier to clean and better suited to how you actually use the room.
Here’s what to consider before you decide, and what the process looks like.
What Is a Tub-to-Shower Conversion?
A tub-to-shower conversion removes your existing bathtub and surround and replaces them with a walk-in shower that fits the same space. In most standard alcoves, the new shower uses the existing footprint, so walls don’t need to move. We install a durable acrylic shower base with a low step-in threshold, coordinating grout-free wall panels with properly sealed joints, and your choice of door, shelving, seating and grab bars.
Signs a Conversion Might Be Right for You
- You rarely or never take baths.
- Stepping over the side of the tub has become uncomfortable for you or a family member.
- You plan to stay in your home long term and want a bathroom that works as your needs change.
- The tub and tile are worn, stained or hard to keep clean.
- You want a more open, modern look in a smaller bathroom.
Benefits of Converting Your Tub to a Shower
Easier, safer access
A low-threshold shower base means no climbing over a tub wall. Adding a built-in seat, grab bars or a handheld shower head can make daily routines easier and help reduce the risk of slips. Many homeowners make this change as part of planning to age in place.
Less cleaning and maintenance
Acrylic wall panels are non-porous, so there are no grout lines to scrub, stain or reseal. Soap scum and hard-water spots typically wipe away with a non-abrasive cleaner.
A more open-feeling bathroom
Replacing a tub and shower curtain with a clear glass door can make a small bathroom feel larger and brighter.
Usually completed quickly
Because we work within your existing space and reuse plumbing where possible, most conversions are completed in approximately two days. Projects that involve moving plumbing or changing the layout may take longer, and we’ll review the timeline with you before work begins.
Things to Think About Before You Convert
Do you need a bathtub elsewhere in the house?
If you have young children who need baths, or you think you might sell in the next few years, it’s worth keeping at least one bathtub somewhere in the home. Many families convert the tub in the primary bathroom and keep the tub in a hall or kids’ bathroom.
Shower door or curtain
A glass door looks clean and keeps water in. A curtain rod keeps the opening flexible and the project simpler. We’ll walk through the options with you during your consultation.
Seating, shelving and grab bars
It’s easier to plan accessories now than to add them later. Think about where you’d like a seat, where you’ll store shampoo and whether anyone in the household would benefit from grab bars.
Plumbing location
Keeping the drain and valve where they are usually keeps the project simpler. If you’d like to move them, we’ll explain what that involves before you commit.
What the Conversion Process Looks Like
- Free in-home consultation. We measure the space, review your options and provide a detailed written estimate.
- Selections and scheduling. You choose your wall pattern, base, door and accessories, and we schedule your installation.
- Removal and inspection. Our crew protects your floors, removes the old tub and surround, and inspects the framing and subfloor.
- Installation. We install the new shower base, wall panels, fixtures and accessories, and seal the joints.
- Walkthrough. We clean up, walk you through your finished shower and explain how to care for it.
Is a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Worth It?
For many homeowners, a conversion is one of the most practical bathroom updates they can make. It improves daily comfort and safety, cuts down on cleaning, and gives the bathroom a fresh, modern look without a full gut remodel. The best way to know whether it’s right for your home is to look at your space in person.
JSM Bath Solutions installs tub-to-shower conversions for homeowners within 75 miles of Lewis Center, including Powell, Westerville, Delaware and the northern Columbus suburbs. Request your free in-home consultation or call (614) 881-5128. You can also learn more on our Tub-to-Shower Conversion page.
