Start with use, not fixtures
The strongest argument for a conversion is simple: the tub is not used, and the shower experience in that room is poor. The strongest argument against it is equally simple: someone in the household bathes, or the home would be left with no tub at all. Everything else — glass, tile, drains — is downstream of that answer.
- Who uses this bathroom, and how, on a normal week?
- Does another bathroom in the home still have a tub?
- Is stepping over the tub wall difficult for anyone now, or likely to be?
- Is the existing shower in this bathroom actually comfortable?
What changes technically
A tub drain sits at one end of the unit and connects differently than a shower drain, which sits within a sloped pan. Even a same-footprint conversion normally involves some drain work, and how much depends on joist direction and whether there is access from below. Walls that were hidden behind a tub surround often need framing correction before tile.
| Threshold | Typical requirement | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard curb | Simplest; curb built and waterproofed | Most conversions |
| Low threshold | Modest structural adjustment | Easier entry without full recess |
| Curbless | Recessed or built-up floor structure | Barrier-free access and open look |
Settle these before demolition
- 1Final threshold height and drain type
- 2Shower dimensions, including whether to widen into adjacent space
- 3Bench, niche and grab-bar blocking positions
- 4Glass configuration: door, fixed panel or open entry
- 5Tile format and grout joint width
- 6Ventilation upgrade if the existing fan is undersized
Frequently asked questions
Sources and verification
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