Is It Better to Have a Bathtub or Shower?
Before you renovate your bathroom, you need to decide if it’s better to have a bathtub or a shower. These are some of the things to consider when determining if you want to go through with renovating your bathroom:
- Who will be using the bathroom? Small children typically need a bathtub while adults are more likely to use a shower. A walk-in shower, on the other hand, can be more accessible, which could make it a good choice as well.
- Are you planning on selling soon? Having at least one bathtub can help with the marketability of your home. If you have more than one bathtub, it probably won’t matter if you convert one to a shower. Of course if a shower-only home is your dream, you can always find a way to sell your home.
- What do you like aesthetically? Showers are often more aesthetically pleasing, so if you are renovating your bathroom to look nicer, a shower can be a great choice.
- How’s the cleaning? Showers are usually easier to clean than bathtubs, so if you’re looking to reduce your time spent cleaning the bathroom, a shower can be a great way to do it.
- Do you have a window? A window is a great aesthetic touch with a bathtub but can cause water damage and leakage in a shower. If the space you want to renovate has a window, you may need to consider removing the window as well.
- What will meet your needs? Determining if you should have a bathtub or a shower is a personal decision that you should make based on your personal needs. Whatever your decision, Made Renovation will help you make your dreams a reality and the process effortless.
Getting Started
When you’re ready to get started with a tub to shower conversion, there are a few things to consider when designing your dream bathroom:
Size
The size of your shower is an important factor for a tub to shower conversion. Most building codes require that showers be at least 30-inches-by-30 inches, and it’s recommended to actually exceed 36-inches-by-36-inches. The finished height of your shower should probably exceed 80 inches for maximum comfort. Make sure to consider where the shower door would open and that it can clear the toilet area and any cupboards. If you’re unsure if your dream shower can fit in the space you have, there are ways to renovate your bathroom space to make it happen.
Flooring
There are two basic types of shower floors: one with curbs and curbless. The curbs can keep water from spraying with the right amount of pitch, and curbed floors can be on the cheaper end. Curbless showers rely on a very precise drainage slope built below the flooring, so it can be pricier—though the results are stunning. Whatever floor you choose, there are ways to make it look nice and provide the right drainage.
Paint
The paint in your shower will get sprayed with a lot of water that it didn’t have as a bathtub. When remodeling a tub to shower conversion, you will probably want latex enamel paints. Latex enamel paints are the best options for the areas around your shower because they are the most durable against sprays of water. If you want the best results, choose a high gloss paint over an eggshell or flat paint. These have a greater water repellency.
Design
Your shower is more than just a few walls and a door. There are some design elements you’ll want to consider as you convert your tub. What kind of tiles do you like? What kind of faucet or shower head fits with your bathroom? Keep your design vision in mind as you make choices for your new shower.
The Bottom Line
There’s a lot to consider for a tub to shower conversion. In general, bathroom renovations can be time consuming and stressful for people trying to do them on their own. But converting your tub to a shower doesn’t have to be! At Made Renovation, we make bathroom renovations effortless so you can say goodbye to renovation stress. If you’re ready for a tub to shower conversion or need any kind of remodel, let us help you create the bathroom of your dreams! Get a free estimate today.