Walk-in shower or tub-shower combo?
Replacing a tub with a walk-in shower is one of the most requested bathroom changes we see. It is often the right call, but not always, and it is worth thinking through before the tub goes to the dump.
When a walk-in shower wins
- You never take baths and use the tub only as a shower.
- Aging in place: a low or curbless entry is far safer than stepping over a tub wall. See aging-in-place updates.
- A small bathroom: glass and a single floor plane make the room feel bigger.
When to keep a tub
- Young kids or plans to sell to a family soon.
- Resale: in most markets a house should have at least one tub. If this is your only bathroom with one, keep a tub somewhere.
- You love a soak. A freestanding tub plus a separate shower is the luxury answer when there is room.
Shower sizes
A 60" by 30" to 32" shower fits the space a standard tub occupied. 36" by 36" is a comfortable minimum for a corner shower; 48" and wider feels spacious. A built-in bench or niche needs to be planned before the walls go up.
Base and walls
- Acrylic or composite base and walls: fast, affordable, few grout lines to clean.
- Tile: any size, any look, and a curbless entry is possible. See custom tile showers.
- Large-format panels (stone or porcelain): the look of stone with almost no grout.
Doors and glass
Frameless glass is the cleanest look and the easiest to keep clean; semi-frameless costs less. A sliding door saves space where a swinging door would hit the toilet or vanity. See shower doors.
Cost
A tub-to-shower conversion with a prefab base and walls is typically the budget option; a custom tile shower with frameless glass costs several times more. Our curbless shower cost guide has New Hampshire numbers, and the shower design finder helps you pick a direction.
Common questions
Does removing a tub hurt resale?
It can if it is the only tub in the house. Keep at least one tub if you plan to sell to families.
What size shower replaces a tub?
A 60" by 30" to 32" shower fits in the same space as a standard alcove tub.
Is a curbless shower worth it?
For aging in place and small bathrooms, yes. It needs the floor recessed or sloped, so it is best planned into a remodel.
Related: showers, bathtubs, shower design finder, custom tile showers.
Shop showers
Order online, pick up in Keene, or ask us about installation.
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Tell us the room, a rough budget range and when you'd like to start. We'll come back with next steps and a realistic timeline, no pressure, no mystery pricing.
