According to a 2013 survey from the American Institute of Architects, 60% of homeowners prefer a stall shower to a bathtub. Before we get carried away though, there’s just one thing we recommend – it’s only wise to convert your tub to a shower if you have another bathroom that features a bathtub. The reason for this is many parents of young children want to easily bathe babies and toddlers in a tub, rather than the shower. So, unless you want to tank your resale value, try to avoid a conversion in the main family bathroom.
Ready to go? Here’s our tops on how you can make this conversion as affordable and seamless as possible.
Measure the Space
Not every shower will be a suitable fit to occupy the space currently inhabited by the bathtub. Therefore, the first step is to get an accurate measurement of the space you are dealing with. The average tub is around 60 inches wide. This is the perfect width for a great shower. However, homeowners tend to run into trouble when it comes to depth. With the finished tiling and door factored in, you’re looking at around 32 – 34 inches. As per the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s bathroom guidelines, the finished ceiling height should be a minimum of 80 inches, while the shower should comply with a standard of 30″x30″. Moreover, the center of the toilet should be at least 15 inches from the shower door for maximum comfort.
If these measurements don’t pan out, then you’re going to have to rethink your plans or enlist the services of a professional.
The Shower
The shower door is often the most overlooked item when tackling a conversion. So, to avoid a headache make sure you think about this in advance. Before you begin renovation, consider the shower door.
Where is the shower door going to go?
Will it interfere with the toilet? Or the vanity?
Is there going to be sufficient room to get in and out of the shower based on the new shower doors location? If the space looks like it might be too tight for a swinging door, what other alternatives would you prefer? Are you good with a sliding door?
You will also want to consider whether the flooring is appropriate. With a shower stall, there may be excess water and moisture as you get in and out of your shower. Therefore, you might need to upgrade to a slip-resistant flooring option. Or, simply invest in some high-quality, slip-resistant bath mats.
Fixtures & Fittings
When it comes to shopping for fittings don’t be afraid to take your time and do thorough research. You want to capture the best deals and get the best options for your style and budget. A lot of first-time remodelers feel under pressure to purchase fixtures, fittings, and accessories from the same outlet or brand. You don’t have to do this, it’s okay to shop around to get the best deal and suitable options. If you were to enlist the professional services of a designer they would mix and match from all over the place to get the right things for the right price. Typically, you choose fixtures for the aesthetic, all that matters is that they look great together.
Tiles & Lighting
Don’t forget the lighting! You don’t just want nice lighting fixtures around or outside the shower, you will also need ample lighting inside the shower. The number of lights necessary will depend on the overall size and design of your new shower stall.
Once the tub has been removed you can use this opportunity to ensure the lighting system you selected is going to be suitable and can be installed as planned. You want a highly polished shower stall so don’t forget to consider these factors from the outset of the project.
Finally, you can tackle the tiling. This should not be installed until the lighting part of the project has been completed. The reason for this is that until the lighting is installed you won’t know how best to finish the tiling. Shower lighting often meets the wall flush and because of this, it can showcase tiling mistakes. As such, it’s the last task to ensure everything is completed to perfection.
If you need further advice, get in touch with our team today!