Whether you just enjoy the convenience of taking a shower or are finding it harder and harder to climb in and out of your bathtub, you may be like many people today and have a desire to convert your old tub into a shower. However, since there are many approaches you can take to this home improvement project, you may be wondering what will be best for your needs. If so, here are four tips you should keep in mind during the transition from tub to shower.
Don't Move the Plumbing
When you decide to go from a tub to a shower, one tip that will make the project easier and much more affordable will be to leave the existing plumbing in place. When you start moving pipes and other plumbing components, this takes time, is more expensive, and can lead to unexpected problems and delays. Therefore, always consider installing your new shower exactly where your old tub is located.
Use a One-Piece Shower Pan
In many showers today, homeowners decide to have a tile floor. While there is no doubt this can look beautiful, it can also add plenty of dollars to your tub to shower conversion. To get a look that will be very similar but come at a much reduced cost, choose to use a one-piece shower pan. In many cases, a professional installer can get you a shower pan that looks almost exactly like a tile floor.
Shop Around
If you will be relying on professionals to do away with your old tub and give you a wonderful new shower, be willing to shop around to get the best deal and the best contractors. As these conversions have become more popular in recent years, more and more businesses are now offering this service. Therefore, always get several estimates before making your final decision.
Use Standard-Sized Glass Doors
If you have a basic bathtub, chances are it is 60 inches wide. If so, make sure you choose standard-sized glass doors for your shower. Should you decide to make your shower area larger than your tub's width, you will then need to use custom doors, which will be much more expensive.
Since bathroom renovations are some of the hottest trends in home improvement today, converting your old tub into a shower makes perfect sense for many reasons. By asking questions of and getting estimates from multiple contractors and doing what you can to keep the project's costs reasonable, you will soon have a new shower you'll love.
