FISHERS REMODELING

Tub to Shower Conversion

Trade a tub you rarely use for a shower you will use every day.

Walk-in shower with charcoal vertical stacked tile, white mosaic floor and niche, and brushed gold fixtures — Charcoal stacked tile walk-in shower with brushed gold fixtures

A lot of bathtubs get used a handful of times a year, while the shower above them runs every morning. Converting that tub into a dedicated walk-in shower is one of the most practical bathroom upgrades there is: easier to step into, easier to clean, and usually a much better use of the same five feet of wall.

Fishers Remodeling handles the whole conversion, from pulling out the old tub to setting the last piece of glass. Jason Guilliam plans each one around your existing plumbing and framing.

Who a tub-to-shower conversion makes sense for

Daily shower households. If nobody takes baths, the tub is just a tall wall you climb over.
Aging in place. Stepping over a tub edge gets harder over time. A low-curb or curbless entry, a built-in or fold-down seat, a handheld sprayer, and properly anchored grab bars make the bathroom safer without making it look clinical.
Small bathrooms. Swapping a tub and curtain for a clear glass shower opens up sight lines, and a recessed niche gets bottles off the floor.

White tile shower with a stainless grab bar, handheld shower, and patterned tile band — White tile shower with grab bar and handheld shower

Alcove-size walk-in shower with a low-threshold base, sliding glass door, grab bars, and recessed niche — Alcove walk-in shower with sliding glass door and grab bars

What the conversion involves

Tub removal. We cut out or pull the old tub, strip the surround to the studs, and check for old leak damage.
Plumbing and drain changes. A shower drain sits in a different place than a tub drain, and the valve usually moves higher. We relocate supply and drain lines as needed and confirm proper slope.
Waterproofing. Walls and floor get a continuous membrane before any tile goes on.
Shower floor options. A prefabricated pan is quick and dependable. A tiled mortar bed allows custom sizes, and a curbless or low-curb entry can often be built by adjusting the subfloor or recessing the pan.
Walls. Tile gives the most design choices; solid-surface or composite panels mean fewer grout lines.
Storage and comfort. Recessed niches, a corner shelf, a bench, and blocking in the walls for grab bars, even if you add the bars later.
Glass. Framed sliding doors, a hinged frameless door, or a fixed glass panel for a walk-in style entry.

Low-threshold walk-in shower with a frameless glass enclosure and white tile — Low-threshold walk-in shower with frameless glass

Walk-in shower with large gray porcelain tile, marble herringbone niche and floor, linear drain, and matte black rain shower — Gray porcelain shower with herringbone niche and linear drain

A general timeline

Treat this as a rough outline, not a promise. Demolition and plumbing changes typically take the first few days. Waterproofing and any required inspections come next, followed by tile, which is often the longest stretch because of setting and curing time. Glass is measured once the tile is finished, and custom glass can take a while to arrive, so we plan around that lead time from the start. You get a written schedule before work begins.

Things to think about first

Keeping one tub in the home. A common consideration is resale: many buyers with young children like having at least one bathtub. If this is your only tub, it is worth weighing that before you convert it.
Entry style. A curbless entry is the easiest to walk into but may need floor work; a low curb is simpler and still easy to step over.
Controls placement. Putting the valve near the entry lets you turn on the water without getting soaked.
Ventilation. An enclosed glass shower holds more steam, so a properly sized, vented exhaust fan protects paint and grout.
Future needs. Grab bar blocking and a wider entry are easy to add now.

Shower with textured plaster walls, matte black handheld shower and valve, and recessed white niche — Textured plaster shower with matte black fixtures and recessed niche

Thinking about swapping your tub for a walk-in shower? Call or text Jason for a free estimate.

Call 317-626-5669 Text Free Estimate

Back to Bathroom Remodeling · Contact Fishers Remodeling

Tub to shower conversion FAQ

Can any bathtub be converted to a shower?

Most standard alcove tubs can. Corner garden tubs and drop-in tubs can be converted too, though they often leave extra floor space that needs a plan. We confirm what works during the site visit.

Do I need to move the plumbing?

Usually some. The drain typically shifts to suit the shower floor, and the valve and shower head are raised.

Is a curbless shower possible in my home?

Often, but it depends on the floor framing and what is below the bathroom. Where a true curbless entry is not practical, a low curb gives a similar easy step-in.

Should I choose tile or wall panels?

Tile offers more looks and lasts for decades with sealed grout. Panels install faster and have fewer grout lines.

Can you add grab bars without making it look institutional?

Yes. Grab bars now come in finishes that match your fixtures, and some double as towel bars. We add solid blocking so they are anchored properly.

Related bathroom services

Tub-to-shower conversions are part of our full bathroom remodeling work. See bathroom remodeling in Fishers, Carmel, Indianapolis, Noblesville, and Westfield, or browse previous jobs.

Fishers Remodeling · Jason Guilliam · 15697 Lin Rd, Fortville, IN 46040 · 317-626-5669 · jason@fishersremodeling.com