FAQs About Tub to Shower Conversions

A tub-to-shower conversion helps seniors stay safe in the slipperiest and most dangerous room in the house. Seniors have a higher risk of falling when lifting a leg over the side to step into the tub. So, for those who want to age at home, a tub-to-shower conversion increases accessibility in the bathroom.

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about using a tub cut out to modify an existing tub.

When is the Best Time to Complete a Tub to Conversion?

If you are considering a bathroom modification, it is likely already past time. Most people hesitate to make the changes that make a home safer until something goes wrong.

Almost 1 in 3 Canadian seniors fall at least once a year. Plus, over 33% of all seniors moving to long-term care do so after being hospitalized for a fall.

So, the best time to add accommodations to the bathroom is before anyone falls.

How Long Does It Take to Add a Walk-in Bathtub or Shower?

You have two options for how to approach adding a walk-in bathtub or shower.

Option 1 – Completely Remove the Old Tub and Install a New Unit

This option usually takes at least several days, although it may take your contractor much longer. It begins with a demo project where your old tub is ripped out. Then, the process of installing a new tub begins. It may require rerouting plumbing. Usually, it means tile work on the walls and often the floors, too. It is an expensive mess that makes the bathroom mostly unusable, especially while the contractors are working.

Option 2 – Modify Your Existing Tub with a Bathtub Cut Out System

Modifying an existing tub with a bathtub cut out system only takes a few hours because you don’t disturb the current setup. Using a template, your contractor literally cuts out the side of your tub. Then, the kit fits in snugly to finish off the edges. It’s easy enough that many people complete it as a DIY project. This method allows you to have a walk-in bathtub or shower before the day is out!

What is the Most Cost-Effective Way to Do a Conversion?

You can probably tell from the description of the process (above) that modifying an existing tub with a bathtub cut out system is the most cost-effective method.

We’re here to help when you are ready to make your bathroom safer.