If your bathtub mostly collects dust (and maybe a few stray towels), you're not alone. Across St. Louis — especially in older Webster Groves and Kirkwood homes — homeowners are converting tubs into open, easy-to-clean showers. It's a project that pays off every single morning. Below, we break down why people make the switch, the design paths to choose from, what affects the price, and how to keep your home attractive to future buyers.
Why Homeowners Convert a Tub to a Shower
There's rarely just one reason. Most of our St. Louis clients are juggling a few of these motivations at once:
- An unused tub. Many adults can't remember the last time they took a bath. That deep soaking tub is taking up prime real estate for something you never use.
- Aging in place. Stepping over a high tub wall — particularly the tall cast-iron tubs common in older St. Louis homes — becomes a daily hazard. A low-threshold or curbless shower removes that risk.
- More usable space. Pulling out a bulky tub can make a cramped bathroom feel noticeably larger and brighter.
- Everyday convenience. A walk-in shower is faster to get in and out of, easier to clean, and simply more comfortable for most daily routines.
If accessibility is your main goal, our walk-in shower service is built around safe, comfortable, low-barrier designs.
Custom Tile vs. Prefab Acrylic
Once you've decided to convert, the biggest design fork is the shower surround itself.
Custom Tile Showers
A tiled shower is fully customizable — you choose the tile, layout, niches, bench, and glass. It looks high-end, holds up beautifully, and lets us tailor the design to your space and style. Tile takes more labor and more careful waterproofing, so it sits at the higher end of the budget, but it's the standout choice for resale appeal and longevity.
Prefab / Acrylic Surrounds
Acrylic and other prefab panel systems install faster and cost less. They're seamless, easy to wipe down, and a smart pick when budget and speed matter most. The trade-off is fewer customization options and a look that's more functional than luxurious.
Not sure which way to go? During your free consultation we'll measure your bathroom, talk through your goals, and show you real material options side by side — so you can compare tile and acrylic on cost, look, and upkeep before committing.
Curbless, Zero-Entry & Accessibility
One of the best parts of a tub-to-shower conversion is the chance to build in accessibility from day one. Options worth considering:
- Curbless / zero-entry showers — no threshold to step over, which is safer for everyone and ideal for aging in place or wheelchair access.
- Grab bars — installed with proper blocking behind the wall so they're genuinely secure, not just decorative.
- Built-in benches and niches — a place to sit and keep everything within easy reach.
- Non-slip flooring — tile and textures chosen with traction in mind.
These features blend right into a modern design — accessible doesn't have to mean institutional. Our bathroom remodeling team handles the full scope, from layout to finishes.
What Affects the Cost
Tub-to-shower pricing varies widely because no two bathrooms — or two homeowners' wish lists — are the same. The cost depends on your bathroom's size, the materials you choose, and the scope of work involved. Rather than quote a single figure (which would be a guess), here are the factors that move the number:
- Plumbing changes — relocating or reworking drains and valves adds labor, especially in older homes where pipes may need updating.
- Drain conversion — switching from a tub drain to a shower drain (and sometimes a linear drain for curbless designs).
- Tile vs. acrylic — custom tile costs more in both materials and labor than a prefab surround.
- Glass — frameless glass panels and doors cost more than framed enclosures or curtains.
- Waterproofing — proper membranes and substrate prep are non-negotiable for a leak-free shower and a big part of doing it right.
- Surprises behind the walls — older Webster Groves and Kirkwood bathrooms sometimes hide outdated wiring, plumbing, or moisture damage that we address during demo.
The best way to get a real number is a free consultation — we'll assess your space and give you an honest, itemized estimate. Financing is also available through Hearth if you'd like to spread the cost out.
Resale: Keep at Least One Tub
Here's a tip that surprises a lot of homeowners. A walk-in shower is a strong selling point — but you generally want to keep at least one bathtub somewhere in the house. Families with young kids often consider a tub a must-have, and homes with zero tubs can narrow your future buyer pool.
The sweet spot for many St. Louis homes: convert the secondary or primary bath to a beautiful walk-in shower, and leave a tub in the hall or kids' bathroom. That gives you the daily convenience you want now and keeps your home flexible for resale later. If you're remodeling in Webster Groves or Kirkwood, where charming older homes attract a mix of buyers, this balance matters even more.
Why St. Louis Homeowners Choose Us
We're a kitchen and bath remodeler based in Webster Groves, and we bring in-house design and quality materials to every project. Homeowners have rated us 5.0 stars on Google, and we offer flexible financing through Hearth. Whether you want a budget-friendly acrylic surround or a fully custom tiled walk-in shower, we'll help you build the right bathroom for how you actually live.
Ready to ditch the unused tub? Schedule your free consultation and we'll walk you through the options.