Why Tucson homeowners convert tubs to showers
A lot of Tucson homes have a tub and shower combo in the hall bath, or a large garden tub in the primary bath that hardly ever gets filled. Meanwhile, stepping over a tub wall gets harder with age, after a surgery or with bad knees. Converting that tub to a walk-in shower gives you a bigger, safer shower in the same footprint, usually without moving walls.
AZ Atlas Builder Group is a family-owned, licensed general contractor in Tucson (AZ ROC #344537). Tub to shower conversions are part of our bathroom remodeling work, and they make the most sense for homeowners planning to stay put.
Designing for aging in place
If the goal is to stay in your home for the long term, a few details make a big difference. Most cost little when they're planned in from the start and a lot to add later.
- Low threshold or curbless entry. A low curb or no curb at all means no high step. On a slab floor, curbless usually means recessing the slab, so we check the floor first.
- Grab-bar blocking. Solid wood backing goes in the wall framing before the walls are closed up, so grab bars can be anchored securely wherever you need them, now or years from now.
- A built-in bench. Somewhere to sit while you shower, framed and waterproofed with the rest of the shower.
- Handheld shower on a slide bar. Easier to use seated and easier for a caregiver to help with.
- Slip-resistant floor tile. Smaller tiles with more grout lines, or a textured finish, give better footing.
- Controls you can reach. A valve placed near the entry lets you start the water before stepping in.
- A wider opening. Fixed glass panels or a doorless layout instead of a narrow hinged door.
What the conversion involves
Removing the tub and checking what's underneath
Old tubs often hide water damage: rotted wall framing at the tub ledge, soft subfloor, or stained drywall in the next room. We open it up, show you what we find, and repair any damaged framing with our own crew before building the new shower.
Moving the drain and valve
A tub drain usually sits at one end, while a shower floor slopes to a drain in the center or along one side. The valve on a tub also sits lower than a shower valve. Moving them is plumbing work, and inside the City of Tucson, replacing a tub or shower needs a permit if the work connects new water, drain or vent piping, according to the city's permit exemptions page. Pima County and the towns have their own offices, and we check what applies to your home.
Waterproofing and tile
The new shower gets a properly sloped pan, a continuous waterproof membrane, and tile chosen for footing as well as looks. See our shower remodel page for more on tile, niches and glass.
Should you keep one tub in the house?
It's worth thinking about. Families with young children often want at least one tub, and some buyers look for one. If you have two bathrooms, converting one and keeping the other is a common balance. If you're converting the only tub and plan to stay, your own comfort and safety usually come first. We'll talk it through with you, not push you either way.
How it works
- Site walk. We measure the tub alcove, look at the floor and plumbing, and talk about who will use the shower and how.
- Written estimate. Scope, finishes and anything excluded, in writing.
- Permit if needed. We handle the paperwork when plumbing moves.
- Build. Tub out, repairs, plumbing, waterproofing, tile and glass.
- Walk-through. We check the finished shower with you, including where you want grab bars.
While the walls are open
A conversion is a good moment to fix other things in the room that make daily life harder. Common additions include a taller toilet, a vanity with knee space or easy-reach drawers, brighter lighting over the shower, a quieter exhaust fan that actually clears steam, and a wider bathroom door if a walker or wheelchair may be needed later. Each is easier and cheaper to plan now than to add after the tile is finished.
For the price side, read our bathroom remodel cost guide.