article

Replacing Your Bathroom Shower or Shower/Tub

By Bluehammer Admin

Aside from being a great place to sing, showers are an important place to make sure we stay clean. The following are some helpful tips when it comes time to replace your bathroom shower.

Shower Only or Shower and Tub?

First you need to decide on the type of shower you are looking to install. Showers-only are a space-saving contemporary option that work for those with space issues or do not have a need for a tub. Shower/Tub combos are good for families with children where having a tub helps with the nightly bath. Also consider shower/tub combos are better for re-sale if you go to sell your property as having at least one tub appeals to more potential buyers.

To Replace or Upgrade?

You've decided that your stained, slowly leaking shower is need of an overhaul. Now you need to decide whether you are simply going to replace your current shower with the same material or to upgrade your shower to a better material (think fiberglass to tile). No doubt a big factor in this is going to be cost. Also for those that have only 1 bathroom, time will play a huge factor as going without a shower for a period of time can be a real pain.

Shower Wall Material Options

Material not only affects the cost of replacing your shower but also the time it takes to complete the project.

  • FiberglassPremade fiberglass showers are easier to install and come either in one unit or in panels that are assembled. These are the most cost effective option and take the least amount of time to install.
  • Ceramic TilesCeramic tile shower walls give you options for both colors and patterns and are growing in popularity. They take longer to install but the overall aesthetic is higher.
  • Natural Stone TileNatural stone is the most elegant material solution. The tiles not only look great, but add the most to the resale value of your home. Natural stone tiles are also the most susceptible to staining as they are made of tiny fissures and natural imperfections. Making sure you have your tiles sealed (and re-sealed) helps combat stains. Natural stone tiles take the longest to install and seal adding to the reasons why they are the most expensive material option.

Shower Accessories

Deciding which accessories for your new shower will have an effect on the total cost and time it takes to complete the project.

  • Shower DoorsShower doors vs Curtains is not only a personal preference but a cost one as well. Depending on the type of shower door, they can considerably add to the cost of your shower replacement project. Shower doors come in frame and frameless options. You also can choose from a variety of glass options such as frosted or tinted. Shower doors can be easier to clean then curtains (mold) but also can reduce entry space when entering you exiting your shower.
  • Faucets and Shower HeadsShower heads come in all sorts of varieties and can really personalize your shower. Options include everything from rain shower heads that rain down water on you to eco-friendly low flow shower heads. The cost this adds to your product depends on the type and quality of the shower head.
  • Shelving and SeatingAdding shelving to your shower helps with organization. In shower-only cases, it is not uncommon to add seating in larger showers. This adds to the overall cost of the project.

Cost Factors in Replacing Shower / Tub

Below are some the main cost factors in the project of replacing your shower.

  • Removal of the old shower/tub
  • Shower/tub material costs
  • Drywall work (if applicable)
  • Re-routing of plumbing (if applicable) and the accompanying material costs
  • Installation labor and accessories(fixtures) costs
  • Hauling away and disposing of the old shower material

Want to estimate your home improvement costs before talking with a contractor? Claim your home for free with bluehammer to estimate costs, secure your home inventory and learn more about your home.

* THIS REPORT IS AN OPINION THAT MAY BE INACCURATE AND IS PROVIDED SOLELY AS AN INFORMATIONAL TOOL NOT DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DEFINITIVE ANSWERS. ALL ELEMENTS ARE OFFERED "AS IS" AND BLUEBOOK EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS, AND GUARANTEES OF ANY NATURE, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABLITILY, NONINFRINGEMENT, TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, ACCURACY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL BLUEBOOK (OR THEIR SUPPLIERS) BE LIABLE FOR ANY GENERAL, DIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THOSE RESULTING FROM USE OF THE PRODUCT, INCLUDING : (1) RELIANCE ON THE MATERIALS PRESENTED, (2) COSTS OF REPLACEMENT GOODS, (3) LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, (4) DELAYS OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTIONS, (5) AND ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION) WHETHER OR NOT BLUEBOOK HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Know what you should pay for your home improvement projects with bluehammer.Claim your home. It's free!

Popular


Replacing Your Kitchen Dishwasher

Mix water, moving parts and wear and tear and you get a dishwasher replacement project

Stylish Bath Storage Solutions: Ways to Complement Your Bathroom Vanity

Finding adequate storage is a particularly challenging problem in bathrooms, and not just because they are usually the smallest rooms in the house. Bathrooms have increasingly become the place to store a large and diverse number of items, including bath towels, beauty supplies, toiletries, hair care products, medications, soaps, shampoo, and assorted cleansers. And if the primary inhabitants of the bathroom happen to be teenagers, then the demand for storage space increases exponentially.

Home Insurance 101: The Fundamentals of Home Quality

Buying a home represents one of the biggest purchases that an individual can make in his or her lifetime. As such, the decision should not be taken lightly, and you'll want to review many factors as you search for your dream residence.

Condo Renovations: Making The Most Of Your Space

In real estate, nothing ever stays the same. In Toronto, the types of condo buyers are constantly changing, says real estate agent Cynthia Goodchild of Royal LePage Real Estate Services, Johnston and Daniel Division.

Follow These Steps Before Starting Your Kitchen Remodel

If your kitchen is looking a bit dated, consider a remodel to upgrade its efficiency and looks. Here's a quick guide to planning your kitchen update:

Which is Best: Freezer on the Side, Top, or Bottom?

Most homes don't come with a refrigerator-freezer, so that may be the first item you purchase for delivery after buying your home. But where do you start?

5 Home Upgrades For Your Vacation Rental Space

Vacation rentals are experiencing a surge of popularity as websites like VRBO and Airbnb make them more accessible. Guests can find a place that fits their budget, location and accommodation needs. Hosts can easily list their property.

Electric Water Heater Troubleshooting Quickstart Guide

Technology advances are making electric water heaters more popular than ever. The electric water heater market, valued at $6 billion in 2015, will expand at an annual compound growth rate of 7.5 percent to reach $33.22 billion by 2024, Global Market Insights projects. Advances in energy saving, comfort control and display technology are driving demand. As more homes acquire electric water heaters, home owners will increasingly require specialized maintenance for these appliances. Here’s a quickstart guide to assist you when troubleshooting electric water heaters.

Inspired Ways To Create A Guest Space When You Don't Have A Guest Room

Not all of us are blessed with enough bedrooms to accommodate every member of the family plus a home office and a man cave and a theater room and a guest space. And, it's that last one that often ends up as a challenge when friends and family come to visit and you either have to break out the blow-up bed or give up your room and hunker down with the kids. You don't need to add on or buy a new home to provide a comfortable space for guests. These smart solutions will help you create a great space for guests with minimal effort.

Easy Architectural Details You Can Add To Your Home

Newer homes, especially those geared toward first-time buyers, are often devoid of the level of architectural detail you would find in older or more expensive homes. If you're not a fan of the big, boring box look, you can easily add in some detail to up the charm factor. And, many of these projects can be done yourself with minimal skill and money.

See More Articles