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


6 Smart Updates To Make To Your Bathroom

The idea of renovating your bathroom can be overwhelming, but you don't have to knock down walls or gut the whole thing to make it feel new again. Making smart updates can get you closer to the look you want without the big budget, or the big hassle.

Remodeling Your Outdoor Patio On A Budget

Creating and sticking to a home improvement project's budget is about as easy and comfortable as pulling teeth. But when it comes to a task as exciting as an outdoor space remodel, it's necessary to think and talk about the budget before taking any further steps.

Keeping Your Heating and Cooling Systems (HVAC) Running Great

Having your HVAC system checked yearly by a professional is good practice. You can also perform regular maintenance to help keep your heating and cooling system running its best.

Early Planning For Retirement And Inheritance

Question: We are nearing retirement, and are becoming concerned about our future, and the future of our children.

How To Create A Great Accent Wall

Bringing color into your space doesn't require you to splash paint up everywhere. Sometimes, focusing on just one wall can have even greater impact, or at least allow you to slowly get used to the idea of color before you take the four-wall plunge.

9 Places to Shop Online For Furniture and Home Furnishings

These days, there isn't much we don't shop for online. But if you have been hesitant to buy your furniture and other home items with a few clicks instead of being able to walk into a store and see them in person, it might be time to rethink that strategy. With so many great sites that offer easy delivery (and returns) and tons of reviews that can give you confidence in your purchase, furnishing or updating your home online is easier than ever. We have curated a few of our favorite sites.

Replacing Your Garbage Disposal

Your garbage disposal eats alot of food and then one day it stops!

The Homeowner's Summer Maintenance Checklist

New season. New tasks. As summer approaches, make sure your home is set with this home maintenance checklist.

Are Extended Warranties Worth the Cost?

Extended warranties offer consumers longer terms of coverage on service, repair and replacement for their home's appliances than the standard out-of-the-box warranty from the manufacturer. These warranties are highly profitable for retailers, as they can run up the total cost of your purchase by $100 or more, with very few claims being filed per year. Are they actually worth it?

8 Clever Ways To Zone Off Space In An Open Floor Plan

We've fallen for open-plan living in recent years. After all, not many of us have a formal room just for company anymore. And with modern building materials, we don't necessarily need every room to have four walls to keep it at a comfortable temperature. But although an open plan may bring the space, light, flow and garden views we desire, it can also feel problematic to organize into zones - and prove distracting to share. Enter the glass partition. It makes room division simple yet doesn't starve spaces of light or compromise the open feel. Decorative, at half or full height, framed or barely visible, a glass partition can work in every environment. Check out these designs.

See More Articles