Still thinking about my tub when I start to redo the bathroom.

Question

We only have the onbe bathroom and I doubt with just the 2 of us now that we will ever add another bath. In a previous post I was thrying to decide what to do about the outdated tub. I had decided to replace it instead of reglazing or covering with a vinyl liner. Now I am wondering if we should just put in a shower. Neither of us ever takes a tub bath. I love the looks of the showers I have seen. Any thoughts?

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

If you only have one bath, you must keep the tub even if you do not use it as a tub.  Homes without tubs just do not sell well to people who have children or those with aging adults who need to bath for medical reasons. You can get some low profile types however that work well and do not overpower the room.  
There are some very good bath outfitters that do complete walls and tub liners for very reasonable prices so be sure to check them out.

3po3 · Answer

Second that motion. As the father of a toddler, I would not buy a home without a tub.

Lin R · Answer

I am not a fan of tubs either, but agree you need one in the home for resale.

Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs · Answer

While I agree with Woodbridge, there is another way of looking at this. If you are planning to age in place then a walk in shower will be great. As you grow older you will love the idea of a walk in shower because you don't deal with the the hopping in and out of the tub.With a growing population of senior members this factor could be a selling point. A lot of things that seems essential in a home are changing, trends are changing and I have a feeling that the 'tub' in the bathroom trend will soon fade as walk in showers are becoming more popular.
If you are going to build a walk-in shower please consider the necessary elements like grab bars etc for the shower.

Designs by BSB · Answer

Yamini's point should be taken very seriously.  If you plan to stay in the home indefinitely, then consider your own needs and do not worry about resale.

Cindy R · Answer

Ok. Now I am very conflicted!! I will officially be a 'senior' in a few months. I expect I will never move from this home although I would love to sell this house and buy new I doubt that will ever happen. My parents are in thier 90's and still step in and out of the tub to shower. My mom-in law however is unable to and now takes 'spit baths' as we used to call them. Help!! What would be most cost effective with a limited budget?

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

They have all sorts of tubs that are ADA compliant if you want to spend money on a tub with a door.  
I would simply use the existing tub that you have and get a tub relining company to install a new liner and wall area for you.  They change the drain, and faucets to new so once done it looks as though you have a new bathroom for about 2/3 less the cost of pulling tub out and putting something back in its place.

If you get to the point that you need assistance to get into the tub there are several lifts and bar systems that can be fitted to assist you in getting into the tub when you need to do this.

I would suggest however if and when you decide to renovate that before any new tub surrounds are installed that the installing contractor install blocking into the wall to provide structural strength to any hand bars that you may want to use.

Also when choosing a contractor.  Ask if they are CAPS certified.  This certification tells you that they have had training in doing renovations for aging in place adults and can offer all sorts of great ideas to make your bathroom look and feel as though nothing has changed, while doing it wrong can make you feel as though your in a hospital.

Cindy R · Answer

Thanks so much Woodbridge for your advice! Your info has been most helpful! I did not know about 'CAPS' certification but will know to look for it now. Relining has been the direction I am leaning toward as that seems to be the easiest and least costly. I've been reading pros and cons about relining and in specific about Bathfitters which seems to be the one in this area most advertised. Has anyone had any experience with this company or know of another that might be better in the Seattle area?

Designs by BSB · Answer

I have not heard good reviews of resurfacing or liners for good LONG term expectations. It is often chosen for quick fixes/resales. As for costs - yes there are tubs with 'doors' available if you are afraid of selling your home w/o a tub. Additionally, Safeway can add a door to an existing tub. http://www.safewaystep.com/page/the-safeway-tub-door.php If you were to choose a walk in shower, all new across the board, costs can vary greatly depending on the construction particulars of your room/house. There are several manufacturers that sell 'zero entry' shower pans (or tile of course) - the bigger question is how the rest of the floor is going to be treating to give you the proper slope. Ive done several zero entries .. each and every job has had a different set of circumstances to what we could and could not do! Typically.. zero entry is the more expensive option. When seeking out CAPS, be sure to discuss what their experience is. The letters alone mean very little if they do not have a varied amount of experience with installations. I hope all this helps you make the right decision for you!

Cindy R · Answer

Thanks for the info. I have not read many positive reviews either. I think I will need to cost out each option and then decide what we can afford. There's no hurry in doing this. After 41 years I think I can take my time to decide what I want to do now that I have 'all the time in the world'! :)

Nichter's Home Services Corp · Answer

I have two clients who do not like tubs and have none in their homes. One has three bathrooms and all three with showers only. I re-did the third one, taking a tub out as part of a remodel job and building them a walk-in shower, as they were anticipating the need while they aged

But it can definitely be a resale issue if you don't plan to stay there till you die

Cindy R · Answer

Thanks Nichter's. We do not plan on moving. So I guess we are 'aging in place'! I really would like to convert to a shower but I think the biggest deciding factor when I get started on the bathroom will be the cost factor since with both of us retired now we are on a fixed income!

Nip Tuck Remodeling · Answer

Cindy, you have plenty of options and I'll throw in my 2cents as a CAPS certfified contractor.  If, you really are planning to stay in the home, it makes sense to make a change for your situation and not dictated by resale.  You'll want to remember that updating in this economy and spending a little more now will most certainly be less expensive than sometime in the future.  Refinishing at it's best will only buy you 5-10 years and then you will be in the same situation.  My advise would be to do it well once and never worry about it again.

Cindy R · Answer

Thank you!

Designs by BSB · Answer

If you'd like any advice on doing a curb-less shower or linear drain, let me know.. I had several installations his year, all with different circumstances!

Diana Deiley · Answer

I've never been one for sitting in my own dirty water, so I prefer showers. The bigger the better. Walk ins are priceless. Plus, a shower will give you more room for two of you. Enjoy.

Still thinking about my tub when I start to redo the bathroom.

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