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


Simple DIY Projects That Will Increase the Value of Your Home

Looking to boost the value of your home without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars? You can! Making changes in certain rooms, like the kitchen and bathroom, is more beneficial than in others. These simple DIY projects will help increase your home's value the most.

Getting the Best Estimated Home Improvement Costs Using Bluehammer's Home Improvement Calculator

The following are tips and tricks to help you better estimate the cost of your home improvement 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.

10 Key Problems to Look Out For and Fix in Your Home

Ignore some of these signs and you may end up with major issues. We tell you which are normal and which are cause for concern

How To Design An Entryway That Fits Your Need

It's easy to think you need to live like a robot to have a beautiful home, but that's not the case! The design for your home should always support your unique lifestyle. Designing a house that embraces your life and look is easy: Notice how you live.

How To Create A Statement Ceiling

Are things looking up in your home? How about people? If there's nothing to draw their eye up, you may be missing out on a great decorating opportunity. Today, the ceiling is being called the "fifth wall," and it's a great place to add color, texture, and interest to a space that is often ignored.

10 Spring Cleaning Tricks For Everyone

Lazy cleaning is all about minimizing the effort. But, minimal effort doesn't have to mean you live like a slob - it just means you need to know some cool tricks tools that will help do the work for you, or at least make it less painful.

A Homeowner's Guide To Water Filtration

Is a home water treatment system a luxury or a necessity? Based on surveys commissioned by the Water Quality Association (an industry trade group), people who viewed water treatment as a luxury rose from 50 to 54 percent between 2013 and 2015.

How To Cut Your Costs Building A Pool

Having a pool can be one of the most enjoyable parts of homeownership, but building it can be an expensive undertaking. "If you're planning to install a pool, be prepared to open your wallet," said US News. "PK Data reports that the average cost of a residential in-ground swimming pool was $39,084 last year."

Maintaining Your Hot Water Heater

Water heaters generally have a lifespan of 8-12 years, but as with anything, the better care you take of it, the longer it will last. There are several easy "set it and forget it" tips that you can use with your water heater, like keeping the thermostat at 120 degrees, and always maintain two feet of clearance around the appliance. You can also conserve money on your gas bill by setting your heater to its "vacation" setting when leaving town. This will keep the pilot light going without heating the water.

See More Articles