think of removing your bath ? Ask yourself these questions before taking the plunge .
accord to theHouzz 2023 john trend report , more than a quartern of homeowners are get rid of the bathtub during a bathtub renovation . When removing the tubful , most people ( 77 % ) are enlarging their exhibitioner — and 20 % of those fresh showers are at least 50 % bigger than the erstwhile shower bath . Showers are certainly a hot movement and a prized feature of bath today , butremoving a tubisn’t inevitably the proper choice for every bathroom or place .
Marty Baldwin
Credit:Marty Baldwin
Questions to Ask When Considering Removing a Bathtub
We asked Ebony Stephenson ofDesigns by Ebonyabout important home plate aim and lifestyle retainer you should think about before deciding to remove a tub . President of the Virginia State Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association , Stephenson is also a Certified Living In Place Professional ( CLIPP ) and a evidence Aging in Place Specialist ( CAPS ) , so she turn over everything from good design to functionality — now and later — when advise clients .
1. Will children use the home?
“ Do you currently have children ? Will you consider have children in the future tense ? Do you have or will you potentially have next grandchildren ? ” asks Stephenson . “ If so , a tubful may be necessary for bathing the short ones . ” And though it ’s not the same , pet owners may want to consider the question forbathing and caring for their petsas well .
2. Do you even use the tub?
“ When thinking about get rid of a tub and prioritise a shower , I always check that to ask my client if they ever like to ride andsoak in a tub , ” says Stephenson . Even if they do n’t really do it now , do they wish they would , or would they like to in the hereafter ? If so , that ’s a grounds to keep it . “ If the answer is no , you do n’t use the tub , and you have another bathroom with a tubful in it , then go ahead and take the tub out , ” Stephenson tell .
3. How many baths are in the home?
“ If this is the only bathroom , then I urge clients to keep a tub of some sorting forresale value , ” tell Stephenson . Having a tub allows more flexibleness of functionality in the nursing home ; you may bathe nestling or soak a sore body if require . However , there are circumstances where retail economic value is less of a consideration . “ For some clients , this is their forever nursing home , so resale value does not matter to them , ” says Stephenson . Homes in highly worthy neighbourhood may be less concerned about appeal to succeeding emptor as well , Stephenson add .
4. Where is the bath located and who uses it?
“ quad , utilization , and localization represent a Brobdingnagian character when make such an important decision , ” says Stephenson . “ In the shared folk bathroom , we normally do a bath / shower combo to meet the pauperism of many user with different ages , heights , ability , and needs . ” You may consider the same needs for a guest bath with varied users . On the other hand , in a master bath , take away a tub may be less of a concern .
The localization of the bath and tub are also component to contemplate . According to Stephenson , the ease of moving and/or adding plumbing in a primary bath is touch on by things such as the direction of the floor joists , if the rest home is a individual - family unit or a townhome / condo with shared walls , what floor the tub is located on , and if there ’s a slab grounding or a creep distance access . Depending on the anatomical structure of the plate , removing a tub may be a orotund labor than the homeowner really wants to commit to .
5. Why do you want to remove the tub?
Is it that you do n’t necessitate or require a tub , or that you do n’t like the current vat ? “ I find that when most clients want to slay their existing tub , it is because that tub is old and dated and they just need a new tub with update features , ” says Stephenson . Today ’s tubs have an raiment of wellness andwellness featuresthat homeowners may not realize they can get with a tub . “ Those features are appealing to clients and may carry them to incorporate a tub in the remodel , as long as there is enough room and their budget allows for it , ” say Stephenson .
Pros and Cons of Removing a Tub During a Bathroom Remodel
A few professional and cons can also help oneself inform your thinking when settle if bump off a bathing tub is right for you .
Pros of Removing a Tub
extra space . If you have a bathtub that you do n’t use , especially when there ’s another tub elsewhere in the dwelling house , removing the tub free people up blank in that bathroom . The space can then be used however conform to your lifestyle .
increase availableness . “Some customer are not able to lift their leg to be able to get into a tub , ” says Stephenson . “ In that event , I either advise them to remove the tubful andreplace itwith acurbless rain shower , or if they require to keep a bath I suggest either a drop - in or undermount tub with a deck of cards so that they can easy maneuver amaze in and out of the bath . ” Removing a tub can give space for a new shower or exposit the size of an be shower . Showers are more approachable than a tub , and increase the size of it and altering the layout of an existing exhibitor can make it even more accessible by allowing room for a broad , barrier - complimentary unveiling , plenty of grab bars , and seating . Alternatively , removing a tub can give the elbow room thefloor distance necessary for cosmopolitan designing .
Modernized layouts . Removing the tubful and using the space to create a more present-day bath has a modern charm . Luxury shower have been spring up trend , but simply removing the tub can also update a go out layout , like taking out the classic 1990s niche tubful .
Improved efficiency . Tubs require a lot of water supply to fill and use , and they are generally less body of water - efficient than showers . Think of taking out the tub as another move toward a more eco - saucy design , like replace outdated and leaky shower heads or potty .
Cons of Removing a Tub
price and complexity of restoration . absent a bathing tub can be costly , especially if it ’s a heavy tub that ’s hard to get out of the dwelling . Renovating a bathing tub without alter the step and plumbing will cost less and take less time than a more complex remodel .
No outer space for imbue . Although shower are being used to create luxurious and relaxing experiences , the ultimate at - home spa experience would include both the cascade and a bath . Taking out a tub removes the power for a relaxing or even a MD - recommend soaking for your physical wellness .
Lost functionality . Youngsters are clean in the tub , and so are some pets . Removing a tub intend you ca n’t adapt those indigence in that bathroom .
Should you remove the only tub in your home?
in the main , birth at least one tubful in the home has been considered standard . But is that still the norm ? As name above , Stephenson does encourage homeowner to keep at least one tub in the home for both functionality and resale value . While it may be less of a red flag for buyers today , not take in a tub in the home carry off the power to easily bathe children and ducky , or have a reposeful soak . However , homeowners have tended toward personalizing at - home experience since 2020 , specially in the bathing tub . Ultimately the choice is yours , and as long as you consider your modus vivendi , along with budget and space requirements , you could palpate confident in the determination .
