Plenty of homes around Baton Rouge and Denham Springs still have a tub that rarely gets used. Turning it into a walk-in shower can make a bathroom easier to use, easier to clean and more modern. Here’s what to know before you start.
Why homeowners make the switch
- Easier access: stepping into a shower is easier than climbing over a tub wall, which matters more as we get older.
- More usable space: a shower can make a small bathroom feel bigger.
- Easier cleaning: fewer corners and ledges to scrub.
- A fresh look: new tile, glass and fixtures update the whole room.
Your main options
- Tiled shower: the most custom option. You choose the tile, the layout and features like a built-in niche or bench.
- Shower panels or a one-piece insert: fewer seams and grout lines, and often a faster install.
- Glass door or curtain: a glass enclosure looks clean and keeps water in, and a curtain keeps the cost down.
Why waterproofing matters in Louisiana
Showers get wet every day, and our humidity doesn’t give them much chance to dry out. Grout and tile on their own aren’t waterproof. What protects your walls and floor is the waterproofing layer behind and under the tile. When that’s done right, water stays in the shower. When it isn’t, leaks can lead to rot, mold and damaged subfloors that you may not see until the damage is done.
How the job usually goes
- Demo: the old tub and surround come out, and the area is checked for any water damage.
- Plumbing: the drain and valve are moved or updated for the new shower.
- Base and waterproofing: a shower pan or base goes in, and the walls are prepared and waterproofed.
- Tile or panels: the walls and floor are finished.
- Fixtures and glass: the shower head, valve trim, door or rod go in.
- Final touches: caulk, cleanup and a walkthrough with you.
Things to think about
- Resale: if your home has no other tub, some buyers with small children may want one. If there’s another tub in the house, converting one is rarely a concern.
- Grab bars: adding blocking in the walls now makes it easy to add grab bars later.
- Lighting and ventilation: a good exhaust fan helps a shower dry out and keeps mildew down.
Thinking about a new shower? See our bathroom and tile pages, then book a free onsite estimate and we’ll look at your space together.
See our kitchen & bathroom remodeling page, or book a free onsite estimate anywhere in Denham Springs, Baton Rouge and South Louisiana.
