Bathtub to Shower Conversion in Fort Worth & DFW
Replace that unused bathtub with a spacious, custom-tiled walk-in shower. We handle the plumbing, waterproofing, tile, and glass — the entire transformation from start to finish.
Why Replace a Bathtub with a Shower?
Most homeowners in the DFW metroplex have at least one bathtub that rarely gets used. Garden tubs in master bathrooms — a standard feature in Texas homes built from the 1990s through the 2010s — occupy significant floor space that could serve homeowners better as an expanded shower, additional storage, or a more functional layout.
A bathtub-to-shower conversion removes the existing tub, reconfigures the drain and plumbing to support a shower, installs a complete waterproofing system, and builds a custom-tiled walk-in shower in the same footprint. The result is a shower that is larger, more accessible, and more usable than the bathtub it replaces.
This is one of the most popular projects we perform at Water & Stone. The conversion involves real plumbing work — relocating drains, adding a shower valve, installing new supply lines — combined with full waterproofing and custom tile installation. It is not a one-day acrylic insert. It is a permanent, built-in shower that adds value to your home and transforms how you use your bathroom every day.
How a Bathtub to Shower Conversion Works
Converting a bathtub to a shower involves several phases of construction. Here is what happens at each step.
1. Demolition
The existing bathtub, surround tile (or acrylic surround), and any drywall behind the tub area are removed. In DFW slab-foundation homes, the tub drain connects to plumbing in or below the concrete slab. We access the drain connection through the slab or adjacent wall cavity to prepare for the shower drain installation. All debris is hauled away and the area is cleaned down to the studs and subfloor.
2. Plumbing Reconfiguration
A bathtub drain is positioned differently than a shower drain — typically further from the wall and at a different elevation. We relocate the drain to the center of the new shower floor (or offset it based on the shower design), install a new shower drain assembly, add a shower valve and mixing cartridge, and run new supply lines for the showerhead. If a bench seat, handheld shower, or body sprays are included, additional supply lines are roughed in at this phase.
3. Waterproofing
With the plumbing roughed in, we install the Schluter-KERDI waterproofing membrane system. This includes membrane on all shower walls, a pre-sloped shower pan with integrated drain flange, pre-formed inside and outside corners, and curb waterproofing. Every seam is overlapped and bonded. The shower pan is flood-tested for 24 hours before any tile work begins — if it does not hold water, we address the issue before proceeding.
4. Tile Installation
Shower walls, floor, curb, niche(s), and bench seat (if included) are tiled with the material you select. We use tile leveling systems for consistent joints and zero lippage, select the appropriate thinset for each tile material, and ensure the shower floor slopes correctly to the drain. Mosaic tile is used on the shower floor for proper traction when wet.
5. Glass & Fixtures
After tile installation and grouting, we install the glass enclosure (frameless, semi-frameless, or glass panel), the showerhead and valve trim, and any accessories (grab bars, towel hooks, corner shelves). Frameless glass is custom-measured after tile is complete to ensure a precise fit against the tiled surfaces.
6. Final Details
Grout sealing, silicone caulking at all tile-to-glass and tile-to-fixture junctions, paint touch-ups on any walls affected by the demolition, and a complete cleanup. We walk through the finished shower with you, test the valve and drain, and confirm everything meets your expectations before considering the project complete.
Custom Tile vs. Acrylic Shower Inserts
National franchise companies advertise "one-day" bathtub-to-shower conversions using prefabricated acrylic or fiberglass panels. While the speed is appealing, it is important to understand what you are getting — and what you are giving up.
Acrylic Insert Limitations
Acrylic insert conversions use pre-molded plastic panels that are glued over the existing wall surface. They do not include a waterproofing membrane behind the panels, do not address plumbing issues hidden behind the tub, and offer limited design customization. The panels can yellow over time, are susceptible to scratching, and cannot be repaired if damaged — the entire panel must be replaced. If the walls behind the tub have moisture damage or mold (common in older DFW homes), the acrylic panel is installed directly over the problem.
Custom Tile Advantages
A custom-tiled conversion starts with full demolition — we remove everything down to the studs, inspect the structure for damage, repair any issues, and build the shower from scratch with proper waterproofing. You choose the exact tile, pattern, layout, fixtures, and glass enclosure. The finished product is a permanent, built-in shower that adds real value to your home. Custom tile showers outlast acrylic inserts by decades when properly waterproofed and installed.
Cost Comparison
Acrylic inserts are typically marketed at a lower price point, but the gap is often smaller than advertised after upsells, custom sizing fees, and limitations become apparent. A custom tile conversion costs more upfront but provides a dramatically superior product — both in daily use experience and in the value it adds to your home at resale. In the DFW real estate market, custom tile showers are a strong selling point that acrylic inserts are not.
Recent Bathtub to Shower Conversions
We had the garden tub in our master bathroom converted to a walk-in shower. The tub had not been used in years and was just wasting space. Water & Stone removed it, handled all the plumbing changes, and built a beautiful tiled shower with a bench and two niches. The shower is twice as useful as the tub ever was. Best home improvement decision we have made.
More Bathroom Services
Walk-In Shower Installation
Open-concept, barrier-free walk-in showers with custom tile work and frameless glass panels.
Tub to Shower Conversion
Our primary tub-to-shower service page with detailed cost and process information.
Shower Remodeling
Complete shower renovation including waterproofing, tile, glass, and fixtures.
Bathtub to Shower Conversion FAQ
A typical bathtub-to-shower conversion takes 7 to 14 days depending on the scope. This includes demolition (1-2 days), plumbing reconfiguration (1 day), waterproofing and cure time (2-3 days), tile installation (3-5 days), and glass and fixture installation (1-2 days). Custom glass enclosures require a templating visit after tile is complete and typically take 1 to 2 weeks for fabrication before installation.
The general real estate guidance is to keep at least one bathtub in the home — typically in a secondary bathroom or a hall bath used by children. Converting a master bathroom garden tub to a walk-in shower is one of the most value-positive renovations in the DFW real estate market. Today's buyers in Fort Worth, Arlington, Southlake, and surrounding areas strongly prefer walk-in showers in the master bathroom. If your home has a second bathtub elsewhere, converting the master tub to a shower is almost always a net positive for resale value.
In many cases, yes. Standard bathtubs occupy a 30x60-inch alcove. We can expand the shower footprint by borrowing space from an adjacent closet, linen cabinet, or unused area — depending on the bathroom layout and structural considerations. Expanding the footprint requires additional plumbing work and may involve moving walls, but the result is a shower that is meaningfully larger and more comfortable than what fits in the original tub alcove.
No — "bathtub to shower conversion" and "tub to shower conversion" describe the same project. Both terms refer to removing an existing bathtub and replacing it with a walk-in shower. Our tub to shower conversion page covers the same service with additional detail on cost ranges and design options. The process, plumbing work, waterproofing, and tile installation are identical regardless of which term you use.
Bathtub to Shower Conversion Across DFW
Based in Arlington, we perform bathtub-to-shower conversions throughout the western DFW corridor.
Ready to Replace Your Bathtub?
Schedule a free in-home consultation. We will assess your tub area, discuss shower design options, and provide a detailed estimate for the complete conversion.