Guide
Walk-in tub or walk-in shower?
The short answer
If you still want to soak, a walk-in tub gives you a real bath with a door, a seat and a grab bar. If you mostly shower, a tub-to-shower conversion gives you a low step-in shower with a seat, a handheld and grab bars. We can go over both at the in-home estimate.
How a walk-in tub works
A walk-in tub has a watertight side door you open to get in and out, plus a molded seat. A grab bar and a handheld shower come with the tub. Depending on the model, it can also add a water heater, light therapy, hydrotherapy jets or an air-bubble system. Our walk-in tubs come from American brands such as American Standard.
How a walk-in shower works
A tub-to-shower conversion takes out the old tub and puts a low step-in acrylic shower in the same spot, so the room keeps its layout and you get more room to stand. It can include a shower seat, a handheld sprayer and grab bars.
Install time
Walk-in tubs and tub-to-shower conversions often finish in a day once materials are on site. Hidden rot or plumbing repairs can take longer, and we tell you that on the visit.
Warranty
Walk-in shower: Limited lifetime warranty on the shower base and wall materials, plus a 10-year workmanship warranty. For the original homeowner; not transferable. Walk-in tub: Walk-in tubs are covered by the manufacturer's warranty on the tub itself; terms vary by model, and we'll go over them with you before you buy. Our 10-year workmanship warranty covers our installation.
Questions
Should I get a walk-in tub or a walk-in shower?
If you still want to soak, a walk-in tub gives you a real bath with a door, a seat and a grab bar. If you mostly shower, a tub-to-shower conversion gives you a low step-in shower with a seat, a handheld and grab bars.
How is a walk-in tub different from a regular tub with grab bars?
A walk-in tub has a watertight door you open to get in and out, plus a molded seat. A regular bathtub, even with a grab bar, is not a walk-in tub.
Will either one fit where my old tub is?
A tub-to-shower conversion goes where the tub was. For a walk-in tub, it fits in the same footprint as your old tub, and we measure at the free in-home estimate to pick the right model.
How long does each one take to install?
Walk-in tubs and tub-to-shower conversions often finish in a day once materials are on site. Hidden rot or plumbing repairs can take longer.
What warranty comes with each?
For a walk-in shower: Limited lifetime warranty on the shower base and wall materials, plus a 10-year workmanship warranty. For the original homeowner; not transferable. For a walk-in tub: Walk-in tubs are covered by the manufacturer's warranty on the tub itself; terms vary by model, and we'll go over them with you before you buy. Our 10-year workmanship warranty covers our installation.
Related: Walk-in tubs · Tub-to-shower conversions · All guides
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