Walk-In Shower vs. Bathtub: Which Is Right for You?

Removing a bathtub in favor of a walk-in shower is one of the most common bathroom upgrade decisions — and one of the most debated among real estate agents and remodeling professionals. The right answer isn't universal: it depends on how many bathrooms your home has, who lives there, and when you plan to sell.

The Case for a Walk-In Shower

Walk-in showers are overwhelmingly preferred by adults for daily use. They require less maintenance than tubs (no grout lines around a tub surround), look more contemporary, and use less water per use. A well-designed walk-in shower — with a frameless glass enclosure, tile walls, and linear drain — can be a genuine selling feature in the right market. Cost: $4,000–$15,000 for tile and frameless glass; $2,000–$6,000 for prefab acrylic systems.

Why Keeping a Tub Matters for Resale

The National Association of Realtors consistently reports that homes with zero bathtubs sell at a discount and sit longer on the market — particularly in family-oriented neighborhoods. If your home has only one full bathroom, removing the tub can functionally exclude buyers with young children, which is a large portion of the market in most price ranges. The general rule: keep at least one tub in the home. If you have two full baths, converting one to shower-only is generally safe.