By Kerry Hale

How to Replace Your Bathtub with a Shower

  • Friday 27 September 2024
  • 4 minute read

If you want to save space in your bathroom or don’t get enough use out of your bathtub, replacing it with a shower could be beneficial. Our guide takes you through the process from start to finish, from measuring the space to picking out a suitable shower and enclosure.

Step-by-step guide to swapping a bath for a shower

Whether you’re planning a DIY bathroom makeover or hiring a professional to install your new shower, follow these steps to prepare the room. 

 1. Measure the space

Before choosing a shower enclosure, measure the space to find the right fit. We recommend keeping your shower enclosure within the same area as the old bathtub, avoiding excessive wall and flooring repairs. Most bathtubs have widths of approximately 76cm to 91cm, and Mira shower trays and enclosures come in various sizes and configurations to suit your bathroom.

2. Remove the old bathtub

Removing the old bathtub requires a few steps. First, shut off the water supply, then disconnect the plumbing. Installing new plumbing is often the best option, as extending the old bath tap valve to accommodate a shower hose can be tricky. Therefore, you can remove everything at this stage.

Next, remove any screws, nails or brackets fixing the bathtub to the walls. If you have a cast iron bathtub, it may be heavier than acrylic or fibreglass designs. Some bathtubs are fixed to the floor with mortar, so you may need to use a crowbar to break it free.

 3. Make any repairs and plumbing alterations

If the floor or walls get damaged while removing the bathtub, repair them before continuing with the shower installation. You can also fit a shower valve and drain at this stage. Hire a professional to do this if you’re not confident with plumbing jobs, as it’s vital to get this step right to ensure a safe and water-tight installation.

4. Tile or paint the shower area

Once the plumbing work is complete, you can start decorating. If you’re tiling the walls or floor in your new shower area, learn how to tile a bathroom in our dedicated guide. Alternatively, wall panels are an excellent choice for shower enclosures, as they’re durable and easy to clean. Want to add a splash of colour? Waterproof paint provides a long-lasting finish on shower walls and is a more budget-friendly option. Discover the best bathroom paint ideas to find your favourite shade.

5. Install the new shower and enclosure

The final step is fitting your new shower and enclosure. If you’re doing this yourself, learn how to fit a shower enclosure in our step-by-step guide. When purchasing any Mira shower, you can add on our shower installation service for a fixed price. Our expert field technicians will install your new shower, so you can rest assured that everything will be in good working order and safe to use. 

Questions about bathtub to shower conversion

Find answers to frequently asked questions about bathtub to shower conversion, including the pros, cons and estimated costs.

Can you add a shower to your bathtub?

Most baths can be adapted to include a shower, offering a two-in-one solution for your bathroom. This is great for family bathrooms, where you want to keep the bathtub for kids, but the adults prefer to shower. You may be able to change your existing bath taps for bath shower mixer taps, which connect to the new showerhead and hose. Alternatively, you could fit an electric shower over your bath, but this will require additional pipework. 

Is it cheaper to have a bath or shower?

Showering is generally cheaper than bathing, as less water is used (if you don’t take long showers). Mira electric showers are designed with eco modes to reduce energy consumption further, using one heating element rather than two. We also stock eco showerheads compatible with all our showers, except electric models, helping save water.

Are showers better than baths?

Whether you have a shower or bath depends on various factors, from how much time you have in the morning to accessibility requirements. However, it is primarily down to personal preference, so neither option is better. 

If you’ve decided to replace your bathtub with a shower, discover Mira’s complete range of showers to find the perfect fit for your home and lifestyle. We have many options available, from electric to power, mixer and digital showers. Not sure which type is right for you? Learn how to choose the best shower for your bathroom in our guide.

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