Bathroom Remodeling · Naperville & DuPage County
Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Naperville, IL
Take out the tub you never use and put in a walk-in shower in the same space.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion for DuPage County and Chicagoland homes
Most tub-shower combos in suburban homes sit in an alcove about 60 inches wide and 30 to 32 inches deep. That is a good footprint for a walk-in shower. The tub comes out, the drain is relocated to suit the shower pan, the valve is updated, and the walls are rebuilt with proper waterproofing before tile.
Conversions are popular in primary bathrooms where the tub is rarely used, and for owners planning to stay in their homes as they get older — a low curb or curbless entry, a bench and a handheld sprayer are far easier to use than stepping over a tub wall.
If there is only one tub in the house, it is worth thinking about resale before removing it. Many owners convert the primary bath and keep a tub in the hall bath.
This work is usually part of a larger bathroom remodeling project, and it pairs naturally with shower remodeling and bathroom vanity installation. We do it for homeowners in Hinsdale, Glen Ellyn, Palos Hills and Lincoln Park, among the other towns we serve.
How a conversion works
The old tub and surround come out and the walls are opened to the studs. The drain is moved from the end of the tub to where the shower pan needs it, and the valve is replaced or moved to a comfortable height. A new pan and waterproofing go in, followed by tile, a niche, glass and fixtures.
Because the work is contained in the tub alcove, the rest of the bathroom can stay as it is, or be updated at the same time with a new vanity, floor and lighting.
Getting more space
A standard alcove is about 60 inches long, which makes a roomy shower on its own. If a linen closet or unused space sits beside it, borrowing it can create a larger shower with a bench. In primary baths with a separate drop-in tub, removing the tub often frees enough room for a large walk-in shower and more vanity or storage space.
Low-curb and curbless options
Stepping over a tub wall gets harder with age or injury. A low curb reduces the step to a couple of inches; a curbless entry removes it. Both depend on the floor structure, since the shower floor needs to slope to the drain. Adding blocking in the walls during the conversion makes it easy to add grab bars later.
Keeping a tub somewhere in the house
Families with young children and buyers in some markets expect at least one tub. Many owners convert the primary bathroom and leave a tub in the hall bath, or put a freestanding tub in the primary suite if there is space. We can talk through what makes sense for your home and your plans.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Naperville homes
Naperville is the largest city in the area, with the Riverwalk downtown, a historic district of older homes near it, and neighborhoods of homes built from the 1980s through the 2000s. Much of Naperville was built by production builders, so many homes share the same builder-grade kitchens and baths — oak or cherry cabinets, granite, and fiberglass tub surrounds. Naperville primary baths often trade a large corner tub nobody uses for a walk-in shower, and hall baths get new tile and vanities.
How it fits into a bathroom remodel
Tub-to-Shower Conversion can be a project on its own or one part of a full bathroom remodeling job. Here is how the common project sizes compare:
| Project size | What is usually included | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Powder room | Vanity, toilet, lighting, mirror, flooring and wall finish | Guest-facing rooms that need impact |
| Hall bath | Tub or shower, vanity, tile, fixtures and ventilation | Kids' and guest baths that are worn out |
| Primary bath | Walk-in shower, double vanity, freestanding tub, heated floors, layout changes | Owner's suites and full renovations |
Before your walkthrough
- Take photos of the room and text them to us before the walkthrough.
- Make a list of what you like and dislike about the current room.
- Save a few pictures of kitchens or bathrooms you like, even from magazines or online.
- Think about how long you plan to stay in the home — it affects how much to invest.
- For condos, get a copy of your building's remodeling rules.
Tub-to-Shower Conversion questions
Will a converted shower feel cramped?
A 60 by 30 alcove makes a usable shower. If a closet or linen cabinet sits next to it, borrowing that space makes it roomier.
Can the new shower have no curb?
Sometimes. It depends on whether the floor can be recessed under the shower area.
Do you use acrylic shower kits or tile?
Tell us what you want. Tile over a proper waterproofing system is the most common choice for a remodel.
Will my drain need to move?
Usually. Tub drains sit at one end, and a shower pan typically needs the drain in a different spot.
Can the shower have a seat?
Yes. A built-in bench or a fold-down seat both fit in most conversions.
Is a conversion a good idea for aging in place?
Yes. A low or no curb, a seat, a handheld sprayer and grab-bar blocking make the bathroom easier to use long term.
Our process
- Walkthrough. We look at the bathroom, check for water damage signs and talk through what you want.
- Design and scope. Layout, shower or tub, vanity, tile, fixtures and lighting are set in writing.
- Estimate. A written estimate that lists what is included, room by room.
- Demo. The old bathroom comes out and any hidden damage is shown to you before it is repaired.
- Rough-in and waterproofing. Plumbing, electrical, ventilation and the shower waterproofing system go in.
- Tile and finish. Tile, vanity, fixtures, glass, accessories and a final walkthrough with you.
We serve these areas
Tub-to-Shower Conversion is available across our service area, including:
Planning a kitchen or bathroom remodel?
Call or text us to set up a walkthrough. Send a few photos of the space and we will come prepared.