Choosing Your Shower-Tub Configuration
This decision shapes how you'll use your bathroom for years to come. Walk-in shower or tub-shower combo? Freestanding soaking tub or alcove design? Glass enclosure or curtain? The right choice depends on who uses the space, your lifestyle, and what buyers in your area value most.
Quick Summary
Decision time
1-2 hours research
Impact level
High (defines layout)
Cost range
$2,000 - $15,000+
Why This Decision Matters More Than Most
Your shower-tub configuration isn't just about aesthetics—it affects daily routines, home value, accessibility, and even your water bills. Unlike paint colors or hardware that can be changed easily, this decision involves plumbing, waterproofing, and structural work that's expensive to redo.
The wrong choice can mean struggling with a cramped shower every morning, losing thousands in resale value, or facing a costly second renovation when mobility needs change. Here's why this decision deserves serious thought:
- Daily quality of life: You'll use this space 365+ times per year. A poorly sized or configured shower affects every single day.
- Resale value implications: Eliminating the only tub in a home can cost you $10,000+ in buyer negotiations. Configuration choices affect appraisal values.
- Accessibility & aging: Planning for mobility now is far cheaper than retrofitting later. Curbless entries and grab bar blocking cost little during initial construction.
- Water and energy costs: Large soaking tubs require more hot water. Dual showerheads increase water usage. Factor ongoing costs into your decision.
- Maintenance commitment: Glass enclosures need regular squeegee-ing. Tile grout requires sealing. Different configurations have different upkeep demands.
Understanding Your Configuration Options
Walk-In Shower (No Tub)
$3,000 - $8,000+The most popular choice for master bathroom remodels. A dedicated shower stall with no bathtub—typically featuring a glass enclosure, quality tile work, and premium fixtures. Walk-in showers range from compact 36" squares to spacious wet-room-style designs.
Pros
- + Quick daily showers are efficient
- + Can be luxuriously spacious
- + Easier to clean than tub combos
- + Can include benches, multiple heads
- + Modern, spa-like aesthetic
Cons
- - No option for soaking baths
- - May hurt resale if only bathroom
- - Glass requires maintenance
- - Higher upfront tile costs
- - Not ideal for bathing children
Best for: Adults-only households, master bathrooms in homes with another tub elsewhere, those who rarely or never take baths.
Tub-Shower Combo (Alcove)
$1,500 - $5,000The classic space-efficient solution: a standard alcove tub with a showerhead mounted above and a curtain or glass door. This configuration maximizes functionality in smaller footprints and remains the most practical choice for families.
Pros
- + Most space-efficient dual option
- + Essential for bathing children
- + Protects resale value
- + Lower installation cost
- + Familiar to most users
Cons
- - Tub ledge creates tripping hazard
- - Less luxurious feel
- - Standard tubs aren't deep
- - Can look dated without good design
- - Curtains can feel cheap
Best for: Families with young children, single-bathroom homes, guest bathrooms, budget-conscious remodels.
Freestanding Tub + Separate Shower
$6,000 - $15,000+The luxury option: a sculptural freestanding soaking tub as a focal point, paired with a separate dedicated shower. This configuration requires more square footage but delivers a spa-like experience and strong visual impact.
Pros
- + Stunning design statement
- + Deep soaking experience
- + Both functions optimized
- + High-end buyer appeal
- + Two people can bathe/shower at once
Cons
- - Requires significant floor space
- - Most expensive option
- - Large tubs need big water heaters
- - Hard to bathe children in
- - Cleaning around tub is difficult
Best for: Large master bathrooms (80+ sq ft), homeowners who genuinely take baths, luxury-focused remodels.
Curbless (Zero-Entry) Shower
$4,000 - $10,000+A walk-in shower with no threshold or curb to step over—the floor slopes gently toward the drain. Popular in European design and increasingly common in American remodels for both aesthetic and accessibility reasons.
Pros
- + No tripping hazard at entry
- + Wheelchair/walker accessible
- + Sleek, modern appearance
- + Easy to clean
- + Makes small baths feel larger
Cons
- - More complex waterproofing
- - Floor must slope properly
- - Water can escape without glass
- - Needs larger footprint for containment
- - Higher installation cost
Best for: Aging-in-place planning, wheelchair users, wet room designs, contemporary aesthetic preferences.
Step-by-Step: Making Your Configuration Decision
1. Audit Your Household's Bathing Habits
Be honest about how your household actually uses the bathroom, not how you imagine using it. Track for a week if needed.
Questions to answer:
- - How many people shower daily? How long are typical showers?
- - Does anyone take baths? How often—weekly, monthly, rarely?
- - Are there children who need bathing? What ages?
- - Do two people ever need to use fixtures simultaneously?
- - Any mobility limitations now or anticipated?
2. Measure Your Available Space
Configuration options are constrained by your footprint. Measure carefully and understand minimum sizes for each option.
| Configuration | Minimum Size | Comfortable Size |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-in shower | 32" x 32" | 48" x 36" or larger |
| Shower with bench | 36" x 48" | 60" x 36" or larger |
| Curbless shower | 42" x 42" | 48" x 48" or larger |
| Standard alcove tub | 60" x 30" | 60" x 32" |
| Freestanding tub | 55" x 27" (small) | 67" x 32" or larger |
Remember to account for clearances: 21" minimum in front of fixtures, 15" from centerline of toilet to walls/fixtures.
3. Consider Current and Future Accessibility
Even if no one in your household has mobility challenges today, think 10-20 years ahead. Building in accessibility features during a remodel costs a fraction of retrofitting later.
Low-Cost Accessibility Investments
- Blocking in walls ($50-100): Install wood backing for future grab bars even if not adding bars now.
- Curbless entry ($500-1500 premium): No threshold to trip over; wheelchair accessible if needed.
- Built-in bench ($300-800): Useful for shaving legs now, essential seating later.
- Handheld showerhead ($100-300): On a slide bar for seated showering flexibility.
If aging in place is a priority, strongly consider a curbless walk-in shower with bench as your primary bathing fixture.
4. Evaluate Resale Value Impact
Your configuration affects home value—sometimes significantly. Research your local market and consider buyer demographics.
Adds Value
- - Large walk-in master shower
- - Frameless glass enclosures
- - Quality tile work
- - Keeping at least one tub in home
- - Double showerheads/rain heads
Hurts Value
- - Removing only tub in home
- - Cheap plastic/fiberglass units
- - Dated shower doors
- - Poorly executed DIY tile
- - Oversized tub in small space
5. Choose Your Enclosure Type
How you enclose your shower affects aesthetics, maintenance, cost, and how spacious the bathroom feels.
Frameless Glass
$1,000 - $3,500+Thick tempered glass panels with minimal hardware. The premium choice for a clean, modern look.
Maintenance: Needs squeegee after each use to prevent water spots. Weekly glass cleaner.
Semi-Frameless Glass
$600 - $1,500Glass panels with some framing elements. A middle ground between cost and aesthetics.
Maintenance: Similar to frameless but frames can collect soap scum in corners.
Framed Glass/Sliding Door
$300 - $800Traditional aluminum-framed enclosures. Functional but can look dated. Good for budget renovations.
Maintenance: Frames collect grime and require detailed cleaning. Tracks need regular attention.
Shower Curtain
$30 - $200Fabric or vinyl curtains on a rod. Least expensive and easiest to change but can look less polished.
Maintenance: Liners need monthly replacement or washing. Rods can rust.
Glass Partition (No Door)
$500 - $1,500A fixed glass panel that blocks splash without a full enclosure. Popular for curbless/wet room designs.
Maintenance: Easy to clean but requires careful shower design to prevent water escape.
6. Plan Complementary Features
Once you've chosen your configuration, plan the features that make it functional and comfortable.
Shower niches
Built-in shelving for toiletries. Plan during tile layout.
Bench seating
Built-in or fold-down options for comfort and accessibility.
Grab bars
Can be stylish—many double as towel bars or look like designer accents.
Showerheads
Rain head, handheld, body jets—consider your preferences.
Lighting
Recessed wet-rated lights in shower area. Consider accent lighting.
Ventilation
Adequate exhaust fan sizing for shower steam and glass enclosures.
Pro Tips from Experienced Remodelers
Visit showrooms in person
Photos don't convey the feel of stepping into different configurations. Spend time in working displays to understand scale and comfort.
Size up if you can
Nobody ever regrets having a shower that's 'too big.' If your space allows, go larger than minimum dimensions.
Plan glass coating from day one
Apply a ceramic or nano-coating to new glass enclosures before first use. It dramatically reduces water spots and cleaning effort.
Linear drains for curbless
Linear drains along one wall look cleaner and slope the floor in one direction, which is easier to waterproof correctly.
Test tub depth in person
If you want a soaking tub, actually sit in floor models. Depth, slope, and comfort vary dramatically between designs.
Consider water heater capacity
Large soaking tubs (60+ gallons) may need a larger or tankless water heater. Factor this into your budget.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Removing the only tub in your home
Why it's a problem: Families with young children need tubs. Buyers often walk away from homes without one.
What to do instead: If converting to shower, ensure another bathroom keeps a tub. Or keep a tub-shower combo.
Choosing a freestanding tub you won't use
Why it's a problem: They look beautiful in photos but many homeowners use them 2-3 times per year. Expensive and space-consuming.
What to do instead: Honestly assess bathing habits. A well-designed shower you'll use daily beats a tub that collects dust.
Undersizing the shower for 'just me'
Why it's a problem: Minimum-sized showers feel cramped and make tile work harder. Future buyers may not be solo adults.
What to do instead: Go at least 36x48" if space allows. The tile cost difference is minimal but comfort improves significantly.
Skipping the curbless option due to cost
Why it's a problem: The $500-1500 premium for curbless is a fraction of adding it later ($3,000-8,000 retrofit).
What to do instead: If you're 45+ or planning to age in place, build curbless now. It's also on-trend and looks great.
Forgetting about water containment in open designs
Why it's a problem: Doorless/curbless showers without proper design spray water across the bathroom.
What to do instead: Work with a designer experienced in wet rooms. Proper sizing, placement, and slopes are critical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I remove my bathtub and install a walk-in shower?
It depends on your home's bathroom count and local market. If you have only one bathroom, keeping a tub is generally recommended for resale value, especially if families with young children are common buyers in your area. If you have multiple bathrooms, converting one to a walk-in shower while keeping a tub elsewhere is typically the best approach. Master bath conversions to large walk-in showers are very popular and often add value.
What is a curbless shower and is it worth the extra cost?
A curbless (or zero-threshold) shower has no step or lip to enter—the floor transitions seamlessly from bathroom to shower. They cost $500-2000 more than curbed showers due to specialized waterproofing and floor slope requirements. Benefits include accessibility for all ages and abilities, easier cleaning, a modern aesthetic, and aging-in-place functionality. They're worth the investment if accessibility is a concern or you want a spa-like feel.
How much space do I need for a walk-in shower?
Code minimum is typically 30x30 inches, but 36x36 inches is the practical minimum for comfort. For a spacious feel, aim for 48x36 inches or larger. If you want a bench seat, plan for at least 60x36 inches. Curbless showers typically need larger dimensions (minimum 42x42 inches) to contain water spray effectively without a door.
Are frameless glass shower enclosures worth the investment?
Frameless glass enclosures cost 2-3 times more than framed versions ($1,000-3,000+ vs $300-800) but offer significant benefits: they make bathrooms feel larger and brighter, are easier to clean with fewer crevices for mold, have a timeless upscale appearance, and typically last longer. For resale value and daily enjoyment, they're often worth the premium in master bathrooms.
What's the best shower-tub configuration for aging in place?
For aging in place, prioritize a curbless walk-in shower with: a built-in or fold-down bench seat, strategically placed grab bars (install blocking during remodel even if not adding bars immediately), handheld shower head on a slide bar, non-slip flooring, good lighting, and at least 36x60 inches of space for potential wheelchair access. A separate soaking tub with grab rails can be added if bathing is desired.
Ready for the Next Step?
Once you've decided on your shower-tub configuration, it's time to plan your vanity layout and storage solutions.