Most bathroom remodeling content — ours included — tends to focus on one direction: swapping an old tub for a walk-in shower. It's a popular upgrade, but it isn't the right move for every household. Families with young kids, homeowners planning to sell in the next few years, and anyone who simply prefers a soak at the end of the day often need the opposite: a shower-to-tub or tub-to-tub conversion.
If that sounds like your situation, here's what those two services actually involve and how to know which one fits your bathroom.
Why Some Homeowners Are Going the Other Direction
A walk-in shower gets a lot of attention because it solves real problems — easier entry, less maintenance, a more modern look. But it isn't universally the better choice. Some of the most common reasons Maine homeowners request a shower-to-tub or tub-to-tub conversion instead:
- Young children at home. Bathing kids is dramatically easier with a tub, and many families with a shower-only bathroom find themselves wishing they had a tub back within a year or two.
- Resale considerations. In many markets, buyers expect at least one bathtub in the home — particularly if it's the primary or only full bathroom. A shower-only layout can be a sticking point at resale.
- Personal preference. Not everyone wants a shower. Some homeowners simply prefer soaking in a tub and never used their old one as a shower substitute.
- A worn or dated existing tub. Sometimes the goal isn't to change the fixture type at all — it's to replace an aging, stained, or damaged tub with a new one, which is exactly what a tub-to-tub conversion accomplishes.
None of these are lesser reasons than wanting a walk-in shower. They're just different priorities, and Maine Luxury Bath Systems handles both.
What a Shower-to-Tub Conversion Involves
A shower-to-tub conversion takes an existing shower stall — whether it's an old fiberglass unit, a tiled shower, or anything in between — and replaces it with a new, properly fitted bathtub. The process typically includes:
- Removing the existing shower enclosure and any surrounding tile or panel material
- Installing a new tub sized and positioned to work within your bathroom's existing plumbing footprint where possible
- Finishing the surround with your choice of materials, including options like our PuroStone™ surfaces
- Reconnecting plumbing and fixtures, including new faucets and showerheads if you want tub-and-shower combo functionality.
See fixture and faucet options
Many homeowners choose a tub-and-shower combination in this type of conversion, giving them the flexibility of both without needing two separate spaces.
What a Tub-to-Tub Replacement Involves
A tub-to-tub conversion is more straightforward: your existing tub is old, chipped, stained, or simply dated, and you want a new one in its place—not a shower, not a walk-in tub, just a modern replacement tub.
This service typically includes:
- Removing the old tub and surrounding surface material
- Installing a new tub that fits the existing space and plumbing
- Refinishing the surround with updated, low-maintenance materials
It's often the fastest and most cost-efficient of our core conversion services because it doesn't involve changing the fundamental bathroom layout —just modernizing what's already there. [INTERNAL LINK: /tub-to-shower-conversions "Compare this with our tub-to-shower conversion service"] if you're still deciding which direction makes sense.
Choosing the Right Conversion for Resale vs. Personal Use
If you're weighing a shower-to-tub or tub-to-tub conversion against a walk-in shower, it often comes down to one question: are you remodeling for how you live now, or with resale in mind?
- Remodeling for yourself: Base the decision on how your household actually uses the bathroom. If no one in the home uses the tub, a walk-in shower might still make more sense — but if kids, guests, or your own preference calls for a tub, don't feel pressured toward the more commonly marketed option.
- Remodeling with resale in mind: Keeping at least one bathtub in the home, especially if it's the only full bathroom, tends to appeal to a broader range of buyers.
- Somewhere in between: A tub-and-shower combination from a shower-to-tub conversion often satisfies both goals at once.
There's no universally "right" answer — the right conversion is the one that matches your household and your plans for the home.
Get a Free Quote for Either Direction
Whether you're removing a shower to bring a tub back, or simply replacing a worn-out tub with a new one, Maine Luxury Bath Systems handles both.
Request your free bathroom remodel quote and let your consultant walk you through which conversion fits your bathroom, your household, and your budget.
