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Star City Bath Co

Service

Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Roanoke, VA

Replace an unused tub with a walk-in shower, most common single-day-quote job in Roanoke.

Tub-to-shower conversion is the specific subset of shower conversion where the old alcove tub comes out and a walk-in tile shower goes in the same footprint. It is one of the most common bathroom updates in older Roanoke homes, 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s builds where the original 60-inch alcove tub is still installed but no one in the household uses it. Cost typically lands at $8,500 to $14,000 for a straight swap with mid-grade tile and a standard glass panel. Timeline runs 8 to 12 working days.

What is included

  • Old tub demo and disposal, cast-iron included
  • Substrate inspection, most 1940s-1960s Roanoke homes need some subfloor and framing work under the old tub
  • Waterproofing per manufacturer spec
  • Tile installation with proper slope and drain
  • Modern shower valve, trim finishes matched to the rest of the bath
  • Frameless or semi-frameless glass panel installation
  • Two-year workmanship warranty

Common questions about tub-to-shower

Will removing the tub hurt my Roanoke home resale value?

It depends on whether it is the only tub in the house. In a 3-bedroom Roanoke home with 2 or more bathrooms, converting one tub to a shower is a net positive, buyers with the "primary bath should have a shower" preference outnumber the buyers who need multiple tubs. If it is the only tub in the entire house and you are in a starter-home market like Salem or parts of Vinton, removing it can hurt resale by 1 to 2 percent. Older Old Southwest homes with 1 bath usually should keep the tub.

How much does tub-to-shower conversion cost in Roanoke?

Most straight-swap conversions in Roanoke run $8,500 to $14,000. Basic 60-inch alcove tile shower with a standard glass panel and mid-grade porcelain tile lands at $8,500 to $10,500. Upgrading to premium tile, adding a niche, upgrading to a frameless glass enclosure, or including subfloor repair under the old cast-iron tub can push it to $12,000 to $14,000. Curbless conversions add $1,500 to $2,500.

How long does the conversion take?

Most tub-to-shower conversions in Roanoke take 8 to 12 working days. Older homes where rot turns up under the cast-iron tub add 1-3 days for subfloor and framing repair. Custom tile patterns with multiple materials and inset niches add 2-4 days for the tile setting phase.

What happens to the old cast-iron tub?

The contractor hauls it. Cast-iron tubs from 1940s and 1950s Roanoke homes weigh 300 to 400 pounds and need to be broken up inside the bathroom before removal (or, in some cases, cut into pieces with an angle grinder). Demo and disposal belong inside the fixed price; you should not need to arrange scrap pickup or pay a separate haul fee.

Can you keep the existing plumbing to save money?

Usually yes for tub-to-shower, the drain moves slightly (from the tub-end to the center of the new shower) but the water supply typically stays in the same wall. If the tub is on an exterior wall and the plumbing needs to be relocated to an interior wall for insulation reasons, that adds $800 to $1,500. Most conversions keep the existing supply lines.

Related Reading

More on tub-to-shower in the Roanoke Valley

Curbless Shower Conversion in a Roanoke Home: What It Takes

The specific structural and design considerations for converting a standard bathroom to a curbless (zero-entry) walk-in shower. Aging-in-place, contemporary design, and older-home constraints.

Schluter Kerdi vs RedGard vs Kerdi-Board: Which Shower Waterproofing Is Right?

The three legitimate residential shower waterproofing systems compared, Schluter Kerdi sheet membrane, RedGard liquid membrane, and Kerdi-Board integrated substrate. When each fits.

Other Services

Consider these adjacent scopes

Bathrooms sometimes benefit from combined scope. If you are already remodeling one bathroom, adding a second under the same permit and crew usually saves 15 to 25 percent versus separate projects.

Full Bathroom Remodel

Complete bathroom renovation from demo through final punch list, typical 3 to 5 week timeline

Walk-In Shower Conversion

Convert an old tub or dated shower into a modern walk-in with proper waterproofing

Small Bathroom & Powder Room Remodel

Half-bath, powder room, and small hall-bath remodels, tight footprint, big impact

Primary Bathroom Remodel

Primary suite bathroom builds, separate walk-in shower, double vanity, spa-scale scope

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