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Walk-In Shower Conversion in Roanoke, VA

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

A walk-in shower conversion is the most common single-scope bathroom project in Roanoke: pull the old tub or basic fiberglass shower, waterproof the framing correctly, tile a curbless or low-curb walk-in, install a glass panel or door, and set a modern shower valve. Most conversions run $9,500 to $18,000 depending on size, tile choice, and whether the door is a fixed panel or a full enclosure. Turnaround is typically 10 to 14 working days. The right waterproofing method (Schluter Kerdi, RedGard, or a similar sheet or liquid membrane, backed by proper slope and drain choice) is what separates a shower that lasts 20 years from one that leaks in 3.

What is included

  • Full waterproofing per TCNA and manufacturer guidelines, Schluter, RedGard, or hot-mopped where the substrate calls for it
  • Proper slope to drain, verified with a water test before tile goes down
  • Tile installation with the right thinset for the substrate and tile type (porcelain, ceramic, stone)
  • Linear or point drains available; ADA-compliant curbless options for aging-in-place remodels
  • Modern shower valve installation (Delta, Moen, Kohler, or Grohe, your choice)
  • Glass door or fixed panel installation, tempered per code
  • Old fixtures hauled and disposed properly
  • Two-year workmanship warranty on the entire installation

Common questions about shower conversion

How long does a walk-in shower conversion take?

Most conversions run 10 to 14 working days from demo start to final walkthrough. Day 1 is demo. Days 2-4 are rough plumbing, framing corrections, and inspection. Days 5-7 are waterproofing, cure time, and prep. Days 8-11 are tile setting and grout. Days 12-14 are glass install, fixture set, silicone, and final punch list. Curbless conversions add 1-2 days for the recessed drain and slope work.

How much does a walk-in shower conversion cost in Roanoke?

Most walk-in shower conversions in Roanoke run $9,500 to $18,000. A basic 60-inch alcove tile shower with a standard glass panel and mid-grade tile lands at $9,500 to $12,000. A larger walk-in with premium porcelain, a linear drain, and a full glass enclosure runs $14,000 to $18,000. Curbless (zero-entry) conversions add $1,500 to $2,500 because of the recessed subfloor work. Custom bench seats, niches, and mosaic accents add scope and cost proportionally.

Should I keep a tub or convert to a walk-in shower?

This is a personal decision, but a practical one. If it is your only tub in the house and you have young kids or plan to sell to a family, keep the tub. If it is a secondary bath or the primary in an aging-in-place scenario, a walk-in shower is usually the right call. In the Roanoke resale market, most agents will tell you the primary bath should have a shower and either the primary or a secondary bath should have a tub, not both scopes need a tub. Removing the only tub in a 3-bed house can hurt resale by 1 to 2 percent.

What is the difference between Schluter Kerdi and RedGard?

Both are legitimate waterproofing systems used across the industry. Kerdi is a fabric membrane you fold and thinset over a foam board substrate, extremely reliable, well-documented, and what most Roanoke tile setters trained in the last decade default to. RedGard is a liquid-applied membrane you roll onto cement board, cheaper on material but more sensitive to application thickness. Both work when installed correctly. Schluter is the better default for anything above a basic budget scope; RedGard is fine for hall baths where the budget is tight. What matters most is that the person installing it knows the system.

Do I need a permit for a shower conversion?

Yes, if the plumbing valve is being replaced or moved, which it almost always is. The City of Roanoke requires a plumbing permit and inspection for any valve work. The contractor pulls the permit and coordinates the inspection as part of the standard scope.

Related Reading

More on shower conversion 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

Tub-to-Shower Conversion

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

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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