Why people swap a bath for a shower
- Easier access. No stepping over the side of a bath.
- More space. A shower enclosure or walk-in shower can make a small bathroom feel much larger.
- Easier to clean. No bath panel, fewer awkward corners and, with wall panels, no grout lines.
- A better shower. A proper shower area with a decent screen is far more pleasant than a shower over a bath.
Your options
| Option | What it is | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Shower enclosure | A tray with a door and screens | Most bathrooms; keeps water contained |
| Walk-in shower | A low tray with a single fixed glass panel | A cleaner, open look with easy access |
| Level-access shower | A tray or wet-floor area flush with the floor | People with limited mobility |
A standard bath is around 1700mm long, so in most bathrooms there's room for a generous shower in the same space, often with some left over for storage or a larger vanity unit. For more on open shower areas, see our page on walk-in shower installation. If accessibility is the main reason, see accessible bathrooms and wet rooms.
What's involved
- Remove the bath and the old bath panel, taps and wall coverings around it.
- Check the floor. The boards or subfloor under an old bath are often damp or damaged and need repairing before a tray goes down.
- Move the waste. A shower tray's waste sits in a different place from a bath's, so the waste pipe is rerouted with enough fall to drain properly.
- Fit the tray level and fully supported.
- Waterproof the walls with wall panels or tiling on a suitable backing.
- Fit the shower, screen or enclosure, and any shelves or rails.
- Seal and test, then clear up.
Choosing the right shower
The type of shower depends on your hot water system.
Combi boiler or unvented cylinder: a mixer shower usually works well, fed from the mains-pressure hot and cold water.
Gravity-fed hot water (a tank in the loft and a cylinder in a cupboard): the pressure can be low, and a mixer may need a pump to perform well.
Electric shower: heats its own water from the cold supply, so it works whatever the hot water system, and keeps working if the boiler breaks down. It needs a suitable electrical supply.
We'll look at your system and recommend what will work, rather than fitting a shower that disappoints. See our page on shower installation for more.
Tiles or panels around the shower?
Both work. Waterproof wall panels are quick to fit, have no grout to go mouldy and wipe clean easily, which is why they're popular for bath-to-shower conversions. Tiles give a wider choice of looks. Our page on bathroom and shower wall panels has more.
Seats and grab rails
If the shower is for someone with limited mobility, a fold-down shower seat and grab rails can go in at the same time. They need fixing into solid backing behind the wall finish so they'll take a person's weight, which is much easier to plan before the walls are panelled or tiled than to add afterwards.
Should you keep a bath somewhere?
It's worth thinking about. If it's the only bathroom in a family home, some buyers will look for a bath when you come to sell. If there's a second bathroom or an en suite with a bath, or the shower is for someone who struggles with a bath, the swap usually makes sense without a second thought. If you're not sure, we can talk it through.
Help with the cost
If the change is needed because of a disability or reduced mobility, there may be help available with the cost. Our guide to grants for an accessible bathroom in Fife explains where to start.
Water regulations
Plumbing work in Scotland has to meet Scottish Water's byelaws on water fittings, which set out what fittings and materials can be used. That's part of fitting a shower properly.
Frequently asked questions
Can you replace my bath with a walk-in shower?
Yes. In most bathrooms there's room for a good-sized shower in the space the bath took up.
Do I need to change my boiler to have a good shower?
Not usually. The shower is chosen to suit your hot water system. Low-pressure systems may need a pump or an electric shower.
Will the floor under my bath need repairing?
Sometimes. Floors under old baths can be damp or damaged. We check it once the bath is out.
Is it a bad idea to remove the only bath?
Not necessarily, but in a family home it can matter to some buyers. It depends on your house and who uses it.
Do you fit level-access showers?
Yes. Level-access showers and wet rooms are covered on our accessible bathrooms page.
Do you give free quotes?
Yes. Call 07453 243277 or send an enquiry, and we'll arrange to see the bathroom and give you a free quote.
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