Repeat clients for two decades, Bonnie and Mary, are elderly homeowners who needed their tub converted to a shower. Due to mobility and health issues, Mary could no longer safely use the bathtub shower combination installed during one of our earliest remodeling projects. Given advances in waterproofing technology and the rise in popularity of level entry showers, it was time to replace the bathtub with an accessible shower in the main bathroom of the home.

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About This Bathtub Replacement Project

To reduce the cost of the project, we carefully removed and salvaged the toilet, vanity, and grab bars for reuse in the new walk-in shower. The existing wainscot tile remained unchanged and in place to stay within the budget. A new waterproofing membrane was installed on the entire bathroom floor to protect the structure of the house from water that oversprays the shower. A linear drain was installed that separates the actual shower area from the rest of the bathroom. A fold-up shower chair was included to provide the flexibility of standing or seated showering. For safety, the shower also includes grab bars and a handheld showerhead and slider bar. They were chosen to complement the standard Moen showerhead.

 

Designed For Aging-In-Place

The result is a comfortable and safe shower without the safety hazard of stepping into a bathtub. The bathroom and home are not ADA-accessible, but that wasn't the point on this job. Remodeling the bathroom with an accessible, roll-in shower will allow Bonnie and Mary to continue living in their home for well into the future.

 
 
 
 
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Project Design

Dave Duewel,
Senior Designer

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Lead Carpenter

Kelly Lawton,
CRPM, CLC

 
 
“We trust Abe and he really knows what we need. He has always said that he could have this house safe for us so that we can live in it as long as possible.”
— Bonnie and Mary, Madison, Wis.