Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Kentucky: Process, Cost & What to Expect from UIR

Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Kentucky: Process, Cost & What to Expect from UIR

A bathtub that's used once a month — or never — is taking up valuable bathroom space in your Grayson County, Leitchfield, or Clarkson home that could be a custom walk-in shower instead. Tub-to-shower conversions are one of UIR's most popular bathroom renovation services in western Kentucky, and the results consistently exceed homeowner expectations: a custom-tiled walk-in shower in the same footprint where a dated tub used to be, completed in 5–7 working days with proper waterproofing built in from the start. This guide covers the complete tub-to-shower conversion process, timeline, and considerations for Kentucky homeowners.

Is a Tub-to-Shower Conversion Right for Your Kentucky Home?

For most primary bathrooms in Kentucky homes — particularly master baths where the tub is rarely used — converting the tub to a walk-in shower is the right renovation decision. The walk-in shower adds more usable daily value, more visual appeal, and more resale desirability than the bathtub it replaces in most Kentucky markets. The exception is homes with only one tub — in that case, UIR recommends maintaining a tub in at least one bathroom for families with young children and for resale marketability to that demographic. A UIR tub-to-shower conversion in a second bathroom while retaining the tub in the primary bath is a common and practical approach in Grayson County homes.

The UIR Tub-to-Shower Conversion Process in Kentucky

Day 1 — Demo: UIR removes the existing bathtub, disconnects plumbing, removes all surrounding tile, and demo-s the backer material back to framing. The subfloor is inspected for moisture damage from the old plumbing connections.

Day 1–2 — Rough plumbing reconfiguration: UIR's crew reconfigures the drain location from the tub rough-in position to the new walk-in shower drain position, and adjusts the valve and showerhead rough-in height to the new shower wall layout.

Day 2–3 — Waterproofing substrate installation: New concrete backer board is installed on walls and the shower floor pan is built to the correct slope toward the drain. Full Schluter KERDI waterproofing membrane is applied to all shower surfaces — walls, floor, corners, and drain perimeter.

Day 3–5 — Tile installation: UIR's tile team installs wall tile (large-format porcelain, typically 12x24 or 24x48), floor tile with appropriate texture, recessed niche, built-in bench if specified, and all trim and transition tile.

Day 5–7 — Finishing: Grout application, grout seal, glass enclosure measurement and installation, fixture installation, and final cleanup. The bathroom is fully functional at project close.

Get a Free Tub-to-Shower Conversion Estimate in Kentucky

UIR provides free tub-to-shower conversion estimates throughout Grayson County, Leitchfield, Clarkson, and surrounding Kentucky communities. Call (270) 589-3691 or visit our free estimates page. See our bathroom remodel page, walk-in shower Clarkson guide, and bath remodel services page. Browse completed bathroom projects in our gallery. Contact UIR today.