Walk in shower conversions for a more open bathroom

Showers and surfaces

Why homeowners choose a walk in shower

Most people who ask about a walk in shower are tired of something. They are tired of stepping over a high tub wall, of a stall that leaves no room for an elbow, of a curtain that clings to their legs, or of a shower that feels like a closet. A walk in shower answers these frustrations with openness: a wide entry, a low or no threshold, and enough space to move.

There is a visual benefit as well. Without a bulky tub or a tight enclosure, the bathroom often looks larger. Clear glass lets the eye run across the whole room, and continuous tile on floor and walls creates a calm, uninterrupted surface. In a smaller Broward County bathroom, this can feel like adding a room without moving a wall.

Not everyone wants this change, and we say so honestly. Some households need a tub, and some prefer to keep one. The guide on walk in shower or bathtub is written to help you decide, and our page on bathtub to shower conversions covers the swap itself.

Understanding the entry

The entry is the first thing you notice about a walk in shower, and it deserves careful thought. A traditional curb is a low wall at the shower edge that holds water in. A lower curb, a small ramp or a curbless entry that is flush with the bathroom floor each changes how the shower feels and how the floor beneath it is built.

A curbless entry is appealing for its clean look and easy access, but it asks more of the construction. The floor of the shower area has to slope toward the drain while the bathroom floor stays level, which usually means the floor structure is adjusted or recessed. That is a planning decision, not a finishing touch. It needs to be considered before the work begins.

A curb is simpler in some rooms and perfectly comfortable when kept low. We walk through the options and explain what each means for the rest of the project. Whichever you choose, the width of the entry matters. A wider opening feels more generous and is easier to use, especially when carrying a towel or helping someone else.

Think also about the transition into the room. The floor outside the shower should meet the shower floor cleanly, with materials that look intentional side by side. Some designs carry the same tile through the shower and the bathroom, which makes the whole room feel unified, while others change tile at the threshold to mark a clear zone. Both can look good when planned in advance.

Drainage and slope to the drain

Water has to go somewhere, and in a shower it goes down a drain. The floor must slope gently toward that drain from every direction so water does not pool. That slope is built into the mortar bed or a preformed base, and it is covered by waterproofing and then tile.

Drain position changes the feel of the shower. A drain in the center is traditional. A drain along one wall or a long linear drain along the back lets the floor slope in a single direction, which works nicely with large format tile because fewer cuts are needed. Each approach has its own requirements, and the right one depends on the tile, the entry and the room.

We keep the explanation plain: the drain, the slope and the waterproofing are one system. A shower with a good looking surface but a poorly sloped floor will cause daily annoyance. Our page on waterproofing and the guide to shower waterproofing in plain language explain how these layers work together.

It helps to know what you cannot see once the shower is finished. Behind the tile sit the substrate, the waterproofing and the drain connection, and none of them can be inspected after the surface is complete. That is why we ask for the plan to be settled, and why we recommend asking any remodeler to explain how the wet area is built before work begins.

• The floor slopes toward the drain from every side.
• Waterproofing covers the base, the walls and the transitions between them.
• The drain type suits the tile size and the shape of the floor.
• The entry is planned so water stays inside the shower area.
• The substrate behind the tile is built for a wet location.

Size, shape and where the water goes

A walk in shower can be large or modest, but proportion still matters. A shower that is too small feels like a stall, while a very large open area can leave you cold and unsure where to stand. Many people find a width that allows them to move without touching the walls feels right.

The position of the shower head and the controls affects how much water leaves the enclosure. Placing the head so it points toward a wall or the back of the shower, rather than toward the entry, reduces spray. Putting the controls near the entry lets you turn the water on and test it without stepping into the stream.

Some designs use a partial glass panel and no door, relying on the geometry of the room to keep water inside. This works when the shower is deep enough and the head is directed away from the opening. Others use a full enclosure with a door. We discuss which suits your room, and the page on custom showers and frameless glass explains how glass is used to define the space.

Think about the first step in and the last step out. Where does the towel hang, and can you reach it without leaving the shower area soaked? A hook or bar just outside the entry, within arm's reach, is a small detail that makes a walk in shower far more pleasant to use every day.

Benches, niches and storage

A bench turns a shower into a more comfortable place. It gives you somewhere to sit to wash, to rest a foot while shaving, or to place a towel. A built in bench is framed and tiled as part of the shower, with a gentle slope so water drains from the seat. A fold down seat is another option when floor space is tight.

Niches are recessed shelves set into the wall between studs. They keep bottles within reach without taking up space. Their placement should be planned before the wall is built, and their interior must be waterproofed and sloped slightly so water does not collect. Choosing a height you can reach comfortably, and a size that fits your bottles, makes a big difference.

Blocking is solid wood set inside the wall during framing. In a walk in shower it provides support where a grab bar, a bench or a heavy shower fixture may be mounted, now or later. Including blocking is a quiet way to make the room ready for change. Our page on accessibility and aging in place improvements says more about planning ahead.

Heights are worth deciding with your own body in mind. The fixed shower head, the handheld bar, the niche and the bench each have a comfortable height that depends on who uses the shower. We suggest standing in the existing space and pointing to where each item feels natural, then using those marks to guide the plan.

Glass: clear, open and well fitted

Glass is what turns the shower into a defined space while keeping the room open. Clear glass shows off tile and lets light through. Frosted or textured glass adds privacy where needed. Frameless panels use thick glass with minimal hardware for a clean look, while framed options use metal channels for support.

Glass is measured and ordered after the tile is finished, because the exact dimensions depend on the final walls and floor. That means the shower may sit open for a time before the glass arrives. We plan for this so you know what to expect, and we do not promise dates in advance. The guide to frameless glass or framed enclosures compares the options in plain language.

A good installation depends on a wall that is plumb, a floor that is level where the glass meets it, and hardware that is secure. Small errors in the tile can become visible gaps in the glass. This is another reason the stages of the project should be planned together, not treated as separate jobs.

Keep upkeep in mind as well. Glass shows water spots, and some owners choose a squeegee habit while others prefer textured panels or a coating suited to glass. Hardware with fewer crevices is simpler to wipe down. These are small preferences, but talking about them during planning leads to a shower you actually enjoy keeping clean.

Tile and surface choices for a wet room

Tile in a walk in shower works hard. It must resist moisture, clean easily, and feel safe underfoot. The floor tile in particular benefits from texture or a smaller size that follows the slope. Large format tile on the walls creates a clean look with fewer grout joints.

Grout joints are the lines between tiles, and they are the most maintenance sensitive part of any shower. Narrower joints, well sealed and well cleaned, look neat and are easier to maintain. Wider joints give a more rustic character. Whichever you choose, the layout should be planned so cuts fall in places that look intentional.

We offer more detail on the page about tile installation and in the guide to choosing tile for a Florida bathroom. In a climate as humid as ours, a surface that tolerates moisture and is simple to clean is more than a convenience. It is part of making the bathroom comfortable year round.

Pattern and direction deserve a word. A stacked layout, a staggered one or a vertical run each changes how tall and wide the shower appears. A vertical run can lift a low ceiling visually, while a horizontal band can widen a narrow space. We sketch these patterns with you before ordering so the cuts, trim and edges land where they look intentional.

Ventilation, light and the feel of the space

A walk in shower produces plenty of steam. Without good ventilation, moisture settles on walls, ceiling and glass, and the room feels clammy. A properly sized exhaust fan that vents to the outdoors helps remove humid air. Its placement relative to the shower matters, and a fan placed too far away does less than one near the source.

Light in the shower area is also worth planning. A recessed fixture suitable for wet locations can brighten the space, and a light in the bathroom ceiling that reaches into the shower helps with shaving and cleaning. The installation belongs to qualified trades working to the rules of your city. We focus on where the lights go and how they affect the room.

Our guides on ventilation and humidity in Florida bathrooms and lighting layers give more background. A well ventilated, well lit shower is more pleasant to use and easier to keep clean.

Daylight and color temperature deserve attention too. A warm light makes tile and skin look natural, while a very cool light can make a pleasant shower feel harsh. If the bathroom has a window, we consider how it affects privacy and moisture, and how the shower area might use its light without exposing the space.

How a conversion unfolds with us

A walk in shower conversion follows the same four steps we use for every project. First, you tell us about the bathroom, including what is wrong with the current shower or tub. Second, we build the project direction, covering scope, layout, materials and priorities. Third, we coordinate the details: surfaces, fixtures, storage, lighting and wet areas. Fourth, we prepare for construction by going over the plan and the information needed before work begins.

Converting a tub means opening the wall and floor in that area, so plumbing, framing and waterproofing are all in play. This is not a simple swap, and we avoid presenting it as one. We would rather plan carefully, protect your work areas and let the result speak. Our branded team and van are part of that commitment to being organized and present.

If you are considering a conversion and would like to talk it through, you can request an estimate from the home page. Describe the existing shower or tub and what you would like to change.

Condos, houses and local considerations

Walk in showers are popular in every kind of Hollywood area home, from condominium units to single family houses. In a condominium, the floor below may be a neighbor's ceiling, and building rules often govern what can be changed and when. Ask your association about their requirements early.

Our page on condo bathroom remodeling and the guide to condo remodeling and your association cover those questions. Permit requirements vary by city, so ask your city building department what applies to your project.

We serve homeowners throughout the county, and you can read about remodeling in Fort Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines and Hollywood, among other cities. Imagery on this site is concept imagery while real project photography is prepared, and we make no claims about specific past work.

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