It's one of the most common decisions in an Ottawa bathroom renovation: rip out the rarely-used tub and put in a proper walk-in shower, or keep a bathtub? There's no universal right answer - it depends on your home, your household, and how long you plan to stay. Here's an honest comparison to help you decide.
The case for a tub-to-shower conversion
- You never use the tub. For most adults, the tub has quietly become a place to store the shampoo. Converting it to a large walk-in shower turns dead space into the best feature in the room.
- Accessibility and aging in place. Stepping over a tub wall gets harder with age or mobility issues. A curbless or low-threshold walk-in shower is far safer, and it's a smart move if you plan to stay in your Ottawa home for the long term.
- A bigger, more modern feel. A glass walk-in shower makes a small bathroom feel larger and reads as more current - which helps if you'll eventually sell.
- Easier cleaning. No tub ledge and a single glass panel means far less scrubbing.
A tub-to-shower conversion built into your existing bathroom - properly waterproofed and tiled - is a permanent upgrade, not a plastic liner dropped over the old surround.
The case for keeping a tub
- Families with young children. Bathing small kids in a shower is a daily hassle. If you have or plan to have young children, keeping at least one tub in the home is practical.
- Resale in family neighbourhoods. In many Ottawa suburbs - think family-heavy areas like Barrhaven and Kanata - buyers still expect at least one bathtub in the house. Removing the only tub can narrow your future buyer pool.
- You genuinely use it. If a long soak is part of your routine, a good tub is worth keeping. There's no resale math that beats actually enjoying your bathroom.
The compromise most Ottawa homes land on
If you have more than one bathroom, the usual answer is simple: keep a tub in the main or family bathroom, and convert the ensuite to a walk-in shower. You get the daily luxury of a spa-style shower where you use it most, and you keep a tub in the house for kids and resale.
For single-bathroom homes and condos, the decision comes down to household stage: young family, keep the tub; empty-nesters or long-term stayers, the walk-in shower usually wins.
What about cost?
A tub-to-shower conversion and a like-for-like tub replacement are often in a similar range, because the plumbing and waterproofing work is comparable. The bigger cost drivers are the glass enclosure, the tile, and whether the plumbing has to move - not the tub-versus-shower question itself. Either way, you'll get a fixed price in writing before anything starts.
Get a straight recommendation for your space
The right call depends on your specific bathroom, plumbing and plans. At Ottawa Property Experts we'll give you an honest recommendation at the free in-home consult - including when keeping the tub is the smarter move - and a fixed-price written quote within 48 hours.
- Does removing the only bathtub hurt resale in Ottawa?
- It can, especially in family-heavy suburbs like Barrhaven and Kanata where buyers still expect at least one tub in the house. If you have more than one bathroom, keeping a tub in the family bath and converting the ensuite is the safer play.
- Is a tub-to-shower conversion more expensive than replacing the tub?
- Not necessarily. The two are often in a similar range because the plumbing and waterproofing work is comparable. The bigger cost drivers are the glass enclosure, the tile, and whether the plumbing has to move.
- Should I keep my tub if I'm planning to age in place?
- Usually no. Stepping over a tub wall becomes a fall risk with age or reduced mobility. A curbless or low-threshold walk-in shower is far safer and a smart long-term choice if you plan to stay in your home.
Aus Q.
Co-Owner, Ottawa Property Experts
Aus Q. co-founded Ottawa Property Experts with Emad H. He's on every project the company takes on, and writes about kitchens and bathrooms the same way he runs jobs: practical, specific, and with the numbers shown.