Comparison
Tub vs Walk-In Shower: Cost, Value & Resale in Ontario
A walk-in shower feels like a spa and suits an ensuite; a tub is cheaper to keep and matters for resale to family buyers. The usual answer: convert the ensuite to a walk-in, but keep at least one tub in the house.
HomeCopilot Editorial
It is the decision that stalls most bathroom renovations: rip out the tub for a big walk-in shower, or keep it? The right answer depends less on trends than on which bathroom it is, who buys homes like yours, and how long you plan to stay. Here is the honest trade-off.
Side by side
Keep a tub
Lower for a like-for-like swap
Family buyers expect one tub
A step-over to get in
Takes floor space
Simple to clean
Walk-in shower
Higher — waterproofing, glass, tile
A spa feel buyers love in an ensuite
Curbless suits aging-in-place
Can open up a small bathroom
Glass needs a squeegee to stay clear
The trade-off in one view — cost and resale safety vs comfort and accessibility.
| Keep a tub | Walk-in shower | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | The main/family bathroom | A primary ensuite |
| Install complexity | Lower — reuse the existing rough-in | Higher — waterproofing and glass |
| Accessibility | Step-over entry | Curbless, grab-bar-ready |
| Resale note | Buyers want at least one tub in the home | Adds a premium feel to an ensuite |
| Everyday use | Baths for kids; quick showers | Fast, open, easy to clean floor |
The verdict for most Ontario homes
- Convert the ensuite to a walk-in shower — that is where the spa feel pays off and where buyers expect it.
- Keep at least one tub somewhere in the house. Family buyers with young kids often screen out homes with no bathtub at all.
- Planning to age in place? A curbless, grab-bar-ready walk-in shower is the safer long-term choice.
- A walk-in typically costs more to build than a like-for-like tub — the money is in waterproofing, tile, and glass, not the fixture itself. Treat any figure as a planning range, not a quote.
FAQ
Does removing the only tub hurt resale?
It can. Buyers with young children frequently want at least one bathtub in the home, so removing the last tub narrows your future buyer pool. Converting a second or ensuite bathroom while keeping one tub is the safer play.
Is a walk-in shower more expensive than a tub?
Usually, yes — a proper walk-in means waterproofing, a sloped base, more tile, and a glass enclosure, which adds up beyond the price of a tub-and-surround. The exact difference depends on size and finishes, so confirm it with a contractor.
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