CrestLine Home Improvement
Bathroom Decision · 2026

Bathtub vs Walk-in Shower in Chicagoland Bathrooms

The tub-to-walk-in-shower conversion is the single most-requested bathroom change in Chicagoland — and the most common to get wrong. Decisions here have real resale consequences (an all-shower house can lose 2-5% of value to family buyers), real aging-in-place implications (walk-in showers extend independence by years), and real lifestyle impacts. This guide compares both options honestly using project data from our 145+ Chicagoland bathroom remodels.

Bathtub vs Walk-in Shower in Chicagoland Bathrooms
Context

Why This Decision Matters in Chicagoland

Industry data: roughly 65% of Chicagoland bathroom remodels in our recent project log involve some form of tub-to-shower decision. About 40% choose all-shower; 35% keep an existing tub; 25% convert one bath to walk-in shower while preserving a tub elsewhere in the home. The right answer depends almost entirely on whether you'll stay 10+ years or sell, and on household composition.

Compare

Side-by-Side: 3 Options Compared

Real cost ranges, real durability, real pros and cons. No cherry-picked metrics, no glossy marketing.

Option 01

Bathtub

Standalone Bathtub or Tub/Shower Combo

Cost range

$2,000 – $8,000 typical fixture + install

Lifespan

30-50+ years

Best for

Families with young kids. Households that already have a primary shower elsewhere. Resale-focused decisions in family neighborhoods.

Pros

  • Required for selling to families with young children
  • Better resale in family-heavy Chicagoland markets (NW Suburbs)
  • Bathing for relaxation/long soaks
  • Easier to bathe kids and pets
  • Higher-end freestanding tubs add design statement
  • Lower install cost than walk-in shower (in same footprint)
  • Wider product range and price tiers
  • Compatible with shower curtain or sliding glass — flexible

Cons

  • Step-over of 14-18" — accessibility issue for aging homeowners
  • Slip hazard for elderly or mobility-limited users
  • Step-in tubs feel dated to many adult-only households
  • Less efficient water use (10-25 gal vs 17 gal/10-min shower)
  • Tub surround tile maintenance
  • Cleaning the tub itself is an ongoing chore
  • Freestanding tubs require specific drain/plumbing locations
Maintenance routine

Clean weekly with tub cleaner. Re-caulk where tile meets tub annually. Check overflow drain seal every 6 months. For freestanding: clean under the tub regularly (water tends to migrate).

Option 02

Walk-in Shower

Curbed Walk-in Shower

Cost range

$5,000 – $20,000 typical install

Lifespan

30-50+ years

Best for

Adult-only households. Aging-in-place planning. Master bathrooms with sufficient floor area. Modern design preferences.

Pros

  • Dramatically more design impact than a tub
  • Spacious feel with frameless glass enclosure
  • Suits adult-only households perfectly
  • Easier daily cleaning vs tub + surround
  • Rain heads, body sprays, and bench seating possible
  • Better water efficiency than tubs
  • More usable footprint per square foot
  • Trending strongly in 2024-2026 Tier-1 markets

Cons

  • Standard curb still a barrier for full accessibility
  • Resale penalty in family-heavy neighborhoods if only bath
  • Higher install cost than tub replacement
  • Glass enclosure cleaning required (squeegee daily for shine)
  • Frameless 3/8" glass costs $1,500-$3,000
  • Custom tile work labor-intensive (longer project)
  • Cannot bathe young children or pets in it
Maintenance routine

Squeegee glass after each use to prevent water spots. Clean tile and grout monthly. Re-seal grout every 2-3 years. Check shower base seal/membrane integrity every 5 years.

Option 03

Curbless Walk-in

Curbless Walk-in Shower (Aging-in-Place)

Cost range

$8,000 – $25,000+ typical install

Lifespan

30-50+ years

Best for

Aging-in-place planning. Anyone over 55 planning to stay 10+ years. Households with mobility considerations. Universal-design enthusiasts.

Pros

  • Zero-threshold entry — fully accessible
  • Future-proof for aging and disability
  • Wheelchair-accessible with appropriate width (36"+ door)
  • Modern, spa-like aesthetic
  • Bench seating + grab bars in studs (concealed reinforcement)
  • Linear drain creates large clean lines
  • Best-in-class universal design certifications eligible
  • Significantly expands future buyer pool

Cons

  • Requires lowered shower base (slope to linear drain)
  • Higher cost — most expensive bathroom shower install
  • Requires waterproof membrane perfectly installed
  • Limited aesthetic options for the floor drain
  • Subfloor work — adds project time
  • Pre-1960 homes may have framing constraints
  • Custom build — more vendor coordination
Maintenance routine

Same as curbed walk-in. Additional: keep linear drain clear of hair (weekly check). Monitor floor membrane for any leaks at the wall-floor joint annually.

The CrestLine Verdict

Our Honest Recommendation

CrestLine's universal rule for Chicagoland: every home should have at least one bathtub somewhere in the house for resale. Beyond that single tub, walk-in shower wins almost every primary-bathroom decision for households without young kids. For aging-in-place planning (homeowners 55+ planning 10+ year stay), curbless walk-in showers are the highest-ROI universal design decision — and they look stunning, not institutional, when designed thoughtfully.

Decision Matrix

Which Should You Pick? — By Scenario

Match your scenario to a recommendation below. If yours doesn't fit any of these exactly, give us a call — we'll advise during the free estimate.

Your situationOur recommendation
Primary bathroom, master suite, kids under 12 at homeKeep at least the guest bath tub. Primary bath can go all-shower if you have a tub down the hall.
Primary bathroom, no kids, planning to stay 10+ yearsWalk-in shower — likely curbless if you're 55+. Significantly better lifestyle and aging readiness.
Primary bathroom, no kids, selling in 3-5 yearsWalk-in shower if a tub exists elsewhere in the home. If not, keep tub for resale.
Only bathroom in a small home or condoTub/shower combo — preserves resale flexibility. Walk-in alone limits buyer pool.
1 of 3 bathrooms — primary suite renovationWalk-in shower in primary. Keep tubs in the other two bathrooms.
Aging parent moving in / in-law suiteCurbless walk-in shower with grab bars and bench. Essential universal design.
Tier-1 North Shore primary suite renovationFree-standing tub + separate walk-in shower (both). Standard expectation in this market.
Family neighborhood (NW Suburbs) with one bath upstairsTub/shower combo. Resale penalty for shower-only is real here.
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

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