Accessibility conversion for walk-in showers requires a low, barrier-free entry that is far easier to step into than a traditional tub curb, a minimum-size transfer shower stall, non-slip flooring, and grab bars placed and secured to support real daily use.
Walk-in shower accessibility conversions replace a step-up tub with a curbless or low-threshold entry, a built-in seat, and grab bars, all scoped in writing before work starts. We handle design, space planning, and carpentry in house, giving Manitowoc and Sheboygan County homeowners one team from first call to final walkthrough for safer, aging-in-place bathrooms.
What Does a Curbless Shower Conversion Involve?
A curbless shower conversion removes the raised tub wall or shower curb and replaces it with a flush, zero-threshold entry. Skipping that step-up eliminates a common trip hazard for older adults and anyone using a walker or wheelchair. Bartow Builders brings the same standards to accessibility work as every other project, built around a personal standard for construction quality still held today. Learn more about our team.
Removing a tub is a substantial project, not a weekend swap. Framing, plumbing, and floor slope all change to direct water toward a new drain. Even so, a walk-in shower project in Manitowoc, WI, does not always require gutting the entire bathroom down to the studs.
Our process follows a set sequence:
- We walk through the bathroom and talk with the homeowner about mobility needs, daily routines, and long-term plans for the home.
- We design the new layout in house, matching the space to the specific vision the homeowner describes.
- We adjust framing and plumbing to create the correct slope for drainage without a curb.
- We install slip-resistant flooring, grab bar blocking, and the finished shower surround.
- We walk the homeowner through the finished space before calling the job complete.
Does a Curbless Shower Conversion Require a Full Bathroom Remodel?
Not always. Some bathrooms already have the floor space and drain location needed for a barrier-free base, so we convert the tub alone. Other layouts need wall or plumbing changes first, which we identify before agreeing on scope.
We refuse to cut quality for cost on this work. Our focus stays the same on every job: an accessible shower remodel delivered through a smooth, low-stress experience, from the first conversation to the final walkthrough.
What Should You Plan Before Starting?
Planning starts with a clear picture of the existing bathroom, not a shopping trip for tile. Before any wall comes down, we walk through two questions with homeowners: what level of accessibility does the space actually need, and will the new shower fit the room as built. Skipping either question leads to redesigns mid-project, wasted material, and delays that stretch a simple curbless shower conversion into a much longer job.
How Do We Know if We Need a Fully Accessible Shower or Just a Simpler Upgrade?
Not every household needs a zero-threshold, wheelchair-ready shower. Some homeowners want fewer trip hazards and easier entry now, with the option to add grab bars or a bench later. We help sort out which path fits current needs and which one plans ahead for future mobility changes. The design serves the household for years rather than months.
Will a Walk-In Shower Actually Fit Our Bathroom?
Room dimensions, drain location, and door swing all determine whether a walk-in shower will work without moving plumbing walls. We measure the space early and flag any structural limits before drawing final plans.
A sound plan before demolition includes:
- Deciding between a basic barrier-reduction shower and a fully accessible shower remodel.
- Measuring the existing footprint against the new shower’s minimum dimensions.
- Reviewing plumbing and drain locations for conflicts.
- Coordinating framing, plumbing, and tile timing before work begins.
Since our founding, we have built our work around quality and honesty on every job, and we coordinate our own carpenters alongside trade partners so each trade plans together from the start rather than working around one another.
What Are the Steps to Convert a Tub?
Six stages carry a tub-to-shower conversion from demolition to final walkthrough. Each stage builds on the one before it. We treat every curbless shower conversion as a sequence, not a single job. The framing, waterproofing, and slope work all depend on order.
- Remove the existing tub and surround. Demolition clears the space and exposes the subfloor and framing underneath.
- Assess the subfloor and framing. We check for water damage and confirm the structure can support a new drain location if the layout changes.
- Reframe for a zero-entry threshold. Removing the tub’s step-up eliminates a major trip hazard and creates a low-barrier or zero-entry shower floor.
- Set the drain and slope the pan. A properly built curbless entry reduces threshold height to a low level compared with the taller step of a standard tub curb.
- Waterproof and tile. Membrane and tile work seal the pan and walls before fixtures go in.
- Install fixtures, grab bars, and glass. Final fittings complete the space and make it ready for daily use.
Who Manages the Project From Start to Finish?
A dedicated management approach keeps each phase on track. Trusted trade partners carry the work forward without gaps between crews. Homeowners deal with the same point of contact throughout, rather than juggling separate calls for each trade.
Do I Need to Redo the Whole Bathroom?
No. An accessible shower remodel can be scoped as a standalone project without touching the vanity, flooring, or lighting elsewhere in the room. We plan a conversion around the existing bathroom footprint whenever the layout allows it, which keeps the scope focused and the schedule predictable.
What Safety Features Belong in the Design?
Grab bars, non-slip flooring, and a low or zero-entry threshold form the core of a safe accessible shower remodel. We approach each of these features as structural decisions, not finishing touches. A bar mounted in the wrong spot or a floor with the wrong texture defeats the purpose.
Our culture puts family and quality work first, and that shapes how we specify these details for aging-in-place clients. Honest, transparent conversation at the start of a project means we ask direct questions about mobility, balance, and daily routines before we draw a single line. That input drives placement decisions long before installation begins.
Where Should Grab Bars Go in a Curbless Shower?
Grab bar placement depends on how a person enters, turns, and sits within the shower. We reinforce walls with pre-engineered backing during framing, which lets us secure bars wherever they are needed now, or add them later as needs change.
What Other Features Improve Everyday Safety?
Beyond bars and flooring, several elements work together in a well-planned space:
- Curbless shower thresholds set flush with the bathroom floor to remove tripping hazards
- Non-slip surfaces underfoot, even when wet
- Built-in or fold-down seating for extended standing limitations
- Handheld shower heads mounted at reachable heights
- Wheelchair-accessible clearances for roll-in access
Our team brings focused, hands-on attention to every installation. That dedication matters most in the details, where a grab bar sits an inch too high or too low.
More on accessible bathrooms and aging in place
A shower conversion is usually one piece of a bigger picture. Our aging in place and accessible remodeling page covers how we plan this work across a whole house, and our bathroom remodeling page walks through how a bathroom job actually runs. If you want the room-by-room detail, we wrote about what actually changes in a handicap accessible bathroom remodel.
Changing a tub into a walk-in shower is a practical way to make a house work for longer. Get the structure, the waterproofing and the grab bar backing right, and the room stays safe and comfortable for years. Brandon Bartow is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) through the National Association of Home Builders, and that is the lens we bring to planning one. If you are thinking about it, tell us about your bathroom.
FAQ
What Threshold Height Makes a Shower Accessible?
Accessible walk-in showers use a low-threshold entry paired with transfer-shower dimensions.