The Benefits of a Walk-In Tub

Each year, around 3 million seniors end up in the emergency room for treatment after falling. For many of these seniors, the bathroom is where these dangerous falls occur. One way to make bathrooms safer is by installing a walk-in tub. Interested to learn more about the benefits of a walk-in tub? You’ve come to the right place. 

Keep reading to learn more about why a walk-in tub could be the perfect addition to your bathroom. 

They’re Specifically Designed With Safety in Mind

As we mentioned above, walk-in tubs are a safer bathing option, particularly for seniors. But what makes them so safe? Well, they come with a convenient door, so you can easily climb inside without having to step over a dangerous threshold. 

They also have textured seats and floors, so you won’t have to worry about slipping when standing or sitting down. They also have other safety features like grab bars and detachable spray spouts, making bathing much easier for those with limited mobility. 

A Walk-in Tub Can Help You Maintain Your Independence walk-in tub low threshold

As you get older, it’s only natural to start thinking about your plans for the future. Many of us hope to age in place, staying in our own homes even as our mobility decreases. Walk-in tubs can help you maintain your independence, making it easier for you to bathe yourself without assistance. 

If you have trouble sitting upright for long periods of time, for example, you might enjoy that a walk-in tub allows you to recline in the water, helping you stay comfortable while you bathe. 

They Offer Hydrotherapy Benefits

While walk-in tubs prioritize safety, they’re also luxurious. You’ll love the water systems like the Vibro jet massage that help soothe sore muscles and reduce chronic pain. Beyond that, the warm jets can also increase blood flow, aiding in circulation issues. 

And, soaking in a warm tub can also benefit your mental health. By taking time out of your day to unwind in a soothing walk-in tub, you might find yourself feeling less stressed and more at ease. 

It Typically Fits in Your Existing Space

Many homeowners are concerned that they don’t have the space for a walk-in tub. However, the truth is that most walk-in bathtubs can fit within the space of your traditional bathtub, so you won’t have to completely renovate your space. 

Some walk-in tubs even take up less space than traditional bathtubs, allowing you to add in extra features like shelving and storage. 

They May Increase Your Home Value

Finally, if you live in an area that’s popular with those who are nearing or in retirement, adding a walk-in tub to your home could increase your home’s value. If someone with mobility issues is comparing your home with a walk-in tub to a similar home without one, your home will likely be more attractive to them. 

If you’re planning to sell your home in the next few years, keep that in mind!

Enjoy the Benefits of a Walk-In Tub for Yourself

Now that you know more about the many benefits of a walk-in tub, you can decide whether it makes sense to add one to your home. If you need help making your decision, the Express Bath team is here for you.

Contact us today to talk to us about your bathroom remodeling ideas and to learn more about how our team can bring them to life. 

What Is the Average Cost of a Tub-to-Shower Conversion?

Are you dreaming of updating your bathroom? Good news! Bathroom remodels tend to yield the biggest returns when it comes to your home’s resale value. Regardless of what you decide to do to your bathroom, making updates in one of the most-used rooms in your house is a great way to give your home an overall boost. Before you schedule your renovation project, it’s important to think not just about how it affects your home value, however. You also want to focus on functionality. If you don’t use your bathtub very often, now is a great time to schedule a tub-to-shower conversion so you can make the most of your space. But what is the average cost of a tub-to-shower conversion project? The truthful answer is that it can vary from anywhere between $1,200 and upwards of $10,000. There’s such a wide range because there are several different factors that can impact the final cost of your project. 

Let’s take a closer look at what determines the cost of turning your tub into a shower so you can properly budget for your renovation project. 

The Materials You Choose

First things first, the materials you choose for your new shower will impact the cost. Many shower materials, like tile, are priced per square foot, so the more expensive the material you choose, the more the total cost of your project will be. And, of course, the bigger your shower, the more those materials will add up as well. 

Fortunately, our team at Express Bath is here to make it easy to get the bathroom of your dreams for the right price. We’re proud to offer a wide variety of different colors and styles and we’ll work with you to come up with a design that fits within your budget.

The Placement of Your New Shower

Another factor that can impact the cost of your tub-to-shower conversion is where you plan to put your new shower. Do you want to rework the layout of your bathroom completely? Or do you simply want your new shower to sit in the same place as your old tub?

Moving your shower to a different place in the bathroom will likely require plumbing updates which can add extra costs to your project. Essentially, the less complicated your project, the less expensive it will be. 

The Features You Include in Your Shower

One of the most appealing things about replacing your bathtub with a new shower is that it gives you the opportunity to customize your bathing space. When you choose the Express Bath team for your project, you can choose from unique and functional customizations like built-in shelving and caddies. 

We also offer safety features like grab bars, built-in seating, and custom threshold heights, so you can have peace of mind that you’ll stay safe while bathing. This is especially important if you plan to age-in-place in your home and want to remain independent. 

While the customization options for your shower are virtually limitless, some of them cost more, adding to the total cost of your project. Of course, many of the homeowners we work with agree that these customizations are well worth the extra cost to get the shower of their dreams!

When You Schedule Your Project

Do you need to schedule your project quickly? If so, you might have to pay a higher amount to get your project on the books as soon as possible than you would if you had a more flexible schedule. 

However, here at Express Bath, we always look out for our customers’ best interests and will do everything in our power to make sure you get the best possible deal on your project, no matter when you schedule it. Rest assured, we’ll always have your back. 

The Contractor You Hire

Finally, the company you hire will play a part in how much you pay for your tub-to-shower conversion project. The unfortunate reality is that some contracting companies overcharge unsuspecting homeowners simply because they know they can. 

We recommend shopping around a bit before making your final decision. Once you do, we hope you’ll agree that Express Bath is the right choice for your project! Our team is committed to full transparency every step of the way. 

From the first time we meet with you, we’ll be upfront about what to expect in terms of pricing and timeline, so you are never met with a surprise bill at the end of your project. We also run special promotions and offer different financing options so you can get a beautiful, updated bathroom for a price that works for you. 

Why Choose Express Bath for Your Tub-to-Shower Conversion?

As Northern Alabama’s leading bathroom remodeling company, your home is in good hands when you choose to work with Express Bath. Our team has decades of bathroom remodeling experience and our priority always remains to put our customers first while providing top-notch customer service and high-quality remodeling work. 

As a local company, our team is made up of your neighbors and we’ll always treat your home with the same care and respect that we would our own. 

Schedule Your Tub-to-Shower Conversion Project Today

Now that you know more about the different factors that affect the cost of a tub-to-shower conversion, you can start planning your budget and taking the first step toward a beautiful new shower!

Contact us today to tell us more about the ideas you have for your bathroom and we’ll let you know what we can do to make it happen.

7 Tips for a Safe and Stunning Bathroom

If you’re planning a bathroom remodeling project, it’s one of the best things you can do for your home’s value. After all, potential buyers place high importance on bathroom features. But, even if you have no plans to sell your home, bathroom renovations can prove to be valuable to you and your family. 

In fact, even small updates can make big impacts, especially when it comes to safety in one of the most used rooms in your home. In this guide, we’ll cover some remodeling tips to keep in mind to help you make your bathroom a safer place, without having to sacrifice a beautiful design. Let’s get to it!

1. Upgrade Your Toilet

When you’re planning a bathroom remodel, your toilet is probably not the first thing that comes to mind. But, replacing your standard toilet with a high-quality comfort toilet can make taking care of business much easier, especially if you suffer from back or knee pain. 

Comfort toilets are specifically designed to make sitting more comfortable since they’re a few inches taller than a traditional model. This makes sitting on and standing from the seat easier as well, which is ideal if you plan to age in place in your home. 

Best of all, these toilets look great too, so they’ll seamlessly fit in with any bathroom design. 

2. Keep Dangerous Products Out of Reach

Before you begin making updates to your bathroom, think about your family and how it might change over the coming years. For example, if you are planning to have children soon or you already have young children, you’ll want to make sure the bathroom is a safe place for them. 

One way to keep small children safe in bathrooms is by making sure they can’t get into dangerous products. As you’re planning design updates, be sure to choose cabinetry that you can lock or childproof so you won’t have to worry about your kids getting their hands on household cleaners or medication. 

3. Make It Easier to Access Your Bathing Area

As the years go by, your needs may change and what was once a perfect home for you might no longer feel functional. If, for example, you’ve noticed that you’re struggling to get in and out of your shower or bathtub, you may no longer feel safe in your own home. 

By hiring the Express Bath team, you can make your bathroom safer with a low-threshold shower entrance so you can bathe without having to worry about tripping and falling as you step in and out. 

When you work with our team for your shower remodel, you can have a safe bathing experience without sacrificing style or luxury. We proudly offer beautiful designs in a variety of different shapes, colors, and finishes, with endless customization options. Prefer a rainfall showerhead to a wall-mounted one? Want built-in shelving? We can do it all. 

When you choose Express Bath, you can get the shower of your dreams, and feel safe while you’re using it. 

4. Reduce the Risk of Slipping and Falling

Regardless of your age, slippery surfaces are one of the most dangerous aspects of a bathroom. To help prevent accidents, you can put down non-slip bathmats around areas that might get wet, like outside your tub and shower, by the toilet, and in front of your sink. 

However, you can take it a step further by installing non-slip flooring throughout your whole bathroom. While traditional bathtubs and showers have flooring with little traction, replacing them with textured flooring can help keep you safe while bathing. Then, by installing non-slip flooring throughout the rest of the room, you won’t have to worry about falling once you get out either. 

This special type of flooring is specifically designed to absorb and wick away excess moisture, while also looking great, so you don’t have to compromise style for safety. 

5. Think About Your Lighting Options

Does your bathroom get very little natural light? If it’s an interior space with no windows, the space may be dark, causing potential safety issues if you can’t see well enough to safely maneuver in the space. 

Try brightening up your bathroom by installing new wall-mounted light fixtures so you don’t have trouble seeing, regardless of the time of day. You can also get creative with lighting, installing a fixture over the toilet or in the shower area, or getting a mirror with a built-in light. 

The easier it is to see in your bathroom, the less likely you are to risk an injury. 

6. Consider Installing a More Accessible Sink

As you think about bathroom safety while planning for your bathroom remodel, take time to think about how your mobility might change, especially if you plan to age in place. While you might be able to get around fine right now, you may eventually need to use a walker or wheelchair. 

It’s best to plan ahead and create an accessible space now, so it’s ready when you need it. Instead of installing a bulky vanity in your bathroom, consider putting in a wall-mounted sink, that is more accessible for those with mobility issues. Then, look for other creative storage solutions to help make up for the storage space you’ll lose by not having a vanity. 

7. Add Extra Support

Finally, think about adding support features around your bathroom like grab bars in the shower, bathtub, or near your toilet. These can give you extra support when you need it, helping you to feel safer as you get older. 

In the shower, it’s a good idea to also install a comfortable shower seat. While it may not be something that you use every day, it will be nice to have it if and when you need it. These days, there are plenty of support options that are not only functional, but beautiful, so you can seamlessly integrate them into your bathroom design. 

The Trusted Name for Hartselle Bathroom Renovations

Do you need help implementing some of these safety features in your bathroom? Trust the Express Bath team for the job! Our goal is to provide northern Alabama homeowners like you with high-quality bathroom remodeling services, designed to fit your needs. 

We’d love to hear more about your ideas for your bathroom and tell you how we can bring them to life. Contact us today for a free estimate!