A walk-in shower in a Vienna primary bath
The Vienna bathroom we remodeled pairs a freestanding tub with a separate walk-in shower behind glass, fitted with a rainfall showerhead. Separating the two lets the shower be sized for daily use while the tub becomes a feature rather than an obstacle you step over every morning.
Why Vienna homeowners remodel the shower
Many Vienna homes were built in the postwar decades, when a tub with a shower head above it was the standard full bath. That setup works, but it means stepping over a tub wall, a cramped shower area and a curtain that never quite seals. Swapping the tub for a walk-in shower gives more standing room in the same footprint, and the entry can be low-threshold or curbless.
Others are not removing a tub at all. They have a dated stall shower with tired grout, a leaking valve or a fiberglass insert, and they want a tiled shower that is properly waterproofed. That is a shower remodel too, and it follows the same steps.
What a shower remodel or tub conversion includes
- Removing the existing tub or shower
- Framing and waterproofing for the new shower
- Tile, glass and fixture selection
- Curbless and low-threshold options
Waterproofing is the part you never see and the part that matters most. Bathroom Brigade uses Schluter tile-in waterproofing, including Kerdi-Shower kits and Kerdi-Board, so the protection runs continuously behind the tile on the walls, the floor and inside any niche or bench.
Decisions to make before demolition
Size and entry
The tub alcove usually becomes the shower footprint, which keeps the drain near where it already is. A curbless entry needs the shower floor to slope to the drain without a step, which can mean lowering or rebuilding part of the subfloor. In an older house the framing under the bathroom decides how practical that is, so we check it before promising it. Our guide to walk-in shower sizing and niches covers the dimensions in more detail.
Niches, benches and glass
Niches and benches have to be framed and waterproofed as part of the shower, not cut in afterward. Glass is measured after the tile is set, so it is one of the last items installed. Decide on all three during design, when they are easy to plan.
Should you keep a tub somewhere?
If this is the only tub in the house, think about who lives there and who might buy it later. Some families want one tub for bathing small children; many do not use one at all. It is your decision, and we will lay out the trade-off honestly.
Permits for a shower remodel in Fairfax County
Replacing or relocating a shower valve, drain or supply lines is plumbing work, and Fairfax County requires a permit for new, repaired or relocated plumbing fixtures, including showers and tubs. Adding a light in the shower or a new fan adds electrical or mechanical permits. Simply replacing tile does not need a permit under the County's list, but a shower remodel almost always goes beyond tile.
Typical cost
| Tier | Typical Scope | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-In Showers & Tub Conversions | Replacing an old tub with a walk-in shower, or upgrading an existing one. | $8,000–$18,000 |
Typical Northern Virginia reference ranges from Bathroom Brigade's published cost guide. They are a planning starting point, not a quote. The written scope for your Vienna bathroom sets the actual price.
The figure moves with the shower size, how much wall is tiled, the glass, whether the entry is curbless and how much of the floor has to be rebuilt.
Can my tub be turned into a walk-in shower?▸
Often, yes. It depends on the room, the drain location, the framing and the type of entry you want. We look at the existing bathroom before recommending an approach.
What is the difference between a shower remodel and a full remodel?▸
A shower remodel or tub conversion covers just that area: framing, waterproofing, tile and fixtures. A full remodel changes the layout, tile, vanity and fixtures throughout the bathroom.
Can a walk-in shower be curbless in an older Vienna home?▸
Sometimes. A curbless entry depends on the floor structure under the bathroom, which we check during the consultation. Where curbless is not practical, a low threshold is usually possible.
Does a shower remodel need a permit in Vienna?▸
If the valve, drain or supply lines are replaced or moved, Fairfax County requires a plumbing permit. We confirm what your specific scope needs.