Tub-to-Shower Conversion in Newmarket

Turning an unused Newmarket bathtub into a daily walk-in shower

Across Newmarket, bathtubs get removed for two very practical reasons. In older bungalows and two-storey homes in Huron Heights, Gorham-College Manor, Bristol-London and Glenway, stepping over a 15-inch cast-iron or acrylic tub apron onto a curved, slippery bottom becomes a daily hazard—or the family simply prefers a spacious shower over a curtain-rod tub. In 1990s and 2000s subdivisions like Stonehaven-Wyndham, Woodland Hill and Summerhill Estates, the upstairs primary ensuite often has a huge tiled corner tub deck that collects dust while everyone squeezes into a narrow 36-inch stall next to it.

Both layouts convert cleanly into a custom walk-in shower:

• A standard 60 x 30 in or 60 x 32 in alcove tub becomes a roomy walk-in shower with large-format porcelain walls, a recessed niche, a low or curbless threshold, and either a fixed frameless glass screen or sliding doors.
• A corner deck tub plus cramped stall in a primary ensuite can be combined into one generous walk-in shower with a built-in bench, rain and handheld shower heads, and space left over for a longer double vanity or linen tower.

See two real tub-to-shower conversions we built in Newmarket

You do not have to guess how a 5-foot Newmarket tub alcove looks once converted—we have documented two local Newmarket jobs in detail:

• Newmarket Dual Walk-in Shower Renovation: Two upstairs alcove tubs in the same Newmarket house converted into modern walk-in showers with Carrara-look wall porcelain, dark charcoal floor tile, matte-black fixtures, linear trench drains and a tall LED-lit niche.
• Newmarket Accessible Walk-in Shower Conversion: A one-piece acrylic tub and wall surround replaced with a low-threshold tiled walk-in shower featuring a slip-resistant mosaic floor, a fold-down wall seat, a rear grab bar and a slide-bar hand shower.

What happens behind the tile during a conversion

1. Complete removal to the studs. We never glue plastic panels over old tile. The tub, tile surround and damp drywall come out completely so we can inspect the framing and subfloor.
2. Upgrading the drain and trap. Most bathtubs drain through a 1.5-inch pipe positioned right against the end wall. A dedicated walk-in shower performs best with a 2-inch drain trap and vent, positioned either at the centre of the sloped pan or along one wall for a linear trench drain.
3. Installing a modern shower mixing valve. We replace the old tub-and-shower valve with a pressure-balanced or thermostatic valve set at comfortable standing (or seated) height, complete with a diverter for an overhead rain head and handheld wand.
4. Framing niches, seating and wood blocking. We frame recessed shampoo niches between the studs, build a tiled bench or install solid 2x8 wood blocking for a fold-down seat and grab bars, and hang waterproof backer board.
5. Continuous bonded waterproofing. The entire shower pan, curb (or recessed curbless floor), bench, niche and walls up to the shower head receive a continuous waterproof membrane with sealed corner bands and drain collar.
6. Porcelain tile and custom tempered glass. We set the floor and wall tile to your approved layout drawings, grout and silicone every joint, and fit custom frameless glass.

If the conversion is for an older family member or someone with reduced mobility, visit our accessible bathrooms in Newmarket page for barrier-free details and federal/provincial tax credits.

What a tub-to-shower conversion costs in Newmarket

The cost of converting a tub depends on whether we are converting only the wet alcove or remodelling the entire bathroom (floor tile, vanity, toilet and lighting) at the same time.

As a real benchmark, a complete curbless, accessible tub-to-shower conversion of ours comes to about $15,000 all-in. When the conversion is part of a full four-piece primary ensuite renovation, our published 9 x 12 ft labour package covers the room:

Every written quote itemizes demolition, plumbing, waterproofing, tile installation, glass and fixtures on separate lines. Compare full-room ranges and line items on our Newmarket bathroom renovation cost guide.

Resale tip: keep at least one bathtub in a family house

Before taking out the last bathtub in a detached home in Summerhill Estates, Woodland Hill or Glenway, consider whether future buyers with young children will want at least one tub in the house. When your upstairs hall bath keeps its alcove tub (see bathtub replacement), converting the primary ensuite tub into a large walk-in shower is almost universally preferred by buyers. In a two-full-bath bungalow or a home where mobility comes first, converting to a walk-in shower makes everyday life much easier.

Town of Newmarket permit rules and on-site timeline

In the Town of Newmarket, swapping a fixture in the exact same spot without modifying the drain or vent piping does not need a building permit. However, because converting a bathtub to a shower usually involves upsizing the trap from 1.5 inches to 2 inches or shifting the drain location, Town of Newmarket Building Services treats that plumbing alteration as work requiring a building permit. Source: Town of Newmarket: Residential Building Permits and Plumbing Alterations (accessed October 10, 2026) We check your plumbing setup and note permit requirements clearly in your written quote; read our guide on Newmarket bathroom renovation permits.

On site, an alcove tub-to-shower conversion typically takes one to two weeks from floor protection and demolition to finished tile and glass. Read our 5-step renovation process or upload photos of your tub for a free itemized quote backed by our written labour warranty.