If you’ve been searching replace bathtub with shower near me, you’re probably done stepping over a tall tub wall and ready for a cleaner, easier-to-use shower. In Southern California homes, a well-planned tub-to-shower conversion makes a bathroom feel larger, brightens the room, and simplifies daily cleaning. With 30+ years of bathroom-focused experience across Orange County and San Diego, CALbath designs conversions that look calm on day one and hold up for years.
If you’re just starting, explore our site, recent projects in our work, and what clients say in their testimonials. Then see the specifics of our tub-to-shower conversions and tub & shower remodeling.
Why Converting a Tub to a Shower Is So Popular Here
Most SoCal homes either have an alcove tub that rarely gets used or a secondary bath where every inch counts. Removing the bulky tub opens sightlines, improves movement around the vanity and toilet, and lets natural and artificial light travel farther. The room reads bigger without moving a wall. For households that don’t take baths, it’s the highest-impact change you can make in the shortest footprint.
What Actually Changes (and What Doesn’t)
A conversion keeps much of your existing plumbing location, which streamlines the project and preserves budget for better materials. The experience, though, changes completely: a lower threshold, clear glass instead of a curtain, wall finishes to the ceiling, and storage integrated into a niche or slim ledge. The enclosure becomes the clean, calm focal point of the bathroom instead of a visual blockade.
If you’re considering a wider project, see our approach to full bathroom remodeling and walk-in showers.
Materials That Earn Their Keep
The best conversions balance beauty and maintenance:
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Walls: Porcelain is our go-to for most showers. It offers stone looks without stone upkeep and fewer grout breaks with large formats. Ceramic works well for classic patterns and soft glazes.
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Floors/benches: Smaller scale or lightly textured surfaces add traction while keeping the palette calm.
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Glass: Low-iron panels keep whites and beiges true; factory-applied coatings help water bead so a quick squeegee maintains clarity.
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Grout: Stain-resistant options in balanced tones hide everyday wear better than stark white.
Prefer natural stone? We’ll design for realistic care, proper drainage, and ventilation so it keeps its character in a wet environment.
Safety and Accessibility Without a “Clinical” Look
A conversion is a smart time to add safer, easier access. Wider entries, well-placed benches, lever handles, and behind-the-tile blocking for future grab bars support aging in place without changing the room’s style. At CALbath, these elements are integrated into the architecture so the shower stays warm and residential, not institutional.
The Invisible Work That Protects Your Home
You’ll admire the tile; what’s behind it keeps the house healthy. CALbath installs full-coverage membranes, uses proper backer boards, pitches pans to drain correctly, and seals every penetration. We also treat glass as part of the water-management system, not a decorative afterthought. These standards are why we can stand behind our work with a real guarantee and why our projects keep looking good. Curious about our credentials? See our awards and learn more about us.
Cleaning and Everyday Care
One reason conversions are so popular: they simplify upkeep. Fewer grout lines, coated glass, and a properly sized, quiet fan mean a quick end-of-shower pass usually handles daily maintenance. During your walkthrough, we share care tips tailored to your surfaces so you can keep that “new” clarity with minimal effort.
What Influences Cost (Without Listing Numbers)
Every home is different, so exact pricing varies. The major factors are scope (keeping plumbing near existing runs vs. moving it), material selections (glass type and hardware can swing budgets), and construction choices (curbless vs. low curb, structural prep). Our job is to explain tradeoffs in plain language so you invest where performance and longevity pay you back. If you’re exploring timing or promotions, check current specials.
Timeline and What to Expect
A typical conversion follows a clear sequence: design consult and measurements, final selections, demolition, plumbing adjustments, waterproofing, tile and surfaces, glass measure and install, finishing details, and care review. We protect adjacent areas, maintain a tidy jobsite, and communicate each step. You’ll always know what’s happening and why. See where we work on our service area, and if you want to feel finishes in person, visit our showroom.
Common Pitfalls (We Steer You Around Them)
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Covering old walls with thin panels over questionable substrates
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Undersized ventilation that clouds glass and encourages mildew
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Busy tile patterns that make small bathrooms feel smaller
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Misplaced niches that collect overspray and stains
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Glass measured before walls are plumb and level
CALbath’s process catches these issues on paper before they become problems in the field.
Why Homeowners Choose CALbath
Specialists, not generalists. Bathrooms are our focus, every day.
Quality brands, curated. Materials that perform in wet zones, not just what’s trending.
Professional installation. Craft-first details you feel: quiet fans, solid benches, pans that drain, glass that seals, grout that holds up.
Predictable process. Organized schedule, respectful jobsite, and consistent communication.
If you’re comparing contractors, browse our work and read real testimonials. When you’re ready, get on the calendar through contact.
Bottom Line
Typing replace bathtub with shower near me is the first step. The finish line is a shower that looks bigger than it measures, lives easier than before, and stays that way. With CALbath, you get clear design recommendations, proven materials, and installation that protects your home behind the tile. That’s the difference between a quick change and a lasting upgrade.
Ready to Replace Your Tub With a Shower?
Schedule a Free, No-Obligation Design Consultation
The design experts at CALbath have helped thousands of homeowners across Orange County and San Diego create bathrooms they love. Contact us today to schedule your completely free, no-obligation design consultation and discover what 30 years of experience can do for your home. Prefer to browse more first? Visit our blog and our work for ideas.