Walk-In Shower · Design concept
Tub-to-shower conversion
1990s alcove tub out, full waterproofing system in, large-format sandstone porcelain on the walls, a frameless glass partition, and a rainfall + handheld set on a thermostatic valve.
This is a design concept — a photo-real rendering of a typical project, with the scope, materials and schedule a build like it usually involves. Your project gets its own scope and itemized estimate after a free in-home walk-through.
Typical timeline
~9 working days
Service
Walk-In Shower
Scope tier
Mid-tier scope
Before / after
Drag to see what changes
Drag the slider to compare the starting point with the design concept.
After
BeforeThe scenario
A typical starting point
The homeowners hadn't used the alcove tub in years and wanted the room to feel like a calm spa rather than a 1990s production-builder bathroom. The footprint stayed exactly the same — we kept the existing drain location and the same supply rough-in — but everything inside the wet zone was rebuilt from the studs out. The result reads custom but the timeline stayed inside 9 working days because the plumbing didn't move.
The scope
What's in the scope
A scope checklist is how every Tanbark project starts. Below is the checklist for a project like this — the same level of specificity goes into the itemized estimate you'll get after your in-home walk-through.
- Removal of acrylic alcove tub, surround panels, and original drywall
- Inspection + correction of subfloor (one soft spot replaced)
- Re-routing of valve to ergonomic height + thermostatic mixing valve install
- Full waterproofing membrane system (Schluter Kerdi-equivalent)
- Custom curbed pan with linear floor drain
- Large-format sandstone porcelain on three walls, mitered porcelain corner detail
- Recessed wall niche with LED accent + warm color temperature
- Frameless single-panel + hinged glass enclosure with brushed-nickel hardware
- Rainfall head + handheld set + thermostatic controls
- City of Roseville / Placer County plumbing permit + final inspection
Materials + finishes
What we'd specify
Finishes are what make a build feel custom — and the cheap version of every line below is the difference between a one-year project and a twenty-year project.
- Sandstone-tone large-format porcelain (24" x 48") with mitered corner detail
- Schluter Kerdi-equivalent waterproofing membrane system
- Brushed-nickel rainfall + handheld set, thermostatic mixing valve
- Linear floor drain in brushed stainless
- Frameless 3/8" tempered glass + concealed hinges
- Warm 2700K LED accent in tile niche
Material + finish detail
The details up close
Day by day
A typical 9-working-day schedule
Here's how a project like this usually breaks down. Your exact day count lives in your written estimate.
- 1
Demo + protection
Day 1Floor-to-finish-door floor protection laid, tub out, walls back to studs.
- 2
Subfloor + plumbing
Day 2-3Soft subfloor patch, valve moved to ergonomic height, thermostatic mix installed.
- 3
Waterproofing + pan
Day 4Pan formed, linear drain set, full Kerdi-system membrane wrapped.
- 4
Tile
Day 5-7Large-format porcelain set with mitered corners and LED niche; floor laid last.
- 5
Glass + fixtures
Day 8Frameless panel + door measured, drilled, set; final fixtures live-tested.
- 6
Final + inspection
Day 9Sealer cure, final cleanup, county plumbing inspection, walk-through with homeowner.
Why it matters
The details that make it work
- Keeping the existing drain + supply location is what kept this build inside 9 working days — when plumbing doesn't move, the whole project compresses.
- Mitered porcelain corners (no metal Schluter trim) is the single biggest visual upgrade in a tiled shower.
- Linear floor drain + sloped substrate means we could have gone curbless if the homeowner had wanted — same waterproofing system supports either.
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Planning an accessible bathroom like this?
Grab the free Aging-in-Place Bathroom Planning Checklist — the clearances, curbless shower spec, grab-bar blocking, and fixtures that go into a bathroom like this one.
- The clearances to lock down before anything else
- Curbless shower done right — and the door question
- Grab-bar blocking: do it now or regret it later
- Anti-scald valves, handhelds, comfort-height fixtures
- Lighting + slip choices that prevent the most falls
About the number on a project like this:
We don't publish project totals because the same build can cost very differently depending on the home, the existing conditions, the finish level you actually want, and how much custom millwork or stone the design calls for. The right number for your project lives in your itemized written estimate, which we deliver within 48 hours of your in-home walk-through.
On the walk we bring the same scope-checklist approach you see above. By the end of the visit you'll know exactly which line items are fixed scope, which are selections, and where the real budget pressure lives.
Articles about this kind of project
Sacramento-area context for a walk-in shower like this — permits, timeline drivers, and scope decisions.
Article · Granite Bay
How long does a walk-in shower remodel actually take in Granite Bay?
A real day-by-day timeline for a Granite Bay walk-in shower remodel — from demo to permit final. What compresses the schedule, what stretches it, and what to expect in your home.
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Article · Sacramento
Walk-in shower vs tub-to-shower conversion: 2026 cost comparison for Sacramento homeowners
Curbless walk-in showers and tub-to-shower conversions look similar on Pinterest, but the budget and timeline gap is real. Here is what each scope actually costs in Sacramento in 2026, and which one fits your bathroom.
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Article · Sacramento
Curbless ADA showers in Sacramento: planning an aging-in-place primary bathroom
What a real curbless ADA-friendly shower needs in a Sacramento home — continuous waterproofing, slip-rated porcelain, blocking for grab bars, and the design moves that make it look like a designer shower, not a hospital.
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Next step
Want something like this at your home?
Book a free in-home walk-through. We'll measure, ask the right questions, and bring you an itemized written estimate within 48 hours.
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