It’s one of the most common questions we hear from homeowners across Penfield, Brighton, and Webster: “Should I keep the tub or go with a walk-in shower?” It’s a question that touches on daily comfort, long-term home value, and personal style — and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

Whether you’re planning a full bathroom remodel or simply refreshing your master suite, understanding the trade-offs between a walk-in shower and a bathtub helps you invest wisely. Here’s what Rochester NY homeowners need to know before making the call.

The Home Value Question: What the Data Says

Real estate professionals in the Rochester market consistently point to one rule of thumb: keep at least one bathtub in your home. Homes with zero bathtubs can see reduced buyer interest, especially from families with young children. According to the National Association of Realtors, a mid-range bathroom remodel recoups roughly 67–70% of its cost at resale — and that number holds strongest when the home retains at least one tub.

That said, if your home has two or more full bathrooms, converting one tub to a spacious walk-in shower is often a net positive. Buyers in the Pittsford and Victor markets increasingly expect a luxurious walk-in shower in the master bath, viewing it as a premium upgrade.

The bottom line? A walk-in shower in the master bathroom plus a tub in a secondary bathroom is the combination that maximizes both daily enjoyment and resale appeal.

Walk-in Showers: Why Rochester Homeowners Love Them

Walk-in showers have surged in popularity — and for good reason. Here’s what makes them a standout choice for bathroom remodeling in Penfield and surrounding suburbs:

• Spa-like experience: Frameless glass enclosures, rainfall showerheads, body jets, and built-in benches turn an everyday routine into a retreat.
• Easier maintenance: Fewer grout lines and no tub ledge to clean means less scrubbing and fewer mold-prone areas — a real benefit in our humid Rochester summers.
• Accessibility and aging in place: A barrier-free or low-threshold shower makes daily bathing safer for all ages. Grab bars, non-slip tile, and bench seating can be designed to look beautiful rather than clinical. Our team specializes in accessibility-conscious design that never sacrifices style.
• Visual openness: Walk-in showers make smaller bathrooms feel larger by eliminating the visual bulk of a tub surround.

Bathtubs: When Keeping the Tub Makes Sense

Bathtubs aren’t going anywhere — they still play a vital role in many Rochester area homes:

• Families with young children: Bath time is a nightly ritual. If your household includes kids under 8, at least one tub is practically non-negotiable.
• Relaxation and wellness: Soaking tubs and freestanding tubs offer a level of relaxation that showers simply can’t replicate. After a long Upstate New York winter day, a deep soak hits differently.
• Resale safety net: If your home has only one full bathroom, keeping the tub protects you from alienating a large segment of potential buyers.
• Design statement: A freestanding tub in front of a window or centered in a larger bathroom becomes the room’s focal point — an element of luxury that photographs beautifully for listings.

The Best of Both Worlds: Design Solutions That Work

At GEM Remodeling, our in-house designer with 27+ years of experience regularly helps homeowners find creative solutions that deliver both shower luxury and tub convenience:

Option 1: Wet Room Layout

Combine a walk-in shower and a freestanding tub in a single open wet area. This works exceptionally well in master bathrooms with 70+ square feet and creates a true spa atmosphere.

Option 2: Shower-Tub Combo Upgrade

If space is tight, a high-end shower-tub combination with frameless glass panels and premium tile work can deliver a polished look without the footprint of two separate fixtures.

Option 3: Master Shower + Secondary Tub

The most popular approach we see across Brighton, Fairport, and Irondequoit homes: install a stunning walk-in shower in the master, keep or add a tub in a hall or guest bathroom. It satisfies every buyer profile and every family stage.

With 3D renderings and photo-realistic visualizations, you’ll see exactly how each option looks in your actual bathroom — before any demolition begins. That’s the power of our design-first remodeling process.

Cost Considerations for Rochester NY Homeowners

Both options vary widely in cost depending on materials, size, and complexity. Here are some factors that influence your investment:

• Tile selection: Large-format porcelain, natural stone, and custom mosaic patterns all carry different price points. Our designer helps you choose materials that balance beauty with budget.
• Plumbing changes: Converting a tub to a shower (or vice versa) may require re-routing drain lines and water supply — a factor our team assesses during your in-home consultation.
• Glass enclosures: Frameless glass is the premium standard for walk-in showers and adds a meaningful cost over framed or semi-frameless options.
• Fixtures and hardware: Rainfall heads, handheld sprayers, digital temperature controls, and body jets are increasingly popular upgrades.

Every bathroom remodel we take on includes detailed scope documents and transparent pricing so you know exactly what to expect. Our lifetime craftsmanship warranty backs every project we complete.

Making the Right Decision for Your Home

Here’s a quick decision framework:

• Choose a walk-in shower if your home has at least two bathrooms, you value low maintenance, or you’re planning for aging in place.
• Keep or add a bathtub if it’s your only full bathroom, you have young children, or you want a freestanding tub as a design centerpiece.
• Do both if your master bathroom has the square footage — this is the approach that consistently delivers the highest satisfaction and the strongest resale value.

As a veteran-owned and operated company serving the Rochester NY area, GEM Remodeling brings a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to every bathroom project. From initial design consultation through final walkthrough, our team ensures your remodel delivers exactly what you envisioned — backed by our lifetime craftsmanship warranty.

Start Planning Your Bathroom Remodel

Ready to transform your bathroom into a space you’ll love for years to come? Whether you’re leaning toward a walk-in shower, a soaking tub, or a combination of both, our team will help you design the perfect solution for your home and lifestyle.

Call us at (585) 800-9922 to schedule your in-home consultation, or reach out online to get started. We proudly serve homeowners in Pittsford, Penfield, Webster, Victor, Henrietta, and throughout the greater Rochester NY area.