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For many Toronto homeowners, swapping out an old tub for a stand-up shower is the renovation that finally makes a bathroom feel like it works. The catch most people expect? Not enough room. In practice, space is rarely the obstacle it appears to be.
The real question is not how much space you have, but how effectively it is being used.
The Real Reason Your Bathroom Feels Cramped
A standard bathtub occupies approximately 12.5 square feet of floor space. In a 45-square-foot bathroom—a size commonly found in older Toronto detached and semi-detached homes—that is nearly a third of the room dedicated to a fixture many homeowners use only a few times a week.
Taking out the bathtub does more than simply create additional floor space. It changes how the entire room functions: more freedom of movement, easier cleaning, and new storage opportunities that were not possible before.
How Much Space Do You Actually Need?
Square footage alone does not determine what is possible. Even when two bathrooms share the same footprint, factors such as where the plumbing runs, how the door opens, and where the fixtures sit can significantly affect the final layout.
Toronto houses—particularly pre-war detached homes and post-war semis—tend to follow a few recurring floor plans. Here is what typically works:
Under 35 sq ft
35–50 sq ft
50–70 sq ft
Challenges in Older Toronto Homes
Older Toronto houses—pre-war detached and post-war semis—come with specific conditions that affect every stand-up shower installation:
Custom tile showers handle these conditions better than prefabricated units, which is why they are the more practical choice for most Toronto homes.
Shower Options That Actually Fit Tight Bathrooms
Corner showers preserve the most open floor area and work especially well in narrow or L-shaped layouts.
Frameless glass enclosures keep sightlines open, reflect light, and create a more spacious appearance—one of the most effective upgrades for a compact bathroom.
Sliding doors eliminate door swing clearance—a real advantage where the toilet or vanity leaves little room to maneuver.
What Is Included in a Stand-Up Shower Installation?
A complete stand-up shower installation typically covers:
Understanding what is included helps set realistic expectations for both timeline and budget before the project begins.
What Actually Drives Cost and Complexity
The single biggest cost factor is whether the drain needs to be relocated. If the new shower can use the existing drain position, the project stays straightforward. Moving a drain typically means opening the subfloor, and costs increase noticeably.
Other factors that affect both budget and design include:
Why Homeowners Replace a Tub With a Stand-Up Shower
For most Toronto homeowners who rarely use the tub, the switch improves day-to-day comfort without sacrificing anything meaningful.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Deciding on the Door Last
The door configuration affects vanity placement and toilet clearance. It should be one of the first decisions, not an afterthought.
Skipping the Niche
Plan the storage niche before tile goes up—adding it afterward means cutting into a waterproofed wall.
Choosing Tile by Appearance Only
Large-format tiles (24" × 48" or bigger) open up a small shower visually and reduce grout maintenance significantly.
Skipping Permits
When permits are required for plumbing or related renovation work, skipping them can create problems at resale and may affect insurance claims involving water damage.
Should You Keep the Bathtub?
For homeowners with two or more bathrooms, keep one tub and convert the other. If this is the only bathroom, think carefully—families with young children tend to prioritize homes with at least one bathtub.
If you rarely use the tub or want better accessibility, a stand-up shower almost always wins on day-to-day functionality.
FAQ
Can a stand-up shower fit in a bathroom under 40 square feet?
In most cases, yes. A 32″ × 32″ corner unit is often the minimum practical size, and once the tub comes out, there is usually enough room to go up to 36″ × 36″ or bigger.
How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
A straightforward conversion without drain relocation typically takes 3–5 days. Projects involving plumbing changes or custom glass installations will take longer.
Will removing my only bathtub affect resale value?
It can. Toronto buyers—especially families—tend to expect at least one bathtub.If the home still has another bathtub available, the impact on future resale value is generally small. If it is the only one, the decision is worth weighing carefully.
Making the Most of a Small Bathroom
A stand-up shower will not make your bathroom physically larger. What it can do is remove the fixture most likely preventing the room from working well—and replace it with something that fits how your household actually uses the space.
Lex Contracting specializes in stand-up shower installation for Toronto homeowners. Whether you are working with a tight layout or simply want a stand-up shower that looks and functions better than what you have now, we can help you figure out what is realistic for your space—before any decisions are made.
Get in touch with Lex Contracting to discuss your bathroom and get a straight answer on what your project would involve.