New trend: Take out the tub

In the broader market, a 2014 bathroom-trends study by Houzz Inc., the online design and remodeling resource ( http://www.houzz.com), showed that 4 in 10 of the 7,645 homeowners who shared information about their renovations are choosing to forgo bathtubs, even in the master suite.

Homeowners under 45 are choosing multiple or rain-shower heads, the study showed, while those over 55 prefer handheld showers and sliding bars.

Frameless glass shower doors are in. Glass blocks are out.

Typical of the trend, said Nick Meli Jr., owner of Nick Meli Jr. Contracting in Center City, is a renovation he did this year for a condo owner in Independence Place on Washington Square. Client Robin Cooper, who owns a one-bedroom unit, wanted to replace her 25-year-old tub with a sleek, all-glass walk-in shower.

"It used to be you never did that, especially if there was only one tub," said Meli.

"We're seeing much more demand for walk-in showers," he added. Millennials "don't take baths; they want to shower, get in and get out. Soaking in a tub? No way, their homes are a place to sleep and then leave for work. Older people don't want tubs because they're 20 inches from the floor; they can't step over them. So we're really doing this for everyone."

A typical bathroom is about 5 feet by 10 feet, and most tubs are about 60 inches long. In condos, Meli said, 90 percent of his shower conversions/renovation jobs involve removing tubs. "That's how much of a difference in demand we've seen lately," he noted.

Cooper recalled that when she moved into the building, Philadelphia Realtors such as Allan Domb had a warning for owners in her building and others: "He said, 'Don't take the tub out of a one-bedroom. It won't hold its resale value, and it won't be as popular' as other units."

She added, "In a one-bedroom, it was taboo to remove the tub. You didn't touch it. Now, that's not the case at all."

Things started changing in the last few years. "Now, I probably get three calls a week to change over a tub to a shower. I did three estimates just this week," Meli said.

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New trend: Take out the tub