Updated shower replaces little-used whirlpool, small shower

Dean Taylor says he sees it all the time. Homeowners realize they aren't using the whirlpool tub that came with their house and decide to rip it out, replacing it with a larger, updated shower.

That's exactly the project his company, Custom Remodeling by Dean Taylor, of Davenport,did for Don and Linda Barchman.

Thecouple found thatwhen they did use their whirlpool, it was a "water hog," drainingthe water heater. Meanwhile, the one-piece acrylic shower unit theyused every day was difficult tokeep clean, and the door didn't close properly.

After visiting a friend's house with a walk-in showerthat they liked, theBarchmans, of Davenport,decided to get bids for abathroom makeover.

The workincluded tearing out thethe tub andshowerand replacing them with one large shower featuring tile on the floors, ceiling and walls, a corner bench with three niches forshower supplies, and a stationary shower head as well as ahand-held spray.

Taylor says people like hand-helds because they can use them to clean the shower as well as themselves.

The Barchmans also had an all-glass door installed. The shower would have been OK without one in terms ofwater drainage, but it helps keep warmth around the user, Linda said.Because it is all-glass, thereis no metal orrubber seal to get grubby.

Homeowners considering a similar project should anticipate acost of at least $10,000 and on up, Linda said. Drywall installation, tile work and rerouting plumbing and electrical service for the lights and exhaust fan all add up.

"There's alwaysmore to it than what a lot of homeowners think," Taylor said.

Another part of the Barchmanproject was the installation of a pocket door to the bathroom itself, replacing a regular door they didn't use very much and that was in the way when they did.The pocket door is tucked into the wall, but it's available on those rare occasions when the Barchmans want to use it.

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Updated shower replaces little-used whirlpool, small shower