As more North Texas homeowners renovate their bathrooms, one question appears in nearly every consultation: should you install a walk-in shower or keep (or upgrade to) a traditional bathtub? The right choice depends on lifestyle, space, resale goals, and long-term comfort. Whether you’re remodeling a home near Highland Village, updating a master bathroom in Murphy, or refreshing a guest bath in Arlington, understanding the pros and cons of each option will help you make a confident decision.
This guide compares walk-in showers and tubs across important categories including functionality, accessibility, maintenance, cost, and what works best for homes throughout Dallas–Fort Worth.
Walk-In Showers: Modern, Accessible, and Space Efficient
Walk-in showers have become one of the most requested bathroom upgrades in DFW homes. Their clean lines, spacious feel, and modern style make them a preferred choice for homeowners updating older properties or customizing new builds.
Benefits of Walk-In Showers
Space Optimization
A walk-in shower can open up the room and make even modest bathrooms feel larger. This is especially valuable in homes near areas like Preston Hollow or North Richland Hills, where many older floorplans have compact bathrooms.
Accessibility and Safety
For aging homeowners or families planning to stay in their home long-term, a walk-in shower offers easier entry, no high tub wall to step over, and compatibility with grab bars or built-in seating.
Design Flexibility
From frameless glass to large-format tile and linear drains, walk-in showers offer extensive customization. You can choose marble-look quartz panels, porcelain tile, or mosaic accents that fit the style of your home.
Low Maintenance
With fewer seams and simple hardware, modern showers are easier to clean than traditional tubs. Many Dallas homeowners prefer large tile or solid-surface panels to reduce grout lines and simplify upkeep during hot summer months when humidity rises.
Perfect for Master Bathrooms
Most remodels across Plano, Frisco, and Flower Mound prioritize removing oversized jetted tubs and replacing them with spacious walk-in showers.
Where Walk-In Showers May Fall Short
Not every household prefers showers over tubs. If you have small children, a tub can still be essential. Additionally, some buyers expect at least one bathtub in the home, especially in family-oriented areas like McKinney or Mansfield. Removing all tubs may impact resale appeal for certain demographics.
Bathtubs: Classic Comfort and Family-Friendly Functionality
Bathtubs remain popular in many North Texas homes, especially those with young children or homeowners who enjoy the relaxation of soaking after a long day. In neighborhoods like Lake Highlands or Keller, tubs still play a significant role in family bathrooms.
Benefits of Traditional Tubs
Ideal for Families with Children
Bathing small children is easier in a tub. For families in early-childhood neighborhoods such as Murphy or Coppell, tubs are often essential.
Therapeutic and Relaxing
Many homeowners choose deeper soaking tubs or freestanding tubs for relaxation. This is popular in master suite retreats where comfort and aesthetics matter.
Strong Appeal for Certain Buyers
Real estate agents across DFW often recommend keeping at least one bathtub in the home, as some buyers specifically look for them when house hunting.
Affordable Options
Standard alcove tubs are typically more budget-friendly than custom showers, making them practical for rental properties or secondary bathrooms.
Where Bathtubs May Not Be Ideal
Tubs require more maintenance because of grout lines and caulking points. They also take up more space, making some bathrooms feel compact. For aging homeowners or those with mobility concerns, stepping over a tub wall may be difficult or unsafe.
Walk-In Shower vs. Tub: How They Compare for North Texas Homes
Daily Use and Lifestyle Fit
If your household primarily showers, a walk-in shower offers convenience and comfort. For families with infants or toddlers, a tub remains highly practical.
Bathroom Size
Walk-in showers make small bathrooms feel more open. Tubs work best in medium or large bathrooms with space to accommodate their footprint.
Long-Term Accessibility
Walk-in showers are the preferred choice for aging-in-place renovations throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.
Maintenance and Cleaning
Walk-in showers with large-format tile or solid-surface walls are typically easier to maintain, especially with DFW’s humidity fluctuations. Tubs require attention to caulking, grout, and basin cleaning.
Resale Value in North Texas
Most buyers appreciate having at least one tub in the home, especially in family-focused communities like Allen, Melissa, or Wylie. However, a large walk-in shower in the primary bathroom remains a top selling feature.
Design Trends in DFW
Modern remodels throughout Dallas, Richardson, and Southlake strongly favor walk-in showers for their luxurious feel and versatile design options.
Which Option Is Best for Your North Texas Home?
Choose a walk-in shower if you want a modern, spacious update, low-maintenance surfaces, long-term accessibility, or improved functionality in a small bathroom. Walk-in showers are especially ideal for master suites and aging-in-place planning.
Choose a bathtub if you have young children, enjoy soaking, want a spa-style retreat, or want to maintain broad resale appeal for families throughout North Texas.
Many homeowners choose both: a walk-in shower in the primary bath and a tub-shower combo in a secondary bathroom to accommodate a variety of needs.
Transform Your Bathroom with CC Carpet
Whether you’re updating a home near The Star in Frisco, renovating a historic property in Oak Cliff, or improving a rental in Bedford, CC Carpet brings more than 35 years of remodeling experience to your project. We install custom walk-in showers, bathtub replacements, tile surrounds, vanities, waterproof flooring, and complete bathroom upgrades.
With our Shop at Home service, you can compare materials directly in your home’s lighting. Our team provides expert guidance, transparent pricing, and professional installation.
Contact CC Carpet today for a free in-home bathroom remodeling estimate and discover whether a walk-in shower, a bathtub, or a combination provides the best fit for your North Texas home.
