Replacing a Garden Tub and Glass Block with a Dallas Walk-In Shower
This Dallas project replaced a black jetted tub and glass-block surround with a walk-in shower. Removing the tub opened up space, but the new drain, floor slope, and waterproofing needed planning before demolition. The following sections show how we handled the conversion.
The unused tub space gave us room for a larger shower.
The project you’re about to see is a textbook example. A dated black jetted tub. Frosted glass block. Black-and-white striped wallpaper that screamed 1998. We turned it into a bright, airy walk-in shower with a pebble floor and a frameless glass panel. Let’s walk through how, why, and what it costs.
BEFORE: This master bath featured a black drop-in jetted tub, a dated frosted glass block wall, striped wallpaper, and…just, no.
Comparing Tub-to-Shower Conversion Options
Here’s the truth most contractors won’t tell you upfront.
Tub-to-shower conversions in Dallas range widely — anywhere from $2,500 for a builder-basic insert to $18,000+ for a fully custom tiled shower.
Why the massive gap? Because there’s a huge difference between slapping a plastic surround over old plumbing and building a proper, leak-proof, tiled walk-in shower from the studs out. Here’s a realistic breakdown for the Dallas area in 2026:
- Basic acrylic insert conversion: $3,000–$6,000
- Mid-range tiled walk-in shower: $8,000–$14,000
- Custom curbless or high-end tiled shower: $14,000–$22,000+
The project shown here falls in that custom tiled category: frameless glass, designer wall tile, a decorative mosaic band, dual niches, and a natural pebble floor. That’s not a weekend Home Depot job. That’s skill.
The Glass Block Problem (And Why It Had to Go)
That frosted glass block wall in the “before” photo? It was doing one job: letting a little light through — and doing it badly. Glass block was everywhere in Dallas homes built between 1995 and 2005. It’s now the number-one thing homeowners tell us they want gone.
Problem is, glass block isn’t just decorative. It can be firmly mortared in place, and we check the surrounding framing before removal. Removing it cleanly without cracking surrounding drywall or damaging framing takes experience. Our crew does this the right way, one careful section at a time, so the wall behind stays intact.
Our Technical Process, Step By Step
- Demolition & haul-off. Out goes the tub, glass block, wallpaper, and that vinyl floor. We protect the rest of your home during dusty demo.
- Master plumber rough-in. We never hand plumbing to a handyman. A licensed Master Plumber relocates the drain, sets the valve, and preps for the rain head and hand shower. To code. Every time.
- Shower pan build. We build a properly sloped pan for perfect drainage — no standing water, no pooling.
- The Overnight Water Test. This is the step cheap contractors skip. We flood-test the pan for 24 hours before the liner ever sees concrete. The test checks for leaks before the waterproofing is covered; it does not predict lifetime performance.
- Waterproofing. A premium multi-layer waterproofing system creates a monolithic barrier against water and mold. This is Texas; humidity is real.
- Tile & mosaic install. Large-format marble-look wall tile, a decorative glass mosaic accent band, and a natural river-pebble shower floor.
- Epoxy grout. In all wet areas we use waterproof, stain-resistant epoxy grout. It never needs sealing. It still needs proper movement joints and routine cleaning.
- Frameless glass & fixtures. A clean frameless panel, polished chrome fixtures, and final detailing.
The Transformation
The result speaks for itself. That black tub and dated block wall became a serene, light-filled walk-in shower. Notice the soft marble-look porcelain walls, the mosaic accent stripe carrying the eye across the space, and two recessed niches for storage :-no more shampoo bottles on the floor.
AFTER: The completed Dallas walk-in shower features marble-look porcelain walls, a decorative glass mosaic accent band, dual built-in niches, a rain shower head, a frameless glass panel, and a natural pebble stone floor.
The pebble floor needed careful edge cuts and drain layout.
It feels like a reflexology massage underfoot and, paired with epoxy grout, it’s a breeze to keep clean. The natural window even got to stay, flooding the space with real daylight…the job glass block used to do so poorly.
Material Options & Recommendations
Choosing materials is where projects live or die. Here’s our honest take for Dallas conditions:
- Wall tile: Large-format porcelain (like the marble-look shown) means fewer grout lines and easier cleaning. Around $8–$25/sq ft.
- Shower floor: Natural pebble ($15–$30/sq ft installed) offers grip and spa vibes. Small mosaics also work well for slope.
- Accent bands: Glass mosaic strips ($15–$40/linear ft) add personality without overwhelming the space.
- Glass: Frameless panels cost more but look infinitely more premium than framed sliders.
- Grout: Always epoxy in wet zones. Non-negotiable. Learn why in our guide on why epoxy grout is essential for wet areas.
Timeline & Project Management
A custom tub-to-shower conversion in Dallas typically runs 2 to 3 weeks depending on tile complexity and the overnight water test window. Here’s the thing though: we work one job at a time. No disappearing crews. No showing up Monday, vanishing Tuesday. Your project gets our full attention start to finish.
Before we swing a hammer, you get a detailed 3D color rendering. You see your finished shower: tile, glass, fixtures, the works before demo day.
No surprises.
Related reading: When Cheap Becomes Expensive: The Hidden Cost of Shower Disasters in Dallas.
Why This Build Will Outlast the House
Anyone can make a shower look good on day one.
Making it look good and stay leak-free in year ten is the real test. That’s why every shower we build comes with a Lifetime No-Leak Guarantee.
The overnight water test, the waterproofing fortress, the Master Plumber rough-in, the epoxy grout: it all adds up to a shower that simply doesn’t fail.
See more of our work on our Google Business Profile.
For deeper reading on waterproofing standards, the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) sets the industry benchmarks we build to and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in Dallas?
A: Expect roughly $3,000–$6,000 for a basic acrylic conversion and $8,000–$22,000+ for a custom tiled walk-in shower like the one shown here. Price depends on tile, glass, and plumbing changes.
Q: How long does a tub-to-shower conversion take?
A: A custom tiled conversion in Dallas typically takes 2 to 3 weeks, including the mandatory 24-hour overnight water test that guarantees a leak-proof pan.
Q: Do I need a permit for a tub-to-shower conversion in Dallas?
A: Usually yes. Any project that relocates a drain or alters plumbing requires a permit and inspection in Dallas. We handle permitting, and our Master Plumber work passes inspection cleanly.
Q: Is a pebble shower floor hard to clean?
A: Not when sealed and installed with epoxy grout. Epoxy is stain-resistant and never needs sealing, so a pebble floor stays easy to maintain while still feeling amazing underfoot.
Q: Will removing my tub hurt my home’s resale value?
A: In most Dallas-area homes no, specially if you have another tub elsewhere. Buyers strongly prefer large walk-in showers, so a quality conversion often boosts value.
Q: Can you build a curbless shower for accessibility?
A: Absolutely. Curbless walk-in showers are one of our specialties, offering barrier-free entry perfect for aging in place while looking modern and luxurious.
Q: Why is glass block so hard to remove?
A: Glass block is mortared solid and often tied into surrounding framing. Removing it without cracking adjacent walls takes experience which, is exactly what 24+ years buys you.
Ready To Say Goodbye To Your Garden Tub?
That unused tub isn’t doing you any favors.
If the tub and glass block no longer work for you, we can plan a replacement shower around the room. Our hand-built showers carry our lifetime no-leak guarantee.
Get your quote today.
Request your free online quote here and let’s build the shower you’ll actually love using.