Tub-to-Shower Conversions in Oxford, MS: Modern Walk-In Showers
Replace an outdated alcove tub with a custom-tiled walk-in shower — waterproofed with Schluter systems, built to last, and designed for the way Oxford homeowners actually live.

The most common bathroom upgrade TAV Construction installs across Oxford, Tupelo, and North Mississippi is the tub-to-shower conversion. Most homes built before 2010 have a five-foot alcove tub in the primary suite that goes unused — a fixture that consumes the most valuable floor real estate in the bathroom and provides none of the daily comfort homeowners actually want.
Replacing that tub with a custom-tiled walk-in shower changes the entire character of the room. The project combines structural work, licensed plumbing, and precision tile installation — trades that have to be sequenced correctly and waterproofed to a professional standard to deliver a result that lasts decades without water intrusion, mold, or grout failure.
TAV Construction manages the full scope: demolition, subfloor preparation, drain rough-in, Schluter waterproofing system installation, custom tile setting, and glass enclosure coordination. Below is everything Oxford and Lafayette County homeowners need to know about how we do it and what to expect.
Professional Conversion Specialists in Lafayette County
A tub-to-shower conversion is not a cosmetic update — it's a structural trade project. The work touches framing, plumbing, waterproofing, and finish materials in sequence, and a mistake at any layer can compromise everything above it. TAV Construction brings a dedicated crew to every conversion with the experience to execute each phase correctly.
Expert Demolition & Removal
We remove the existing alcove tub or fiberglass insert down to the studs, exposing the wall framing and subfloor for inspection. Any rotted or water-damaged framing is replaced before work proceeds — a step many installers skip that shows up as problems within a few years. The tub deck, surround, and backer are all cleared to give us a clean, inspected substrate.
Structural Subfloor Reinforcement
Tile and stone systems are significantly heavier than fiberglass. Before setting any cement board or membrane, we verify the subfloor joist structure meets the deflection standard required for a tile installation. Where reinforcement is needed — sistered joists, added blocking, or a thicker subfloor layer — it's done at this stage, not discovered after tile is set.
Custom Plumbing Reconfiguration
Tub and shower plumbing are different. We upgrade the drain from the standard 1.5-inch tub drain to a code-required 2-inch shower drain, reposition the p-trap, and install the new thermostatic or pressure-balance valve. Shower head height, hand shower, and any body spray rough-ins are planned at this phase so the wall tile layout accounts for all penetrations symmetrically.
Aging-in-Place Features
For clients prioritizing long-term accessibility, we install reinforced blocking in the shower walls to support future grab bars, design curbless entries that eliminate step-over hazards, and slope the floor to a linear drain that keeps the shower pan dry when not in use. These features are designed to look intentional, not institutional — and they add measurable value for buyers as well.
What the Conversion Process Looks Like
- Day 1 Full demolition of tub, surround, and backer material. Subfloor and framing inspection. Plumbing rough-in begins — drain upsized and repositioned, valve rough-in installed.
- Days 2–3 Subfloor reinforcement if needed. Cement board or Schluter KERDI-BOARD substrate installation on walls. Mortar bed or pre-sloped liner set for the shower floor. Niche framing completed.
- Days 4–6 Waterproofing membrane application. Tile setting begins — floor first, then walls in sequence to maintain layout alignment. Niche and bench tile integrated. Grout applied and cure time observed.
- Day 7 Fixture trim-out: valve handle, shower head, and hand shower installed. Frameless glass door and panel set. Caulking at all movement joints. Final walk-through and client sign-off.
Guaranteed Waterproofing & Precision Tiling
The difference between a shower that holds up for twenty years and one that develops mold and structural damage within five is almost always the waterproofing layer. TAV Construction installs Schluter-KERDI membranes on every custom tile shower — a bonded, load-bearing waterproofing system that is continuous from the shower floor to the ceiling and eliminates the moisture pathways that cause long-term failures.
Schluter-KERDI Waterproofing System
The KERDI membrane bonds directly to the substrate and creates a fully bonded waterproofing layer behind every tile. Unlike traditional felt paper or foam backer board, KERDI is impermeable — water that reaches the grout joints finds the membrane, not the wall framing. The system includes integrated corners, niches, and drain components to maintain continuity at every transition point.
Custom Niches & Benches
Built-in niches and benches are framed into the wall cavity and waterproofed with the same system as the surrounding walls. Niche depth is sized for standard shampoo bottles and razor storage without protruding beyond the stud bay. Bench surfaces are sloped slightly toward the drain to prevent standing water, and all corners receive KERDI-BAND sealing tape before tile is set.
Precision Tile Layout
Every tile installation begins with a dry layout on the floor before a single piece is set. We find the visual center of each wall, account for the location of niches, fixtures, and bench edges, and verify that cut tiles at the perimeter are balanced and no smaller than half a tile. The floor slope is checked with a level from all four sides before grouting to confirm positive drainage to the drain.
Epoxy & High-Performance Grouts
For shower floors and grout joints below the waterline, we recommend epoxy grout — a resin-based formula that is virtually impervious to staining, mildew, and chemical cleaners. It requires no sealing, holds color indefinitely, and is the industry standard for maintenance-free grout in wet areas. Sanded or unsanded cementitious grout is used on walls where epoxy's working time would be impractical.
Popular Tile Choices in North Mississippi
- Large Format 24×48 and 12×24 porcelain slabs are the most-requested look in Oxford right now. Fewer grout joints mean a cleaner appearance and less maintenance, and oversized tiles make small bathrooms read as larger.
- Subway Tile 3×6 and 4×12 subway tile in a stacked or offset pattern delivers a timeless look that holds its value. Contrasting grout — charcoal or warm gray with white tile — is the most durable choice for a shower floor.
- Natural Stone Marble and travertine are available for clients who want a luxury finish. Natural stone requires annual sealing and is more sensitive to acidic cleaners, but delivers a visual quality that no porcelain print can match.
- Mosaic Floors 1×1 or penny mosaic tile on shower floors provides natural slip resistance from the higher grout-to-tile ratio and gives the design a clear delineation between floor and wall planes.
Why Oxford Homeowners Choose TAV Construction
Tub-to-shower conversions are a commodity service — dozens of contractors in North Mississippi will give you a number. The differentiator is the quality of the waterproofing layer and whether the crew doing the work has the tile experience to execute a precise layout that holds up visually and structurally for two decades. TAV Construction's background is trade craft, not renovation volume.
Schluter Certified
Every shower waterproofed with the industry's leading bonded membrane system — no felt paper, no shortcuts.
Full Plumbing Scope
Licensed plumbing integration included — drain upgrades, valve rough-in, and fixture trim. One crew, one contract.
Permitted Work
All conversions pulled and inspected under Lafayette County permits. Required for insurance claims and resale disclosure.
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Tub-to-Shower Conversions by TAV Construction
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What Oxford Homeowners Say
Feedback from clients who trusted TAV Construction with their bathroom conversions and remodels.
"My experience with TAV Construction was great. Gavin the brick layer does excellent work. He's good at what he does. I would recommend him to anyone who's looking for someone who's dedicated to doing his job. My hat goes off to him..."
Reginald Nicholson
2026-04-17
"Glevin is a kind and generous human being - and from there, his talent flows. I've worked with him multiple times, hiring him to install tile, flooring - anything where finish counts. He is dependable, reasonable, thoughtful and considerate. A true professional."
Matthew Hackworth
2026-03-12
Tub-to-Shower Conversion: Common Questions
Answers to the questions Lafayette County homeowners ask most before committing to a conversion.
1How much does a tub-to-shower conversion cost in Oxford?
In Oxford and Lafayette County, a professionally installed tub-to-shower conversion typically runs between $6,000 and $12,000. Basic prefabricated acrylic inserts with a valve upgrade start around $6,000–$7,500 installed. A fully custom build — Schluter waterproofing system, large-format porcelain tile, frameless glass enclosure, and a built-in niche — lands in the $9,000–$12,000+ range. The variables are tile selection, whether a drain relocation is required, and any structural subfloor work needed under the new tile bed.
2Is a tub-to-shower conversion worth it for home resale?
For primary suites in Oxford's $300K–$600K market, yes — the demand for walk-in showers has outpaced demand for soaking tubs in that price range. Buyers in the empty-nester and move-up segments actively prioritize modern, accessible showers. Most homeowners recoup 60–75% of the project cost at resale, and the upgrade pays dividends in daily usability long before the sale. The one caveat: keep at least one bathtub somewhere in the home if you have children or plan to market to families.
3How long does the conversion process take?
A standard tub-to-shower conversion with custom tile takes 5 to 7 working days on-site. Day one covers demo of the existing tub, surround, and backer. Days two and three are for plumbing rough-in, drain upgrade, and waterproofing membrane installation. Days four through six are tile setting and grout cure time. Day seven handles fixture trim-out, caulking, and final inspection. We pre-order frameless glass before demo begins to avoid lead-time delays — glass fabrication typically runs 2–4 weeks.
4Do you use fiberglass or tile for the new shower?
TAV Construction specializes in custom tile installations, not fiberglass or acrylic inserts. Tile showers outlast prefabricated enclosures by decades, offer unlimited design options, and hold their value far better. The most popular choices in North Mississippi right now are large-format 24×48 porcelain slabs in matte finishes and subway tile with contrasting grout for a classic, durable look. We can also source natural stone for clients who want a luxury finish.
5Can you install a curbless (barrier-free) shower?
Yes. Curbless showers require a subfloor modification — the floor structure needs to be dropped or recessed so the shower pan can slope to the drain without creating a step. TAV Construction handles the full scope: structural framing adjustment, linear or center drain rough-in, Schluter KERDI-SHOWER or mortar bed slope, and continuous waterproofing from floor to ceiling. Curbless designs are our most-requested accessibility upgrade and are increasingly popular as a design choice independent of mobility needs.
6What kind of maintenance does a tile shower require?
A properly waterproofed and grouted tile shower requires minimal maintenance — standard tile cleaning with a non-abrasive cleaner and periodic inspection of caulk lines at corners and fixtures. If you opt for epoxy grout (which we recommend for shower floors), the grout is nearly impervious to staining and mildew. The Schluter waterproofing membrane behind the tile means moisture never reaches the substrate, so the structural components stay dry and maintenance-free indefinitely.
7Will you handle the plumbing for the new shower?
Yes — full plumbing integration is included in every conversion. This covers drain relocation or upsizing from a 1.5-inch tub drain to a 2-inch shower drain (required by Mississippi plumbing code), p-trap repositioning, installation of the new shower valve and body, and rough-in for any additional spray heads or hand showers. All work is licensed, permitted, and code-compliant for Lafayette County.
8Can I add a bench or niche to my new shower?
Custom built-in benches and recessed niches are available on every shower conversion. Niches are framed into the wall cavity, waterproofed with the same Schluter membrane as the surrounding shower walls, and tiled to match or contrast with the field tile. Benches can be cantilevered, wall-mounted, or corner-format depending on your space. Both upgrades are planned at the design phase — they cannot be added after the waterproofing layer is set without reopening the wall.
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