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More than 60% of homebuyers now prefer a walk-in shower over a bathtub in the primary bathroom, according to the National Association of Realtors. Walk-in showers add approximately 5 to 10% to home resale value and are the top bathroom upgrade for aging in place, eliminating the step-over fall risk of a standard tub.
Over 20% of Knox County residents are aged 65 or older, making low-threshold shower design especially relevant in the Knoxville market. Spa-inspired bathrooms with walk-in showers appear 22% more frequently in Knoxville-area home listings in 2026, per Zillow’s Home Trends Report. Families with young children or single-bathroom homes may benefit from keeping at least one bathtub for resale flexibility.
The bathtub held the bathroom for decades. In 2026, walk-in showers are taking over, and Knoxville homeowners are leading the shift. Over 60% of homebuyers now prefer a shower over a tub in the primary bathroom, and that number keeps climbing.
This June, Tennessee Standard Plumbing is making the upgrade easier than ever. Get a free Kohler toilet installation with every new premium custom shower unit, plus no payment and no interest for 18 months on any qualifying job in partnership with GoodLeap. Offer valid through June 30, 2026. Call (865) 352-9003 or schedule your consultation today.
EXCLUSIONS APPLY CALL FOR DETAILS. Offers cannot be combined with other offers.
The data is clear. Walk-in showers are now the primary choice in master and primary bathrooms across Knoxville and the rest of East Tennessee.
Bathtubs are not disappearing entirely, but they are being replaced in primary baths at an accelerating rate as homeowners prioritize space, accessibility, and modern design.
According to the National Association of Realtors, more than 60% of homebuyers prefer a shower over a tub in the primary bathroom.
More than 52% specifically prioritize low-curb or curbless entry. Zillow’s 2026 Home Trends Report shows spa-inspired bathrooms appear 22% more frequently in home listings this year, with wellness features up 33%.
Removing a tub from the primary bathroom does not hurt value when replaced with a quality walk-in shower. A well-installed custom shower adds 5 to 10% to resale value, depending on materials and finish. The key for Knoxville homeowners: keep at least one bathtub elsewhere in the home if families are your likely buyers. Licensed plumbers in Knoxville can advise on which bathroom is the right candidate for a conversion based on your floor plan.
| Feature | Standard Bathtub | Custom Walk-In Shower |
| Resale value impact | Neutral to negative if the only option | +5 to 10% with quality installation |
| Buyer preference | Preferred by families with young children | Preferred by 60%+ of all homebuyers |
| Entry barrier | 14–18 inch step-over | Low or zero threshold |
| Daily adult use | Declining in most households | Used daily by most adults |
| Water usage per use | ~36 gallons | ~17–20 gallons |
| Space efficiency | Fixed footprint, often underused | Same footprint, fully functional |
Beyond buyer preference and resale data, a custom walk-in shower delivers real advantages a standard bathtub cannot match: safer entry, better use of space, lower water use, and a finish that holds up for decades.
Over 20% of Knox County residents are aged 65 or older, and 1 in 4 adults over that age fall each year, most at home and most in the bathroom.
A standard bathtub requires stepping over a 14 to 18-inch wet barrier every single time. A low-threshold or curbless custom shower eliminates that risk. Walk-in shower installation in Knoxville with built-in seating, grab bars, and slip-resistant flooring is the leading bathroom upgrade for aging in place across East Tennessee.
A premium custom shower installation includes plumbing, waterproofing, wall materials, a glass enclosure, and all fixtures in a single project. Built-in features like shelving, seating, and anti-slip flooring come standard at the premium tier. Bathroom remodels and premium packages in Knoxville include a full design consultation and an upfront price guarantee before any work begins.
| Feature | Standard Bathtub | Premium Custom Shower |
| Entry | 14–18 inch step-over | Low-threshold or curbless |
| Wall finish | Basic tile or surround | Custom tile, stone, or solid surface |
| Enclosure | Curtain or basic door | Frameless or semi-frameless glass |
| Showerhead | Single fixed | Multi-function with adjustable settings |
| Built-in shelving | None | Yes |
| Seating | None | Built-in bench option |
| Slip-resistant flooring | Standard tub finish | Custom anti-slip finish |
| Free Kohler toilet installation (June offer) | Not applicable | Included through June 30, 2026 |
A walk-in shower is the right call for most primary bathrooms in Knoxville. But there are situations where keeping a bathtub is the smarter move for resale value.
If your home has only one bathroom, keeping a tub is the safer choice for resale. Families with young children prioritize at least one bathtub in the home. In multi-bathroom homes, converting the primary bath while keeping a tub in a secondary bath gives you the best of both. Shower and tub services in Knoxville can help you plan which room is the strongest candidate for a conversion.
Primary and master bathrooms are the strongest candidates, as this is where adult daily use is highest and where buyers place the most value on a modern finish. Guest bathrooms in multi-bath homes are also good options. Converting the only bathtub in a home with young children is the one scenario to avoid if resale is a near-term priority.
The data points in one direction: walk-in showers are what most Knoxville buyers want, what most homeowners use every day, and what adds the most value in a primary bathroom. This June, there has never been a better offer to make that upgrade happen.
Tennessee Standard Plumbing has served Knoxville, East Tennessee, and Knox County since 2019 with a 5.0 Google rating and more than 2,000 reviews. Led by a fifth-generation master plumber, the team delivers premium custom shower installations with an upfront price guarantee and BBB-certified workmanship.
Coming up in July: get a free point-of-use reverse osmosis filter with the purchase of any whole-home water filtration system.
In primary and master bathrooms, yes. A quality walk-in shower adds 5 to 10% to resale value and is preferred by over 60% of homebuyers. Keep at least one tub elsewhere in the home if families with young children are likely buyers.
More than 60% of homebuyers prefer a shower over a tub in the primary bathroom, according to the National Association of Realtors. That preference is even stronger among buyers aged 50 and older, where accessibility and ease of entry are top priorities.
Yes. A walk-in shower is built to fit the same footprint as the removed tub. No walls need to be moved, and no floor plan changes are required. Minor plumbing adjustments to the drain and supply connections are completed as part of the installation.
Schedule a premium custom shower installation with Tennessee Standard Plumbing through June 30, 2026. The free Kohler toilet installation is included with every qualifying new premium shower unit purchase. Call (865) 352-9003 to confirm your package qualifies.
A curbless or low-threshold shower with built-in seating, ADA-compliant grab bars, and slip-resistant flooring is the top recommendation. These features eliminate the step-over fall risk of a standard tub and allow safe, independent use for years to come.
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