{
  "@type": "Article",
  "author": {
    "name": "Blue Lake Construction",
    "@type": "Organization"
  },
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  "headline": "Should You Keep Your Tub or Convert to a Walk-In Shower in a Guest Bath?",
  "publisher": {
    "url": "bluelakeconstruction.com",
    "name": "Blue Lake Construction",
    "@type": "Organization"
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  "areaServed": [
    {
      "name": "Salt Lake City",
      "@type": "City"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sugarhouse",
      "@type": "City"
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    {
      "name": "Millcreek",
      "@type": "City"
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    {
      "name": "Cottonwood heights",
      "@type": "City"
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    {
      "name": "Sandy",
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    {
      "name": "Draper",
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      "name": "Riverton",
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      "name": "West Jordan",
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      "name": "South Jordan",
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    {
      "name": "Taylorsville",
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      "name": "Bluffdale",
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      "name": "Bountiful",
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  "articleBody": "Upgrading a guest bath often comes down to one key decision: should you replace the existing bathtub or swap it out for a walk-in shower? Both choices have distinct advantages depending on your household needs and overall property layout.\n\n### Layout Differences and Daily Use\nA traditional bathtub-shower combination offers versatile utility, particularly if visiting guests include young children or if this is the only tub on that floor. On the other hand, a custom walk-in shower with a built-in niche and low-profile threshold provides effortless accessibility for older family members and creates an open, modern feel in compact footprints.\n\n### What Can Change the Right Choice\nSeveral technical factors influence which direction makes the most practical sense:\n- Subfloor drain capacity: Bathtubs typically tie into 1.5-inch drains, whereas walk-in showers generally require a 2-inch drain pipe. Transitioning to a shower requires opening the subfloor to resize the plumbing trap and drain lines.\n- Wall space and clearance: Standard tub alcoves measure 60 inches wide, which provides ample space for a comfortable walk-in shower without changing the room’s structural perimeter.\n- Resale and household balance: Maintaining at least one functional tub in your home is generally recommended for family-oriented neighborhoods across the Salt Lake Valley.\n\nIf you are planning plumbing alterations or structural reconfigurations, working with a licensed general contractor ensures compliance with local building codes. Contact Blue Lake Construction at 385-202-5987 to discuss your guest bathroom layout.",
  "datePublished": "2026-11-08"
}