Did you know houses are built around bathtubs? With that in mind, it’s probably a fair assumption that they’re worth taking extra special care of. If you don’t take care of it, your wallet will have to face the impending doom of replacing something your house was built around plus the cost of the new tub. As you many have guessed, the new bathtub isn’t the most expensive part of that equation.
Most tubs are set in an alcove or corner, lapped by the flooring and wall finishes to create a watertight seal and tied down in a least two places by plumbing. If you’re ready to take on replacing your entire bathroom and bathtub installation cost, sure, replace the tub. For most of us though, the more cost-effective and responsible option is to refinish the tub. Refinishing bathtubs, also known as bathtub re-surfacing, bathtub re-glazing or bathtub re-enameling is the process of refreshing the surface of a worn, damaged bathtub to like-new condition.
Like so many things, over time, without care, they can become a detriment. Over time your bathroom surfaces can become worn, chipped, scratched, stained, discolored, and damaged by harsh cleaners and a damaged bathtub is a breeding ground for dirt and germs.
Re-applying glaze to your bathtub can be cheaper than buying and installing a completely new tub and re-finished bathtubs are often easier to clean than the original product. A proper bathtub refinish can make your bathtub last for an additional 10 years.
Say practicality isn’t your issue. Maybe your bathtub is stuck in the seventies with a dated coral pink finish. Perhaps this isn’t what you’re going for anymore? In addition to removing cracks and blemishes, a new coating can re-color an outdated look. You should probably also take down the fish themed wallpaper, but that’s entirely up to you. Your bathroom doesn’t have to be the one room that doesn’t mesh with the rest of the house, or the one place you’ve always planned to gut and replace. Maybe gutting your bathroom and bathtub refinishers aren’t in the budget right now and re-finishing it is the next best thing. Whatever the reasons, refinishing bathtubs can do an older bathroom a lot of good in a variety of ways.