Bath

Remodeling your Bathroom? What Should You Do About the Bathtub?

remoding your bathroom

Remodeling your bathroom can be difficult. One of the problem areas that many people run into when remodeling their bathrooms is the bathtub. Many people will just demolish the existing tub and install a new one which can be expensive and also cause lots of problems. There are some alternatives that you can do to have a new tub look without actually getting a new tub. In this article I’ll discuss some of those alternatives and also compare them with getting a new bathtub installed. 

Remodeling your Bathroom? What to do About Your Tub

When you’re remodeling your bathroom there can be lots of questions in the air about the bathtub. In most bathrooms the bathtub is a huge part of the room. That means that if you’re remodeling your bathroom then you need to make sure the bathtub looks great or else the entire project may have a less than desirable outcome. The following options are available for most bathtub remodels.

Get a Tub Liner for Your Bathtub Remodel

Tub Liners is one of the most inexpensive ways to give your bathtub a new look without replacing it. A tub liner works by covering the existing tub. Usually the set includes pieces for the shower walls and the tub covering including the front of the tub. They are as cheap as a few hundred dollars. However, less expensive models may require custom cutting and fitting. They may also require some sort of adhesive that can be bad for the finish of the existing bathtub. So once you decide to go with a tub liner you may not be able to go back to your original tub if things don’t work out the way you want.

After a tub liner is installed it looks much like a regular bathtub and it’s unlikely many people would know the difference. One of the biggest problems I’ve seen is the front of tub sometimes looks like a large gap is present. You may also run into problems around drains and faucets if they are in the tub such as with Roman faucets.

Keep Your Old Tub and Just Get it Refinished

Many older homes have very heavy cast iron bathtubs with glazed finish. Many times over the years this finish can get chipped and lose it’s luster. Over time it just doesn’t look new anymore and even when it’s cleaned properly it still doesn’t give off that shine as with other porcelain glazed fixtures. Getting a new toilet installed beside a bathtub like this can make it stick out like a sore thumb. Usually the cost of removing a cast iron tub and replacing it with a more modern fiberglass tub can get costly.

However, one option that you can do when remodeling your bathroom is to get the old tub refinished. You’ll get a fresh new finish on the bathtub that can remove any chips and the finish will be shiny again just like if it was brand new. This works extremely well for older claw foot bathtubs that have lots of character.

There are several ways you can get a bathtub refinished but they aren’t all the same. In fact, there are many people that attempt to refinish their bathtub themselves with kits that are sold in stores or on Amazon. The problem most people have when going this route is that they get more of a paint brushed finish rather than a smooth finish. If you’re planning on getting your tub refinished then make sure you use a professional so that it looks great when it’s complete.

Bathtub Covers Alternatives

Get a New Bathtub

The options above can make things a bit easier but there are problems that you may run into that end up costing you more in the long run. Sometimes it’s best to go ahead and remove the old bathtub and install a new one when you’re remodeling your bathroom. Just be sure to get the same size tub and the drains and such are in the same place. This way, you won’t need to worry about moving pipes or drains to make it work. You’ll also have the advantage of being able to inspect pipes and fixtures when replacing the bathtub which the other options would not give you.

Replacing a bathtub and doing any sort of bathroom remodeling can lead to lots of problems if you’re not experienced. Carpentry, plumbing, and electrical all play a part in remodeling your bathroom and it’s sometimes best to contact a professional home improvement company in order to ensure things are done right.

 

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