To Repair or Replace Your Bathtub? That is the Question
December 19, 2014
Most bathtubs will start to look dull and worn after a while, even if you’re careful to clean them all the time. You might look for ” bathtub reglazers” eventually, which could be a surprisingly cost-effective option for your bathroom at home. Bathtubs are definitely not cheap, even if you want a simple one. If you’re interested in a giant clawfoot tub or even a wide clawfoot tub, the total costs might be even higher than you estimated.
A bathtub you can lie down in will typically cost more than a more compact little bathtub. Still, there aren’t many truly inexpensive bathtubs. If you want a “bathtub in middle of bathroom,” you’ll usually choose a comparatively big one.
Those bathtubs also have to be better at supporting themselves than the systems that are just installed against the wall, which will partly use the wall for support. Bathtubs placed in the center of most bathrooms will resemble large soap dishes or bowls, depending on the shape. It’s certainly easy to find a stylish one, if that’s your main priority. Adding more glaze to the bathtub you have can be fine, especially if you’re generally happy with your tub. The external appearance of a bathtub can be restored.
While most home improvement and remodeling projects take place during the warmer, spring and summer months, winter is the perfect time to hunker down and plan your next renovation project. After all, what better way to beat the itch of cabin fever than to stay busy and focused on improving your living space?
Bathrooms, along with kitchen, are the rooms that are most often remodeled as these are the areas in the home that receive the most use and traffic. Remodeling projects can be tricky, to say the least. There are two important factors to consider when brainstorming your spring or summer remodeling project: time and money. After all, time is money, right?
In the excitement and anticipation of having brand-spanking new bathroom, you may be inclined to replace your bathtub after getting caught up in the out-with-old-in-with-the-new spirit. However, replacing a bathtub isn’t as easy-peasy as it seems. Bathtub replacement is actually quite expensive. While the cost of a brand new bathtub seems fairly reasonable, this amount does not include the contractor’s labor, the disposal fee, and any additional plumbing work that needs to be done. What seemed like an easy project as now ballooned into a hot mess.
An affordable alternative to bathtub replacement that yields the same — if not better — results is tub refinishing, also known as tub resurfacing. Tub refinishing involves repairing any nicks, dents, and scraped in your bathtubs surface, and them applying a paint in the color of your choice. This returns your bathtub to a like-new condition that last up to a decade, if not longer.
The cost of bathtub refinishing is far less than total bathtub replacement, as it requires less labor. So before you dive head first into your remodeling project, consider cheaper alternatives. Continue reading here.