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Is It Worth It to Refinish a Bathtub?

refinish a bathtub

If your bathtub is stained, discolored, or a completely different color than what you want, you can either replace it or refinish it. Bathtub refinishing is far more cost effective than replacing a bathtub, but there are pros and cons to consider. Is it worth it to refinish a bathtub? Would you be better off getting a new bathtub? Compare your options in this helpful guide from Maryland Tub and Tile.

The Cost of a New Tub vs. Bathtub Refinishing

If you go to the store to look at new bathtubs, you might think they’re pretty affordable. There is much more to getting a new tub than purchasing the actual bathtub. The cost comes in modifying that tub to fit your home, paying for professional installation, getting new fixtures for the tub, and everything that comes along with the process. What appears to be an affordable option is actually quite expensive in the long run.

With bathtub refinishing, there are no added fees. The cost is straight forward, affordable, and even less than the price of an inexpensive new bathtub. More importantly, you don’t have to worry about demolition or making big changes to your home to adapt to the bathtub. The refinishers will go over your existing tub and create a smooth, beautiful glaze that makes it look brand new. You get to enjoy the look of a shiny new bathtub without the hefty cost.

How Long Does Bathtub Refinishing Last?

If you’re trying to determine if it’s worth it to refinish a bathtub, durability is an important consideration. Will the new surface of the tub be able to withstand frequent usage? How many years will the finish look good before it needs to be redone or you need to get a new bathtub? Will the money you save with bathtub refinishing outweigh the time that you get with the new surface?

The longevity of a refinished bathtub varies from one home to the next. If you have young kids using the bathtub every day, your tub is going through a lot of wear and tear. A single person that bathes twice a week may get longer results from bathtub refinishing. Nevertheless, you can expect to get at least 10-15 years out of your refinished bathtub. With proper maintenance and limited usage, you might get 20+ years out of it! That’s more than you can say about many of the cheaply-made tubs on the market today.

When Is Bathtub Refinishing Not Worth It?

There are endless benefits to bathtub refinishing, but it is not ideal for every situation. Like if you need to remove the bathtub for some component of your bathroom remodel, then you may want to invest in a new bathtub, rather than reinstalling the old one. If your bathroom has been the subject of mold exposure, you may need to replace your old bathtub to eliminate the mold underneath it. If you want to change the style of bathtub that have you have, like going from a clawfoot tub to a built-in tub, then bathtub refinishing may not be right for you. However, if you are purely looking to change the color or appearance of your current tub, you’re the perfect candidate for tub reglazing.

How Bathtub Refinishing Works

If you are going to get your bathtub refinished, first you will get an in-person quote for the project. The pricing is similar for most bathtubs, but there are situations where the charges may go up or down based on the size of the tub, condition of the tub, and other services included with the bathtub refinishing. Once you have your quote and decide to pursue it, we will arrange a time to refinish your bathtub. The process takes a few hours to complete. After the initial refinishing, the tub will need to cure for a minimum of 48 hours before adding water to it. The surface will be dry to the touch before then, but the lower layers need time to bond properly and create a hardened finish. The longer you wait to use the tub, the longer the finish will last.

After the curing time is over, you can use your bathtub just like you did before. Follow our Refinished Bathtub Maintenance Guide to preserve your tub as long as possible.

Ready to get started? Contact Maryland Tub and Tile at 877-717-8827 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.

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