This is a common complaint among homeowners, especially when they purchase an older home. Replacing a shower can get expensive, but you don’t have to do a full gut remodel to get an updated look. The tips below will help you make your old shower look new without a major overhaul.
Determine What Makes Your Shower Look Old
Is it the dingy tile on the shower walls? Is it the stained shower pan? Does the color of your bathtub make your entire bathroom look old? There is probably one major element that’s making your shower look old, and that’s what we want to focus on.
Pinpoint the element that needs an upgrade, and then find the best solution for that issue. We’ll provide some samples in the next sections of this shower remodeling guide.
Get the Shower Pan or Bathtub Refinished
Shower pan refinishing and bathtub refinishing are essentially the same service. They make use of the tub or shower pan you already have but completely transform the color/appearance. If you have a stained bathtub or dirty-looking shower pan, refinishing will make the surface look brand new. Our proprietary refinishing process is incredibly durable, so you can continue using your shower like normal. Best of all, it costs a fraction of the price of a new shower and it eliminates the need for demolition!
Refinish the Tile Instead of Replacing It
If the tile around your shower looks unattractive, you can also get that refinished. This process covers both the grout lines and the tile itself, so you won’t have to worry about cleaning the porous grout anymore. You can choose a solid color like bright white, or you could opt for a stone-like finish instead. There are endless color and design possibilities, and all of them can be tailored to your aesthetic.
Avoid Shower Liners If You Can
Shower liners seem like an easy way to make an old shower look new, but they’re not ideal for most situations. Liners are notorious for not adhering correctly, resulting in a “spongy” feeling when you lean against the walls. They are tricky to get a correct fit and even trickier to seal properly. What looks like a quick fix at first glance could actually become a DIY nightmare with costly effects. There are more cost-effective solutions available that achieve far better results.
Complete Repairs before Refinishing or Remodeling
If there are functional issues in the bathroom, it’s best to address them before you start the aesthetic upgrades. If you need to replace the drain or upgrade the faucet, get all that figured out before the remodeling begins. You may still want to refinish the surfaces before installing new fixtures, but at least you’ll have functional problems figured out. The last thing you want is to have to make a repair that damages your newly refreshed shower.
Refresh the Rest of the Bathroom without Replacing Anything!
Once you see how affordable and convenient it is to refinish your shower, you might want to do the whole bathroom! Cabinet refinishing, sink refinishing, countertop refinishing, floor refinishing – there is no end to the possibilities. Maryland Tub and Tile can help you get a new bathroom without any demo or replacement work. Give us a call at 877-717-8827 to schedule a free quote.
