Is Refinishing a Bathtub Worth It? A Guide to Determining Whether to Reglaze or Replace

It has been scientifically shown that bathing improves both physical and mental wellness.

However, if you’re sitting in a dirty, chipped, or unsightly tub, your bath may be anything but pleasant. However, this does not need a trip to the shop to purchase a replacement.

This article will help you choose whether you should invest in bathtub refinishing vs bathtub replacement.

So let’s dig in!

What Does Bathtub Reglazing Entail?

Reglazing a bathtub, sometimes referred to as recoating or refinishing, is a purely aesthetic repair. It eliminates minor surface flaws and restores the tub’s like-new appearance.

Here is how it works.

A competent bathtub repair technician will begin by sanding the tub’s outside. This eliminates any minor scuffs or stains. They will then repair any residual fractures or chips. The tub will next be coated with primer and paint. Depending on your tub, they may need to apply many coatings.

After the painting is complete, there will be one last polishing.

Reglazing may revitalize a worn-out bathtub, but some bathtubs need more than just reglazing. Keep reading to discover whether to save and when to replace your bathtub.

When to Repaint Your Bathtub

If your bathtub is in pretty decent shape and still functional, it is likely worth keeping. Reglazing may transform unsightly flaws into a beautiful, smooth surface once again.

However, your tub cannot be too worn down. Here’s how to determine whether your tub needs reglazing.

Stains

Your bathtub will begin to discolor over time. Even with frequent cleaning, you will eventually have to cope with an odd, yellowish discoloration.

This is typical, but also disgusting.

Whether the stains are faint or heavy, reglazing may restore the white color to your bathtub. Sanding and repainting will either erase the stains or hide them so they are no longer visible.

Light Scratches

When you refinish your bathtub, you will fill up minor scratches. You can also repair the majority of cracks.

However, you should not reglaze a tub with one or more significant cracks. These fissures may compromise the tub’s structural integrity or create leaks. It is preferable to replace bathtubs with severe cracks.

Without a drain, your bathtub might quickly become a flood zone.

Strait Budget

Often, reglazing is less expensive than purchasing a new tub.

In addition to spending money on the purchase, you must also remove the old bathtub from your home. This usually requires hiring a professional to remove and dispose of the waste for you.

This might increase the cost.

If you have a limited budget, you may prolong the life of your tub by reglazing it for less money. This may offer you a “new” bathtub without breaking the budget.

When to Change Your Bathtub

Reglazing may enhance your tub and give it a new lease of life, but some tubs are beyond the point of no return. Here are some indications that it’s time to replace your bathtub.

Your bathtub is becoming outdated.

Most bathtubs have a 25-year lifespan. If your tub has reached or is approaching this age, you should consider replacing it.

Even though it is functioning normally at the moment, it may fail in the near future. Although the expense of reglazing a tub is less than purchasing a new one, it is not worthwhile if the tub will be replaced soon afterward.

Constant Maintenance Is Required

If your bathtub requires continuous repairs, you might consider purchasing a new one. Reglazing a defective bathtub is a waste of money if constant repairs are required.

However, an infrequent repair is not caused for concern.

After repairing the issue and reglazing the surface, the bathtub will survive for many years. However, a bathtub that requires many repairs each year is not worth the cost, time, and effort to maintain.

Limited in Time

The reglazing procedure may need many visits. In any case, the professional must wait for the primer to dry before they can paint, and they cannot polish your tub if it is coated in wet paint.

Due to this, you may have to wait up to two weeks for your bathtub to be completed.

If you do not have the time to wait, purchasing a new bathtub may be the most expedient option. You may even be able to purchase and install your new bathtub on the same day.

Major Leaks

When a bathtub begins to leak, you should begin shopping for a replacement. Fixing significant bathtub leaks may be difficult and temporary. Purchasing a new bathtub is preferable than investing in a costly repair that may not endure.

Mildew and Mold

If your bathtub is infested with mold or mildew, you must eliminate it immediately. While reglazing may conceal mold, it cannot eliminate it. Continuing to use a mold-infested bathtub might pose major health risks.

Some of the symptoms associated with mold exposure include:

  • Respiratory problems
  • Headaches
  • Allergic responses
  • Fatigue
  • Red, itchy eyes, etc.
  • Even more severe problems, such as anxiety and depression, might result from living with mold. Therefore, it is generally advisable to replace a bathtub as soon as mold is discovered.

Recognizing When Bathtub Refinishing Is Valuable

Investing in bathtub refinishing is worthwhile if the tub is in excellent operating condition. The reglazing technique may eliminate surface flaws including as scratches, fractures, and stains.

However, if your tub is old, leaky, or moldy, reglazing is a waste of money. You will eventually need to purchase a new tub.

Is It Worth It to Refinish a Bathtub? Reglazing vs. Replacing

Bathing has been demonstrated to improve physical and mental wellness research.

Your bath, on the other hand, might be anything but relaxing if you’re sitting in a filthy, chipped, or unattractive tub. This does not, however, suggest that you should replace it.

This article will assist you in determining whether to refurbish your bathtub or replace it.

Let’s get this party started, shall we?

Bathtub Reglazing: What Is It?

Bathtub reglazing, often known as recoating or refinishing, is only for cosmetic reasons. It restores the brilliance of your tub by removing small surface flaws.

It works like this.

The surface of the tub will be sanded by a skilled bathtub repair technician. Any small cuts or stains will be removed with this method. Any remaining cracks or chips will then be repaired. After that, the tub will be primed and painted. They may need to apply many coats depending on the size of your tub.

When the painting is completed, they will polish it one last time.

Reglazing a worn-out bathtub may help it seem new again, but some bathtubs need more help than that. Continue reading to learn when you should keep your tub and when you should replace it.

When Should Your Tub Be Reglazed?

It’s probably worth maintaining your bathtub if it’s still in good working condition. Unattractive imperfections may be transformed into a lovely, smooth surface by reglazing.

But it can’t be that horrible in your tub, can it? Here’s how to tell whether reglazing your tub is the best option for you.

Stains

With time, the color of your bathtub will fade. You will ultimately have to deal with weird, yellowish discoloration, even if you clean it constantly.

This is both natural and repulsive.

Whether the stains are minor or severe, reglazing your tub may help it return to its original whiteness. The sanding and repainting process will either remove or hide the stains.

The Surface Has Scratches

When you reglaze your tub, you’ll fill in tiny scratches and nicks. It is also possible to fill most fissures.

You should not reglaze your tub if it has one or more significant cracks. The structural integrity of your tub may be jeopardized, and leaks may occur as a result of these fractures. Bathtubs that have a lot of cracks need to be replaced.

If you don’t, your bathtub might rapidly turn into a flood zone.

Restricted Budget

Purchasing a new tub is typically more costly than reglazing.

Not only must you spend money on the purchase, but you must also dispose of the old bathtub. This usually requires paying someone to remove and dispose of it for you.

It’s possible that the price may rise as a result of this.

If your budget is tight, reglazing your tub might help you get more use out of it for less money. This may allow you to obtain a “new” tub without going broke.

When Should Your Bathtub Be Replaced?

Although reglazing your tub might bring it up to date and breathe new life into it, some tubs are beyond repair. Here are several signs that your bathtub needs to be replaced.

It’s time to replace your bathtub.

A bathtub will endure around 25 years on average. If your tub is getting close to that age—or is already that old—time it’s to replace it.

It may fail in the near future, even if it is currently active. While reglazing your tub is less costly than buying a new one, it’s not worth it if you’ll be replacing it soon anyhow.

It is always in need of maintenance.

If your bathtub is constantly breaking down, you may want to consider replacing it. Reglazing a damaged tub is a waste of money if you have to keep spending money on repairs.

A little repair, on the other hand, should not be a cause for anxiety.

You’ll have a long-lasting bathtub once you fix the problem and resurface the surface. A tub that needs several repairs every year, on the other hand, is not worth the money, time, and effort it takes to keep it functioning.

It’s a race against time.

It’s possible that the reglazing process may need many visits. After all, the expert will have to wait for the primer to dry before painting, and they won’t be able to buffer your tub if it’s still wet.

As a consequence, the completion of your bathtub may take a week or two.

If you don’t have time to wait, buying a new bathtub can be a better choice. It’s possible that you’ll be able to buy and install your new tub the same day.

Major Breach

If your bathtub starts to leak, it’s time to start looking for a new one. Large bathtub leaks may be difficult to repair and only provide a temporary fix. It’s better to invest money on a new tub than on a pricey repair that may not last.

Mold and mildew are two of the most common fungi.

If you have mold or mildew in your tub, you should get rid of it right away. While reglazing will hide the mold, it won’t get rid of it. Using a moldy bathtub may result in serious health issues.

Mold may manifest itself in a number of ways, including the following:

  • Have trouble breathing?
  • Headaches
  • Allergy symptoms
  • Fatigue
  • Itchy skin, red eyes, and other such symptoms are common.
  • Mold has the potential to cause more serious issues including anxiety and depression. As a consequence, as soon as mold is detected, it’s typically a good idea to replace the bathtub.

When Should You Consider Bathtub Refinishing?

Bathtub restoration is a smart investment if your tub is in great working condition. During the reglazing procedure, small imperfections like as scratches, tiny fractures, and stains may be eliminated.

Reglazing is a waste of money if your tub is old, leaking, or moldy. In any case, you’re going to need a new tub shortly.

Should You Replace or Reglaze Your Bathtub?

bathtub reglazing - reglaze vs refinish

Bathtubs are an essential component of every house, and they are available in a range of forms and materials to suit your tastes. Your bathtub is one of the most frequented rooms in your house and the bathroom’s center point. It is where one takes hot baths, soaks after a hard day, or soothes a weary back with a peaceful soak.

However, although a bathtub is a staple in most houses, it is not always in good condition. Fortunately, updating your bathtub is really simple. And with a little of time, patience, and knowledge, you can either replace your bathtub or redecorate it for a more current, contemporary appearance.

What is a Reglazed Bathtub?

A bathtub reglazing is a cosmetic restoration that replaces your bathtub’s inside porcelain covering with a new glaze. If the porcelain coating on your bathtub is damaged or cracked, the surface becomes less secure. It will harm you if you slip on it, and it may also encourage the growth of germs that may make you sick. Worn porcelain also makes it more difficult to clean, which increases the expense of upkeep.

Why Should a Bathtub Be Replaced?

There are circumstances in which you may need to replace your bathtub rather than refinish it. The first issue is that your bathtub is fractured and shattered in many spots. This is a severe problem that cannot be resolved by re-glazing. It is costly to replace a cracked or damaged bathtub. A tub reglaze may provide temporary relief, but it is not a long-term solution.

Advantages of Reglazing a Tub

  • Reglazing is more affordable. You may have your tub reglazed within a few days of discovering the leak, and you will save a significant amount of money compared to replacing the tub.
  • Less complicated than replacing the bathtub. Another advantage of bathtub reglazing is that it makes bathtub replacement considerably simpler.
  • Less time is required. Reglazing is far quicker than replacement. In addition, there will be no need to wait for a new tub to come from the manufacturer.
  • Less mess than bathtub replacement. You will not have to deal with many contractors entering your home and cutting holes in the bathroom’s walls (or ceilings) to access the tub.
  • Requires less work than replacement. Because the reglazing simply impacts the tab, you may still use the restroom throughout the process. High-quality bathtub restoration may result in a beautifully crafted and well-maintained product.

Cons of Getting a Bathtub Reglazed

  • Only one time is possible. If the process doesn’t fit your needs, you’ll have to look for something else.
  • The material used to re-glaze depends on the weather so that it can dry. This means that the work can’t be done in the summer.
  • Reglazing your tub is not as long-lasting as getting a new one.
  • The chemicals that are used in refinishing are very dangerous and can cause health problems. When breathed in, they can make you tired, give you headaches, and irritate your throat. So, this job should be done by a professional contractor.
  • The bathtub that has to be reglazed must be in bad shape. Refinishing is a way to cover up small repairs with a cosmetic makeover.

Advantages of Changing a Bathtub

  • Replacement is a lasting solution. You will not need to remodel your bathtub in the near future.
  • With replacement, the bathtub is replaced with a new tub. This is often the simplest choice and does not need the demolition of any bathroom walls or fixtures.
  • You may choose the material to be used from the available selections and pick a less costly one.

Cons of Bathtub Substitution

  • The method is not inexpensive. Consider the cost of removal, installation, and replacement flooring. If you lack experience with these chores, they may cost more than reglazing the tub.
  • You will not have access to the restroom during renovation.
  • Replacement involves a great deal more physical effort due to the several steps required. This entails destroying the old tub, removing its parts, and installing the new tub.
  • The installation of a bathtub might take up to one month.
  • The quality of the new bathtub may not be superior to the previous one. In many instances, the material used to create earlier tabs is of greater quality than that used to create more current ones.

Conclusion

The bathtub is one of the few house fixtures that is seldom updated. It is simple to see why when you consider the possible problems and disadvantages. There are, fortunately, steps you can do to make your bathtub safer and more lasting. If you need a new bathtub, you should consider replacing your current one. Bathtub replacement is more costly than bathtub reglazing, but it is also more durable.