Bathtubs are an important part of any home, and you can find them in many different styles and materials to suit your needs and tastes. Your bathroom is one of the most used rooms in your house, and the bathtub is a key part of it. It’s where you take hot baths, relax in the tub after a long day, or soak your back when it hurts.
But even though most homes have a bathtub, it’s not always in great shape. It’s really easy to give your bathtub a new look. And if you have some time, patience, and know-how, you can either replace your bathtub or fix it up to make it look more modern and up-to-date.
A bathtub reglazing is a cosmetic improvement that involves putting a new glaze over the old porcelain coating on the inside of your tub. If your tub’s porcelain coating is worn or chipped, it makes the surface less safe. It will hurt you if you slip on it, and it might also cause bacteria to grow on the tub that can make you sick. Worn-out porcelain is also harder to clean, which makes it cost more to maintain.
Why Change a Bathtub?
There are some reasons why you might need to replace your bathtub instead of just refinishing it. The first problem is that your tub has a few cracks and breaks. This is a big problem that can’t be fixed by re-gluing. It costs a lot to replace a broken or cracked bathtub. A reglaze may help a little, but it won’t fix your tub for good.
Pros of Bathtub Reglazing
- It costs less to replace the glass. If you notice a leak in your tub, you can have it reglazed within a few days and save a lot of money compared to waiting to replace it.
- Less complicated than replacing the bathtub. Another good thing about reglazing is that it makes it much easier to replace your bathtub.
- Less time is taken. Reglazing your bathtub is significantly quicker than replacing it. Plus, you won't have to wait for the manufacturer to send you a new tub.
- It makes less of a mess than replacing the tub. You won't have to deal with many contractors coming into your house and making holes in your bathroom's walls (or ceilings) so they can get to your tub.
- It takes less work than replacing. Since reglazing only affects the tab, you can still use the bathroom while it is being done. If you refinish your bathtub well, you can get a great-looking, well-made, and well-kept product.
Cons of Bathtub Reglazing
- There is only one time you can redo anything. You will have to hunt for alternative choices if the procedure does not match your individual requirements.
- For the material used to dry, reglazing is reliant on the weather. Refinishing is thus not possible throughout the summer.
- When compared to new tubs, reglazing is a short-term option.
- Refinishing materials are quite hazardous to one's health. They may make you tired, give you headaches, and irritate your throat if you inhale them. As a result, this task is best left to a skilled contractor.
- The reglazed bathtub must be in bad shape. Refinishing is a cosmetic improvement that hides small flaws.
Pros of Bathtub Replacement
- It is a long-term solution to replace. Your tub will not need renovation anytime soon.
- The bathtub is replaced with a new tub when you use replacement. This is the simplest choice since it does not include tearing down any walls or fixtures in your bathroom.
- You have the option of selecting a less costly material from the many possibilities available.
Cons of Bathtub Replacement
- It is a costly procedure. You'll have to include the expense of removing, installing, and replacing the flooring. These chores may cost more than reglazing the tub if you don't have any experience with them.
- During the renovation, you will not be able to use the restroom.
- Due to the several steps needed, replacement needs substantially more human effort. Demolition, removal, and installation of the new tub are examples of such actions.
- It might take up to a month to install a bathtub.
- The new tub may not be any better than the previous one in terms of quality. The earlier tabs' content is often of greater quality than the newer ones.
Conclusion
Bathtubs are one of the few house fixtures that are seldom updated. When you consider the possible problems and drawbacks, it’s simple to understand why. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make your bathtub more lasting and safe. You should consider replacing your bathtub if you need one. Bathtub replacement is more costly than reglazing, but it is also more long-lasting.
