Bathtub refinishing is known by about only 20% of the people in the U.S.A. according to on estimate. Still, bathtub refinishing, when used in a bathroom remodeling project instead of replacement, can increase the value of your property substantially. bathtub refinishing saves money and time and saves the landfill of all the heavy and messy old fixtures. bathtub refinishing therefore benefits the environment.

Bathtub refinishing - What do you know?

Bathtub refinishing is the process where we clean and sand a finished old or new bathtub, clean the tub of debris, apply a primer and then two or three top coats of quality finish.

Bathtub refinishing has been compared to painting a car. The compounds used are different, but the prep work, repair and painting processes are similar. Bathtub refinishing is also called re glazing or resurfacing. Bathtub refinishing, reglazing or resurfacing are basically the same terms with very little but basic differences. When new bathtubs are manufactured, they go through a process of glazing.

The bathtub glazing process involves, applying a glaze to the tub and the firing the tub in a kiln at temperatures over 1500 degrees. The final product is what we call porcelain. Nobody in the refinishing business can duplicate the process of firing the tub in the kiln at a temperature exceeding 1500 degrees in a person's home.

Surface restoration is another term that is used in the refinishing industry. Restoration involves doing both structural and cosmetic repairs and then finishing it up a finish or coating. refinishing on the other hand, involves the removal of the existing finish, stripping, sanding, cleaning, priming and finally the application of the top coat for durability and shine.

Bathtub Refinishing Vs Bathtub Replacement

Bathtub refinishing benefit over bathtub replacement benefit that is appreciated by many is that bathtub refinishing saves them up to 80% of the cost of tub replacement. Bathtub refinishing as the best green remodeling alternative benefits homeowners by saving them money over replacement. For example, a new bathtub may cost as little as $300, but when you add the cost of tearing down that old bathtub, removing it,  getting rid of the bathtub and all the fixtures, and then dumping all the mess including that heavy bathtub at the landfill. bathtub refinishing benefits the environment.

Bathtub refinishing costs go up when you add the bathtub, tile work, flooring, carpentry and permits, you see the cost of replacement can go into the thousands of dollars. So what you think was going to be a simple renovation job, turn into an expensive job. Since all job is done in the bathroom, and without a tear out, that alone saves lots of money. Compare bathtub refinishing to replacement.

Bathtub refinishing benefits you by saving you the headache of dealing with multiple contractors. Additionally you benefit by not having conflicting schedules with different contractors. Replacing old tubs with new ones, instead of refinishing, can impact the environment badly.

Bathtub refinishing benefits over replacement break-down

Bathtub replacement	Price	Bathtub refinishing	Price
Demolition, removal & disposal of bathtub	$795	bathtub refinishing	$450-$600
Replacement	$350	Replacement	0
Plumbing	$395	Plumbing	0
Tile setter	$475	Tile setter	0
3 walls around the bathtub tiled	$1,495	3 walls around the bathtub refinished	$495
Vanity with sink	$1,000	Vanity with Sink	$250
Replacement	$2,500	Refinishing	$450
Toilet Bowl w/tank	$275	Toilet Bowl w/tank	$275
Flooring, carpentry, etc.	$250	Flooring, carpentry, etc.	0
TOTAL for replacing bathtub and bathtub surround	$7535	TOTAL for refinishing bathtub and bathtub surround	$1470
		Savings of over 80%

Bathtub refinishing Vs bathtub Liners?

Bathtub liners are manufactured at the factory as one piece designed a particular pre-measured bathtub. These heat molded "skins" are applied over an existing bathtub or shower and then glued in place using an adhesive caulk. because bathtub liners are glued to the original bathtub, they leave air pockets in between the liner and the tub. That creates a recipe for water to collect and for mold and mildew to grow.

Bathtub Refinishing Cost

Bathtub refinishing cost can range from $300 -$600, but averages around $450 -$550. There are some companies that will charge you as low as $150 -$250. Remember that when you pay peanuts you get monkeys.  The same people who pay peanuts are the ones always complaining about poor quality.

Do It Yourself (DIY) Bathtub Refinishing

There are some who may be considering saving money by refinishing their bathtubs themselves. It is not a good option. Reglazing a tub properly requires a lot of patience and elbow grease. It requires a lot of knowledge of the coatings, the tools and experience in doing it right. All these qualities do not come about on a weekend. A lot of people are not happy with the results that have gotten by refinishing their tubs themselves.

Bathtub refinishing Industry - How Big?

Of the $233 billion dollars spent on home remodeling projects, 61% is spent on refinishing. Interestingly, remodeling sales have nearly doubled in the last decade. Compounded by the prime rate melt down, there is every reason to believe that refinishing will be slowing down pretty soon.

Additionally, there are lots of homes, apartments, hotels, motels, retirement homes, government housing agencies that would benefit by refinishing their bathtubs instead of replacing them.

Choosing a reputable bathtub refinishing company

Choosing a reputable surface restoration company is the most important decision you will have to make in your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project. Yet it is also a decision that’s not easy for you to make because of misleading advertising, confusing claims and unsolicited information that is false all the time.

So, how do you find a qualified, competent and trust-worthy professional refinishing company?

But before we get to that, what kind of shopper are you? Well, there are two groups of people looking for a bathtub refinishing company. The first group are people who are fixed on finding the lowest price at any cost and the other group are people who are looking for a good value.

Bathtub refinishing decision made on price, price and price alone.

For some misguided reasons, a lot of people expect to get a Bentley when they pay for a Toyota or they want to harvest apples when they planted oranges. If all you are armed with in your kitchen or bathroom remodeling decision is price and price alone, we are not your refinishing company.

We are dedicated to providing you more information on ways save money by refinishing your bathtub instead of replacing it. To receive regular tips on bathtub refinishing signup for our monthly newsletter. If you are ready to save money and time immediately, fill out our bathtub refinishing needs questionnaire.

As soon as we get the information on your bathtub refinishing needs, one of our stars will contact you with a free estimate. Email us: sales@refinishingstars.com or call

Atlanta: 678-592-1018
Chattanooga: 423-355-2746
Huntsville: 423-355-2746
Knoxville: 865-385-0720
Nashville: 615-294-6798