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Reglaze or Replace tub?

11 years ago

The walls are out anyway (we are putting in new sheetrock). The price for reglazing with a 5 year warrantee is $400. I say, might as well get a brand new cast iron tub. Husband doesn't want to have to mess with the plumbing. I'm concerned that with daily use, the tub will be peeling in just a few years.

Opinions? Thanks.

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Comments (5)

Sugaluv40
11 years ago
I'm far from an expert, but I went with reglazing when I redid our bathroom, in an old 1928 bungalow. The cost was also $400, if I recall correctly.

The reglazing process was very thorough, they removed all the old glaze, down to the original, cleaned, and sprayed the new white glaze. I think the stripping and cleaning is critical, so if you do go reglaze, make sure this is done very meticulously.

It has only been one year but we're extremely happy with the reglaze. It looks great, saved time and a fraction of the cost of the total replacement. Like your husband, I also did not want to mess with the plumbing -- which can get complicated for a non-professional DIY job, especially in an old house with old pipes.

I cannot speak to how the reglaze will hold up over time. But so far, so good, and at the cost I think we'll be better served just reglazing the tub again when/if it needs it.

Plus the old cast iron tub is quality -- they just don't make 'em like they used to any more!
lesterd
11 years ago
If you have an antique tub, go with reglazing. We did that in our last house and it worked very well - at least until we moved 6 yrs later. I second everything sugaluv wrote.
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brickeyee
11 years ago
'Reglaze' is still just paint.

It is often epoxy based paint, but still paint.

It can be damaged by abrasives, and scratches relatively easily.

If the tub is a decent antique and worth keeping it might be an option, but if it is not especially distinctive just replace it.

A lot of the 'reglazing' jobs are easy to spot since they do not remove the drain but paint over it.
jonnyp
11 years ago
Someone just recently posted the same question on garden web.
I'll say the same thing I said in the last post, replace it.You will be better off, so hubby isn't confident with the plumbing, hire a plumber to attach a new drain. Chances are the drain is as old as the tub. Probably paper thin brass that could go after your reno, which means demoing the floor , moving the tub and repairing the drain. And of course residual damage to ceilings and walls. Like brickeyee said "its paint".I know, budget, baths and kitchens don't come cheap. I hate doing things twice and I am sure after a few more years of home ownership you will agree. Do it right, you'll be happier in the end .
a.girl.named.max
11 years ago
My budget bath remodel... I had a similar situation, did my research, and found the cost of installing a new tub was about the same as refinishing the old one. I decided to go with a new tub and I'm extremely happy with my decision.

My scope of work was: Remove, package, and dispose of old bathtub and ceramic wall tile using lead safe work practices. (My old tub contained lead.) Install new tub, shower/tub faucets, and wall tile.

Brands: Kohler Villager tub, Delta TempAssure 17 Series tub and shower faucets/trim (Model T17T278-SS), Catarina wall tile, Bliss glass/stone accent tile.

The total cost of all material AND labor was $2,350. (I didn't do any of the work.)

I love it all! BTW the new Delta faucet uses a lot less water than my old faucet.
{{gwi:1495040}}

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