Professional Philadelphia Painters Discuss the Pros and Cons of Both
At the end of a tiring day, when you want to soak in a warm bath, or spend some ‘me-time’ in your personal haven, you want that space to be fresh, uplifting and relaxing. However, a dingy bathtub, outdated tiles, or tired sinks may present a shabby, beat-up bathroom that desperately needs a facelift. If you want to keep a tight leash on the expenses, the most cost-effective option will be refinishing. However, if you have saved up a healthy renovation budget, purchasing and installing new fittings may be a more sustainable solution, depending on the existing condition of your bathroom. The experts at Mastercraft Painting and Finishes share the pros and cons for each option.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Replacing v/s Refinishing Bathrooms
Replacing Your Bathroom Fixtures: For any bathroom, there are several aspects that go into creating a new look and theme. While it is relatively easy to install a new sink, update the faucets, add a vanity or change the light fixtures, replacing the tiles, flooring, toilets or bathtubs come with their own pros and cons.
The biggest advantage of installing a new toilet, bathtub or tiles is that you get the freedom to choose every aspect of the fixture. From the make and model, to the material, style and color, you have the flexibility to bring home what you like. For example, depending on your primary use of your bathtub, you may want to go for a simple, soaker tub, or a jetted one with whirlpool options. Based on the space available, you can decide between an alcove, corner, freestanding, or ornate, claw-footed tub.
Here are some of the disadvantages of replacing bath fixtures:
Additional Plumbing or Repairs: A new toilet or bathtub may not have identical water connections or dimensions as your old ones. That means, you may have to redo your plumbing, as well as touch up or repair the trim, surrounds, and flooring, once you remove the old fixture.
Additional Costs of Replacement: Replacing bath fixtures, especially in a compact bathroom, could cause potential damage, such as chipping of the paint or countertop, or cracks in the tiles or flooring. You may purchase a new tub for a low price, but the demolition of the old tub and additional repairs in the bathroom, may push your total expenses up by about three times the original cost.
Additional Downtime and Labor: Most bathroom renovations are messy and time-consuming. Moreover, an old tub or shower stall may not fit through your bathroom door, so, it requires cutting it up for removal and disposal. This will add time to the project and increase labor costs.
Additional Waste in Landfills: Disposal of old bathroom fixtures creates a huge amount of waste and contributes to almost thousands of pounds of trash in local landfills.
Refinishing Your Bathroom Fittings: Refinishing is a labor-intensive process that involves stripping the old finish off the bathtub or tiles, repairing cracks and dents, and recreating a smooth surface with new glaze and coatings. Tub and tile refinishing services can restore your fittings to their former beauty and shine, and make them look as good as new. Here are some of the advantages:
- Significant savings and minimal down time
- You can buy an old tub for less and get it finished to your specifications
- You can even change the color and texture of an old tub or tiles
However, refinishing your bath fittings has certain disadvantages:
- It may add about 10 – 15 years of life to the fixture, which is still less than the life of brand new fittings.
- The chemicals involved in the process require proper tools, training and handling, which means, it is better to hire professionals, instead of adopting a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) approach.
At Mastercraft Painting and Finishes, we offer a range of tub and tile refinishing services, including:
- Repairing cracks, re-grouting, cleaning, sealing, staining/painting and refinishing of the tiles.
- Repairing, cleaning, caulking, staining/painting, coating and refinishing of bathtubs and shower stalls.
Remodel your bathroom and replace all the bath fixtures, or retain your tub and tiles, and opt for refinishing services. No matter what you select, our licensed, fully-insured and safety-trained crew will help you save time, effort and money on any type of bathroom renovation project.
For reliable and affordable tub and tile refinishing services in and around Philadelphia, count on the professionals at Mastercraft Painting and Finishes. Call us at 267-496-5307 or get in touch with us online to request a free estimate for your project.