Liner Notes about Bathtub Liners

If you're concerned about your dilapidated bathtub and are sick of having it be the eyesore in the corner, you might want to consider bathtub liners as an alternative to an all-out refinishing project. Bathtub liners are literally like new "skins" or covers for your bathtub. Made of a lightweight gauge acrylic, they're installed directly over your existing bathtub as if to kind of conceal the imperfections that you cannot fix. Before you go out and purchase your own, here are some pros and cons about bathtub liners:

Pros

Quick--It takes very little time to install this liner than completely demolishing and replacing your old bathtub.

Less Expensive--Buying bathtub liners can carry a heftier price tag than simple refinishing but it is much cheaper than a complete bathroom remodel. If you simply cannot refinish, you will find using bathroom liners to be a better alternative.

Wall Liners--In addition to bathroom liners, wall liners are also available. If bought in conjunction, you can cover the imperfections of both your old bathtub and your walls.

Competitive Businesses--Since tub relining is a rather competitive business, you will have several potential contractors to choose from. They are all hankering for your business and will fight with one another to offer the best service for the lowest price.

Cons

More Expensive-- The average acrylic bathtub liner installation costs around $1300 and can go up to $4000. With prices this steep, you'd be better off just refinishing your bathtub manually.

Require a Licensed Plumber--Having an extra-thick bathtub liner often means that you have to extend the drain and overflow. Only a licensed plumber would be able to do this for you so it will set you back that much more.

Leaks--Perhaps the worst downfall of bathtub liners is the fact that they suffer from a bad reputation of allowing water to leak through the seams of the old tub and new liner. Even the smallest crack or hole can develop caulking and as much as you want to, it would probably seem kind of counterintuitive to have to caulk a bathtub liner. Sometimes, if enough moisture gathers, mold can grow.

Limited color selection--This will likewise limit your home designing options.

Unless you find that refinishing is absolutely not in the stars for your home project and would rather pay a contractor to install a bathtub liner over an unsalvageable bathtub, opting for something that will simply provide more woe than solutions is probably not worth it.