There is a quiet revolution in the world of bathroom remodeling. Every day, more people discover the miracles that can be achieved with a 1/4 inch thick sheet of acrylic. Say hello to the bathtub liner.
Typically, when your bathtub is tired, worn, dulled, scratched or cracked, you are left with two alternatives – buy a new one, or get it reglazed. Both of these choices have significant downsides.
Buying a new bath is expensive, and it means taking out the old bath, breaking tiles and plumbing. Reglazing needs doing every ten years or so, if done properly. Generally, it requires the use of strong odorous chemicals to remove the old enamel.
Bathtub liners are very different. Installation is clean and quick, and involves no demolition or plumbing. A contractor comes to your house and takes photos and measurements of your bath. With this information he returns to the factory where the right mold for your bath is identified. Typically, bathtub liner companies have molds of all the bathtubs manufactured in the US during the last 20 years.
The mold is then used to create a thick sheet of acrylic that will be used to line your bathtub. The advantage of acrylic is that it can be given a high gloss finish and is very durable. It is difficult to scratch, but any surface damage that should occur can be easily repaired. This is because the color goes all the way through the sheet and is not just on the surface.
Finally, the contractor comes to your house, fits the bathtub liner over your existing bathtub, caulks and seals it. This job is done in less than a day.
Another great thing about bathtub liners is that the same manufacturer can usually offer you custom acrylic wall surrounds too. These will match your bathtub and can be installed directly over the top of your existing tiles, without the need for a messy demolition. The result is custom remodeled bathroom at a fraction of the cost.
About the AuthorAdrian Hall is a home remodeling
aficionado and has recently launched
A-Home.net, which offers tips and advice on turning you house into a home.