By Murray Anderson
If you're thinking about replacing your existing bathtub - whether it's because hairline cracks are appearing in its surface, it's becoming increasingly hard to get clean or just because of its lovely avocado green color - you might consider a bathtub liner as an option.What's a Bathtub Liner?
A bathtub liner is a custom made liner that literally fits right over your existing bathtub. They're usually made from acrylic (the shiny hard stuff they use to make football helmets), but some are available in plastic or PVC (Poly vinyl chloride). Liners come in a wide range of colors, so they can fit in with virtually any new décor ideas you might have for your bathroom. The hard surfaces are reportedly easy to clean, difficult to damage and last for years.
A bathtub liner (and tub surround) fit right over the existing tub and walls, and don't require you to remove anything but the knobs on the plumbing fixtures. You can still use all the existing plumbing and the whole thing is usually installed in a day.
Why Not Just Replace the Bathtub?
Replacing a bathtub is a major renovation job. Not only do you need to remove the tub itself, you'll quite likely need to remove at least some of the tiles on the walls around the tub, and of course reinstall them and the wall after the new tub is in. Depending on your new tub design, you might also need to move some plumbing, and as a final insult, may actually have to open up a wall and remove some studs just to get the old tub out of the room. All of this will take at least a few days, and maybe more than a week, so you had better have another working tub or shower somewhere in the house, or at least a friendly neighbor.
Can I Install a Bathtub Liner Myself?
While there are standard liners available at home stores that DIYer's can install themselves, custom made liners are installed by professionals. The installation process usually begins with a home visit from the installation company. During this visit, they take exact measurements of your existing bathtub and tub surround. These measurements are sent to the manufacturer who builds the liner to exactly match the measurements.
The manufacturing process takes about two weeks, but once it's delivered, the tub liner itself can be installed in less than one day.
Custom Fitted Sounds Expensive - What Does All This Cost?
A custom made bathtub liner will cost in the range of $700 to $1000 installed, while a liner and tub surround should cost in the area of $2000. Not cheap, but when you consider the quick turnaround and the convenience of installation, it's well worth considering. Replacing a bathtub itself will likely cost considerably more ($3000 - $5000) when you include the cost of replacing walls and tiles. Plus, who can calculate the incremental personal cost of being without a bathtub for up to a week?
Can't I Just Resurface My Existing Tub?
Yes, reglazing is an option. The charge for a professional reglazing would be in the $500 range and it would usually be done in a day, making it as convenient as installing a bathtub liner. However, some people claim the odor of chemicals used to clean and prepare the bathtub surface prior to reglazing stays in the home for a number of days, so that could be a problem.
The hotel industry has generally decided that bathtub liners and tub surrounds are the best way to renovate and update their hard working bathrooms. The adaptability, durability and convenient installation of acrylic liners were undoubtedly factors in this decision.
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