Are those bathtub things where they put a whole new bathtub covering over your existing bathtub worth it?

Question

Has anyone tried or know about those new bathtub coverings that you see on TV lately. They are these things that cover over old bathtubs and just seal a new bathtub and wall over the old ones. They seem like they would be cheap and a really bad idea, but I'm wondering if they are really that bad. Isn't it a bad idea to leave the old, terrible tub and tiles beneath them? Does the new bathtub covering feel cheap and flimsy? Does it look cheap? And will it start to come apart in a few years? Does anyone know?

Answer 1

I manage 3200 units of housing...
We have some in maybe 200 of the units. I HATE them. They make it smaller and are just odd.

People ALWAYS notice that it just doesn;t quite look right.

Replacing a tub and tub surround can be a pain but would be worth it. After you get the old one out, and depending upon what kind of tub you are putting back, it could cost:

$129 for a steel tub
$450 for new simulated marble tub surround
$150 for new (good) shower valve and head
$250 for labor to do it

If it is a cast iron tub you are taking out it is a bear. But we do it EVERYDAY. It just takes a little more labor. They usually cut them and then bash them with a maul. It usually takes about 4 man hours at laborer rates to do it when I do have it done. (And this is an everyday affair). Now that is just for the tub. The surround can take just as long or a little longer depending whether the tile is a mudset or thinset.

I hate the inserts and would rather replace it- I have inserts, refinished tubs, new tubs, old tubs. It just really never quite looks right to install an insert.

RW

Answer 2

I don't know how much they are but I am sure it varies by company and which one you want. They put those in some new homes when they are being cheap...I wonder what is under them when they are in new construction...? Anyways, that's how it was at my last house in the guest bath and it looked OK and seemed to stay a lot cleaner then tile and grout would. I would search around and compare prices and whether or not it would be much cheaper than replacing or fixing whatever you are not trying to cover.

As far as what one person said about it being marked up and popping up and down in one area, that is simply due to poor or improper installation.

Answer 3

We were curious about that too... got an estimate... 1500.00 for just the covering thing... I don't think it is worth it... you can get an estimate from a plumber and work out a deal to take some of the old out yourself and have them do the detail of hooking back up... I think for the amount more you would pay, you could get a lot better quality.
Check with a plumbing company that does new construction and remodeling, with the housing market slowing down they might be willing to work with you on a good price.

Answer 4

my apartment had one when i moved in. and it is cr@p. it didn't adhere right to the floor beneath so it pops up and down in one place. it had big black scratches in it that do not come out, and it looks cheap.

maybe if you had no alternative, you could go with that, but if you had any cash whatsoever, you should probably save up and get a new real tub.

if the old tub is just scratched or stained, you might be able to have it professionally re-finished (acid etched and re-coated) - it won't last as long as a real finish, but it'll feel like the real thing.

Answer 5

definately not worth it. I have never seen a job yet that lasted. They fall apart, crack, leak, and discolor. It is worth the extra money to have a new tub installed.