Few home improvement ventures can deliver as much impact as a bathroom remodeling project. There’s the exciting prospect of improving the aesthetic appeal of one of the most important rooms in the home. The bathroom is decorated with calming influences, a decor that transports bathers to tranquil shores. Indeed, this is a place where mind and spirit can be restored in much the way the body is being cleansed. In short, the bathroom is an inner sanctum; It deserves to be remodeled when the tub loses its lustrous shine.
According to Finish Pro, “The central elements of the bathroom are the tub and sink, areas that are accented by colored panels and personal items. These objects create a look that is unique to the inhabitants of the home, but the flow of such visual symmetry can quickly be spoiled if these key components are less than perfect.” Stains created by hard water and grime break the pure image of a snowy white tub lining. Fixtures succumb to wear and tear over the years, leaving an aura of dreariness. The solution to this sadly run-down image is to remodel the entire bathroom and to restore the tub, thus rewinding time until the tub once again rules the bathroom as an enduring centerpiece.
Reflecting On Practical Concerns
The first issue encountered in a bathroom remodeling project, one covered in detail within many websites including this article from the NY Times, relates to practical concerns. A bath tub is a challenging item to replace. Even if the work is supported by professionals, there’s the issue of navigating the area without causing damage to fixtures and tiles. That issue becomes exponentially harder if the bathroom is located inside a small apartment and the apartment is located on one of the highest floors. For this reason alone many weekend warriors are giving serious thought to re-glazing the tub, a move which logically includes the sinks as they’re viewed as companion pieces.
Balanced Against the Heart
If it’s the logistics of the work that hampers the decision, the final decision may still fall on the side of a full replacement. The heart is harder to govern. An occupant who is attached to a 1940s bathtub might not be able to imagine the bathroom room without the original tub and sinks. Every scratch could represent some sentimental event. Still, those worn surfaces are spoiling the overall look of the room, so it’s possible that the owner can be persuaded to re-glaze the tub, sinks and any other porcelain-rich items in the bathroom.
The Advantages of Re-Glazing
Once that choice has been made, there are a number of options. Typically, at least in the case of a porcelain tub, cracks and chips are filled with polyester putty (wikipedia.com). Acid etching removes any of the old glaze, leaving behind a porous structure that aids in facilitating chemical bonding. The preparation techniques can vary depending on the material of the tub, but the base method is always to remove the gloss and stains so that the underlying surface is clean and ready for the re-glaze medium. And, thanks to today’s polymer technology, those new glazing materials are easy to find. New ABS acrylics and polyurethane-based epoxies are easy to apply and quick to dry. They form a smooth and professional coating, one that’s far more resistant to abrasion and chipping than the original surface.
Reinforce the newly re-glazed tub and sink by installing mood lighting and new fixtures. Also, install tile flooring or carpets along with finely caulked wall tiles to empathize the newly modernized appeal of the bathroom.
