If you’ve had your tub for a long time, it’s probably starting to look a little unpleasant. After all, tubs are in constant use, and they take a lot of wear and tear over the years. It’s to be expected that after some time, there will be chipping, staining, mold and rust buildup. If you’re ready for an upgrade, it’s time to consider bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ. Here’s why.
A new tub is probably unnecessary
You might be thinking, “Forget refinishing, I’ll just buy a brand new tub.” This is understandable, but hold on for a minute before you rush out to the store. First of all, it’s easier than you think to restore the tub you currently have. Second of all, a new tub usually ends up being more expensive than the initial sticker price. You might be able to find a new tub for a few hundred bucks(if you’re willing to get a pretty basic model, but the work involved will add up in real money.
Why a new tub costs so much
To start with, most tubs aren’t moved into an existing house—they’re installed during the building process. Getting an old tub out and a new one in is actually pretty difficult. Surrounds, tiles, plumbing and trim will probably need to be torn out, and you’re apt to get dinged for the cost of cutting the tub into manageable pieces just to fit it through your doorway. And then there’s the fact that you’ll have to then re-plumb the tub, put back in the tiling, and possibly widen or shorten the tub surround space. Before you know it, you’re spending thousands on a bathroom remodel, when all you initially wanted was a prettier tub.
How refinishing can be better
When you opt for bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ, you’ll be getting what looks like a brand new tub for a fraction of the cost. Instead of showering in the basement tub for weeks or months while work on a new tub installation is in progress, you can get back into that refinished tub in a matter of days. The cost of refinishing—usually three or four hundred dollars on average—will be far more affordable than the thousands you could spend on a brand new tub.
Steps to refinish your tub
If you look online, you’ll probably find some DIY tutorials. Don’t get sucked in, though, because this type of work is best left to the pros, such as the crew at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC, who have years of experience in the field and will make sure the job is done safely and professionally.
Steps include: sanding down the current finish on the tub; repairing any damage (such as cracks, chips, rust spots or unsound areas); priming the tub; applying a new surface layer; and lastly, applying a new sealing top coat.
When an experienced company performs your bathtub refinishing in Phoenix, AZ, you can expect another 10 to 15 years of good use before another refinishing is required. Now that’s money well spent! Call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC today to learn more!
When it is time for bathtub refinishing or tiling, the problem is not the lack of ideas—it is choosing the one that looks best in your bathroom! Restoration work and bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ helps your bathroom look better, and it is also a good time to add new embellishment. You can add a few tile features or go for a completely new look. Take advantage of this opportunity with these new trends and ideas:
The Mediterranean look: Old World style is making a big comeback with its elegance and simplicity. Offer a nod to ancient cultures with these designs inspired by the décor customs of Spain, Morocco and Portugal. You can also choose unique shapes that interlock neatly. Metallic surfaces are popular, as well as painted terra cotta designs. This is a classic look that is unlikely to go out of style and will maintain the value of your home.
Mosaics: This is a favorite among people who like to do their own design or who have an artistic streak. Use tiles of different shapes to create simple pictures, like repeating stars or flowers. You can do this on an entire bath or shower wall, or just add them in as accent pieces. If you see many shapes before you, let your imagination go wild. You will create a bathroom look that is uniquely you and unlikely to have a duplicate anywhere else.
Classic white: Perhaps you are renovating a rental property or you believe less is more. The classic white subway tile look never goes out of fashion, and that is due to its flexibility. You can highlight your bathroom in different ways with a different colored floor, or add mosaic accents throughout the white. Going classic allows you endless decorating possibilities.
Three-dimensional tile: Are you feeling up to adding a new texture? Raised surfaces and monochromatic appearances give these tiles a simple yet elegant look. It creates an inviting space while also giving a nod to the funky days of the 1970s, when three-dimensional tile was last popular. There are many interesting patterns available in circles, symmetrical patterns and classic looks. It is very likely that one of these approaches will appeal to you if you are looking for something different, but do not want to put in the effort required by the mosaic.
Accessibility: As the population ages, ways of making bathrooms safer are developing quickly. Tile is not excluded in this realm. Textured tile can make it harder to slip in the bathtub, and tiles made to work around hand railings can combine aesthetics with function. While resurfacing, you can even take the opportunity to install a tile shower bench or lower the rails to help you age in place better at home. Making things a little easier does not mean sacrificing beauty.
When it is time for new tile or bathtub refinishing in Glendale, AZ, call A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service LLC to start work on your home. We can fix cracks and blemishes or give your bathroom a whole new look!
Bathtubs are (probably) the most used amenity in our homes. Since they’re used so often, they get dirty pretty quick. Dirty tubs are germ infested, look terrible and can start to smell gross after a while.
In addition to those short term consequences, a dirty bathtub can lower the value of your home if you’re trying to sell. There’s not one single factor that contributes to a dirty tub. Many small things people do (or neglect to do) lead to dirty bath tubs in Glendale, AZ. In order to keep a clean tub that’s sure to impress guests, pay attention to the following tub pitfalls.
Soap scum and shampoo buildup
The hard surface that builds up over a while around your tub in a natural reaction to water and the ingredients in soap and shampoo. After prolonged tub use, this buildup hardens and becomes increasingly hard to clean.
Mold and mildew
Mold and mildew are bound to grow in any damp area. A tub that’s constantly in use is a hotbed for mold and mildew growth. Not only are mold and mildew gross, breathing mold can be harmful to your health in the long run.
Dead skin and other body debris
We obviously take showers and/or baths to wash away the dirt and grease that we accumulate on our bodies throughout the day. The dirt, grease, hair and dead skin that doesn’t go down the drain all gets stuck in the tub. Over time all of that accumulates and causes a real big mess.
Hard water stains
Many parts of the country have water with a high mineral content, or hard water. If you happen to live in a part of the country that has hard water, over time those hard water deposits will stain the base of the tub.
Unless properly cleaned, hard water can also rust the drain cover making an unsightly red mess.
Pet cleaning
Cleaning your animals, especially dogs after they’ve been playing in the mud, is a must. However, getting them into your bathtub to get clean is always a challenge and can be equally hard on the wellbeing of your tub. Your pets’ claws will scratch the tub further damaging the tub’s protective coating.
Cleaning chemicals
Hardcore cleaning products will definitely clean up the afore mentioned problems that bathtubs often run into. However, if used in excess, these chemicals can end up damaging bath tubs in Glendale, AZ in the long run. Chemicals like bleach will slowly erode the protective coating on your tub. If this occurs, you’ll need to have your tub either repaired or completely replaced.
What can I do to fix it?
One great way to combat the build-up of all of the aforementioned is to clean your tub after each use. Bathroom cleaning experts recommend taking a few minutes after each shower or bath to wipe the tub down with a sponge or other cleaning device. If the situation gets out of hand call us at 602-531-4453 to find out how we can refinish your tub or any other amenity that is full of dirt and grime!
If you are considering updating your bathtub, you might be wondering what the more time efficient, long lasting and affordable option is: installing a new tub, or investing in bathroom refinishing in Glendale? While there are different arguments to be made for either side, the only way to know for sure is to examine the two options through the lens of three crucial concerns: how long the job will take, how long the results will last and how much it will cost. To that end, here is a look at how bathtub refinishing in Glendale compares to installing a new tub.
Round one: time for job
Having contractors in your home for days or weeks on end is a pain, and many families would gladly take an alternative approach, especially if it offered the same general benefits. When you hire a contractor to install a brand new tub, the very best you can hope for is for them to be out of your hair within a few days. Unfortunately, those few days can easily turn into a few weeks.
Bathtub refinishing, on the other hand, is a very straightforward process. It typically takes about four to five hours to apply, and then another four to five hours before the tub is completely useable. This means that when you opt for refinishing, you could have the equivalent of a new tub in just one working day.
Round two: longevity
Bathtub refinishing might take a shorter amount of time to complete, but does it offer the same longevity as a brand new tub? Well, it all depends on how well you care for it. If you clean it regularly and avoid using harsh chemicals, it should easily last 10 to 15 years.
And as it turns out, that is also the exact amount of time that most people can expect a new tub to last before it starts showing signs of wear. That means that in the category of longevity, new tubs and refinished tubs are in a virtual tie.
Round three: price
Sure, convenience and durability matter, but for most households, there is one factor that can easily outweigh all the others: price. While the actual cost of a new bathtub might only be a few hundred dollars, there are often various extra fees for plumbing services, installation and surfacing the new tub. That means that when all is said and done, your new tub could cost as much as $2,500! Refinishing, on the other hand, also typically costs a few hundred dollars—but with no extra charges, it is a significantly cheaper option.
We have our winner!
With one virtual tie and two outright wins, it looks like bathtub refinishing in Glendale is the obvious winner of this matchup. The next time you are thinking about updating your tub, we hope you will keep these three rounds of competition in mind.
If you do choose to refinish your tub, the team at A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. will be happy to do the job for you. Call us today to learn more!
If one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2016 is improving your home, then you might consider doing so by investing in a bathroom facelift or full-on remodel. As a business that provides repair and refinishing of tiles, showers and bath tubs in Glendale, AZ part of our job is to stay up to date on the latest bathroom design trends, and we can tell you right now that 2016 is going to be a bold year for bathrooms. From lighting to tubs to tiles, here are all the hot design trends for bathrooms and bath tubs that our customers can expect to see this year:
Fresh lighting: With LED vanities, recessed lighting, lighting underneath the shower floor and much more, 2016 is the year when you can kiss everything you thought you knew about bathroom lighting goodbye. Change the way you look at your bathroom by exploring all the options.
Statement tiles: No longer are bathroom tiles confined to boring, rigid patterns. Instead, now is the time to experiment with bold colors and fun geometric shapes, making your bathroom floor or shower tiling one of a kind. Just make sure that all parts of the bathroom are consistent with one another.
Natural design: Over the past few years, natural design has been all the rage, and now that trend is finally moving into the bathroom. Wooden counters and floors, jagged stone accents and even an entire plant wall are great ways to incorporate this style, but make sure you can commit to the upkeep.
Freestanding tubs: For years, practical shower-tub combinations have been the norm, and they are still smart for more functional bathrooms. But if you want to create a master bathroom oasis and have a lot of space to work with, freestanding bath tubs in Glendale, AZ are a wonderfully luxurious and elegant choice.
Floating vanities: Rather than going with a more traditional framed bathroom vanity and medicine cabinet, consider a floating, frameless vanity that has a roller door (similar to how a residential garage door opens). This will make your bathroom feel less cluttered, and give it a cool, modern vibe.
Frameless shower doors: Following the minimalist, modern trend, consider frameless, clear shower doors to create a seamless flow in your bathroom. Obviously, if multiple people use the bathroom to get ready in the morning at the same time, this is not a great privacy option. But if you have the room to yourself, consider splurging a little.
Extension of the home: Typically, the bathroom is the one room of the house that tends to break with the general design scheme. But lately, more people have been thinking of the bathroom as an extension of another room, using decorative accents to blend it with the rest of the home.
Whatever design ideas you choose to incorporate into your bathroom remodel in the coming year, we hope you will consider hiring A-1 Porcelain & Fiberglass Service L.L.C. for all your tiling, bath tub, vanity and shower work.
