Both of these options share one attractive feature—your current tub stays in place. This takes the mess of demolition out of the equation. But except for this common element, the two options are quite different, as a point-by-point comparison shows. A special coating made just for bathtubs is used, not ordinary paint off the shelf. The actual formula varies, depending on what material is used in the original tub. DIY kits are also available for refinishing a tub, though they generally are less successful than a professional application. Bathtub refinishing is a great option if the tub is not too damaged—tubs with severe damage may not be candidates for refinishing. Your current bathtub is first measured by a remodeling contractor or technician from a firm specializing in liner installation. If an appropriate liner is not in stock, one is ordered for custom fabrication. On the day of installation, fixtures, drain, soap dishes, and other obstructions are removed. The liner is installed right over the old bathtub and surround. The existing fixtures, or new ones, are installed over the liner. One exception is if the old tub is in particularly bad shape—rusted, cracked, scratched, or dented. Here, completely covering the old tub with a liner may produce better results. However, if you have a unique bathtub or one with a unique shape that you like, refinishing maintains the same lines, just with a new surface. Bathtub liners slightly reduce the inner size of your bathtub, which may be a problem for users who like to use the tub to take baths. A good remodeling contractor should leave your bathroom in spotless condition whether they are refinishing the tub or installing an insert liner. But during the process itself, refinishing is messier because it involves sanding and spray-painting. The refinishing company will create negative airflow in the bathroom, moving paint-laden air out a window. Also, elements in the bathroom beside the bathtub will be covered up. By contrast, installing a tub liner is mainly a carpentry or construction project, involving no paint and few solvents. Although costs vary depending on the company, refinishing is usually less expensive than having a liner installed. Bathtub refinishing starts around $600, although some homeowners report lower estimates. With a liner, costs begin around $800 and can be considerably higher in areas where labor is in short supply or where the installation is complicated. You can perform a basic bathtub refinishing job yourself for $100 to $200. Without significant prep work, though, your results may be less than satisfactory. Professional crews specialize in this work and will do the job faster and better than is possible with any DIY refinishing kit. Bathtub liners are typically measured, fabricated, and installed by a company that offers a package service. Home improvement centers may stock liners for a few of the most common bathtub sizes from the major manufacturers, but most homeowners find that it is much better to hire a company specializing in such work. Refinishing adds a microscopically thin coating on the surface of your tub, which eventually will wear away or crack. A liner, on the other hand, is much thicker and more durable, and if installed correctly it will last for many years—perhaps even decades. The weak point of a liner is that it creates a double layer, and if water infiltrates the space between the liner and the original tub, mold and mildew can develop.
