Beautiful Bathroom

The holidays are coming and so are your house guests. That makes it a good time to evaluate the littlest room in the house. Has your acrylic bathtub lost its gloss because somebody cleaned it with scouring powder? Are tiles cracked or broken? Any rust stains lingering in sinks?

If you want to have these cosmetic problems repaired before your holiday house guests arrive, the time to call is now. Although there are many companies that can complete projects in a day, you still need to get an estimate and book into their work schedule. That can take a few weeks.

For the most effective visual impact, arrange the repair of prominent bathroom features first. Perhaps the most dramatic improvement is the renewal of a bathtub or shower. This is also one of the costliest projects.

You can expect to pay anywhere from $500 for a simple refinishing of a bathtub that is in very good shape up to in excess of $5,000 for a complete bathtub/shower enclosure replacement. These prices reflect basic materials. Premium finishes and materials have prices to match.

If cost is a concern, remember that a basic neutral-toned bath and shower can always be dressed up with attractive accents such as brass or nickel hardware. Towels, soap dishes and shower curtains can really complement a shiny new bath enclosure. You don’t have to buy the latest shape or styling to make it fresh and appealing.

The most expensive and longest to complete remodel option is the complete replacement of the tub or shower. This includes demolition of the old unit and new construction and plumbing to accommodate your new selection.

A project like this can last as little as three days or as long as three weeks depending on the contractor and what you are installing. That means up to three weeks with no bathroom, lots of construction chaos and the water turned off for extended periods.

You probably have to take this option if you want to add a whirlpool tub or steam shower, or to add some custom tile work.

Unless your bath tub is in really bad shape or you have your heart set on adding that whirlpool bath, it is far easier to simply have your existing tub or shower surface either refinished or lined.

Even cracked tiles and grungy grout can be dealt with by one of these methods to avoid a time-consuming retile job. The actual time for a refinishing or a liner installation is usually just one day. That means your tub is probably going to be ready to in use within 24 to 48 hours, depending on any drying or curing time.

The more affordable of the two fast options is refinishing. This is a coating sprayed over your existing tub or shower.

“We can do the job for a quarter of the cost of ripping an old tub out,” said Terie Renner, office manager for Evergreen Perma-Glaze in Lake Stevens. “We like our process because it’s not covering up a problem. And our product is antibacterial so you’re not going to get the fungal growth.”

The refinishing product is a polymer resin coating. It comes in a wide variety of colors, textures and finishes, including an impressive imitation stone finish that mimics costly granite or marble. It can be sprayed on any solid surface, which makes it suitable to coat anything in the bathroom including counters or cupboards as well as tubs and shower pans. Sinks and tubs can be sprayed to coordinate.

Another common use for this type of refinishing is to cover up ugly-colored or mismatched tile work. The coating lasts longer than ordinary paint and has a far more attractive finish. One drawback to the product is that, just like acrylic, you can’t use scouring powders on it.

“But because it is anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, you won’t find that you need it,” Renner said. “A daily shower spray is all that you’re ever going to need.”

Once your estimate is complete and colors are selected, an average Perma-Glaze job takes one working day to complete and up to 48 hours to cure. Accelerated curing times are available in some cases.

Refinishing your tub or shower surface is great if you have little or minimal damage to the fixture. However, if there are many chips or gouges requiring repair, you may want to go with a tub liner instead.

Bath Fitter is probably the best known one-day bathroom remodel service. They specialize in just the tub and shower area.

“We do a custom fit acrylic liner that fits right on top of your tub,” said Bath Fitter coordinator Jennifer Eddy. “We take care of all of your plumbing. If there’s any repair work that needs to be done to that area, we take care of that as well.”

The secret to a good liner is a tight, well-matched fit. Bath Fitter sends an estimator to your home to take precise measurements. The new tub or shower base is then custom-made in the factory.

Once the new liner is created, it can be installed. This process can take a while depending on their schedule.

Liner installation, however, takes just a day and your tub is ready for use almost immediately. The new liner completely covers any defects in the underlying fixture and provides an attractive new surface.

Because the liner is acrylic, you can’t use really abrasive cleaners on it. However, Bath Fitter offers a long list of safe cleaning products that can be used. These include products like Soft Scrub, Green Works and other popular, readily available store brands.

Acrylic bath and shower liners like these are long lasting and can hide a multitude of sins. But it is important to use a company that offers a warranty on its product.

“We have a lifetime warranty on all of our products as long as you own the products,” Eddy said.

One problem that has been known to occur on faulty installations is leakage between the liner and tub, causing a squishy feeling under the feet. A warranty can give you peace of mind that rare problems like these would be taken care of by the installer.

The cost of a liner for your bath along with its installation is almost as much as a full tear out and replacement. However, the convenience of a one-day, almost instantly ready to use bath or shower and a lifetime warranty makes this a choice to consider.

Companies such as Bath Fitter also offer a fast tub-to-shower conversion. This is ideal if you are losing mobility and don’t want to climb over a tub rail into the shower.

Barrier-free shower ideas from other companies include a step-through created in the side of an existing tub. The side of the tub is actually cut out and a lip is installed in the opening. It’s not as attractive as a whole new shower stall, but it is a lot more affordable than a tub-to-shower conversion or a full replacement. A step-through usually costs less than $1,000.

If you have a bath or shower that is in good shape, you can also customize it to make it more attractive. Many homeowners opt to replace shower curtains with sleek sliding shower doors. If you have the skills, this is a job you can do yourself, or have a contractor do it in less than a day.

Something else that can make your bathroom really pop is new faucets for the tub and sink. Most of these are a suitable do-it-yourself project or you can hire a professional.

A new showerhead can not only be attractive, it can also create a spa-like feel for bathers. Oversized, overhead rain showers are extremely popular. They offer a wide yet gentle swath of spray.

Another eye-catching improvement in the bathroom is counter replacement or refurbishment. Refinishing coats for these surfaces take just a day, but there is another fast and elegant option. Priceless Granite &Tile in Granite Falls offers quick installations on opulent bathroom vanities, back splashes and flooring.

“We have an amazing selection of stones to look at,” said Priceless Granite &Tile owner Chuck Weinberg. “We do install granite, and most of the time it takes only one day.”

For the most impact with the least cost, a coat of paint can do wonders for a bathroom. If you decide to do it yourself, select a low-VOC semi-gloss paint, preferably with fungicides. Plenty of ventilation is a must when using any paints, chemicals or cleaners in a small space.

Finally, before you sign on the dotted line, check out any products or contractors with the Better Business Bureau and make sure that contractors are licensed. It can save you headaches in the long run.