How Much Does it Cost to Reglaze a Bathroom?

Reglazing your bathroom tiles, tubs, and sinks is always a good idea. This is because it helps bring back the glow and shine. In fact, reglazing can make the bathroom as good as new.

When your bathtub, tiles, and sink become too worn, dated, and hard to clean, then you should reglaze them.

However, before doing so, you must first consider the cost. Unlike other tile renovations and related projects, the cost of this one is minimal.

You should expect to pay about $1,000 for the entire bathroom tile reglazing job. The per square foot cost of per tile glazing ranges from $16.95 to $95.20.

For a bathtub, the reglazing cost is around $400. This figure would cover the entire process, including prepping, sanding, stripping, smoothing, and finish.

There are several factors that affect the total cost, such as state of tile, reglazing method, size of the project, etc.

This guide will highlight all of these costs, why reglazing is a good option, and much more.

Why You Should Reglaze Bathroom

Though it does not cost a lot to reglaze a bathroom, you might still be wondering why it should be done. Reglazing the bathroom will restore it to its original state.

It will make your bathroom smell and look fresh. When you notice that your tiles and bathtub are chipped, faded, or marred, reglazing is an excellent idea.

This is the most transformative fix for dull tiles and bathtubs. It can give it a new glow that even the toughest cleaners fail to provide.

Rather than spending so much on a new tile or bathtub, you can consider reglazing instead. It will be much cheaper, less time-consuming, and provide the same results.

What is Reglazing?

This process includes refinishing the surfaces of tiles, bathtubs, and sinks. In the end, the look of the surface should resemble that of porcelain. It looks shiny, fresh, and refreshed.

This is considered to be a better process compared to using porcelain. It is also much cheaper. This is because it does not require the application of heat in the kiln.

Reglazing involves a thorough cleaning of the area, repairing the chips, cracks, and other damages.

Then, the surface is sanded to enhance its adhesiveness. After this, the professional sprays on a fine finish spray of acrylic coating.

The end result of refinishing is a wet and shiny look. It will also have a glossy appearance and feel when you touch it. All in all, it would look completely new.

Benefits of Reglazing Bathroom

Whether you choose to reglaze the bathtub, bathroom tiles, or fixtures, it all can provide multiple benefits. They include the following:

Make them Last Longer

When you reglaze your fixtures and bathroom, you extend their life.

This is because they will not just look like a new item but also perform like it.

Less Expensive Than Buying New Tiles

As mentioned earlier, reglazing is a more cost-effective option compared to buying new fixtures, tiles, or bathtubs.

Refinishing will save you money since you are restoring the item to perform like the new thing.

Reduces Hassle

If you have an excellent bathtub, fixture, or tile.

This is because removing and discarding, then buying a new one, can all be a hassle.

You can save yourself from it by simply reglazing your bathroom.

The Cost of Reglazing Bathroom

As mentioned earlier, the entire refinishing job will likely cost you $1,000.

This is much cheaper compared to buying new fixtures, bathtubs, or tiles. Buying them would cost you more than $5,000.

The exact cost of reglazing bathrooms depends on a number of different factors.

It also depends on what specific area you want to reglaze. Here is an estimated cost of refinishing each bathroom area:

Cost of Reglazing Bathroom Tiles

Reglazing old bathroom tiles is always a good idea if they fade, chipped, or lose color.

Most people prefer to reglaze bathroom tiles instead of replacing them because it is more cost-effective and less time-consuming.

The average cost of reglazing your old bathroom tiles is about $1,000. Overall, it can range from $16 to $95 per square foot of tile. The factors that affect this cost include:

State of Tile

Over time, tiles experience a lot of wear and tear. If your tiles have not been properly maintained, then the cost of reglazing will increase.

Even if they have scratches or brown spots, the cost will likely increase.

If your tiles have been severely chipped or broken, then you will need to replace the tiles before reglazing.

Whether you hire a contractor or not

If you feel like you can handle the reglazing job yourself, you can opt out of hiring a contractor.

This could considerably lower the cost of reglazing to as little as $500.

However, you must be sure of the process and be careful with the materials. This is because you will be handling harsh chemicals and acids.

Reglazing Methods

Depending on the contractor, your reglazing methods can influence the total cost of the job.

This is because some include additional steps that may not be necessary but can increase the time. This, in turn, can drive up the costs.

Size of the Bathroom

This is a significant factor that increases the costs of refinishing.

The bigger your bathroom is, the more tiles will need to be reglazed. Ultimately, the cost will be increased.

Cost of Reglazing Bathtub

Unlike the bathroom tiles, the cost of reglazing bathtub would be lower. This is also the most popular reglazing job that homeowners get done.

It can approximately cost you about $400 per bathtub to reglaze or refinish.

However, it can also drive up to $600 depending on the labor, materials, and other factors. Even the size of the bathtub can influence the total cost.

Depending on the material you get, the price of the reglazing will vary. For example, refinishing a fiberglass bathtub can cost you between $300 to $1,000.

A porcelain tub reglazing job tends to be the most common. It is also much cheaper.

The refinishing job will cost you approximately $475. Since solid porcelain tubs tend to be quite older, getting them regularly reglazed is a good idea.

Though cast iron tubs are not as common today, some homeowners still keep them. This is due to their rustic and antique appearance.

If you have a cast iron bathtub, you will likely have to pay between $350 and $600 to reglaze it. 

Cost of Reglazing Bathroom Sink

When your bathroom sink shows signs of wear and age, it might be time to reglaze it. To know for sure whether it requires a refinishing job, look for these signs:

  • Discoloration and stains that cannot be removed even through aggressive scrubbing and harsh cleaning materials
  • Minor damages on the surface, such as chips and cracks

The average cost you should expect to pay for reglazing your bathroom sink is between $25 and $28 per glazing.

However, when you add in the cost of labor and materials, which are $680, the total price will increase.

Hence the approximate total cost of reglazing bathroom sink ranges from $400 and $950.

Things to Remember about Bathroom Reglazing Costs

There are some things you must remember when it comes to reglazing your bathroom.

By keeping these in mind, you will likely be able to reduce the overall costs as well. Here are some things to remember regarding bathroom reglazing:

Price Fluctuations

You must expect the prices of the reglazing job to fluctuate from different companies. Depending on their expertise and the area you live in, the price will change.

You must try to keep your reglazing budget 15% to 7% higher than the figures you have read. This will help control unexpected increases and allow you to budget smartly.

Negotiate  

Try to negotiate with the reglazing company or contractor if possible. Similarly, when you go out to buy the materials, you must negotiate with the supplier.

This will definitely help you reduce costs.

Consider DIY Jobs Carefully

If you consider reglazing your bathroom or related fixtures yourself, you must think about it carefully.

DIY reglazing job is not easy, and it involves using aggressive and harsh chemicals and acids.

You will need to be extra careful while doing this job. Otherwise, you might ruin the bathroom surface. This would, in turn, raise costs instead of decreasing them.

Therefore, you might find hiring a contractor or a professional to do the job more effective. It might not be cost-effective, but it is the safer option.

The Bottom Line

Hence, the total cost of reglazing bathrooms involves you breaking it down to each area.

For bathroom tiles, it can cost you $1,000. For bathtubs and bathroom sinks, the total cost will be approximately $400 each.

You should consider all the factors carefully and then create your budget accordingly.

All in all, when done right, reglazing will definitely breathe new life into your bathroom.

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