Covering Up vs. Replacing During Bathroom Remodeling - Wisler Plumbing & Air

There are two different ways to remodel a bathroom: One way is just giving it a facelift to cover it up, and the other is getting down to the bones and building it back up to the way you would like it to be. There are a few things to consider whenever you’re making the decision about which one to choose.

A facelift is usually perceived as less expensive and time-consuming. In some cases, this isn’t actually true. For example, putting a liner in your bathtub to cover it up and improve the appearance can have a lead time of several weeks. Because parts like these need to be custom made in a factory, they can be very expensive compared to a replacement. It won’t necessarily save any money to do a replacement, but it’s something to consider instead of automatically thinking that it is quicker and less expensive.

Another thing to consider is water leaks. Leaky toilets, faucets, showers, or tubs need to be addressed and not covered up. If water gets into the wood structure of your home, it will become damaged over time. The wood will eventually rot and lose its structural integrity. Covering up a problem like this will only lead to progressively worse damage. The soft, damaged wood will need to be replaced and the structure must be restored so it will be sturdy. Covering up the problem may make it may go away visually, but it will just lead to bigger problems in the future. Immediate replacement will save time and money in the long run. Eventually, the cosmetic coverup will have to be removed anyway, and there will be even more damage to fix.

Replacing a fixture instead of just covering it up will also probably lead to a happier client. There are occasions where we visit homes that have a standard tub and the owner would like a tile shower in its place. Many times, we find that we can give them what they want at a reasonable cost instead of just applying a cover. They will be much happier getting what they really wanted without having to work around the limitations of covering up the fixture. A tub can be replaced with a stand up tile shower, linoleum floors can be replaced with ceramic tile, or a 36” vanity can be replaced with a 60” vanity. There are many more options available to pick from when you don’t have to just cover up what’s already there.

As we grow older, sometimes our priorities for the bathroom will change. Clients that are either already older or those preparing for the future will want to remodel their bathroom so it will be more accessible. Completely replacing the fixtures will allow for more options, such as shower that’s easy to get into or a higher toilet that’s safer to use. These are options worth considering, since they wouldn’t be possible with a cover-up.