Anyone with dreams of owning an old farmhouse and turning this money pit into a palace may run across an old claw-foot porcelain tub. For some years, these were mistakenly regarded as an eyesore, and literally thrown into the dump where they are lost forever. The truth is, getting a bathtub resurface can bring such gems back from the dead, and preserve an antique.
These old porcelain tubs were given the boot by home builders in the 70s, but prior to this, they were found in nearly every home built. As lighter and cheaper materials became more standard, the porcelain was replaced with materials such as fiberglass and acrylic. Due to this change, those old-style, fancy bathtubs are sometimes worth a small fortune, and should never be overlooked.
Porcelain was a baked-on glass glaze which was actually covering a cast iron tub. These were extremely heavy, and over time they could sag to the point that they were dangerously heavy when filled with water. The manufactured housing industry introduced acrylic garden tubs in their fancy glamour bathrooms, and this trend traveled easily into the rest of the construction industry.
As people tend to shower more often than lounging in a hot bath these days, the demand for tubs has lessened somewhat. In fact, many newer homes are fitted with a tub in the master bath, but only a shower in any additional bathrooms. If one is shopping for a one-bedroom apartment, they may need to ask if there is a tub, or merely a shower, before they sign their lease.
Home improvement buffs find it very easy, and reasonably inexpensive, to get modern acrylic shower or bath kits. In fact, this can be an excellent area to save on a home improvement budget, allowing one to spend more on stainless steel for the kitchen. It is unfortunate, however, that many old-style tubs have been junked before the homeowner had any idea that it was valuable.
Anyone who owns a home older than 1965 just might have a larger, porcelain tub underneath what appears to be their bathroom. Sometimes these very rare antiques have been walled in or covered up in prior remodeling. If you find such a thing in a home, it can be brought back very close to the original beauty with a kit that one buys in home improvement or hardware stores.
If the tub is extremely rare and worthy, one can have it refurbished by the pros. They will sandblast the surface inside and out, and create a whole new coating that just might rival the beauty of the original. While the old-style of baking on the porcelain is no longer used, there are still composite materials which are being used to make these tubs look like they are covered in marble.
For those sad individuals who threw out a claw-foot tub, it is probably a sore subject. These antiques go for thousands of dollars, sometimes being valued that high when they have not been maintained. For those who do not wish to be bothered with any refinishing, they can still find eager antique collectors and dealers willing to show up, cash in hand.
These old porcelain tubs were given the boot by home builders in the 70s, but prior to this, they were found in nearly every home built. As lighter and cheaper materials became more standard, the porcelain was replaced with materials such as fiberglass and acrylic. Due to this change, those old-style, fancy bathtubs are sometimes worth a small fortune, and should never be overlooked.
Porcelain was a baked-on glass glaze which was actually covering a cast iron tub. These were extremely heavy, and over time they could sag to the point that they were dangerously heavy when filled with water. The manufactured housing industry introduced acrylic garden tubs in their fancy glamour bathrooms, and this trend traveled easily into the rest of the construction industry.
As people tend to shower more often than lounging in a hot bath these days, the demand for tubs has lessened somewhat. In fact, many newer homes are fitted with a tub in the master bath, but only a shower in any additional bathrooms. If one is shopping for a one-bedroom apartment, they may need to ask if there is a tub, or merely a shower, before they sign their lease.
Home improvement buffs find it very easy, and reasonably inexpensive, to get modern acrylic shower or bath kits. In fact, this can be an excellent area to save on a home improvement budget, allowing one to spend more on stainless steel for the kitchen. It is unfortunate, however, that many old-style tubs have been junked before the homeowner had any idea that it was valuable.
Anyone who owns a home older than 1965 just might have a larger, porcelain tub underneath what appears to be their bathroom. Sometimes these very rare antiques have been walled in or covered up in prior remodeling. If you find such a thing in a home, it can be brought back very close to the original beauty with a kit that one buys in home improvement or hardware stores.
If the tub is extremely rare and worthy, one can have it refurbished by the pros. They will sandblast the surface inside and out, and create a whole new coating that just might rival the beauty of the original. While the old-style of baking on the porcelain is no longer used, there are still composite materials which are being used to make these tubs look like they are covered in marble.
For those sad individuals who threw out a claw-foot tub, it is probably a sore subject. These antiques go for thousands of dollars, sometimes being valued that high when they have not been maintained. For those who do not wish to be bothered with any refinishing, they can still find eager antique collectors and dealers willing to show up, cash in hand.
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Learn more about the bathtub resurface process, today. You can also get more info about KB Bathtub Savers Ltd at http://www.bathtubsavers.ca right now.
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