I'm a seasoned realtor. The tub is dated. If you are redoing the bathroom update the tub. Donate the old tub ...... No need to use the landfill. Someone will recycle it. Nothing worse than a beautiful re model that skimps on something as big as the tub.

An acrylic tub would look the same, to me. I would take off the backsplash, tile the walls, and get a new faucet.

I'd keep the tube, it's really nice. I'd remove the creamy border around the tube and take the tile all the way down the wall. I'd also make the tub look like a drop-in by surrounding the front with tile.

Keep it!

I agree, keep the tub - it's got a nice clean line and look - and is not dated looking. Acrylic will never be an upgrade from marble. In addition to removing the backsplash and replacing with your new tile, can you tile across the front of the tub as well to give it a truly built-in look? Not sure what your tile looks like. Replace the faucet.

Thank you! Everything you recommend is exactly what I was thinking would work to make it blend in with all the new elements.

Cultured marble is typically manufactured using a stainless steel or fiberglass mold. The mold is waxed and polished, then a gel coat is sprayed that will provide the slick finish on the surface. Countertops, lavatories, etc., are poured upside down. The cultured marble is a mixture of fine marble dust, resin, coloring and a hardener. After being poured into the mold, a vibrator is turned on so any air bubbles will rise to the top (the non-finished surface).

In short, the actual finish is extremely thin. It can easily be scratched. My MIL just replaced cultured marble sinks, tub surrounds and vanity tops on two bathrooms of a house built in the 70s. Over time razors, etc., had scratched and penetrated the gel coat.

Unlike some types of tubs, sinks or countertops, cultured marble is not designed to last 20+ years. Once the gel coat is pierced, cultured marble is no longer waterproof. Water can seep through and rot cabinets, subfloor, etc.

Cultured marble can be refinished if there is a small area where the gel coat has been damaged. As a practical matter, unless you have a local cultured marble manufacturer or installer, repair may be cost prohibitive and the fact is the product will fade somewhat over time.

Cultured marble was the rage in the 60s and 70s. For a countertop it works well in some situations.

But I would never recommend a cultured marble tub. Not that I'm a fan of acrylic either.

acrylic is not an upgrade. the marble is the best, not outdated. I am an appraiser. cheap new is never better.

Cultured marble is just plastic really dated and IMO acrylic is much cleaner looking.I love acrylic tubs , easy to clean , nice looking and by far a lot nicer than an old cultured marbl one\ You are spending money to update the do it all.

Cultured marble is NOT plastic. My father manufactured cultured marble for decades and I helped in high school and part of college. Periodically we would get a large U-Haul truck and a trailer and drive to Sylacauga, Alabama, to pick up TONS of bagged marble dust. A typical countertop was mixed up in two 5-gallon metal buckets (which served as mixing bowls) turned by an electric motor. A small amount of resin/binder was added to each, perhaps a quart per bucket. The color was mixed in a small flat bottomed paper cup. Once the marble dust and binder were thoroughly mixed, hardener was added and color was added and almost immediately the mixers were turned off to create veining rather than solid color. The mix was then poured and often troweled into the mold to create movement.

How much resin is used? I don’t remember the exact ratio. More than is used for quartz, but FAR LESS than Corian.

I am debating the same issue. I have basically the same tub but off white and slight white swirls. In perfect shape. Was thinking of doing all the same suggestions as mentioned. It is right next to my bathroom vanity. So not sure what to do with the new vanity counter. Any suggestions? Wish I had your white I would have them cut a new top to put over it to match counter. It would make the tub look like an undermount. I could put tile around to match and tile counters? I am also doing the floors and shower.

It depends on how easily the tub could be changed in the future. Plan accordingly please.

i had my green marble garden tub painted white with acrylic? i love it. its beautiful. i didnt want to tear up everything and bring a tub up the stairs. i have white marble on dark blue vanity now, huge white marble look tile floors and shower, gold and oil rubbed accessories and a white faux fur rug! love it. the new tubs arent (the eggs crack and stain, some just ugly) as sturdy and hard to find marble garden tubs.

Gina, could you post pictures?