They can strip the almond epoxy before refinishing the tub. Finding that narrow of a tub will be like a needle in a haystack. Is there room and budget to change placement of door or fixtures? Could you make door smaller or move it enough for a modern size tub? Can you move the tub and spout away from the wall with the door? Could a free standing tub with a sharper curve free up some spce?

Re do the door entry OR...........consider if you would be better off long term with a custom shower. I am all for "history":. Comfort is just as important, and this isn't 1920 ,it's 2020 in weeks. Horses and buggies aren't around anymore, either on Chicago roads. Post a drawing of the bath....accurately measured. Not long before those cute kids will prefer a shower btw

What is BEHIND the long tub wall? What room?

Not a pro. If the bathtub has lead in the glaze underneath the almond finish, my understanding is that the refinishing process will create a lot of lead dust unless a lead-safe process is used.

ETA: Also if you remove it, be sure to tell the contractor not to break it into pieces if it has lead in the glazing.

That tub has had a good life time to retire it and I agree who knows what the finish is and honestly if you are spending the money get a new tub

Thank you all for commenting! I do feel like we need a tub in this bathroom. Our youngest is only 3 and our older kids are athletes who love to soak.

@Kathleen K - Great questions about the door. I will ask our contractor! Unfortunately this bathroom is so tight, there's nowhere else to put the tub/shower.

@JAN MOYER - Other side of the long wall is a shared bedroom already too small that we wouldn't want to steal any space from.

@Patricia Colwell Consulting - Agreed -- if only I could find one to fit!!

@Ali O, we are in Chicago too and opted to keep our original tub. I just loved the curves and undulations. However, ours had the original finish, that was in good enough shape and I had run out of budget, so I opted to use it as-is.

However, I bought a salvage sink at a demo sale that needed to be refinished. I used ARK Porcelain refinishing. You can see it in my photobook under my profile. The guy did a really fabulous job and the way he does the process is different than some of the other 'quick paint' places.

Pick a poi$$$on

https://www.vintagetub.com/aria-kapelle-acrylic-corner-bathtub-no-faucet-drillings-bka18-s.html?gclid=CjwKCAiAlO7uBRANEiwA_vXQ--32QUaECqSIwa4FQPNCCXhnW8VOEwb7IFo2yua77VY5_2-h6dw1FhoCrGsQAvD_BwE#228=3489&aid=28108

Build out the plumbing wall.....get AWAY from the door. Add the opposite wall end. In other words, get over it or be stuck? And live with a fifty four inch tub, so you don't further crowd the space. Subway tile, penny tile......etc. There are other ways to feel "vintage" . Get something functional. That works in this century.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bootz-Industries-Kona-54-in-Right-Drain-Rectangular-Alcove-Soaking-Bathtub-in-White-011-3302-00/303687742?MERCH=REC--pipinstock--303687719--303687742--N

Can you get a new tub into your house, down hallways, and into the bathroom without doing huge damage to walls and millworker? This is why in new construction bathtubs are placed before walls. I don’t want you to fall in love with a tub that you cannot get into your house

If a 30 x 54 to 60" tub won't go up a stair or down a hall or through a door> A HUMAN has problems.......: )

Look at the spec sheets for new tubs. The 30 inch and 60 inch measurements are convenient shorthand- they are often NOT the exact measurements. Part of the width is hidden and covered up during installation by tile and backer board (or the 1920's equivalent). Without taking the tile down, it's impossible to know exactly how much of the old 1920's tub is covered up by the current tile. Chances are good that it was a "30 inch" bathtub, too. It is not the end of the world if the door frame trim is notched a bit more. It is a very common solution to a very common problem. You can also replace the trim with a much narrower piece to avoid notching.

A new bathtub is vastly easier to clean than an old worn tub and much less fussy about cleaning chemicals than a recoated one.

@apple_pie_order Sounds like you've done this before! I appreciate it.

Pro’s: a house built in 1920 does not have 2019 up to code dimensions

It's possible that the previous owners did not take the walls all the way back to the studs, so you might have more room than you think. Also, the dimensions of an alcove tub are usually to the framing, not from the finished wall.

Thanks, @catbuilder - that's really good to know!

@kats737 your bathroom is vintage perfection! Well done.

Get a second opinion from the craftsmen who work on tubs (and even a third opinion if there are two people anywhere near you that do that kind of work) and then decide.

I'd want a wider tub ... period.

If you can sell it to someone that puts "authenticity" over practicality, then do. It's too narrow to be practical for adults.

Since you're remodeling, you might seriously consider putting only one bathtub in your home -- a modern tub, preferably on the downstairs level as a part of a master bedroom suite, preferably that has a small adjoining bonus room that could be used for either a study or nursery. Use showers in any other full bath because those two (really cute) kids will soon be wanting showers themselves instead of baths.

@suezbell We're just doing this bathroom :)

Have you considered remodeling the rest of the bathroom but leaving this tub as is, patching/painting (bondo/jbweld) any rough spots and just getting as much mileage out of it as you can?

Good luck. Do let us know how it turns out.

I just answered another question for someone in the last few weeks in which I searched out and posted every single corner tub I could find. That is what your tub is.

I did find this one, which fits the space very well at 59" x 27" but it has high sides and a small standing area due to very sloping sides, making it difficult for showers. Signature Hardware Averill corner tub.

This one, from Vintage Tub and Bath, is 59" x 29.5" but costs a small fortune. Kapelle Acrylic corner bathtub.

Ali O

that is the tub I posted above : ) witth the drain on the side required by the op :

As is said, "pick your poison. : )

Yes! You are right Jan. It took me a while to find my old post and I just pulled off the ones from it that fit. By then, I had forgotten your post.

Apple_pie_order has a good point. When the tub is ripped out there may be more space. (Although you say it’s been done more recently but they may not have gone to studs.) I ripped out a shower that I expected to put a 36” wide shower pan into. I also took out a layer Sheetrock, shims, lathe, and plaster on each side. When I was done I was within about 1/8” of 42”. With minimal notching in the studs I was able to use a 42” shower. Do you know what the current walls are?

i love old cast iron tubs and sinks. They just don't make them like they used to! If it were me, i'd refinish.

A frequently used tub will not hold up in a refinish. Won't. It has done its time. Rip it out.

We just remodeled a home built in 1988 that had a 29” door opening to the master bath! I insisted the doorway be wide enough for a walker or wheelchair if that day comes. Our contractor gutted the bathroom, widened the door and installed a pocket door. We only had to move one electrical outlet in the MBR to accommodat the install. I agree the kids will want a shower soon.

Duravit brand has good options for small spaces. I had a 1901 tub in the exact narrow location as yours. Above someone mentioned that you may be able to gain space by going down to the studs. If you have original plaster construction that's likely true. My walls were 3 inches thick with plaster and original tile.

I had this same situation. In the end we moved the wall 6 inches to allow for a wider, standard width tub. I replaced with a standard cast iron tub and had a pony wall built to about a foot higher at the tubs end. This wall was tiled like the rest of the tub surround. I also installed a two sided (L-shaped) shower curtain rod. The kind with a ceiling support. Extra wide shower curtains are available online for this type of set up.

My experience is that you'll be lucky if you get 5-10 years out of the refinishing.

LOVE those kids! Thanks for giving me a smile this morning!

Having the original tub may be more important to you than something modern (or just changing it to a shower). I get it. I refinished the original tub in a 1925 home but the next owners immediately ripped it out. If you know what’s important to you, the answer is clear. However, with a growing family this narrow tub may lose its functionality very soon. Take that into consideration when you spend a lot of money on a bathroom remodel.

If you do remove it, do you have a garage or an outbuilding where you might install it for summer pet baths?

I have a 1920s corner tub. Mine is still in great repair and I adore it's depth and look but if mine ever fails I found americh makes a two sided deep corner tub replacement it comes with a left or right drain option but it is not porcelain. https://www.plumbtile.com/plumbing-tile-product/am-bo6032tr.html?_vsrefdom=Americh&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzYf1-eWK5gIVh5-fCh2sKgT3EAQYCSABEgJrcfD_BwE

I have two bathrooms in two homes in different parts of the country, NYC & Ventura Co. In both remodels I DID NOT remove or replace these tubs. Mainly being because the replacement options were just really flimsy and sizing was off. Also because I loved the original look and feel of the tub. Both homes were built in the 30's 40's and I wanted to keep a piece of them original to the house. Character and to reduce more stuff ending up in the landfill when it actually isn't need to take out and replace.

Here are some things to consider and ones I did as well.

1. The original layout and function served perfectly well.

2. Refinishing was easy and I'm ok with having to do it again in some time.

3. Saved greatly on cost of tearing out and replacing with newer, less sturdy model.

4. Newer tubs are plastic and hollow sounding - not a fan of this feeling, personally.

5. Sometimes a contractor will give you advice based on their opinion and ease of work for them, not always what's best for you and your needs.

6. If you haven't found a solution already, just trust your gut...it'll all work out!

I went down the road myself to replace and see if there was a better option out there. For me, there wasn't and the bathrooms look amazing. In fact, the tubs end up being one of the things most people comment on and appreciate. ;)

I don't have any advice about reglazing/replacing, but wanted to say I totally understand why you want a tub in there for your youth athletes. My kids (wrestler, diver, power lifter, and cross country/track) actually use their tubs frequently. They do warm soaks sometimes, but usually they do full-on ice baths (yikes! I wouldn't be able to do it!). I'm so glad I didn't replace their tubs with shower-only when we remodeled 2 years ago.

Great tub, don't get rid of it. Work refinish every 10 years. Go to Heritag Heritage tile you could recreate the bathroom from the 1920s or 30s. I actually just purchased a tub like this for my 1910 apartment from a salvage place.

Would love to hear what the final outcome was.