Full bath Reno: wrap shower or tiling?

cmg1985

3 years ago

I have 3 full baths- we remodeled the closet size one in the basement and it has a tiny corner shower. The full bathroom in question is on our top floor with 3 bedrooms. It has the original tub and tile throughout. As well as brass accents…

Several key points:

the master bath also needs done and will be the major expense at some point in the near future. We will put more money into the master but I do not want this bathroom to look cheap.
the tub must stay as it will likely be our only one in the home.
the finish on the tub is long gone

The core question for the walls is: a wrap system ( like Bathfitter ) or actual tile?

The second is : realistically if the same level of work is done around the walls and plumbing, how much should I expect to pay for tiling/ new tub vs wall wrap/ new tub?

I have appointments lined up to get quotes on tiling but it’s also about the look. All the bathrooms I have seen in person with wraps looked really cheap but were also dated. Have they just come a long way in quality and materials since then?

Would welcome constructive feedback and opinions.

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Comments (4)

PRO
Ripped Jeans Construction
3 years ago
Bathfitters charges a massive premium for the convenience of the quick install, not so much for the quality of the material.

Best tile installer you can find, good tile - all day, every day.
cpartist
3 years ago
Bathfitters looks cheap. I know because my ex insisted we do it for our shower in our old house. If you want it to look like quality, you find a quality tile installer who is up to date with best practices and use tile. Check out the many threads here where people have had issues with poor installers.
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Iri
3 years ago
Bathfitters and the like always look cheap AND reflect poorly on the homeowner.

If you plan on saving money for the master bath, consider if this really one needs to be redone.

What is wrong with the tub finish?

(The brass can be replaced and the tile in the photo looks better than most new tile jobs posted on this forum.)
cmg1985
Original Author
3 years ago
Thanks, all who responded. You reinforced my gut feel to stick with tile. And honestly the company using a wrap wasn’t what I would call inexpensive so tile is definitely my target.
- The tub finish is worn so it always looks dirty
- the glass door tracks are deteriorated and dated (brass)
- I absolutely prefer a curtain to the glass doors, and I do not have replacement tiles for where the attachments will leave holes.
The same tiles are on our floor and used as baseboards. The tiles are in great shape actually with worn grout; assuming I choose to live with glass doors and buy a new door, I am concerned with being able to seal it at the walls where the previous doors were.

I can get a quote for a new tub with new doors, and re-grout the wall tile if feasible. Not my preference but better than a shower wrap.