Your replacement options
- Standard alcove tub — the direct swap: new acrylic or enameled steel tub in the same 60-inch space, with a fresh surround.
- Deep soaker — same footprint, more depth for actual baths.
- Walk-in tub — door, seat and low step for safe bathing.
- Tub-to-shower conversion — if nobody bathes, skip the tub entirely.
What replacement involves
The old tub comes out (cast iron units common in pre-1970s Tulsa homes are cut or broken out in sections), the drain and overflow are updated, the new tub is set level and secured, and the surround is finished — either matched to existing walls or replaced with a new panel system in the same visit. Old galvanized drain connections, common in midtown and north Tulsa homes, get upgraded along the way.
Refinishing a worn tub is sometimes pitched as the budget option — but coatings on a 40-year-old tub typically last a few years at best. If the tub is structurally sound but ugly, ask the specialist to compare both honestly for your case at the consultation.