Bathtub Refinish, Replace or Convert? Calculator
Compare your bathtub options by cost and by cost per year of use.
Estimates use typical installed prices and standard measurements. They are not a quote. An in-home consultation sets your exact price.
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.
Tub materials
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Light, warm to the touch, repairable, many shapes | Can scratch |
| Enameled steel | Affordable, durable finish | Can chip; colder and noisier |
| Cast iron | Extremely durable, holds heat | Very heavy (300+ lbs); costly |
| Fiberglass | Lowest cost | Shortest lifespan; flexes and fades |
Is refinishing worth it?
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. The calculator above compares each option's cost per year over the time you plan to stay, which is often where replacement wins. If the tub is structurally sound but ugly, ask the specialist to compare both honestly for your case at the consultation.
Bathtub Replacement across the Tulsa metro: Tulsa, Midtown Tulsa, South Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Owasso, Jenks & Bixby, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Glenpool, Coweta.