Is your bathroom is looking a little tired and worn? Are you just bored with its appearance and want to give it a makeover? The first thought that comes to mind may be to rip everything out and start over from scratch with a complete bathroom renovation. There is an alternative to that approach - maybe all you need to do is resurface your bathroom? This guide will help you decide whether to resurface or renovate your bathroom.

What is Bathroom Resurfacing?

Bathroom resurfacing is any process that involves applying a new surfacing agent to an existing surface. Some of the surfaces in the bathroom that can be successfully resurfaced include:

• Baths and basins

• Wall tiling.

• Vanity tops and other benchtops.

• Cabinets.

• Splashbacks.

Bathroom and kitchen resurfacing experts do not recommend resurfacing floors because continual foot traffic can cause rapid wear. Otherwise, if applied by a professional or if you use resurfacing products recommended by professionals, you can get excellent long wearing results.

When Should I Resurface?

If your budget is your primary concern, then there's no question about it: look into resurfacing first. Resurfacing a bathtub, for example, costs approximately one quarter of the cost of replacing the bath. When labour costs are taken into consideration, resurfacing is a very cost-effective alternative to replacing tiles too. In fact, resurfacing is the cheapest way to give your bathroom a makeover.

Another bonus to resurfacing is the time it takes to get the job done. A resurfacing professional can often complete the entire job in a matter of hours and you can use your bathroom as early as the following morning.

When Should I Renovate?

If you want to make major changes to your bathroom, such as moving fixtures from one location to another or completely changing the appearance of the room, a full renovation is probably in order. For example:

• If you have a smaller bathroom that you want to make appear more spacious and rarely use your tub, you might want to convert your bathroom into a wet room.

• If you want to replace your old bathroom fittings, you may need to also replace your sink or bath in order for the new ones to fit or harmonise with the fittings.

• If you've fallen in love with the new ranges of glass bathroom tiles or other modern tiles and splashbacks, resurfacing may not give you the designer look you're after.

It needn't be a case of resurface or renovate, though. Why not consider resurfacing and renovating? If you can save hundreds of dollars by resurfacing your bath and basin, for example, that money can go towards the frameless glass shower screen you've had your heart set on. With a little creative give and take, between resurfacing some things and doing essential renovations elsewhere, you may end up with your dream bathroom for a lot less than you dreamed it would cost.