Spec sheetBy material

Bathtub reglazing cost by material and tub type

Material drives both the price you will pay and how long the new finish will last. Porcelain over steel and cast iron are the gold-standard candidates. Fiberglass is the most variable. Here is what each combination costs in 2026.

Summary table

Material / Type	Cost range	Lifespan	Verdict
Porcelain over steel	$350 to $600	10 to 15 yrs	Excellent
Cast iron	$350 to $650	10 to 15 yrs	Excellent
Fiberglass	$300 to $1,000	7 to 10 yrs	Conditional
Acrylic	$250 to $500	8 to 12 yrs	Good
Clawfoot / freestanding	$500 to $1,400	10 to 15 yrs	Specialist
Tub + tile surround	$500 to $1,000	10 to 15 yrs	Bundle
Tub-shower combo	$800 to $1,200	10 to 15 yrs	Bundle

Detailed breakdown

Porcelain over steel

Excellent

$350 to $600~10 to 15 yrs

Most common US tub material. Glaze adheres beautifully. The default candidate for reglazing.

Cast iron

Excellent

$350 to $650~10 to 15 yrs

Heavy and durable. Replacement runs $1,500 to $3,500 just for the tub plus plumbing, so reglazing is an obvious save.

Fiberglass

Conditional

$300 to $1,000~7 to 10 yrs

Flexes under weight, which can crack the new glaze. Wide price range because condition varies dramatically. Some pros refuse fiberglass.

Acrylic

Good

$250 to $500~8 to 12 yrs

Thicker than fiberglass, less flex. Better adhesion. Common in modern alcove tubs.

Clawfoot / freestanding

Specialist

$500 to $1,400~10 to 15 yrs

Exterior visible, often needs colour matching. More surface area, harder access. Antique cast iron clawfoots can climb to the top of the range.

Tub + tile surround

Bundle

$500 to $1,000~10 to 15 yrs

Refinishing the tile walls at the same time. Adds maybe 90 minutes to the job. Makes the whole bathing area look new.

Tub-shower combo

Bundle

$800 to $1,200~10 to 15 yrs

Largest surface area: tub plus three shower walls. Worth it if both surfaces are tired and you are not converting to walk-in.

Replacement cost for context

If reglazing is borderline for your tub material, here is what full replacement costs to compare against.

Steel + acrylic combo

$1,200 to $2,500

Cast iron tub

$1,500 to $3,500

Fiberglass replacement

$1,200 to $2,800

Acrylic alcove install

$1,500 to $3,000

Replacement totals include tub, plumber, basic tile patch, and disposal. Add $500 to $2,000 for tile or surround changes.

Keep going

Homepage cost overview →Build a personalised estimate →What drives the price →DIY vs pro decision →Reglaze vs liner vs replace →How reglazing actually works →Lifespan & aftercare →Safety & methylene chloride →When to reglaze →