Bathtub Trim – What Is It? All Things to Know in 2022

Have you experienced your bathroom, especially your bathtub losing its original aesthetics over a period of time? If yes means, then you are in the right place. Most people may think repairing bathtub fixtures can cause a lot of money and time, especially if you hire a professional. That is not necessarily true. With simple tools such as a bathroom trim kit and a good guide, you can fix your bathroom/bathtub in no time. This article will focus on bathroom trim and how it can be done quickly with small steps and elevate your bathroom looks. 

Without further ado, let's dive into it!

Bathtub Trim– What Is It?

First, it is essential to know what bathtub trim is. If you search online for “bathtub trim,” you might come across shower and faucet fixtures and trim kits. Yes, that is the correct definition for that term. Trim refers to adding new features to repair the parts that are fading cosmetically over some time. 

The correct answer for the bathtub trim is replacing the seam between your bathtub walls and the bathtub itself. Over time the seam fades and leads to discoloration that may not be pleasing to your eyes. The purpose of the seam is to prevent the formation of debris over time that can lead to water leakage, the appearance of algae and dirt, and even irreversible deterioration. 

What Do You Get in a Bathtub Trim Kit?

In a general bathtub trim kit, you will get the followings:

• Faucet/shower wall cosmetics plates (based on the type of material that you choose)
• Faucet/shower handle and plates
• Faucet handles
• Spouts
• Bathtub drain plates

NOTE: The silicone caulk and other trimming equipment must be bought separately 

How to Perform Bathtub Trim?

First, you need to prepare your bathtub for the trim: The following steps will help you to prepare your bathtub.

Things You Need

1. Utility knife and wall putty knife
2. Clean clothes 
3. Bathroom cleaner (liquid)
4. Caulk 

Preparing Your Tub:

Step 1– First clean off the old seam with the help of the utility knife or wall putty knife. Make sure that there is no debris after cleaning the seam. 

Step 2– Mix a bathroom cleaner (preferably a diluted version) with the clean water in a 1:3 ratio and clean the seam area. Let it dry for some time. This helps you to clear the old caulk entirely without a speck.

Trimming Your Bathtub:

Step 1– Make sure that your bathtub is clean and dry. You can mix a lime solution with the water in the same ratio as the cleaning solution, i.e, 1:3. If it requires more cleaning, you can increase the quantity of lime water. It will not damage the surface of your tub. After cleaning it, let it dry for some time.

Step 2– Before applying caulk, it is necessary to ensure that the area of the application is free from moisture. Prepare the caulk tub by cutting the tube's opening based on the preferred size. Usually, you can cut around ¼” of the tube. The size varies depending on the size of the seam. Make sure that you are not opening too much, which results in more than the required caulk in your bathtub seam. 

Step 3– Take the tube and place it against your bathtub wall and the bathtub at a 45 degrees angle. An accurate angle is not necessary. Just make sure that the tube is placed diagonally on the bathtub’s wall. Now slowly apply the caulk around the corners and edges of the bathtub wall. Once you are done applying the caulk around the bathtub trim, smoothen it with the putty knife. Let it dry, preferably overnight. 

Step 4– Once the caulk dries, apply your desired cosmetics over the dried caulk.

See, that was easy and required only four steps to do bathroom trim. Now you may think, what kind of caulk should I use? That is a very good question and an important one also.

What Kind of Caulk is Best for My Bathtub?

There are two kinds of caulk: Pure silicone and silicone composites. The choice is yours. Both caulks have their advantages and disadvantages. It is best to see caulks separately in order to get a good idea of which one is right for you.

Pure silicone caulk is great for remodeling projects where you have no interest in changing it for a long period. It is highly durable and can withstand high temperatures. It is waterproof and helps you to eliminate overtime degradation such as rot and the formation of debris, dirt, and algae. It greatly helps in providing a good life for your bathtub. 

But the main disadvantage is if you want to renovate your bathtub, it will be much harder to remove the pure silicone caulk from the surface. Also, if you adhere to cosmetics such as paints and other accessories, it does not stick properly as intended. 

Silicone composite caulk compensates for the cosmetic imperfections of pure silicone caulk, but it does trade off some of the functionality. The first one is that it cannot withstand high temperatures, leading to cracks forming. The second is water resistant, not waterproof. This may lead to water leakage down the line after 3 or 5 years. But aesthetically, silicone cooperates with you in any way required. You can paint it and attach any accessories without any difficulties. 

Now you know the advantages and disadvantages of pure silicone and composite caulk. It is best to check more than one time which type of caulk you want to use in your bathtub trim. 

You might have another concern here; if pure silicone is hard to remove and you want the best for your bathtub, can I go for professional help?

Self Repair Vs. Professional Repair:

When the bathtub in your bathroom gets old or fades over time, if you look into it, there are two options: buying a whole new tub. Buying a tub can be expensive, along with the shipping charges. Even though that is logical, it is not the best option. The next option is Bathtub trim.  There are two repair options: Self and asking for professional’s help.

Self-repair is a cost-effective option. You can finish your repair at less than $30-$50. All the repair kits are available online or near your local store. A kit comes with many cosmetics elements at a fair price. But basic plumbing knowledge is needed to ensure the project is going as expected without any incidents. 

Professional repair can cost you a considerable amount of money and time. If your remodel project is big and requires an extra pair of hands, you can go for professional help. They can also give you tips and ideas on how to carry out the project and your future projects. 

FAQs:

How do you fill the gap between the bathtub and walls/floors?

First, clean the seam surface thoroughly with the help of liquid detergent and water. Let it dry out. After that, take a silicone caulk tube and apply it evenly along the old seam surface. Smooth the caulk after applying it and dry it out. This helps you to prevent dirt and water leakage.

Does the bathtub edge have a different name?

Yes, it is called a bathtub rim. In the rim, you will see the bath from the wall surface with the paint tape. This helps you from water leakage.

Which is the best caulk/sealant for the bathtub trim?

Functionality-wise: Pure silicone is the best since it is waterproof and highly durable. Cosmetic-wise: Silicone composite is the best since all the accessories can be fixed without difficulties. 

Conclusion:

Taking a dip in nice, warm water in your bathtub and washing away your stress and toxins from your system is the best feeling, and everyone should encounter that feeling. But taking care of your bathtub is necessary to get the best result. Performing bathtub trim helps to increase the longevity of your bathtub, and at the same time, it elevates the aesthetics of your bathroom. This article hopes to act as a guide for you to perform bathtub trim. Do leave us a comment if you have any questions.