August 16, 2025

Your shower can be more than just functional — it can be where you can relax, renew, and feel comfortable. But over time, shower tiles become dull, stain, or just become outdated. Replacing tiles is costly and time-consuming, and hence shower tile refinishing has proven to be an economical alternative for Raleigh residents.

At Wingate Construction, we’ve been helping homeowners in Raleigh and the surrounding Triangle area transform their bathrooms for over 20 years. Whether you’re looking for a complete bathroom remodel or simply want to breathe new life into your existing shower, our bathroom remodeling and tile services can make your space feel brand-new — without the high price tag of full replacement.



 

What is Shower Tile Refinishing?

Shower tile refinishing — or tile resurfacing or reglazing — is the process of restoring your existing tile surface to have it look and feel like new. Refinishing will entail instead of replacing the old tile:
Washing and cleaning the surface
Gluing chips, cracks
Putting a new finishing or color to alter the color, texture, and sheen
The result is a clean, upgraded look without the need to replace the tile all together and the cost and inconvenience of doing new tile.




 

Perks of Aftermarket Shower Tile Refinishing in Raleigh

Are you interested in a simple change of shower tile that is still structurally intact but shows age or even just does not match your style anymore? Then refinishing might be the right option. Refinishing saves you the money and inconvenience of an entire new tile replacement and still results in a new and modern look at a much lower budget. The following are the major advantages:
 

1. Cost Savings

Complete replacement of the tile involves demolition, hauling the mess out, purchasing new material, and installation expense. Refinishing your shower tile in Raleigh typically ranges between 50–70% of replacement — which means it is a cost-saving way of upgrading your bathroom.
 

2. Faster Turnaround

Retiling can take a week or two weeks to complete, depending on how extensive the job is. Refinishing requires a day or two, and you will have your newly designed shower in no time.
 

3. Less Mess

Since no old tile needs to be ripped out when refinishing, no demolition mess, less disruption, and less dust or debris are left behind in your house.
 

4. Customizable Appearance

Refinishing allows you to choose from an incredible range of colors and finishes to update the style of your bathroom — from classic white to modern neutrals.
 

5. Increased Home Value

A freshly refinished shower will instantly boost your bathroom's appeal, a giant selling point to potential buyers. Even if you don't anticipate selling soon, it adds value and warmth to your lifestyle.



 

Step-by-Step Process: How to Refinish Shower Tile in NC

While the do-it-yourself shower tile refinishing kits can be found at local hardware stores, they rarely compare to the skill, equipment, and material a professional contractor can provide. With decades of fine-tuning our process, Wingate Construction has mastered the art of refinishing to deliver a flawless, durable, and long-lasting finish that Raleigh homeowners and homeowners throughout North Carolina can enjoy for many years to come.
 

Below is our entire process:

Step 1: Inspection & Preparation
All refinish projects begin with a good inspection. We thoroughly check your shower area to see if there is:
Chipping or cracking in the tile
Loose or hollow tiles that must be re-secured
Water damage in the walls
Areas where grout is deteriorating
By identifying issues at an early stage, we can ensure that your new appearance shower isn't going to be just beautiful — it's going to last.

 

Step 2: Deep Cleaning

The years of use leave showers with soap scum buildup, hard water spots, and mildew. These materials will prevent the new finish from adhering if not removed. We use special cleaning chemicals and equipment specifically designed for tile surfaces so that your shower can have a clean, residue- and dirt-free inch.
 

Step 3: Repairs

Even small imperfections become apparent when a new coat is laid. We repair chips, cracks, and missing grout lines before continuing. Not only does it improve the appearance, but it prevents water from seeping behind the tile and causing issues in the future.
 

Step 4: Surface Etching

In order for the new finish to bond, the surface of the tile must be in the ideal texture. We achieve this by sanding lightly or chemically etching the tiles. This imparts small scratches on the surface known as micro-abrasions that give the new finish a grip to hold on, hence, leading to more adhesive and prolonged finishes.
 

Step 5: Appropriating the new Finish

We use high quality coating that are way superior to the DIY kits. The coats are applied in numerous thin applications so that they are evenly covered with no streaks, bubble, or drip. You can choose to keep your present color or completely re-design your bathroom with a new, modern color.
 

Step 6: Sealing & Curing

Once the finish is applied, we then seal it with a protective coat to guard against water, stains, and wear and tear. Curing of the finish is crucial — it causes the finish to dry to maximum strength. We will advise you of the waiting time before you can use your shower again, which is 24 to 48 hours.
 

Step 7: Final Check

We walk you through in detail prior to declaring the project complete. We do spot checks of finish every possible angle, confirm that the repairs are invisible, and make sure that you are completely satisfied with the end look and feel.





Common Mistakes to Avoid in Shower Tile Refinishing
Though the notion of saving money by doing it yourself might be appealing, refinishing is a delicate process that takes some skill, proper equipment, and quality materials. DIY pitfalls include:

Skipping Proper Prep Work – Failure to clean properly or prepare the surface results in the finish peeling off or chipping readily.

Applying Low Quality Coatings – Store products typically do not last very long when dealing with a highly wet, and heavily used area as a stall is.

Using Un-Even Coats – Unless you have practice you can easily be left with streaks, bubbling or thin areas that poor the finish.

Forgetting to seal grout lines This can create a problem because moisture may find its way through these lines and lead to water damage which is not noticeable.
By employing the service of the Wingate Construction, you will be contracting a company that knows the art and science of refinishing tiles. Our experience removes the do-it-yourself risk of botching the job and deliver a long lasting, silky smooth and professional grade finish that will last decades.




 

How Much Does Shower Tile Refinishing Cost in Raleigh?

For Raleigh, NC homeowners, shower tile refinishing is an affordable way of bathroom remodeling without the expense of full tile replacement. The average cost will be around $300 to $900, but it will be based on several important considerations.

Shower Size – Shower areas of enormous space will take a lot of labor and materials and hence will be expensive.

Status of Current Tile – Tiles which are seriously stained or cracked, or with depleted grout may require additional preparation prior to refinishing.

Special Color or Texture -Anything other than the basic color/ finish will increase the price a bit.

Added Repairs-This will add to a cost to replace worn or broken grout, surface lost tiles, or fix deeper problems.

We are open and honest at Wingate Construction. This is the reason that we have free no obligation estimates available to you to view what we are planning to do on your project before we even begin. We desire to leave you with a permanent, and beautiful finish that matches your taste and pocket.




 

Refinishing vs Replacement - What is Correct to Cater to Needs?

The refinish is the solution in case:
Your tile has not yet gone structurally bad
You have to have a new look with a limited budget
You will need a rapid turnaround
It would make more sense to replace in case:
The tile either cracks or is chipping off the wall
Behind the walls there is a general water damage
You desire to redesign the whole idea of your bathroom
Whenever you are uncertain of which is the most appropriate solution, we can carry out an inspection of your bathroom and advise you accordingly.



 

Why Work with Wingate for Shower Tile Refinishing in NC

Experience and detail are relevant when one is required to upgrade the bathroom. With a working experience of more than 20 years, remodeling of bathrooms and refurbishing of shower tiles is one of the fields of expertise of Wingate Construction. The fact that we have successfully featured in Raleigh and Triangle region tells it all, we provide satisfying and lasting results.
 

Our group provides:

Custom Tile Refinishing - We develop a finish that works exactly with a lady, whether you want the traditional white, the new dramatic color, or stone like look.

Full Bathroom Remodeling – Should refinish be just part of what you have in mind, we can give the whole room an overhaul.

Structural Repairs – We address underlying issues like damaged subfloors, leaks, or breached walls prior to working on refinishing.

Whole-Home Enhancements – From porches and decks to siding and window replacements, we are a complete contractor.

By employing Wingate Construction, you are selecting a local, quality -focused partner who believes in quality, integrity and total customer satisfaction on each and every job.




 

Our Connecting with Related Bathroom Services, Raleigh, NC

Besides shower tile finishing, we do:
Bathroom remodeling
Kitchen remodeling
Tile installation & repair
Plumbing updates
Drywall repairs & painting
Lighting upgrades
Flooring installation



 

FAQ: Tile Refinishing in Shower in Raleigh, NC

Q: What is the life span of the tile that is refinished?
A: 10-15 years when taken care of, by a professional refinishing.

Q: Do I have to repaint the tile color?
A: Yes you can use re-finishing to select among a variety of colors and finishes.

Q: How soon can I use the shower after I have been refinishing?
A: Refinished tiles are usable (in most cases) within 24hrs to 48hrs.

Q: Is it safe using refinishing on my home?
A: Yes -- we use the best of the professional quality, low-VOC finishes, which are safe and durable.

Q: Do you fix chipped or cracked tiles prior to refinishing?
A: Yes — we seal damage to give you a blemish- and chip-free surface.

Ready to Refinish Your Shower Tile in Raleigh, NC?
Give your bathroom a like-new look without replacement costs and hassle. Call Wingate Construction at (919) 924-9478 today for a free estimate.

Delivering Raleigh, NC and the whole Triangle region.