Once You Have a Type of Bathtub Determined You Should Understand The Various Materials

Once you have a type of bathtub determined you should understand the various materials they're made from. Each as their own high and low points and not all types of bathtubs come in all materials. In other words, you probably won't find an air tub made from cast iron. Cast Iron Cast iron is a very durable material, usually covered with a porcelain enamel coating. A cast iron tub is arguably one of the most durable fixtures in a home, potentially giving reliable service for decades. Cast iron tubs are usually of the alcove (surrounded by 3 walls) or free-standing variety. Their finish is durable and easily cleaned although you don't want to use aggressive scouring techniques or you could scratch the surface. Enamel that does eventually wear or chip away reveals the cast iron substrate which can rust. Finally, cast iron tubs are heavy and combined with the water weight, need good support structure. Enamel On Steel Enamel-on-steel tubs (or porcelain-on-steel as they're sometimes called) have a similar look to cast iron tubs except that they're lighter. Like cast iron, their surface is easily cleaned and maintained and their lighter weight means they're easier to muscle into a remodeled bathroom than a heavier cast iron tub. They're also susceptible to rusting should any of the enamel chip or get scratched, exposing the underlying steel. Acrylic Acrylic in simple terms is a form of plastic and is another material used to make bathtubs. It's upsides include it's high gloss, similar to the enameled look on cast iron and steel tubs, and it's much lighter weight than iron and steel. It can be scratched more easily but these scratches can also be repaired more easily than a porcelain enamel surface. Because acrylic is an easily-formed material, it's often used for whirlpool and air tubs which can be had in many different shapes and sizes. Fiberglass Gelcoat (FRP) Another material used to make tubs is fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP) that's covered in something called "gelcoat". You'll find some whirlpools and air tubs made from this material because it can be shaped easily. The gelcoat provides the smooth, glossy surface of the tub and offers an easily cleaned surface. It's a lot like acrylic but usually not as durable, as it can be scratched and/or cracked if it's struck hard enough. Composite Composite tub materials include American Standard's Americast products and Bootzcast from Bootz industries. These tubs are made with proprietary engineered composite materials that form the backing of the tub itself. The finished surface of the tubs are enameled. The intent with these kinds of tubs is to achieve the benefits of cast iron, like heat retention and a durable surface finish, without the weight associated with cast iron. These composite tubs can weight about 1/3 as much as cast iron, something to think about if you're replacing a 2nd story bathroom tub. Some users report slight flex and/or creaking with composite-backed tubs though experience varies and is sometimes related to installation technique. Searching an online plumbing forum like the Plumbing Forum might provide some additional guidance on this issue. Cultured Marble Cultured marble is another form of 'engineered stone' whereby crushed marble is combined with resins to produce a solid-surface product. You could say it's similar to quartz countertops in that regard. Cultured marble is typically covered with a clear gelcoat to provide a durable, easily cleaned and stain resistant surface finish. It's ability to be "cast" (poured into a mold and formed) makes it a good material for bathtubs. It's also a brittle material and isn't forgiving of over-tightened faucet and spout fixtures that can crack the surface. While surface scratches can usually be buffed out, cracks are usually unrepairable. Wood A wood bathtub is definitely a unique style choice and can look beautiful but it comes with some baggage. The wood needs a very good surface sealer to prevent deterioration and tubs made from several slabs of wood that are pieced together must have those seams tightly joined and sealed to prevent leaks. Long term durability, how it stands up to hard water staining and maintaining leak-proof integrity are issues you'll need to contend with before making a choice. Source: HomeStyleChoices.com