Pro’s and Con’s for Your Bathtub

There are so many different materials bathtubs are made from. So, I bet you are confused as to which one would fit you better. Each material has a different feel and look to it. As well as maintenance and cost of the bathtub. So, which do you choose?

Let’s begin with some of the basics. Fiberglass or fiberglass-reinforced plastic is going to be the least expensive bathtub material. A fiberglass bathtub is made by forming layers of fiberglass into the desired shape, then coating it with Gelcoat resin. The advantages are low cost, light weight, ease of installation, and a finish that can be repaired. Some of the con’s fiberglass tubs are thin. They aren’t very sable and not very durable. They are however, very commonly used.

Another type of bathtub is an acrylic tub. Acrylic tubs use fiberglass sheets for reinforcement underneath vacuum-formed sheets of colored acrylic. The advantages are pretty much the same as for fiberglass, but a bit more expensive. Some of the disadvantages are that the finish can scratch or discolor over time. It is a good option for a bath tub on the lower end of the spectrum.

Cast iron is a good choice for those looking or their bath tub to last a really long time. Cast iron tubs are made by pouring molten iron into a mold and coating it with a thick layer of enamel. It’s an extremely durable choice and resistant to wear and tear. Some of the cons are that they are extremely heavy and very labor intensive.

Another option would be cultured marble. Cultured marble is typically more expensive and is made from crushed limestone mixed with resin, then finished with Gelcoat. The gelcoat finish used with cultured marble is more durable than that used with fiberglass.

There are also custom ordered bathtubs. Made from stone and wood these can vary in materials. They can be made from a variety of natural stone materials, including granite, marble, onyx, travertine, basalt, sandstone and other materials.  These can be highly durable, beautiful but can be quite expensive and require extensive maintenance. Visit Plumbtile for all of your bathtub needs.

Categories: Bath Bathtub Tubs

Tags: , , ,