Advantages & Disadvantages Of Three Important Bathtub Materials
If you want to buy a bathtub for your new house but confused about the material of the bathtub, don't worry because here is the information and comparison between the different types of materials of the bathtub. Here are the pros and cons of the bathtub materials:
Fiberglass
- What Is It? The fiberglass is a kind of reinforced plastic which is also formed into layers then molded into a form bathtub shape before being coated with a layer of the gel coat resin.
- Pros: At very affordable prices, the fiberglass tubs are good for those on a tight budget. Due to the lightweight nature of the material which is used, they are also easy to maneuver around a house & install, plus, any damages can be conveniently be repaired.
- Cons: Fiberglass is also perhaps the most brittle material in the market. Porous in nature, it absorbs water repeatedly & has a tendency to crack. Finish and color will also disintegrate over time due to the use of the common cleaning equipment. The material also has a propensity to ‘flex’ causing it to warp & feel unstable.
Porcelain
- What Is It? The porcelain type of tubs are formulated from the cast iron or stamped steel which is then coated with the help of a layer of porcelain enamel, a material made by the fusing powdered glass to a thin substrate by heating it at high temperatures, consistently betwixt 750 & 850 °C before it melts & hardens into a durable coating.
- Pros: The porcelain bathtubs maintain a very nice sheen & luster & their surfaces are also very smooth as well and maintaining an old antique aesthetic. The coating in your bathtubs is naturally resistant to scratching and cleaning is also very easy & also can be maintained easily as your mild detergent or baking soda with the warm water will normally knock out any tough stains in your porcelain bathtub.
- Cons: Unfortunately for that luster and sheen, the porcelain bathtubs are in fact quite glistening & their surfaces can also be quite the falling hazard as a result. The porcelain bathtub also does not hold the heat very well, which results in lower heat retention in the bathwater. The durability of this bathtub is also a tricky topic as porcelain is also very resistant to scratching, but the material itself cannot sustain any hard impacts before the chipping.
Acrylic
- What Is It? The acrylic is formed by taking a solid sheet of the combined materials such as stabilizers, resins, fillers, petrochemicals, and appropriate dye which are then heated & molded into the bathtub shape then finally reinforced with the fiberglass.
- Pros: First and foremost, the acrylic is a non-porous material, unlike any normal fiberglass, and therefore will not absorb any extra water. On top of which, it will also retain the heat from the temperature of the water as well as repel any mildew or general bathroom stains.
- Cons: Like Fiberglass, acrylic tubs will also flex and this makes it less stable to stand on and the finish is also prone to scratching as well, nevertheless not to the quality of the fiberglass. You are also looking to pay upwards of 800 to a 1000 start, so not a very cheap option.