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Discussion Forum

Acrylic versus fiberglass

JonE | Posted in General Discussion on March 20, 2006 02:45am

I’ve tried, but I can’t win.  Trying to convince my wife to put in a cast iron tub and tile walls in one of the kids’ bathrooms, and a shower base and tile walls in the other bathroom.  She wants simple, basic, and easy to clean.  Tile ain’t it.

So I’ve been pointed towards Maax (or Maax Aker), Lasco and Kohler, among others.  I notice that they all offer tub/showers and shower units in acrylic and fiberglass.  I need something that doesn’t feel like it belongs in a low-end modular home or a doublewide.

I can’t figure out which one is ‘better’.  I’m leaning toward the acrylic, downside only being that if they break or chip, they are apparently much harder to repair than fiberglass. 

Any help?

 

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  1. calvin | Mar 20, 2006 03:18pm | #1

    All are fibreglas.  The acrylic coating on top, many consider better.  Chips are no problem to repair on either, call the tub doctor.  Cracks?  never had one that needed crack repair.  Depending on the reason and location, might not be possible to fix other than a no guarantee cosmetic repair.

    The looks of many of the units are what to me make them appear "higher" class than others.  Make sure to set them in a mortar or imp. plaster base to solidify the bottom.  Build out the framing around to even it up with the fastening flange.

    Some need to be bolted together, so make sure you have the room in the bath to do so b/4 sliding in.  Take great pains to seal the seams at the drywall juncture, to guide the path of water out b/4 it sogs the sheetrock. 

    A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.

    Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

    Quittin' Time

     

  2. MGMaxwell | Mar 20, 2006 03:24pm | #2

    How about a comprimise? You get the cast iron tub with it's solid feel and sound and then her choice of solid surface (Corian, Wilsonart, etc) for the tub surround. Seamless, easy maintenance and no leaks, a bazillion color choices.

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