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Discussion Forum

Acylic vs steel enameled tubs

emaxxman00 | Posted in General Discussion on September 2, 2009 03:49am

Per my other recent post, I’m having issues with my shower.  While I work on a short term fix, my wife and I have decided to start planning out a proper remodeling plan for the entire bathroom.

We currently have a steel enameled tub.  I know we don’t want cast iron (due to cost and weight).  I’ve seen at HD and Lowes lots of “plastic” tubs.  I assume these are acrylic. 

What are the pros and cons of acrylic vs steel tubs?  Steel seems to be sturdier but that isn’t really based on any meaningful experience with acrylic. 

Other than cast iron, are there any other “materials” that bathtubs are made of that I should look into?

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  1. rnsykes | Sep 02, 2009 04:42am | #1

    For tubs, my favorite is American Standard's "Americast". It has the feel of cast iron, but the weight of steel. But I do install a lot of sterling fiberglass tubs and surrounds with very little problems. I'm not big on the enameled steel. Every time I remove one, I feel like I should go get a tetanus shot.

    1. User avater
      BillHartmann | Sep 02, 2009 05:45am | #8

      "But I do install a lot of sterling fiberglass tubs and surrounds with very little problems. "I have never seen any Sterling fiberglass. What I do see and have used, but in a shower and surrounds - not a tub, is Vykrel (sp?) there name for acrylic..
      William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

      1. rnsykes | Sep 02, 2009 06:17am | #11

        I just call it fiberglass because when I grab hold of a surround, I always end up pulling shards of fiberglass out of my palm.

        1. User avater
          BillHartmann | Sep 02, 2009 03:46pm | #13

          Then that is fiberglass.The Vykrel products look the same on the back as the front and and any edges. Included holes that you cut.There is no finish to wear off. It is uniform through out..
          William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

  2. seeyou | Sep 02, 2009 04:45am | #2

    I'll second the Americast tubs. Hard to tell the difference between them and cast iron until you try to pick one up. I've had one in use for 8 years with no problems.

    copper p0rn

    1. Jencar | Sep 04, 2009 06:42pm | #21

      Third that. We have one in our spare bathroom and just put one in our other bath. Only thing that took some getting used to was the non-slip surface.

  3. DonK | Sep 02, 2009 04:53am | #3

    To some extent, it's a question of what you grew up with. We had cast iron, but my dad would settle for steel if he did a job (he was carpenter and plumber). My perspective was skewed by that.

    I will go with steel 9 times out of 10. I don't like the acrylics because they scratch and burn (cigarettes). To me they don't feel right either. I have used the Americast sinks. They are okay, but unless they are taken care of, they will look worn out quickly.

    It's the same reason that I don't like fiberglass surrounds. They loose their luster fast and it can't be put back with a good polishing. I want ceramic tile or a similar material in the tub. It's a little more expensive, but well worth the extra money to me.

    Don K.

    EJG Homes   Renovations - New Construction - Rentals

     

    1. seeyou | Sep 02, 2009 05:07am | #4

      The Americast is true porcelain applied over an acrylic substrate.copper p0rn

      1. DanH | Sep 02, 2009 05:18am | #5

        Somehow that seems impossible. Porcelain is fired at high temperatures, and acrylic won't stand the heat.
        As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz

        1. seeyou | Sep 02, 2009 05:55am | #9

          >>>>>>>Americast¯ brand engineered material is a
          composition of porcelain bonded to enameling
          grade metal, bonded to a patented structural
          composite.May not be acrylic.copper p0rn

          1. DanH | Sep 02, 2009 06:00am | #10

            OK, so it's enameled steel with a plastic backer.
            As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz

    2. rnsykes | Sep 02, 2009 05:22am | #6

      I'd prefer cast iron, but I'd never want to install one in a re-model. I've installed a 5' cast iron shower pan recently, and that was more cast iron than I care to haul into a cramped little bathroom. I don't like steel for a number of reasons. One being that they don't hold and therefore radiate heat. I enjoy showering in cast iron tubs because they feel comfortable. If you take care of fiberglass tubs and clean them properly, they will last a long time. Long enough for the price anyway.

    3. joeh | Sep 02, 2009 05:28am | #7

      I don't like the acrylics because they scratch and burn (cigarettes).

      So don't be smoking in the tub?

      Joe H

      1. DonK | Sep 03, 2009 06:53am | #18

        I don't smoke. I do own some rental units and I can't control what the tenants and their guests do.

        Don K.

        EJG Homes    Renovations - New Construction - Rentals

        1. RFM 2 | Sep 04, 2009 03:05pm | #19

          Enameled steel is prone to chips,a bottom of the line material IMO, fiberglass looks like hell in a few years, can't say much about acrylic tubs but no one has improved on cast iron yet, they still are the most durable but the one installing it does need a strong back.

          1. DanH | Sep 04, 2009 04:41pm | #20

            We have a fiberglass shower that's 30 years old. Aside from some pale iron stains it's still in near-perfect shape.Fiberglass does tend to get hard water buildup worse than enamel, but we have soft water.
            As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz

          2. barmil | Sep 09, 2009 04:21am | #22

            "Enameled steel is prone to chips." Well so is the china that most sinks and toilets are made from. Just don't do it. In my own home, I avoid glass containers of stuff around my china sink (which is why I wonder why Williams Lectric Shave is still in glass), and I don't take steel objects into my tub. I even abide by the electrical device safety warnings that say, "Don't use this in your shower." I wouldn't take my wife's hair dryer into the shower, but the warning is there nonetheless. Of course, I removed the tag before she started using it.

          3. seeyou | Sep 09, 2009 04:32am | #23

            I wouldn't take my wife's hair dryer into the shower, but the warning is there nonetheless. Of course, I removed the tag before she started using it.

            I like to take DW's toothbrush into the bath with me. It works great on those stubborn mildew stains after it provides some good hemroid scratching. She has no idea how much value that toothbush provides.

            edit: oh yeah - forgot to add: I don't go in for that kissing stuff - it leads to conversation.

            copper p0rn

            Edited 9/8/2009 9:33 pm ET by seeyou

          4. RFM 2 | Sep 09, 2009 06:02am | #24

            Things do get dropped in the tub, even if it's not intended and if it's a rental, who knows what a tenant will do, for some folks enameled steel will hold up well for many years, but on average it's garbage.Not exactly the same subject but drop a cast iron skillet in a cast iron sink & try the same thing w/ a enameled steel sink, the cast iron sink will fare well, the steel one will not, accidents do happen, & there really has not been any improvement over cast iron yet for a tub, they can take more abuse then the others.(I am not fond of installing cast, though).

  4. yojimbo2 | Sep 02, 2009 06:20am | #12

    I installed an acrylic tub from home depot in my bathroom about 5 years ago. I liked it at the time due to its light weight compared to a cast iron tub. However, 5 years later, the surface of the tub has deteriorated quite a bit. It looks worn and dirty, and no amount of cleaning seems to work.

    I don't know if current acrylic technology has improved on this or not. I do know that cast iron tubs hold the heat of hot water longer than the steel tubs, but I think you can get around that by insulating the tub before you install it.

    It seems like a lot of the modern designed tubs are only available in acrylic, and this may have to due with the shapes of these tubs.

  5. JohnIman | Sep 02, 2009 04:22pm | #14

    I install acrylic tubs mostly. The preconceived notions most folks have about these come from poorly installed fiberglass units. You get a much more "solid" feel and less noise if you set tub in a mortar bed.

    1. rnsykes | Sep 02, 2009 05:05pm | #15

      I agree. All tubs no matter what material get set in mortar. Except cast iron of course.

  6. rdesigns | Sep 03, 2009 12:21am | #16

    Americast simply starts as  a porcelain-on-steel tub that is bonded to a tough plastic substrate. It holds the water temperature better that plain steel, and is quieter when bumped or banged. The down side for me is the shape of the backrest--it's too vertical to be comfortable, and that goes for all porcelain-on-steel tubs. Cast iron and fiberglass typically have much more comfortable backrests.

    Fiberglass units, whether skinned with acrylic or polyester resin, can be polished and repaired as needed, although major repairs are a nasty job involving smelly chemicals, lots of grinding and sanding and polishing with not-always a perfect match on colors.

    My experience is that, if the fiberglass units survive construction, they are tough and long lasting in everyday use. And they don't chip as easily as steel if you drop a tool or a glass bottle on them.

    Top-quality FG/acrylic units can be fairly expensive--like the Kohler Sonata--but its advantage is that you also get a completely finished surround, even the top or ceiling is part of the one-piece unit. Be aware that, in remodeling, a one-piece unit may not fit thru the doors and passageways of the existing house.

    Dow Corning makes a 4-piece unit that has the basic tub with a 3-piece wall surround. Other brands do, too.

    1. barmil | Sep 03, 2009 03:02am | #17

      American Standard will give you for free a touch up kit for Americast tubs. I received one but haven't had to use it in sixteen years. My wife loves soaking in the tub and loves our Americast, reminding her of her family's cast iron tub in the old days. I shower, so it's no big deal for me, but if she who must be obeyed likes it, fine by me.

  7. Karl | Sep 09, 2009 09:07am | #25

    I haven't priced out a cast iron tub recently but have moved a lot of cast iron tubs (with help) in and out of the bathroom for tile and plumbing upgrades. While they are heavy I can't imagine going with a material that lacks durability or heat retention just to save an hour or so of lifting a heavy tub.

    I have only seen americast on sinks and it seems ok but I would still prefer cast iron. It seems like so much of the cost of remodeling and building is labor that going for a cast iron tub rather than the cheaper alternatives shouldn't increase the total job cast that significantly.

    I say shop around for a bargain priced cast iron tub or get a 10% off coupon for Lowe's at the post office (thanks Greg Gibson for that tip) to reduce the cost of the tub. Pay a laborer or two to help you get it into place and be done with it.

    I use a drywall cart with removable uprights to roll the tub as close as I can get it before doing any actual lifting.

    Good luck,
    Karl

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