Replies

1. 
   BobKovacs | Jun 01, 2005 01:43pm | #1

   Easier?  yes

   Less expensive?  yes

   Noticed one way or the other by most homebuyers?  Nope

   Especially if you plan on selling soon and using a fiberglass surround, I'd save the money and the sore back and use a fiberglass tub. If you buy both from the same manufacturer, you can be assured of a color match.

   BTW- in reality, you'll probably be dealing with an "acrylic" tub- not fiberglass- but the point is the same.

   Bob

2. 
   NickNukeEm | Jun 01, 2005 01:52pm | #2

   There are advantages and disadvantages to both types.  You need to weigh the pros/cons of each and then decide.

   For cast iron, it retains heat due to it's mass and it's much more solid underfoot.  No flex, and very little heat loss.  It's big disadvantages, it's heavy and a bear to install, it's more expensive, it's heavy and a bear to install, the porceline can chip, it doesn't have as good a 'lip' around the flange as FG, so leakage could be more of a problem, though that is primarily determined by the installer and the techniques they use, and it's heavy and a bear to install, unless you have a keg and the offensive line of the Steelers.

   For FG, it's much less expensive, much easier to install (you can install one by yourself without the aid of a football team), and won't chip as easy.  The bad news is, it can seem a little 'flimsy', it can crack, and it loses heat much faster than CI (even after stuffing FG insulation between the skirts.)

   If you're still undecided, maybe a steel tub might be the answer.  It doesn't retain as much heat as CI, but still feels solid and 'looks' like the real thing, and it's much lighter.  (A standard sized CI tub weighs in at about 350#)

   If you have back problems and are intent on installing this yourself, think about your health.

   Good luck.

    

   I never met a tool I didn't like!
3. 
   JeffBuck | Jun 02, 2005 04:56am | #3

   check out "Americast" by American Standard.

    

   Jeff

       Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

4. 
   gitrdone | Jun 02, 2005 05:29am | #4

   With a fiberglass tub I like to mix up a little sand mix, ( this is after leveling the tub and establishing a cleat line around the perimeter, put it in a contractor trash bag, and smashing the whole thing together.  When the concrete nuts up, and tub is on the cleats, it is like a @#$%ing rock.  Simple, cheap and beats the snot out of jockeying an iron tub into position.  Just my two cents.

5. 
   BUIC | Jun 02, 2005 05:29am | #5

   Ditto what Jeff said, I put one in my home a year ago and couldn't be happier with it , nice product.... BUIC

1. 
   allaround | Jun 02, 2005 07:29am | #6

   Check out Sterling bath fixtures here.http://www.sterlingplumbing.com/difference/bathing.htmlThey're a division of Kohler. Constructed of a composite material they call Vikrell. A tub with walls comes as a 4-piece unit and connect together with an interlocking system that doesn't need caulking in the seams (unless you want to do it for cosmetic purposes). I've installed a bunch of these in remodeled baths and never had one leak.

1. 
   JeffBuck | Jun 02, 2005 11:36pm | #9

   ditto the Vikrell.

   Nice stuff.

    

   Jeff    Buck Construction

    Artistry In Carpentry

        Pittsburgh Pa

6. 
   BruceM16 | Jun 02, 2005 08:54am | #7

   In our new house, I used all 3: Cast, acrylic and steel.

   The one piece acrylic (Lasco) I did to get a working bath during the early part of construction. We've used it often and its fine. The problem with it and FG is that when you take a shower, it sounds like you're in a trailer...that is, it has the hallow, thin-wall sound and lacks that solid cast iron and tile over cement board dull, heavy sound.

   The cast iron (Kohler Villager) I used for our main bath, as it'll get the most use. And I don't agree that it'll make no difference to a future prospective buyer. In modern construction, cast iron usually (but not necessarily always) indicates quality.

   The steel I used because it was up on the 3rd floor and required some twists n' turns to get it in place. Cast would have been very difficult if not impossible. But I found that once in place...if I temporarily put 2X6's horizontally over the top of the tub, securing them to the stud walls (so the tub will not raise), and spraying underneath it with the standard expanding foam, once cured, will create a very solid feeling steel tup base when you walk in it.

   BruceM

7. 
   hacknhope | Jun 02, 2005 03:22pm | #8

   If you aren't going to be in the house long-haul you might get advice from the real estate agent you are likely to list with.  It may depend on the buyers for your immediate area.  We are planning a bathroom reno around cast iron, but that is for US to use for decades.   Few of our HO friends (most in medicine) have a clue why we care.

   For buyers who feel they deserve the best (would never settle for less than granite counters, for example), my experience is that the minority would ask or care about cast iron over steel.  Nobody takes a shower during an open-house.  But, I hear, constantly, people notice and comment upon deep jacuzzi tubs (even though they are unlikely to use them much).   

   For the same money as the cast iron tub, you might upgrade to a more 'apparent' upgrade such as the jacuzzi, and save your back.   And, don't forget to rent really good furniture and art for the open-house because, seriously, people are that dumb.

   -H

8. 
   wilkesland | Jun 03, 2005 03:24am | #10

   I second (third?) what a couple of other posters said about the Americast. Installed one myself a couple of years ago and very pleased. My wife really wanted a porcelain finished cast iron tub. My back was so relieved when we found the Americast and it meet her requirements for look, feel and finish :^). We like them so much we are having them installed in our new house. There is no way I would attempt to install a CI tub myself. The Americast was more than enough to handle for me.

9. 
   Joe | Jun 03, 2005 05:15am | #11

   The FG is harder to clean than CI.  My 2 cents.

10. 
    cic317 | Jun 03, 2005 05:51am | #12

    I've been doing bath reno's for 16 years, Cast will give you the most bang for the buck, steel is to noisey, fiberglass is out of the question, Acrylic is the best value for whirlpools, Americast is a good product but needs a layer of structolite under for a solid feel even though the American Standard doesn't recommend it. Good Luck

1. 
   barmil | Jun 03, 2005 06:28am | #13

   Disagree. You obviously haven't actually tried an AmeriCast tub yourself. Quiet, solid, retains heat. My wife loves it.

1. 
   Taylor | Jun 03, 2005 08:11pm | #14

   On CI tubs: a lot of time they come with a pretty small lip to stop water getting back there. Anyone put flashing over the lip (then CBU+tile to cover the flashing)? I assume there would be no galvanic reaction with CI because of the tub's enamel coating....