Replies

1. 
   John_Lazaro | Nov 22, 2001 07:07am | #1

   *
   I vote acrylic or fiberglass. We always use these for the reasons that you mentioned. They are very durable but not bulletproof. Actually the cast tubs can be chipped also. I would gravitate away from Jacuzzi if you're talking about a standard tub. Different locales favor different brands, but around here I recommend Aker, Jetta, & sometimes Aquaglass.
   Good luck,
   John

1. 
   Mike_Smith | Nov 22, 2001 06:43pm | #2

   *.. i like the acrylics.. i think the ceramic/cast iron are overrated for finish durability.. take a good look at an acrylic & a cast iron 5 years later..

1. 
   SHGLaw | Nov 22, 2001 09:18pm | #3

   *Case iron. Look at them 20 years down the line. 50 years. 100 years. Any acrylic lovers out there have a 20 year old one to show? I didn't think so.SHG

1. 
   Keith_C | Nov 22, 2001 09:21pm | #4

   *Cast iron....the rest are just cheap plastic imitations.

1. 
   Mike_Smith | Nov 22, 2001 10:16pm | #5

   *what the average homeowner does to a porcelain / cast iron tub is amazing... they think the finish is indestructible.. so .. they use harsh cleaners & abuse them...result.. they look like sh*t in 5 years....with acrylics.. the combination of the hard finish & the homeowner knowing they might scratch..seems to protect them ..so... let's look at an acrylic installed in 1980 & a cast iron installed the same year...now ,what do you see ?and .. there is nothing "cheap" about them...which is why we usually sell a fiberglass gelcoat finish... they don't have acrylic in their budget...

2. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Nov 23, 2001 12:41am | #6

   *Isn't part of the equation about performance, too? Doesn't cast iron hold heat longer, like a cast iron skillit? I agree that durability of finish is largely a question of cleaning methods.

3. 
   Mike_Smith | Nov 23, 2001 12:48am | #7

   *jimbo... no...no...no..the only thing different is one is as hard as cast iron.. & the other is as hard as frp.. actually .. teh acrylic will conduct heat slower than the cast iron..but it is not measurabledid you do the carving ?... one of my nephews did ours while i was collecting chairs

4. 
   Charles_C. | Nov 23, 2001 02:46am | #8

   *Around here they are pretty close in price and a plumber doesnt usually charge any more to install a cast iron tub. I delivered tubs for a few years when I was in school and they are not that heavy for a couple of guys to carry. The cast iron will hold up better even if abused. I did a lot of repairs on acrylic and fiberglass units from scratches and chips.

5. 
   r__ignacki | Nov 23, 2001 03:27am | #9

   *cast iron, as long as the plumber carries it up the stair.

6. 
   shel_khipple | Nov 23, 2001 07:17am | #10

   *how about this Americast stuff?

7. 
   Bob_Walker | Nov 23, 2001 04:31pm | #11

   *If you're going to remain in the house for the typical 5-7 years, fiberglass or acrylic. If you're going to be there a couple of decades or more, cast iron. Unless, of course, you'll be totally remodelling the bath every decade.That's based on looking at probably 4-5 tubs a day, on average, as part of my home inspections.Either way, you've gotta take proper care, but cast iron is much more forgiving that FG/A.The main problem I see with cast iron is that they last so long the drains ending needing repair after a few decades; they just get replaced every 10-15 years or so when FG/A units wear out.

8. 
   jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Nov 23, 2001 06:48pm | #12

   *No carving, the missus doesn't let me get that close to sharp implements anymore. Ate enough for two men and a boy, though. Moderate sized dinner, watched a movie, then gorged on deserts. Had to be rolled to the bed after that. That's livin' man.

9. 
   Mongo_ | Nov 25, 2001 05:56pm | #13

   *For the main high-use tub in a typical tub/shower bath that will be used by all family members and house guests, I think cast iron is the only way to go.For the master bath, where a large whirlpool/jacuzzi-type tub is preferred, acrylic is preferred. Properly bedded and insulated.

10. 
    SCOTT_HABERER | Nov 25, 2001 11:58pm | #14

    *HI MIKE:I have a 110 year-old victorian house with a cast iron tub and pedestle sink on the second floor. Looks like the house was built around it and frankly, I don't know how I'd get it out (window too small and doorway too small also). Problem is, I DID use harsh cleaners and even dropped a steam radiator (I was thawing it out and it was filled with ice one 10-below-zero Christmas, when the old boiler went out, filled up the system with water, and froze... long story but still quite scary) in it, which chipped the porcelain. I have tried to patch the broken spot with the epoxy type treatments, but the cast expands and contracts at a different rate than the epoxy fillers and the patch always flakes off and the spot keeps getting bigger. I even tried using rust removers and a grinder to apply the treatment to freshly ground cast iron, free of rust. One of these days, I am going to HAVE to replace this tub (of course, my wife will exact certain parts of my anatomy for even talking like this... the least of my fears, at this point... ); but, if I could figure out a way to delay this eventuality, I would be forever grateful. Scotty/sioux city ([email protected])

11. 
    Mike_Smith | Nov 26, 2001 01:40am | #15

    *scott.. the last one we did.. i lucked out.. just as we were starting to pull out the old chipped claw-foot..one became available a mile away.. i got it for the cost of my guys labor....then we picked up a new pedestal sink which just fit the decori've never had any luck with the epoxy repairs either...

12. 
    Keith_C | Nov 26, 2001 04:41am | #16

    *It should be a gentlemens law around her that if you denounce vinyl siding then you must by law denounce fiberglass and acrylic tubs in favor of cast iron. With the reasoning that yes, they take more maintenance and upkeep, but are far superior to the fake counterpart. All ye in favor say yea. no say nay.

13. 
    Bob_Walker | Nov 26, 2001 04:47am | #17

    *"It should be a gentlemens law around her ...."Gentlemen? Around here? Around her????This is Breaktime, isn't it?

14. 
    Keith_C | Nov 26, 2001 05:25am | #18

    *so what is it yea or nay?

15. 
    John_Lazaro | Nov 26, 2001 07:23am | #19

    *Nay!...I'd much rather have a one piece acrylic tub/shower unit that lazy homeowners don't have to maintain the caulk joints. I can't tell you how many times I've seen cracked caulk joints and water damage on tubs with ceramic surrounds. I'm all for the durability of cast iron, but with no seams to provide future leaks. Besides...I've yet to see a cast iron shower unit.CI tub/shower units are more of a maintenance issue than durability and I've never seen a good quality acrylic unit fail.John

16. 
    splintergroupie_ | Nov 26, 2001 07:41am | #20

    *Cast iron--anything else feels like lounging in a cottage cheese container.

17. 
    jim_"crazy_legs"_blodg | Nov 27, 2001 04:25am | #21

    *I'd be interested to know what percentage of people actually take baths anymore. It's showers at my house. A bath is something to comment on, maybe one a year, or something.

18. 
    splintergroupie_ | Nov 27, 2001 04:45am | #22

    *i what percentage of people actually take baths Jim, i don't know what others do, but i tend to wash all over every time. Sure, it takes a little longer, but there's satisfaction in a job well done.

19. 
    Mongo_ | Nov 27, 2001 10:09am | #23

    *My kids are the only ones that take baths in the tub (standard shower/tub setup). More to goof around, and mostly my son (9 yrs old) playing with his Lego's after already having showered.I'd say that tubs are mostly for little kids...We do use the Jacuzzi tub (master bath) once, sometimes twice a week. The kids get into it maybe once a month. Used it yesterday and tonight as a matter of fact.

20. 
    Phil_ | Nov 29, 2001 03:00am | #24

    *Cast iron is brittle. A sledge hammer and a very good pair of safty glasses. Break down to manageble pieces.Phil

21. 
    wedgehead | Nov 29, 2001 07:47am | #25

    *I put two Kohler acrylic tubs in my house, Tub/shower unit in the guest bath, big whirlpool unit in the master. The guest unit has been used only for bathing the dog so far. The whirlpool tub has been used twice that I can think of in a bit more than a year. It seems to hold the heat OK, but not like cast iron. If I'm not the one lugging it up the stairs I would go cast iron for a standard tub/shower unit.

22. 
    shel_khipple | Nov 30, 2001 08:10am | #26

    *i don't know about the ceramic repair question, but i can tell you how to get that old cast iron tub out of there: I used a metal cutting blade on my circular saw. Tried the sawzall, didn't work as well. First I cut away the apron, then flipped the tub upside down and cut it in half crosswise. Brought the three pieces down the (carpeted) stairs by myself - all one man operation. Lots of sparks and stench, definitely need goggles and mask, but for a guy without biceps and no room to swing a sledgehammer it worked out pretty well.

2. 
   shel_khipple | Nov 30, 2001 08:10am | #27

   *
   we're gutting our bathroom and starting fresh. I'm stuck on the question of whether to use a Kohler cast iron bathtub or a Jacuzzi acrylic one. The Acrylic is half the price, and also saves a lot on labor costs (don't need 4 guys to haul it upstairs, etc). What are people's experiences with wear, scratch resistance, maintenance, durability, noise, differences etc between these products?