Porcelain On Steel Bathtubs Vs Acrylic

As you can imagine both types have their advantages and disadvantages porcelain bathtubs different from acrylic bathtubs are constructed on a base made of iron or steel glass or tile.

Porcelain on steel bathtubs vs acrylic. A bathtub is a bathroom feature many homeowners wouldn t want to live without. Acrylic is easier to form into shapes than steel and therefore the range and variety of different designs is much wider. First it is fairly long lasting. Acrylic tub surrounds iron and steel tubs must be surrounded by a water resistant wall usually consisting of ceramic tile making installation of these tubs costly time consuming and labor intensive.

Enameled steel what is it. Acrylic bathtubs are usually molded through a thermal process that bonds an acrylic finish over fiberglass reinforcement. The finish is resistant to most common chemicals and. Freestanding bathtub shower tub less than 45 45 50 in.

Commonly the base is porcelain enamel coated and then high temperature fired. Either material will discolor over time if proper care is not applied. This type of bathtub material is essentially porcelain laid on top of steel. There are three main advantages to this material.

Steel bathtubs are heavier than acrylic and hence you need to consider the weight of the tub and the strength of the bathroom floor before installation. Avoid using steel wool or any abrasive brushes as well when cleaning your porcelain tub. A porcelain bathtub is usually constructed on a base made of iron or steel glass or tile. Acrylic baths typically cost less than steel to produce meaning they re great if you re on a budget.

Two popular bathtub materials are steel and cast iron. So it ll be far easier to find the exact bath you want. Restoration restoration is the same for both materials although in the case of acrylic it is slightly easier to repair restore an acrylic tub than a porcelain tub. As it turns out more commonly the base is porcelain enamel coated and then high temperature fired.

Flexing in the center one of the biggest disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs is that the low end models often tend to flex from the center. It is also easy to clean and when compared to other bathtub materials it is inexpensive. The tub is stamped from a thin sheet of steel then finished with a layer of porcelain enamel. Acrylic is warmer to the touch than porcelain and acrylic tubs retain the heat of the bath water in them longer than iron or steel tubs do.

While there are similarities. These tubs are durable and easy to clean.