Do you have a home decorating or remodeling question ? We’ll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Marcia Schnedler, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P. O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark. 72203 or e-mail mschnedler@ arkansasonline. com We’re about to remodel a bathroom and need some guidance about choosing a new bathtub.
Tubs not only come in a multitude of sizes, colors and styles, but in a variety of materials as well, according to information provided by Keidel Bath, Plumbing and Kitchen Supply of Cincinnati. (www. keidel. com ) The choice depends upon individual needs and tastes as well as architectural limitations.
Porcelain on steel: Among the most common. Made of one-piece, thin stamped steel shell coated with a heat-fused porcelain enamel.
Advantages: Smooth attractive finish is resistant to acid, corrosion or abrasion. Reasonably priced, relatively lightweight. Resists household chemical stains that permanently mar many conventional finishes. Will not rust; made of an inorganic material rarely affected by salt, air, humidity or corrosive chemicals.
Difficult to scratch, cut or gouge.
Will not ignite or burn.
Sterile, odorless and easy to clean with normal household / nonabrasive cleansers. Maintains original color and high gloss.
Disadvantages If the surface is chipped, the tub can rust.
Lower priced porcelain-on-steel tubs can be noisy to use.
Acrylic: Has a natural luster and nonporous finish. Vacuum-molded from sheets of colored acrylic and reinforced with fiberglass, which makes it resistant to chips and cracks.
Advantages: Economical and lightweight; can be repaired if damaged. Mild, nonabrasive liquid cleaners will keep it looking new. High-gloss finish: Color goes all the way through, making it resistant to abrasion and fading. Lightweight and easily formed into large tubs, especially whirlpools. Acrylic is a good insulator, so water stays warm longer.
Disadvantages Although resistant to most noncorrosive chemicals and easily cleaned with a soft cloth and mild household cleaners, acrylic tubs can be damaged by using very strong chemicals. Do not use products containing acetates, which attack the structural integrity of the plastic. Can discolor over time.
Fiberglass / gelcoat: Generally the least expensive material for bathtubs, formed by spraying a pigmented polyester resin onto a mold, much like making a fiberglass boat hull.
Acrylic and gelcoat surfaces are reinforced with fiberglass and resin composite and hand rolled for strength and durability. Advantages: Lightweight, easy to install; can be molded into a variety of shapes. A foam inner core helps to retard the spread of fire and provides heat and sound insulation, minimizing the hollow sound associated with some built-in units. Easily repaired if scratched or damaged.
Disadvantages: Gelcoat surface is thinner and less durable than acrylic. Finish lacks depth and resilience, which allows it to oxidize and fade — shows wear after 10 to 15 years.
Cast iron: The most durable bathtub material.
Thickness of cast iron makes its surface resistant to acids, and provides outstanding protection against chipping, scratches and dents.
Advantages: Ideal for vintage-look claw foots or tubs with simple, modern lines. High-gloss surface resists damage; structural density prevents dents and dings which can cause porcelain-on-steel tubs to chip. Reduces vibration and noise while helping water to stay warm longer. Most carry a manufacturer’s warranty for as long as the original purchaser owns the tub.
Disadvantages: Extremely heavy; not the best choice for large tubs. Very few models are longer than 5 feet; almost none are designed for use with whirlpool water jets. Will not scratch easily, but that doesn’t mean it won’t. Avoid using or cleaning sharp metal objects in the tub. Repair and refinishing — which involves the use of epoxy paint and can be done without removing the tub — is best left to professionals. Sand-blasted, non-skid bottom can be nearly impossible to clean if it is scuffed.
Cultured marble: A man-made product, manufactured from crushed limestone and polyester resin with a gel-coated finish that’s tough, durable and available in a unique range of colors, patterns and veining. Costs more than acrylic, though less than cast iron.
Advantages: Stronger and less brittle than quarried marble. Can be repaired if slightly chipped, scratched or scorched by cigarettes. Nonporous surface resists staining. Routine cleaning with a soft sponge or cloth or nonabrasive aerosol foam cleaner should give years of troublefree service.
Disadvantages: Surface can be scratched. Very brittle; can crack from thermal shock (water temperature should not exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit ). Excessive tightening of plumbing fixtures can also result in cracking. Scouring powders are to be avoided. Most manufacturers recommend using products such as Mr. Clean, Dupont 409 or Dow Foaming Cleanser.
Natural marble: A crystalline, compact variety of metamorphosed limestone that is very porous.
Advantages: Beautiful, retains bath water heat.
Disadvantages: Stains easily. Hard water will etch the surface, making it rough. Cleaners with an acidic base will cause the surface to crumble, and oils will stain it. Extremely brittle; will crack from thermal shock if the water temperature is too hot, or if the temperature of the marble changes suddenly. Expensive.
Solid surface: Often used for kitchen and bath countertops, this is the newest material for use in bathtubs.
Advantages: Evenly distributed particles run throughout the thickness ensuring that original color and texture remains consistent regardless of wear. Damaged sections are repairable. Minor scratches can usually be rubbed out. If scratches are deep, matching filler material allows for nearly invisible repairs. Solid surface is warm to the touch; helps keep bathwater at the right temperature for a longer period of time.
Disadvantages: Vulnerable to scratches. Can be discolored by heats. Expensive.
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