Bathtubs: materials to privilege and to avoid
Are you considering replacing your old bathtub? Choosing the material of your bathtub is a vital step to guarantee comfort, durability, and aesthetics in your bathroom. Between modern and more traditional materials, many possibilities are available to you. Some materials guarantee good heat retention, shock resistance, and easy maintenance. Others can pose problems of premature wear or fragility. In this guide, we help you make an informed choice by presenting the bathtub materials to privilege and those to avoid for a durable bathtub.
Criteria to consider for choosing the right material
Enamelled steel, cast iron, resin, plastic, etc. Choosing the ideal material for your future bathtub requires careful thought. Take different factors into account before selecting the material of your bathtub.
- Resistance and durability: The manufacturing material of your bathtub must be capable of resisting impacts, scratches, and cleaning products. Certain materials, such as enamelled cast iron, are extremely robust. Others, like acrylic, can crack more quickly.
- Comfort and thermal insulation: A criterion that is often neglected is the sensation upon contact with the skin. An acrylic bathtub or an enamelled cast iron bathtub, for example, offers an enjoyable surface with good heat retention. Conversely, an enamelled steel bathtub can leave a cold sensation to the touch.
- Ease of maintenance: Do you want more than anything to avoid spending hours cleaning your bathtub? Certain bathtub materials, such as acrylic or Solid Surface (a premium mineral composite), are very easy to maintain. Other types of materials, like natural stone, require more rigorous care.
- Aesthetics and design: The material of your bathtub directly influences the ambiance of your bathroom. Resin bathtubs and composite material bathtubs allow for a wide variety of designs. As for enamelled cast iron, it brings an unmistakable retro character.
- Weight of the bathtub: To choose the material of your bathtub wisely, its weight represents an important factor to take into account, especially if your bathroom floor is fragile. Have you fallen for an enamelled cast iron bathtub? Cast iron is a very heavy material. It requires a suitable installation, whereas acrylic, being lighter, remains easy to handle.
- Budget: Prices differ, of course, depending on the type of material used to design the bathtub. Certain bathtubs, like enamelled steel bathtubs, are affordable and durable. If you plan to install a Solid Surface bathtub, plan for a more significant budget.
Which materials should be privileged for a bathtub?
Whether it is a built-in bathtub or a freestanding roll-top bathtub, here are the best materials for a bathtub, combining aesthetics, comfort, and durability.
The acrylic bathtub
Acrylic is one of the most popular materials for enjoying a modern bathtub. Lightweight, easy to install, and boasting excellent thermal insulation, it is particularly appreciated for its comfort.
An acrylic bathtub presents numerous advantages:
- Great diversity of styles and finishes to adapt to all tastes.
- Compatibility with various balneotherapy systems for increased comfort.
- Installation adaptable to most bathroom configurations.
- Ease of repair in case of scratches or light impacts thanks to specific kits.
- Lightweight and simple to install.
- Good thermal insulator, conserving heat longer.
- Smooth surface, pleasant to the touch.
- Simple to maintain, resistant to common household products.
- Affordable price, ideal for restricted budgets.
- Available in numerous shapes and finishes.
An acrylic bathtub has its limits, such as a sensitivity to scratches (though polishing is possible), a yellowing over time if the quality is mediocre or in case of prolonged exposure to UV rays, or a lower resistance to impacts contrary to materials like cast iron or enamelled steel.
The enamelled cast iron bathtub
Enamelled cast iron bathtubs are renowned for their great solidity (high material density) as well as their timeless aesthetics. They retain heat well while providing an enjoyable sensation upon contact.
A bathtub made of enamelled cast iron stands out with these assets:
- Its robustness, its durability, its resistance to scratches and impacts.
- Its excellent heat retention for longer and more enjoyable baths.
- Its ease of maintenance thanks to its non-porous enamel coating.
- Its nobility, offering a refined aesthetic and a timeless vintage style.
- Its resistance to aggressive cleaning products.
The weak points of an enamelled cast iron bathtub are the following:
- Very high weight (up to several hundred kilos), sometimes requiring a reinforcement of the floor.
- Relatively high cost compared to other materials, which can deter certain budgets.
- More complex installation due to its weight and rigidity, requiring skilled labour.
- Difficult to transport, notably for renovation projects on upper floors.
- Wear of the enamel over time under the effect of impacts, requiring specific repairs.
- More limited choice in terms of shapes and designs compared to modern materials like acrylic or Solid Surface.
The Solid Surface bathtub
Solid Surface is a premium composite material offering a highly aesthetic finish. It is particularly appreciated in contemporary bathrooms.
The advantages of a Solid Surface bathtub material are that it brings a modern and personalisable design, resistance to scratches or stains, ease of maintenance, and an enjoyable touch. Nevertheless, it is a rather costly material.
The steel bathtub
This bathtub material consists of a steel alloy covered with enamel. It represents a pertinent alternative if your budget is tight.
The strong points of a steel bathtub are, on the one hand, its resistance to impacts and temperature variations, which limits cracks and premature wear, and on the other hand, its capacity to absorb impacts without deformation. In addition, it is ideal for family use, is available at an affordable price, and is easy to clean.
Yet, one finds that unpleasant sensation of cold to the touch or that amplified noise during the filling of the bathtub.
Low-end plastic, untreated wood, porous stone, composite materials: materials to avoid for a bathtub
Certain materials can appeal both on an aesthetic and economic level. However, they present numerous disadvantages. This notably concerns materials like plastic, untreated wood, porous stone, or low-end composite materials.
Low-end plastic bathtubs (ABS or PVC)
Entry-level plastic bathtubs are often too lightweight or even fragile. They are generally manufactured from ABS or PVC. These inexpensive bathtub materials present numerous disadvantages in terms of longevity and comfort.
Due to their low thickness, plastic bathtubs can deform under the weight of the water and the body. They also have a tendency to yellow quickly over time, especially when they are exposed to direct light or to certain aggressive cleaning products.
In terms of maintenance, low-end plastic is sensitive to scratches. This detail promotes the accumulation of dirt, making cleaning more fastidious. The thermal insulation of a plastic bathtub is insufficient; the water cools down much faster, forcing you to consume more hot water.
Untreated wood
A wooden bathtub brings a natural, warm, and authentic touch to your bathroom. However, if the wood is not treated correctly, it remains very sensitive to moisture. Water seeps into the fibres, leading to deformations, cracks, as well as the development of mould. Regular maintenance with special oils is indispensable. Badly protected wood risks getting damaged quickly.
Porous natural stone
Marble, travertine, or certain limestone stones are beautiful. Their porosity, however, poses a major problem. These materials absorb water. This process causes the appearance of stains, limescale deposits, as well as a premature wear of the stone. Even with a water-repellent treatment, maintenance remains restrictive. The surface can become slippery or rough over time.
Low-end composite materials
Bathtubs made of low-end composite materials (acrylic, resin, or fibreglass) are highly sought after for their lightness combined with their affordable price. Models of poor quality have a low resistance to scratches and impacts. They can yellow or deform under the effect of heat. Their surface then becomes porous, making cleaning more difficult and promoting the accumulation of bacteria.
Are you considering replacing your old bathtub with a newer model? Privilege quality bathtub materials like reinforced acrylic, enamelled cast iron, or Solid Surface. At Vente-unique, we offer a range of robust, stylish bathtubs that are pleasant to live with.
