What Are Bathtubs Made of Today? As you remodel your bathroom, you’ll have many choices to make, such as the color and style of your bath. However, a more fundamental choice is the material inside your tub.
You should ask yourself what bathtubs are made of because these materials will affect the longevity, price, and ease of maintenance of the tub. It’ll even affect the number of colors and styles available to you and whether you’ll be able to soak in this tub.
This blog will reveal the materials used to create modern baths and how you should select the right one for you.
What Are Old Bathtubs Made of?
If you’ve searched for an antique bath, you’ve likely found cast-iron tubs. They became popular at the end of the 19th century after the discovery of porcelain coating. This type of bathtub is still a popular choice. Yet there are even older materials that are no longer popular.
Essentially, the materials used in the past depended on what resources these ancient communities had access to and the techniques they had developed to manufacture them. For instance, in China, they used wood to create bathtubs. Meanwhile, ancient Romans used tiles and bricks, and the ancient Greeks used hardened pottery.
5 Types of Modern Bathtub Materials
The advancements in manufacturing have revolutionized the modern tub. Factories now make tubs in a variety of materials which are available worldwide. Due to their differing manufacturing processes and materials, these tubs have different properties, making some more popular than others.
Here’s what bathtubs are made of today:
Acrylic
A popular tub material is acrylic. Factories make them by forming acrylic sheets into the shape of the tub using a vacuum. This type of material creates a nonporous surface that’s resistant to mold and stains. In fact, this material is cheap yet durable since it has fiberglass reinforced it. Though this material isn’t scratch-resistant, you can repair it.
Another reason whymost bathtubs are made of acrylic is because they retain heat well. Therefore, you can soak in them without constantly pouring hot water to maintain a warm temperature. In addition, they come in a variety of colors and shapes so you’ll be able to express yourself with your choice. Plus, this material is one of the lightest and easiest to install.
Fiberglass
The cheapest bathtubs are made of fiberglass. Part of the reason they’re so cheap is that they consist of an abundant and sustainable material: sand. The other reason is that they’re very light, so it’s cheaper to transport, manipulate, and install them. Though this material isn’t durable, you can repair it.
Since these tubs have a polyester coating, they’re easy to clean and maintain. However, this surface is porous, so they stain easily, and their finishes tend to fade. Moreover, this surface offers a limited range of colors.
Enameled Cast Iron
Usually, the most expensivebathtubs are made of cast iron. Since this is a heavy material, it’s expensive to transport and install. Furthermore, its weight complicates its installation. You can only place this type of tub on a floor that can support its weight, ruling out upper floors in some homes.
Nevertheless, cast iron remains a popular choice for soaking. This material takes a while to warm but once its temperature rises, it keeps the water warm. So, cast iron tubs retain heat during long baths.
Moreover, cast iron is durable – which is why you can find and use antique versions. More specifically, it’s scratch and chip resistant due to its porcelain coat. Plus, if it has damage, you can fix it by resurfacing it. If you choose not to fix it, you can recycle it.
In addition, this surface is nonporous, making it easy to clean and unlikely to stain. Furthermore, porcelain comes in a variety of colors and shapes.
Porcelain Enameled Steel
A popular compromise on quality and price is the tubs made ofporcelain enameled steel. This type of tub has a steel core with a porcelain coat and comes in standard sizes. The steel makes this bath sturdy yet less expensive than the cast iron tubs. Like cast iron, it’s heavier than your standard acrylic or fiberglass bathtub. However, steel isn’t as good at retaining heat as cast iron.
Meanwhile, the porcelain gives it an easy-to-clean surface. Even so, there are few options when it comes to color and shape. Additionally, this surface is likely to chip after an impact, and water could damage the underlying structure.
Cast Polymer
Lastly, some bath tubs are made ofcast polymer. This material mimics the appearance of stones such as marble and granite. Yet it’s more affordable than some of these natural materials. It’s also cheaper than steel and cast iron bathtubs.
Actually, it’s made of polymers and resin. Factories form these materials into one solid yet brittle surface, which can have irreparable cracks. Nevertheless, you can fix the scratches on this surface. Plus, it’s easy to clean and it comes in a range of colors.
What Is My Tub Made of?
If you have already bought your bathtub and don’t know what it’s made of, you can go through these steps to identify its material:
1. Use a Magnet
The first step in discovering the material of your tub is to hold a magnet to it. If the magnet sticks, it’s made of either steel or cast iron.
2. Look for Chips
After you’ve verified that your tub has a metal core, you should look for chips. If there are any, it’s more likely to be steel than cast iron. However, if the magnet didn’t stick to the tub, proceed to the next step.
3. Press against the Surface
If the magnet doesn’t react to your tub, you should press a finger against the surface. If the material doesn’t bend at all, it’s probably steel. However, if the material bends a little, you should continue to the next step.
4. Look for Stains
Once you’ve confirmed that the material bends, you should look for stains, especially at the bottom of the bath. This could be a sign that it’s a fiberglass tub.
5. Examine the Surface
If your tub didn’t have any stains, look at the surface. If it resembles stone, it’s probably cast polymer. However, if it’s a smooth surface (possibly with scratches) of uniform color, it’s more likely to be an acrylic bath.
Which Bathtub Materials Should You Use?
The materials you should select depend on the following factors:
- Budget
- Bathroom Dimensions
- Floor Strength
- Planned Use
- Aesthetic Preferences
If you have a smaller budget, you can automatically ignore the cast iron and steel tubs. Similarly, if your bathroom can’t support heavy weights, you’ll have to forgo these tub materials. Alternatively, if the installment area is a non-standard size, you may not be able to fit in a steel bathtub. Meanwhile, cast iron and acrylic tubs may have options you can use. If you plan to use it for long baths, you should disregard steel bathtubs. Instead, choose acrylic and cast iron tubs since they’ll suit this purpose. Finally, you should consider your personal preference since different finishes, colors, and textures may appeal to you.
To help you further narrow down your choices, here’s a table comparing these materials’ features:
| Features | Tub Material | ||||
| Acrylic | Fiberglass | Cast Iron | Steel | Cast Polymer | |
| Versatile | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Cost | Low | Low | High | High | Medium |
| Installment | Easy | Easy | Difficult | Difficult | Easy |
| Maintenance | Easy | Easy | Easy | Easy | Medium |
| Scratch Resistant | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Stain Resistance | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Repairable | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Heat Retention | High | Low | High | Low | Medium |
| Weight | Lightweight | Lightweight | Heavy | Heavy | Medium |
| Sustainable | No | Partially | Yes | Partially | No |
Conclusion
Now you know that modern bathtubs are made of acrylic, fiberglass, steel, cast iron, and cast polymer. Most of these materials are new inventions that reduce the price of baths and widen the options of colors and styles.
However, these materials are not infallible. Some are liable to scratch, like acrylic cracks, or cast polymer or stain, like fiberglass. Therefore, consider their features, budget, bathroom dimension, floor strength, and preferences when selecting a tub material. Each of these factors will help you weed out the materials that won’t suit your needs.