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How to Choose a Bathtub: Concrete vs. Acrylic vs Porcelain

With a bit of love for interior design and some research, your bathroom can be as attractive as any other room in your home. The paint, tiling, flooring, light fixtures, and bathtub in a bathroom all work together to create a well-designed, comfortable area for the whole family.

Bathtubs are available in many styles to accommodate a variety of bathroom space layouts. So, prior to choosing one, think about your requirements as well as the characteristics of your property.

What Should You Consider Before Buying a New Tub?

Bathroom concrete bathtub
Source: thespruce.com

Before we get into the three most interesting materials for you to look into, you need to ask some important questions. What kind of space do you have? A standard bathroom with an alcove bath and shower combo is unlikely to be big enough for a garden tub and a steam shower unless you plan to take down some walls.

What is the capacity of your water heater? Filling whirlpools and soaking baths require additional water. Are you prepared to replace your water heater in case it doesn’t meet your requirements? What is the weight capacity of your floor? A porcelain-enamelled or whirlpool tub is significantly heavier than a plain acrylic tub. Can you replace or perhaps reinforce your floor if it cannot support the weight?

How will you use the bathtub? If your children are the only ones who will use it, a whirlpool or a deep tub may not be worth the extra money. If you prefer soaking in hot bubbly water on a regular basis, you may want more than just a standard tub and shower combo.

The Material Matters

Concrete

Concrete bathtub
Source: nativetrailshome.com

Stone and concrete look bathtub, naturally, appeal to individuals looking for an earthy and elegant feel for their bathroom. This is the tub for any one interested in an elevated style and peculiar design ideas for their bathrooms. These sleek and highly robust bathtub models have increased in popularity in recent years to become some of the most desired additions to a homeowner’s bathroom space.

To give it a more unique look, a concrete tub or sink can be painted in a colour of your choice or inlaid with a certain design. Adding aggregates such as glass fragments, shells, and colourful stones will add style and mix well with the décor and mood of the area. You’ll be thrilled to notice that concrete tubs resemble beautiful, natural, and polished granite.

Concrete bathtubs, like other stone countertops and sinks, require regular waxing to retain their sheen and protect them further. Every ten years, the seal must be reapplied. You can get more inspiration and ideas for different sink designs by doing some online research. You’ll be amazed at how many beautiful concrete look bathtub options online stores and retailers have.

Concrete is a material that produces extremely sturdy structures that can last up to six decades if properly maintained and is ideal for both washroom and family bathrooms. Concrete slabs can withstand a lot of wear and still look good. The majority of homeowners like combining a vanity top, sink, and tub made in the same style and of the same material.

Acrylic

Acrylic tubs
Source: facebook.com/highgrovebathrooms/

Acrylic tubs are made of vacuum-formed acrylic sheets that are often reinforced with fibreglass for enhanced durability. Because the material is naturally soft and elastic, it is ideal for a wide range of tub shapes and sizes, much like the variety of concrete bath options before concrete hardens.. And because acrylic is light, it may be installed on any level of the house. It’s also simple to maintain, it’s repairable and resistant to damage. Acrylic tubs are available in nearly any shape and size, as well as with any possible system, due to the material’s malleability.

Choose an acrylic drop-in tub for a simple upgrade in a new or existing surround, a corner tub to save space in the bathroom, an acrylic clawfoot tub (or any acrylic freestanding bathtub) to make a statement, or any tub in this versatile material as a low-maintenance, high-style alternative. The good news is that there is no particular acrylic bathtub cleaner that you must use to keep your tub in good condition. Cleaning an acrylic tub is simple: clean it often using moderate, nonabrasive cleaning chemicals and materials to avoid scratches.

Porcelain

porcelain bathtub
Source: facebook.com/highgrovebathrooms/

Although porcelain is usually quite distinct on its own, it is frequently confused with a few other materials on the market, specifically enamel and acrylic.

A porcelain bathtub has a base made of iron, steel, glass, or tile. This bathtub is then coated with a layer of porcelain enamel before being temperature fired to safeguard the enamel coating’s integrity. As a result, the bathtub is incredibly robust and easy to clean, with a coating that is resistant to common chemicals. Porcelain bathtubs are heavier than fibreglass and acrylic bathtubs, and their surfaces are prone to rust or stress under severe impacts.

Although they appear similar, porcelain and acrylic are two distinct materials with distinct advantages and disadvantages when compared. The first is heat retention, with acrylic materials retaining heat far better than porcelain. Porcelain bathtubs alleviate this with foam insulation in some types, although acrylic bathtubs still retain heat better.

The next consideration is durability, with porcelain being a considerably more robust and scratch-resistant bathtub. However, porcelain is a stronger substance, making it more susceptible to hard impacts, whereas acrylic is softer, making it weaker overall but easier to clean and polish finish. Finally, upkeep is easier with acrylic because the material is softer, allowing it to take chemical assault, while nonabrasive cleaners are recommended for both porcelain and acrylic.

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