Bathtub's

gman1985 · Dec 20, 2009

Planing on completely remodeling my bathroom , tearing everything to the joists ,new sub floor , tub , tile , drywall , lights, etc...
My biggest dilemma is which tub to buy, cast iron or a fiberglass/acrylic. Considering that I'm on a tight budget and not a bath taker(would just do a shower stand if didn't have kids) I'm leaning towards the fiberglass/acrylic. which brand/type should i go with ? where do i buy a quality product ?

Thanks for the help.

jarvis design · Dec 20, 2009

gman1985 said:
Planing on completely remodeling my bathroom , tearing everything to the joists ,new sub floor , tub , tile , drywall , lights, etc...
My biggest dilemma is which tub to buy, cast iron or a fiberglass/acrylic. Considering that I'm on a tight budget and not a bath taker(would just do a shower stand if didn't have kids) I'm leaning towards the fiberglass/acrylic. which brand/type should i go with ? where do i buy a quality product ?

Thanks for the help.

Cast iron/porcelain is IMO the best tub on the market. That being said, a good quality acrylic tub is your next best bet. I would recommend a brand, but I don't know where you are from (Hint: fill out your profile!)

My one other bit of advice - make sure you set your tub in a bed of concrete to support the bottom. Nothing worse than a squeeky, spongy tub!

gman1985 · Dec 21, 2009

have you ever heard about aker MAAX products ?

KillerToiletSpider · Dec 21, 2009

gman1985 said:
have you ever heard about aker MAAX products ?

Yes.

Splinter · Dec 21, 2009

Isnt MAAX formerly Manhattan? Or did they just swallow up Manhattan? I'm not thrilled with their shower/tub door products. The finishes kinda suck. Cant say much about the tubs, havent seen any.

jarvis design · Dec 21, 2009

Splinter said:
Isnt MAAX formerly Manhattan? Or did they just swallow up Manhattan? I'm not thrilled with their shower/tub door products. The finishes kinda suck. Cant say much about the tubs, havent seen any.

MAAX bought out Manhatten shower doors 5-10 years ago. Their shower doors used to (IMO) be a lot better and their quality control back then was much, much better than now. I don't even bother with them cause you had a 90% chance of something being scratched, dinged, or missing.

MAAX tubs used to be pretty good. Haven't used one in many years though.

Mellison · Dec 21, 2009

Kohler cast iron for about 5 beans.
My .02

Frank P · Dec 21, 2009

American Standard makes a nice tub also. Princeton 60x30x14 and Cambridge 60x32x17. Lighter the Cast Iron and not as cold. Acrylic is nice for larger tubs, whirlpools, air tubs etc. None of the plumbing fixtures hold up to abrasive cleaners for long. Gelcoat and acrylic being the more delicate finish. All acrylic and gelcoat tubs are backed by fiberglass.

My choice would be Kohler or American Standard, leaning towards A/S only because the tile flange is 1 1/2" tall. Kohlers tile flange is only 1/4".

DarrenB · Dec 21, 2009

PM sent

KillerToiletSpider · Dec 22, 2009

Aker fiberglass is pure crap, they sell it in homecenters here because it is cheap.

cleveman · Dec 22, 2009

cast iron for sure. I use the Kohler, but I would surely try the American Standard suggested earlier.

Mike Finley · Dec 22, 2009

Just a note - AS Princeton is Americast - one of the most highly controversial materials on any bathtub. There are a billion of them installed but do a search on problems with americast.

gman1985 said:
Planing on completely remodeling my bathroom , tearing everything to the joists ,new sub floor , tub , tile , drywall , lights, etc...
My biggest dilemma is which tub to buy, cast iron or a fiberglass/acrylic. Considering that I'm on a tight budget and not a bath taker(would just do a shower stand if didn't have kids) I'm leaning towards the fiberglass/acrylic. which brand/type should i go with ? where do i buy a quality product ?

Thanks for the help.

Type of tub material would depend on the type of tub you are installing. Jetted, non-jetted, deck mount, alcove... etc...

Little alcove 30x60 units are in all flavors, deck mounted your choices narrow dramatically with just a very few cast iron models (and you better have a lot of help to install a 42x72 cast iron jetted tub), jetted, air bubbler... even less choices in material. Even if this is a alcove model, if you want anything much deeper then a standard 15 tub you're into acrylic again.

>>>>>> Kohler.com

747 · Dec 23, 2009

I say it depends on what size bathroom it is. If its small a cast iron could be a bear getting it in.:laughing: In this application i say fiberglass. Now on the other hand. If its a good size bathroom where your not going to have a problem getting a cast iron tub through the door and manuvered then i say toto cast iron tub with a matching pestal sink. Hell might as well get the matching toliet also.:laughing:

gman1985 · Dec 25, 2009

The tub size will be 60x30x15. i checked the local plumbing shop, they recommended an acrylic tub by Sterling which was bought by Kohler.Its not fully acrylic, its mix of acrylic and fiberglass i guess pure acrylic cost almost as much as cast iron. Anyone used there products ? any other good brands for a standard size?

VAviaCo · Nov 29, 2012

I have basically the same question. In my case it is a basement bathroom that is rented every summer, all summer. It goes in an alcove. I think struggling a heavy tub into the spot would be a challenge, but I don't want to short change the HO to save an hour of struggling.

The (flimsy) tub I took out was 60x30x16.

I have Blowe's and home depot and a few plumbing supply places "near" (an hour drive is "near" here). So far have only looked at Lowes. Acrylic for 170 and "steel" (that is what he said) for 260.

Hints from anyone who has done a few of these will be appreciated.

It's on a slab.

Tom M · Nov 29, 2012

I only use cast iron. Yes they start at 300lbs no fun but durable, clean and quiet.

MAULEMALL · Nov 29, 2012

VAviaCo said:
I have basically the same question. In my case it is a basement bathroom that is rented every summer, all summer. It goes in an alcove. I think struggling a heavy tub into the spot would be a challenge, but I don't want to short change the HO to save an hour of struggling.

The (flimsy) tub I took out was 60x30x16.

I have Blowe's and home depot and a few plumbing supply places "near" (an hour drive is "near" here). So far have only looked at Lowes. Acrylic for 170 and "steel" (that is what he said) for 260.

Hints from anyone who has done a few of these will be appreciated.

It's on a slab.

If you have to go an hour then you may as well contact the Restores in Lynchberg and Roanoke...

Phone: (540) 767-2267
[email protected]

http://www.habitat-roanoke.org/

Phone: (434) 528-5155
[email protected]

http://www.restoreva.org/

VAviaCo · Nov 30, 2012

I like the idea but not sure if the HO will go for a used tub. I took a used tub out of there.

MAULEMALL · Nov 30, 2012

VAviaCo said:
I like the idea but not sure if the HO will go for a used tub. I took a used tub out of there.

I have bought 2 new porcelains from the restore here for $90.00 apiece...

It's the first place I check.

VAviaCo · Nov 30, 2012

Is that porcelain over steel?

Bathtub's

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