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acrylic vs cast iron tubs

12 years ago

we are re-modeling our master bath. one dilemna i face is choosing a tub to replace the old cultured marble corner tub. it is oval, 36" wide & 54" long. i've always liked cast iron tubs, they just seem to be so solid compared to, say, this one i'll be removing. there are few cast iron ones to choose from. i don't feel i need jets or anything, i just want a good tub there.

anyone ele's thoughts on this?

thanks!

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Comments (6)

cat_mom
12 years ago
We chose cast iron tubs (Toto 1525's) when we reno'd our two main bathrooms. They aren't huge, or fancy, just soaking tubs, but IMHO cast iron is the way to go if your floor can support it (or will after adding add'l support) and the budget allows for it. Definitely solid, and supposed to retain heat better, too. We love ours. If we had had bigger bathrooms, it would have been nice to have a longer version (for stretching out while lying in the tub) but we were constrained by room size. Even so, ours are pretty roomy and very comfy and as I mentioned, solid.
cat_mom
12 years ago
Oh one little tip--our plumber suggested installing the tub on the first layer of plywood subfoor, and then installing the second layer of plywood up to the side of the tub. This way, after the floor was tiled, the step into the tub was lowered a bit, so it's a little easier to step into/out of the tub.

Plus, DH added insulation under/around the tub before all the floors/walls were all sealed up. Just to add to the heat retaining/sound deadening properties of the tubs.
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Donna, Um, every whirlpool I have ever heard of is also available just as as a soaking tub... If it's going to be your tub, go sit in the tubs (yes, the whirlpools! :)) and decide which one feels best. That was my criterion. Sit in them and then get your favorite one made as a soaking tub. (after checking step-in heights, since it will be used as a shower too) As I said, Maax Melodie and Palace felt the best by far to me, but everyone's different (I've heard the Palace is pretty popular with folks who can fit a 6' tub in). Also, if you can fit 6' in, try the Toto cast iron 6' tub. If after all that the Porcher Ardennes is the one that feels best, go with that. I'm sure they'd have a way to help you make an alcove situation for it. If the Neptune feels best, go with that (again, check the height wrt using it as a shower). So your assignment is to go to the stores in Chicago, step into the tubs, sit in them, and decide which one feels best entering and lounging in. Then report back :)
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Love my new Acrylic Kohler Archer tub! We did our bathroom about 6 months ago, so it's had plenty of use to really compare it to our Cast Iron upstairs. I love long tubs with a good book. First thing I love that was noticeable right away: With my cast iron, I need to fill the tub before getting in, other wise my back absolutely freezes when I lie down and my skin hits the cast iron. With acrylic, it doesn't feel cold to the touch, the way cast iron does. Also, the Kohler archer has a special drain that allows you to get a really deep soak with a higher drain, which I love! No regrets with the acrylic, and no issues at all keeping it clean, either. Even with use daily, sometime multiple times.
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Funny, my opinion on heat retention for cast iron versus acrylic also came from a number of threads on this forum (and not from manufacturers of acrylic tubs). There seems to be quite a difference of opinion here. I did a bit more research, and I think the difference of opinion relates to the statement often made that cast iron has better "heat retention" properties than acrylic. This makes sense because it is a very dense material. But metals are generally conductive materials, and not insulators (opposite of conductors). See this link. Plastics (acrylic?) are generally insulators. A conductive material will suck the heat out of the water. Once iron sucks the heat out of the water, it may hold the heat very well due to its density. It does not prevent the heat from leaving the water, which is what most people are concerned about. I'm no expert, but it could be that the cast iron tub will be warmer after a long period of time, but I expect the water temp of the acrylic tub will be hotter in the short term since the heat will not transfer out of the water (and into the iron tub) as quickly. Maybe it depends on how long you plan to sit in your tub? In reading through the various discussions on this forum, there seems to be anecdotal evidence on both sides.
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I am replacing 2 bathtubs as part of a re-tiling project for 2 kids' bathrooms upstairs with tub/shower combos. Right now there are the tubs the builder put in 20 years ago. I think they are steel. While I like the idea of cast iron (Kohler Bellwether), for durability, I also like the acrylic tubs. Are there wear and tear considerations that should discourage me from choosing acrylic for kids' bathrooms? Or are they more slippery, or any other cons about acrylic that I should consider?
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Jimmy27
12 years ago
We are trying to decide between cast iron or porcelain over steel.
Any thoughts on pros and cons of each?
writersblock (9b/10a)
12 years ago
Cast iron, hands down, if the floor can support it and it's in the budget. There's nothing better than a solid cast iron tub, for longevity, heat retention, etc.

Jimmy27, by "porcelain over steel" do you mean Americast? It's lighter, less expensive, more fragile, less heat retentive than iron, but better than plain steel.
boysmom
Original Author
12 years ago
thanks for the replies! have copied them all for future reference as my brain is overloaded w/"stuff" w/all this going on now anyway.
cat-mom- this would be on the first floor, on the foundation slab. i will ask contractor, but i would think that would support a cast iron tub. i put a full size rectangular one in the boys' bath when i re-did theirs years ago & no problems there.
jimmy- i wonder if porcelain over steel might be more prone to chipping?
thanks!
writersblock (9b/10a)
12 years ago
If you're on slab (not some kind of wood foundation), no problem with cast iron, boysmom.

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