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porcelain finished vs cast iron American Standard bathtubs

8 years ago

Per our new built contract , I required cast iron bathtubs for all my bathrooms. But, I caught the plumber he was using porcelain finished ones. He claimed it is better and made by American Standard cast iron coated porcelain for weight handling and price purpose.

Should I still request my cast iron tubs or let it goes like that?

Any input are greatly appreciated!

Featured Answer

User

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Americast (aka Americrap) is nowhere near a substitute for cast iron.

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Comments (7)

PRO
New England Architect
8 years ago
Both cast iron and steel tubs are coated with porcelain enamel. As your plumber said, the advantage of steel is lower cost and easier installation. Cast iron might last longer and seems to hold heat better.
houses14 thanked New England Architect
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Me, too! I've been looking at the Tea for Two, but I want a tile flange and I really need a tub that's 60"long x 30" wide, (not 32") and prefer 14"+ water depth (at least 12") and cast iron. I would love any suggestions people have in addition to the suggestions above, which didn't meet by specs for depth or are over-mount drop-ins (or similar). I would also like to comment on the above recommendations so people don't order the wrong thing. Most clawfoot tubs, including the ones mentioned above such as the Cheviot or Sunrise Specialty, have a water depth that is around 11" at most. They are comfortable, but not deep. The Cheviot alcove tub is an over-mount drop-in with a water depth of under 11". It would have a calk line around a drop off on the deck. Oh, heck no! The Toto is an over-mount drop-in also. Dang! The Waterworks Minna sounds promising, and it has an apron, but what's with that moulded raised ridge at the top? It makes it look like a top-mount drop-in and have similar problems. I guess you wouldn't need calking, but you'd have that ridge water could get over and a lump under your head if you lean back. Has anyone installed one and has pictures? I'd love to be proved wrong on this one in spite of the price! It could be the perfect tub for me if it weren't for that top detail.
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Well, I just talked to our GC and he thinks a cast iron tub may simply be too heavy. Part of the problem is that the tub will be situated parallel to the joists rather than across them. So back to the drawing board--what are the other alternatives for a good-quality, heavy-duty bathtub that isn't cast iron? Our previous tub was a horrible gray 1980's jacuzzi bathtub made out of vinyl or some other plastic-like material and it really turned us off to anything other than cast iron!
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We installed a cast iron tub as part of our reno (2nd floor in a 40+ yr old bi-level/hi-ranch). It is very heavy, but we had the floor joists/supports checked out (by plumber?) and we were good to go. If you are thinking you might prefer a cast iron tub, it might be worth it to find out if your floor joists can support one, before deciding against it. I can't speak to Americast, though a contractor friend had suggested it, and has installed plenty of them. I liked what I'd read about cast iron (with regards to heat retention, and the strength of the enameled coating over cast iron). DH and I also liked the feel (the solidity) of the cast iron tub we looked at in the store (Toto 1525), and we were already very impressed with the Kohler cast iron shower pan we'd had installed in our guest bathroom. We did take a look at some of the Americast and porcelain-on-steel tubs at HD, but preferred the cast iron. FYI, supposedly Toto is not selling, or going to sell residential cast iron tubs anymore, but there are other manuf out there (e.g. Kohler) who do if you decide to go that route after all.
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I renovated the bathroom in my condo last year, which included replacing the tub. The enamel on the old tub (installed in the 1970s) was very scratched. The new one is a a Bootz porcelain on steel tub. It's only been about 15 months since the renovation was completed but I have no problems so far. The non-slip bottom is not difficult to keep clean. I use Barkeeper's Friend cleaner (easily available in stores and not expensive) per the manufacturer's instructions. I went with porcelain on steel because I live on the second floor of an apartment building, and since the old one was not cast iron I didn't know if the weight of a new cast iron tub would be a problem. I went with Bootz on the recommendation of my contractor, who has installed a bunch of them with no complaints. A neighbor refinished their tub a few years back and the fumes were terrible.
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DLM2000-GW
8 years ago
We had an Americast soaking tub (loved it) and a standard tub/shower in the house we just sold - used them for 24 years, never had a problem. Would spec Americast again in the house we are building soon as long as the tub sizes work with our plans.
houses14 thanked DLM2000-GW
PRO
New England Architect
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
American Standard's "Americast" is neither cast iron nor steel. Its an "engineered" substitute that has a porcelain enamel coating bonded to a layer of enameling grade metal that is bonded to a structural composite material.

Here is an old thread about Americast
houses14 thanked New England Architect
musicgale
8 years ago
The plumbers like the lighter tubs because they are easier for them to carry around and put in. Cast iron usually provides for a much better tub. You caught them in a switch. Good for you. Make sure you didn't get charged for CI.

We provided tubs and fixtures for our plumber and used Americast, which are satisfactory as they are located in rooms that don't get a lot of "action", as they are primarily guest baths in our retirement home.
Mittens Cat
5 years ago
@musicgale, your comment makes me feel even better about our G.C., who's doing all the work himself. He is strongly encouraging us to go with cast iron tubs. I just figured it was because he's Old School.
PRO
Anglophilia
5 years ago
It's more likely because he's taken a bath in both types of tub and found that the water stays hot a LOT longer in an old cast iron tub. They do last forever and can even be resurfaced after 70 years if needed.

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