I do love mine and I use it for a shower every day and it looks brand new after 1 year plus. Use the search box here for the words Archer tub and I think you'll find lots of compliments for that one by Kohler. When I had confusion with Swanstone I called the PR department phone number (or maybe emailed?) from their website and got great information about their materials. Try Kohler company headquarters to ask your question about acrylic grades. Here is a forum thread linked about the Archer tub. Here is a link that might be useful: discussion on Kohler tub

threeapples--You are definitely getting hit with alot of decisions all at the same time! The dune is pretty, but colors tend to go out of style. Are you ready to commit to that color tub for the next 5,10,15,20+ years? Let me ask you this...If you were buying a house instead of building one, would you be ok with a turquoise, rose, or yellow tub or would it be on list of things to replace? Would you buy a floor model tub in A-1 100% perfect condition from a plumbing showroom display in turquoise, rose or yellow today for this house? (I actually had that opportunity when I was making my selections--you'd be suprised what you can find in showrooms in small towns!) If your answer to either of these questions is no, then I say don't go with the dune--just stay with white. The white tiles + the white tub should give the bath a clean, simple, yet elegant feel. Or you could always use your tiles for that splash of color in the bath & go with something other than white. Just a thought--have you considered using "large subway tiles" or rectangular tiles set in a brick pattern in the kids' baths--bigger tiles means less grout for you to scrub. Just a thought...

My acrylic Bain Ultra air tub was set in a bed of mud with a piece of think plastic between the mud and tub. This was done for the ease of removing the tub if ever the need arises. It's as solid feeling on the bottom as my husband's Kohler cast iron tub. As for cleaning, that's a different story. You're not supposed to use anything abrasive on acrylic. Believe it or not, Scrubbing Bubbles is considered abrasive :( That's been my go to tub cleaner for years. To clean my acrylic tub RIGHT, I use Gel Gloss. It's a pain (literally!). You spray it on, let it sit, buff it and let it dry and then wipe the residue. When I'm in a pinch for time or physically limited, I will use Scrubbing Bubbles. There are very few non abrasive cleaners out there. One Bain Ultra suggested was Lemon scent Lysol. NOTHING works better than Scrubbing Bubbles!

I have the Kohler Archer and Underscore. Both have held up well. The Archer is used by 2 people's daily showers and baby's bath. Minor scratches can be buffed out and if damaged, you can get an acrylic repair professional. The biggest benefit of the acrylic is the deeper water depth and ability to retain the heat of water for longer compared to cast iron. Cast iron will be more durable. If you choose acrylic, have your contractor install it in a mud base to the floor...it will make it feel very solid.