I was deciding between the Kohler Archer (60x32x18), Hydrosystems Lacey (60x36x20 (comes in a variety of widths, including narrower)), an MTI tub similar to the Hydrosystems (Andrea, I think), and the Mirabelle Edenton (60x30x20). I ended up going with the Mirabelle because it was the largest interior dimensions of all of the tubs. I drove to three different places (two Fergusons and one other showroom) to sit in them each. The Mirabelle ($1850 with drain) was slightly more expensive than the Kohler ($1450 with drain), but the acrylic didn't feel as cheap to me. The Hydrosystems was the most comfortable to me in terms of the backrest, but it was shorter (I'm 5'11") than the Kohler and Mirabelle and expensive ($2900). Although the Kohler is 32" wide and the Edenton I bought is only 30" wide, the Edenton feels (and is) larger inside because there's no armrests eating up space. You really need to sit in each. The other benefit to the Mirabelle (or Hydrosystems or MTI) is if it's an alcove installation, the Kohler skirt is unattractive. So long as you can fit an access panel behind one of the walls, the Mirabelle (and Hydrosystems and MTI) offers a modern skirt (and Hydrosystems and MTI even provide you with the option of adding the skirt and tile flanges on other sides). The Kohler is a lower tub but the drain allows you to fill it more, but that feature doesn't seem that important if you can fit a 20" high tub like the Mirabelle. (Mirabelle is only sold at Ferguson, by the way, so you get some of the features of the more expensive tubs at a lower price point because it's their own brand.) I posted pictures of my remodel if you want to see the tub I used. http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/bath/msg0409041521118.html?12 If I had bought the Hydrosystems, I would have had the company put a skirt on two sides, a tile flange on two sides, and installed the pump remotely in the linen closet (most air baths allow you the option to install the pump several feet away, and sometimes as far as 15 feet, which at least to some extent eliminates the need for an access panel). That customization is included within the price I quoted above ($2900). The tub may be cheaper in an alcove application.

Before you settle firmly on the Archer, take a look at American Standard's Americast® Cambridge soaking tub. The Kohler wear surface is an acrylic. The Americast wear surface is enameled steel. No matter how acrylic is treated, it is never going to be as tough as enameled or porcelanized steel. The prices are similar. Americast is a proprietary American Standard process by which a relatively thin and light-weight steel is reinforced with a composite material for strength and resilience. The result is nearly as durable as cast iron, but at a fraction of the weight. Slightly heavier than fiberglass, but not much. Lest you think this is an American Standard advertisement, I have to tell you that I am not a big fan of American Standard. It is now majority-owned by LIXIL, a Japanese company, and most products are made in Mexico from Chinese components. The 50,000 American workers who used to make American Standard products in the U.S. have been pared down to 3,000, mostly in its headquarters in New Jersey. Nope, not a big fan at all. Americast, however, is an exception. It is made in Salem, Ohio in one of the very last American Standard U.S. factories. I have an Americast tub in one bathroom, a Kohler fiberglass soaking tub tub in the second. There is no contest. The Americast tub looks brand new after 15 years. The Kohler tub is definitely showing signs of age. For more information of American Standard, and especially its faucets, see our American Standard Faucets Review and Rating.

Thanks guys!! Yes I don't know what to do which is why I posted here. I have zero exprience remodeling bathrooms and I don't know much about cost effectiveness. If cost wasn't a factor, I would hire a contractor to do all the work, rip out the tub, replumb, rebuild the surround and have a snazzy ceramic tile pattern done. I was wondering about the quality of a reglazing project. I can't take the tub out as is, the behemouth would have to make two turns and navigate over a bannister. They must have built the house around the tub, lol! I asked my neighbor who had his bathroom redone, and he said they broke his tub up to get it out. Another friend who redid his farmhouse bathroom said he broke his tub up with a sledgehammer. My neighbor said his remodeler used a blowtorch. It's not that I have ZERO household skills, but when we're talking sledgehammers and blowtorches . . . I might be able to get help getting the thing out, but then I would be left with the problem of filling in the hole. So far, I haven't found anyone who can reinstall a bathtub and surround for a reasonable cost. I absolutely cannot go over 4 K. Less would be better. So the reglazing or plastic insert seem like good ideas because they are not so invasive. With these old houses, you tear something out to solve one problem and uncover another, lol!! The tub is all grey and pitted at the bottom, and has lots of rust around the holes for the old fixtures. Looks really bad. But I'm most concerned about the plastic wall surround panels coming unglued and the caulk between the wall and the tub getting moldy. I bleach it almost every other week, but the fact that it molds up that fast has me worried. In their new house, my parents have a tub and surround all molded from one piece of plastic. It is very basic but easy to clean. I am worried about just "covering up" a problem which could harbor mold. I'll see about getting my friend to come by with his camera. He's coming by to take a look at the place but not until after he finishes a grad class he is taking, so it will be after next week. This friend is very handy and he's already remodeled one house and is in the middle of his second. He said he would help, but he does so much for me already, I am having a hard time thinking of a good swap for all of this! I already ply him with baked goods and jam!! He's married so his wife takes pretty good care of him. He's a former student of mine, so I did help in a lot back in the day, but the student has surpassed the master at this point!!

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!