Acrylic Tub vs Cast-Iron Tub: Which is Better?

Q: What is an Acrylic Bathtub?

Acrylic tubs are typically lightweight, meaning they can be placed on any level of the home without the need for additional supports in the floor. They are made from vacuum-formed sheets of acrylic and often reinforced with fiberglass to improve durability.

Q: What is a Cast Iron Bathtub?

While all bathtubs' lifespans can vary, cast iron tubs are well-known for their durability, lifespan, and ability to retain heat better than any other tub. Beginning with iron ore, the metal is melted and molded into the shape of the desired tub.

Q: Which Bathtub Material Should I Choose?

Acrylic tubs are perfect for homeowners seeking customization such as a unique bathtub size, shape, or design, affordability, and a quick installation process. Cast iron tubs are excellent choices for homeowners wanting something more high-end and durable for their bathroom, and don’t mind paying for those added benefits.

Published on Tuesday June 18, 2024

For those remodeling their bathrooms – or just looking to replace an old, worn-out tub – you’ll need to determine which option is best for your home: a cast iron or acrylic tub. These two materials are popular due to their long-lasting qualities and ability to uplift the appearance of any bathroom space.

Long Home Products is here to help you decide which bathtub material is right for you.

What IS an Acrylic Bathtub?

Acrylic tubs are versatile and convenient, allowing you to bring luxury and style into any part of your home without the need for extensive renovations. Crafted from durable materials and available in a variety of designs and colors, these tubs offer both practicality and aesthetic appeal. With their affordability and ease of maintenance, they provide a simple way to elevate your bathroom.

What IS a Cast Iron Bathtub?

Cast iron tubs are known for their durability, longevity, and superior heat retention. Due to the high-quality materials used, they’re more expensive than acrylic, but they offer a luxurious, classic appearance. However, they’re also quite heavy and require reinforced floor support for installation.

Acrylic vs Cast Iron Tubs: A Comparison

Both acrylic and cast iron have their pros and cons, but overall, they’re both excellent options. The determining factor between the two usually boils down to aesthetic preferences and your potential budgetary considerations. To help you narrow down your bathtub choice, consider the following factors.

Materials

Acrylic tubs are constructed with a combination of acrylic and fiberglass, which provides a resilient and durable structure that’s resistant to cracking and chipping. This material’s flexibility allows for a wide variety of shapes and colors, offering homeowners the freedom to choose a design that suits their preferences.

Conversely, cast iron tubs are created by pouring molten iron into molds, which can restrict the range of available designs. However, the metal base of cast iron tubs makes them highly resistant to both cracking and denting, giving you a long-lasting and sturdy option.

Maintenance

Cast iron tubs are known for their outstanding durability and require minimal maintenance compared to acrylic tubs. To keep them in excellent condition, we recommend cleaning them weekly using a gentle mixture of soap and water and a soft sponge or cloth.

Although acrylic tubs are also durable, they’re also more susceptible to staining over time. As a result, it’s important to clean acrylic tubs regularly to prevent stains from setting in.

Cost

If you’re making a decision based on your budget, choosing an acrylic bathtub may be the best option. Acrylic tubs are known for being among the most cost-effective types of bathtubs available, while cast iron tubs tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum. In fact, cast iron tubs can be anywhere from two to four times more expensive than acrylic tubs.

The higher cost of a cast iron tub is due to both the material itself and the installation process. Installing a cast iron tub usually requires floor reinforcement to ensure proper support. On the other hand, acrylic tubs are lightweight and relatively easy to install.

Heat Retention

Insulated acrylic tubs excel at retaining heat, especially when compared to other materials in a similar price range. However, they can’t match the heat retention capabilities of cast iron tubs, which are renowned for their exceptional ability to absorb and transfer heat. This characteristic allows cast iron tubs to keep bath water warm for an extended period, surpassing most other materials in this aspect.

Which Bathtub Material Should I Choose?

The decision is ultimately yours to make based on the factors mentioned above. Generally speaking, though, homeowners who enjoy the freedom of customization, a more affordable option, or quick installation would do better with an acrylic tub. Those who seek luxury and durability might choose a cast iron tub as a high-quality, long-term investment.

Let’s Install Your New Bathtub

At Long Home Products™, we provide quality materials and unparalleled craftsmanship with all our bathroom projects. If you’re looking to upgrade your bathtub or get a tub replacement, visit us online to schedule a free in-home consultation!