Acrylic is a light and malleable material. For that reason, it can be molded into different shapes for the manufacture of various products. Acrylic bathtubs offer many advantages that make them an excellent option. They’re light, resistant, durable, and easy to maintain. But above all, acrylic bathtubs are much cheaper than regular porcelain bathtubs.
If you’re thinking of improving your bathroom by adding a beautiful bathtub, opting for an acrylic model would be the best way to save some extra money. If you still have doubts about which material to choose for your new bathtub, don’t worry.
Today we’ll list and explain all the pros and cons of acrylic bathtubs so you can make a better decision. You’ll also find answers to common questions about acrylic bathtubs.
Acrylic Bathtubs: Pros and Cons
Pros
1. Available in different sizes and shapes
Acrylic is commonly produced in the form of flexible sheets. To mold one of these sheets it’s only necessary to apply heat and suction. By doing this, the sheet covers the entire surface of the mold, also taking its shape. So, acrylic can be easily molded into any imaginable shape.
For that same reason, acrylic bathtubs are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes compared to similar products of different materials.
Most popular models have an oval shape with 60X32X18 inches of average size. However, it’s also possible to manufacture a unique bathtub following the customer’s specifications.
2. Durable and safe
Certainly, acrylic isn’t as strong as other bathtub materials. However, most acrylic bathtubs are reinforced with fiberglass for superior resistance to high impacts. Besides, acrylic is a safe material because it’s non-toxic and doesn’t form sharp edges when broken.
Also, like high-end inflatable hot tubs, acrylic bathtubs are UV ray resistant, so they can remain outdoors for long time periods without risks.
3. No pores on surface
Acrylic bathtubs don’t have pores on their surface. This fact makes them perfect for keeping the temperature of hot water stable for longer.
Also, the absence of pores makes the retention of water droplets on the surface virtually impossible, which is the main cause of degradation in fiberglass bathtubs.
Mold, mildew and other pathogens tend to accumulate inside the pores of some bathtubs. When this happens, stains tend to be very difficult to remove. This doesn’t happen on acrylic bathtubs, which are also very easy to clean.
4. Cheap
Acrylic bathtubs are much cheaper than those cast iron tubs that not many people can buy. For that reason, they’re the best option for those buyers with a limited budget. However, you should be very careful when buying cheap bathtubs.
Some low-cost options have too thin walls, which makes them prone to deformation and breakage. So, if you’re looking for something more durable, better opt for something more expensive.
5. Low weight
Acrylic is a very light material, which is a great advantage for the manufacture of bathtubs. The lighter the bathtub, the easier it will be to carry and install.
For example, if you live in an apartment and there isn’t enough room in the elevator, an acrylic bathtub will be much easier to carry through the stairs. It can be compared to an inflatable hot tub in this respect.
Also, acrylic bathtubs don’t exert as much stress on the floor when completely filled with water as other bathtubs made of heavier materials.
Cons
1. Too delicate
Acrylic surfaces are very delicate and tend to scratch very easily. For that reason, you can’t clean an acrylic bathtub with too harsh or abrasive cleaning products. Things like wire sponge, acetone and chlorine may leave ugly marks on the surface.
2. Higher cost
Although acrylic is a much cheaper option than ceramic, it’s still much more expensive than fiberglass. This is a big con for those with too low budgets, who prefer an acrylic bathtub to save some extra money.
However, all the benefits that acrylic offer compared to fiberglass certainly justifies the higher cost.
3. Lower lifespan
Acrylic bathtubs can last a lifetime with proper treatment. However, they don’t withstand the frequent use and heavy weight of some users as well as fiberglass bathtubs.
It’s convenient to replace an acrylic bathtub for a new one after 15 years of continuous use or even sooner if the signs of deterioration are too obvious.
Conclusion
Certainly, they’re the perfect choice for those who live in apartments and don’t have much money to buy something too fancy. In addition, they’re very easy to clean because the gunk doesn’t adhere to the surface.
Next time you buy a new bathtub, consider the quality, durability, and strength of the materials. Price isn’t always the most important thing.
Certainly, if you choose an acrylic bathtub as your first purchase option, you’ll be making an excellent decision.
FAQs
Q. 1: What is the average lifespan of an acrylic bathtub?
Ans. It all depends on the kind of treatment you give to your bathtub. However, the useful life of an acrylic bathtub is estimated to be between 10-15 years.
Q. 2: What is the best material for a bathtub?
Ans. By far, porcelain is the best material for a bathtub. However, not many people have enough money to buy porcelain bathtubs. For that reason, fiberglass and acrylic bathtubs keep being the most popular among buyers.
Q. 3: Acrylic vs fiberglass – which material is better?
Ans. Acrylic tubs are better than fiberglass models because they have no pores on their surface. This means less accumulation of water and pathogens. In addition, acrylic tubs are much more difficult to clean because stains don’t adhere to the surface.
Q. 4: What are the main advantages of acrylic bathtubs?
Ans: Acrylic bathtubs are cheap, lightweight, and easy to clean. In addition, they’re very easy to manufacture and available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.
Q. 5: Do acrylic tubs are too fragile?
Ans. It all depends on the quality of the product. If the walls of the bathtub are too thin, it will certainly break easily. However, most acrylic bathtubs are reinforced with fiberglass to prevent excessive deformation and breakage.
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