Acrylic bathtubs are one of the most popular tub choices in the market primarily because they are lightweight, affordable, and relatively easy to install.
Acrylic can be formed into many shapes and sizes and retains heat well. The main disadvantages of Acrylic tubs are that they scratch easier and flex slightly under load which may give you a less stable feel. To learn the pros and cons of acrylic bathtubs, keep reading!
Advantages
1. Many Sizes and Shapes
Acrylic comes in sheets that are elastic and soft, and manufacturers can easily design it into various sizes, shapes, and even colors. Whether your household wants a huge spa-like setting or a small functional bathroom, the variety of acrylic tubs can give you many options in designing your bathroom.
2. Heat-Retaining Properties
Acrylic bathtubs have a surface that is non-porous and smooth. This type of surface creates warmth when touched at normal temperatures, which makes it a good heat-retaining feature.
This also means that you can keep water warm for an extended period compared to other types of bathtub materials. If you like soaking in a hot tub, this feature is a notable advantage.
3. Easy Maintenance
The high-gloss finish of the tub makes it stain-resistant and smooth, and this means you can clean it easily. Although acrylic tubs might be prone to scratches, their color goes all the way through their raw material, so scratches are not as visible compared to other types of tubs.
If you patch them with acrylic filler, you should sand them smooth.
4. Ultraviolet Light-Resistant
Aside from being a good heat-retaining bathtub, it is also UV light-resistant making it an ideal option in spas or when outdoors. If you like seeing the sun while soaking in a bath, this bathtub material is a better option.
5. Lightweight
As mentioned earlier, acrylic bathtubs are lightweight. They only weigh 60-70 pounds, which is lighter than cast iron tubs that weigh 200-400 pounds.
Being lightweight makes the tub easy to install at home without professional help. This also means the tub only requires less support from the floor to hold it.
Water in the tub adds weight to the floor, so a solid floor is essential.
6. Affordable
Acrylic tubs come at cheaper prices than other types of tubs. They are even half the price of tubs made of cast iron.
If you’re refitting your bathroom with a much smaller budget, an acrylic tub is a good choice.
Disadvantages
1. Scratches Easily
Because acrylic tubs have softer surfaces, they are prone to scratches. This means you should not use abrasive cleaners on them.
If scratched, you can polish or fill it with acrylic, which is already a hassle and an additional expense. If you’re having a bath with kids, you should be careful in letting them play with solid toys because these objects can scratch the tub easily.
2. Not Hard
The soft nature of acrylic makes it not hard enough to sustain longer without scratches and damage. This can mean that it has lower durability than other types of bathtubs.
You can reinforce the tub with fiberglass to increase its rigidity and durability, but this would mean an additional cost for you.
3. Slightly Flexes
The acrylic tub flexes slightly, so you might feel slightly less stable when you stand on it, which can lead to accidents. Many users hardly notice this disadvantage, so you might need extra care when using acrylic bathtubs.
4. Not as White as Steel
If you’re looking for a really white tub, matching the color of your bathroom, an acrylic tub might not be the best option. It’s not as brilliantly white as those tubs made of steel.
Acrylic bathtubs are a good option for those who are on a budget, want to have a variety of shapes and designs, and want to keep warm baths. They promise to fit the bathroom needs of many types of users, regardless of on a budget or not.
But, for people who are looking for a brilliant white tub and want to have tubs that are more solid and hard, acrylic bathtubs may not be a good option. Evaluating whether this tub is best for your family might need a lot of factors, like how members of the family use the bathtub and how often they use it.
Check back on the above pros and cons of acrylic tubs as often as you like to better assess if this is the perfect choice for you and the entire family!
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