steel vs acrylic bath tubs

[sjb1]

newby here...be gentle pls.

Currently having a new bathroom installed and need to replace the bathtub. After speaking to various suppliers of bath tubs, I'm getting mixed messages as to whether steel baths are better than acrylic esp regading heat retention. My preference would be steel, however, mrs B wants a whirlpool jet system. The budget does not allow for a steel bath with jets, so am now contemplating whether to go for the acrylic with jets. Any of the pistonheads massive have experience with either?

cheers sj

[Timmy35]

Acrylic tends to flex more, that can cause problems with the seal/tiles around the bath. Also acrylic scratches quite easily.

It does seem quite popular though.

[Huntsman]

Acrylic does feel as nice, not as 'slidey' on your bum for whoshing about making waves and dunking your head back!

Enameled steel is much nicer, we bought a Kaldewei (German Brand), 30 year guarantee on the enamel, 3.9mm thick, about £230 I think, its really nice, deep, stays warm, nice finish.

[KenBlocksPants]

We were recommended by the bathroom place to go for Acrylic (it was more expensive too, so it being better made sense) and we now regret it. Very flexy you can feel you foot bending and stretching it when you stand up. I'm worried one day i'll put my foot throught it.

Thankfully we only did the house up to sell and are moving out in 3 days!

[marctwo]

Kaldewei or Bette. I don't think there's much to choose between them.

[sjb1]

thanks all.

Decided to go for an acrylic bath...however, with an amanzonite finish. Apparently this removes any sort of flex. Have gambled a tad and bought it online so heres hoping

[chris_w]

sjb1 said:

thanks all.

Decided to go for an acrylic bath...however, with an amanzonite finish. Apparently this removes any sort of flex. Have gambled a tad and bought it online so heres hoping

Hi, would you mind popping back to let us know what you think when it's in please, about to embark on a bathroom project of my own...

[vxsmithers]

I'd never buy an acrylic bath again - they creak and bend way too much for my liking and scratch way too easily.

I have a shower screen that has a rubber seal that rubs against it every day - the result after 2 years is a heavily scratched bath top - from a rubber seal...

dropping things in it also gouges chunks out of it too, and it wasn't a cheap bath either.

I'd always buy steel from now on just for the durability.

[annodomini2]

vxsmithers said:

I'd never buy an acrylic bath again - they creak and bend way too much for my liking and scratch way too easily.

I have a shower screen that has a rubber seal that rubs against it every day - the result after 2 years is a heavily scratched bath top - from a rubber seal...

dropping things in it also gouges chunks out of it too, and it wasn't a cheap bath either.

I'd always buy steel from now on just for the durability.

True they do flex, the main issue with a steel tub is if you chip the enamel, the bath will begin to rust.

[vxsmithers]

annodomini2 said:

vxsmithers said:

I'd never buy an acrylic bath again - they creak and bend way too much for my liking and scratch way too easily.

I have a shower screen that has a rubber seal that rubs against it every day - the result after 2 years is a heavily scratched bath top - from a rubber seal...

dropping things in it also gouges chunks out of it too, and it wasn't a cheap bath either.

I'd always buy steel from now on just for the durability.

True they do flex, the main issue with a steel tub is if you chip the enamel, the bath will begin to rust.

true, but it is surprisingly hard to chip the previous steel baths i've had - dropped hammers etc in them and not even a scratch, whereas I dropped some pliers in the acrylic bath and it gouged a big crater!

I know, I shouldn't be so clumsy!! and maybe i was lucky with the steel baths...