An Acrylic Bathtub – Is It the Perfect Choice?
If you are thinking about installing a new bathtub or bathtub shower in your home, choosing an acrylic bathtub can be beneficial for a number of different reasons. To be certain, you have a number of different choices when it comes to the type of materials that you’re going to use for the bathtub that you install, all the way from cast-iron or something heavy, such as a copper bathtub down to fiber glass and acrylic. The reasons that you would want to choose one that is acrylic are quite varied, but it can really fit into almost any living environment. Here are a few of the reasons why we recommend an acrylic bathtub to those who are making a purchase.
One of the main reasons why you might want to choose acrylic when it comes to your tub is because it is one of the easiest types of materials that there is to maintain. You need to understand the difference, however, between an acrylic finish and one that is made of acrylic resin throughout. Whenever a bathtub is made with acrylics included in the building material, it is going to maintain the same color the entire way through the tub. If scratches should happen to occur, you would not have a visible scar on the tub because it would scratch the surface into a different colored underlayment.
Acrylic is also extremely easy to clean, and you can use almost any type of cleaning material in an acrylic bathtub. For example, many people like to use something that is somewhat abrasive whenever cleaning their tub and although we would never recommend that you use something that is harsh, you would not have to worry about scratches in an acrylic tub, such as you would in another variety, such as a copper bathtub. Acrylic is going to hold up very well to regular cleaning and maintenance.
When it comes to bathtub refinishing, especially after a number of years of being in place, acrylic is a very easy to touch up as well. It may be possible that somebody will just be able to come in and do some spot repairs on any scratches that may have occurred inside of the tub over the course of time. If they are going to refinish the entire tub, it is easier to refinish acrylic than it is to refinish something that may be rusted underneath, such as cast-iron.
Finally, an acrylic bathtub is going to be much lighter than cast iron bathtubs or perhaps a copper bathtub. By installing something that is acrylic in your bathroom, you’re not only going to have it easier whenever the actual installation is taking place but you’re not going to have to be concerned about the weight which is on the floor, day after day. Acrylic is a very beautiful material and whenever it is maintained properly, it can give you years of service without having to worry about any major repairs needing done. If the repair should happen to be done, however, you can be confident that they can be seamlessly finished.
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Modernize Your Bathroom With an Acrylic Tub
Bathtubs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and the choice is constantly growing. Traditionally bathtubs were made from cast iron, however today acrylic tubs are more popular. Whilst cast iron tubs were excellent at maintaining a warm temperature they were very heavy and many would rust or corrode over time.
Acrylic bathtubs are made from acrylic which is a type of synthetic polymer which acts very much like thick plastic. There are two main types of acrylic one which is reinforced for strength using fiberglass and another which is backed with a structural composite.
In order to create a bathtub the acrylic needs to be flattened out into large sheets. These are then heated up until they become quite soft. Once they are soft and they are slowly stretched into the shape of a bathtub, this is done using a mould and creates an exact shape. Due to the stretching the acrylic can become very thin in places, so it is wise to buy an acrylic bathtub that has a high percentage of acrylic in it.
People tend to buy acrylic bathtubs as they come in a wide variety of different colours and different shapes. Due to the fact that they can be easily moulded there are few shapes that cannot be achieved using acrylic. With this in mind acrylic bathtubs can be purchased to fit any size bathroom at all and it is this fact that most people find so very beneficial.
As you have seen acrylic tubs are bathtubs which are made from acrylic rather than the traditional cast iron. It is down to the individual to decide whether or not they would like to go for a cheaper acrylic tub or a more vintage cast iron tub. Both have their strengths and weaknesses and often it is the aesthetic appeal that wins over the buyer.
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$2,937.13
The American Standard Reminiscence Slipper Soaking Clawfoot Bath Tub – FREE Inside Delivery! is made of acrylic with durabond. It has raised headrest with molded-in arm rests at lumbar end. The sculpted rim is designed to match Reminiscence chinaware fixtures. The Clawfoot Bath Tub is available in variety of exterior and interior finish options. The American Standard Reminiscence Slipper Soaking Clawfoot Bath Tub – FREE Inside Delivery! s image is shown with faucets. We will bring your Clawfoot Bath Tub Inside! We won\’t leave it curbside like the other guys.
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The St Thomas Creations Barrymore Clawfoot Bath Tub – FREE Inside Delivery! is made of Lucite XL acrylic, features roll top, freestanding center drain. The water capacity is 65 gallons and the Clawfoot Bath Tub comes in variety of colors and claw feet finish options. The St Thomas Creations Barrymore Clawfoot Bath Tub – FREE Inside Delivery! s image is shown with faucets. We will bring your Clawfoot Bath Tub Inside! We won’t leave it curbside like the other guys.
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The St Thomas Creations Celebration Petite Clawfoot Bath Tub – FREE Inside Delivery! is made of Lucite XL acrylic, features roll top, freestanding center drain. The water capacity is 40 gallons and the Clawfoot Bath Tub comes in variety of colors and claw feet finish options. We will bring your Clawfoot Bath Tub Inside! We won\’t leave it curbside like the other guys.
Choosing the Right Clawfoot Design
Opting for an Old World look in the bathroom is not only stylish, but can build equity in the home as well. Once the decision has been made as to the specifics of the design for the bathroom, the choice for the focal point which can be one of the many styles of clawfoot tubs available today, can be made. There are many things to keep in mind during this process, however.
o Cast iron or acrylic – This is one of the biggest decisions to be made. A reclaimed cast iron model that may be damaged a little bit is much cheaper and can be refinished saving you some money on the front-end, but you have to remember that these tubs weigh 250 to 400 pounds on average and need a specially reinforced floor. If you have a 2nd floor bathroom this may not be the best choice as it is not only difficult to move into the space, but may need the help of specialists to ensure the floor can support the weight. However, although they take longer to warm up they do stay warmer than their acrylic counterparts. Acrylic replicas are lightweight, look just like the original, and can even be fitted with a whirlpool feature if desired. However, repairing a damaged one is less successful in most cases.
o Choose a professional finish – Although clawfoot tubs can be repaired with a kit, for really professional looks opt for electrostatic painting which utilizes an adherent, non-slip paint that produces superior results. It costs around $300 and does not hold up well to strong abrasives or chemical cleaners so these factors would have to be taken into consideration before selecting this option.
o Keeping it clean – Although many choose to utilize one of the daily tub and tile cleaners for ensuring sanitation in the bathroom, an inexpensive option is equal parts of vinegar and water. Simply spritz it on and wipe it off. Additionally, there are not harsh chemicals that might damage the finishes of clawfoot tubs.
o Pick a style – There are several styles of clawfoot tubs which help bathtubs fit into any décor. Slipper, double-slipper, and Roman are the most common and all stand on beautifully cast feet. The flared ends are perfect for supporting the neck and they average 60″ in length to fit many body types. Hot, molten iron was originally poured into a mold which gave the tubs their hard surface. Then porcelain was added it was found they were quite durable. A similar method is still used today.
o Where to find them – The original clawfoot tubs can still be found in a variety of places from estate sales, to eBay, to flee markets so don’t hesitate to look in unusual places. In many areas of the country they can be picked up for a very reasonable price if you can transport them, but in some areas they can cost into the thousands of dollars. Therefore, if you don’t feel like searching high and low for the perfect clawfoot tub and have the resources, don’t worry because they’re becoming very popular again so are becoming easier to find.
o Get what you want the first time – Newer clawfoot tubs come with a variety of amenities. If you want a shower head, telephone, or a special style of knob for turning the water on and off just make sure you get what you want the first time as it’s difficult to change it later without changing the whole system.
o Watch for design elements that can’t be changed – Some features lock you into a specific style that can’t be changed. For example, if you opt for the American version of clawfoot tubs, you’ll find holes in the tub, in the end or center depending on personal preference, where the faucets are placed. On the European model all plumbing is on the outside of the tub. Therefore, an American tub can never become European since it’s impossible to completely seal the holes made for plumbing. However, a European tub can be turned into an American version by drilling holes. Just be sure that the option you choose is one you can live with for a long time.
Clawfoot tubs make bathrooms unique, can be economical, and are definitely chic by today’s standards. It provides a one-of-a-kind feeling that cannot be replicated with any other style of bathtub. If you want to find a way to rejuvenate and reenergize yourself on a daily basis then consider the purchase of one of the many clawfoot tubs on the market today as it should be at the top of your list of must-sees.
Did you know that you don’t have to settle for the same old standard bathtub? When someone walks into your bathroom, the bathtub is usually the focal point. Transition your bathroom from standard to more modern with one of the different vintage tub styles.
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$10,304.00
The Herbeau Cast Iron Marie Louise Clawfoot Bath Tub – FREE Inside Delivery! is made of cast iron and the bath tub capacity is 50 gallons. The drain can be installed either left or right side and the Clawfoot Bath Tub come in variety of finish options. The Herbeau Cast Iron Marie Louise Clawfoot Bath Tub – FREE Inside Delivery! s image is shown with faucets. We will bring your Clawfoot Bath Tub Inside! We won\’t leave it curbside like the other guys.
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The Herbeau 5.5 ft Cast Iron Retro Clawfoot Bath Tub – FREE Inside Delivery! is constructed of cast iron and the drain can be installed either left or right side. The Clawfoot Bath Tub features charm and gracious living of the past, which merges with the technology and convenience of the present. Choose from a variety of finishes. The Herbeau 5.5 ft Cast Iron Retro Clawfoot Bath Tub – FREE Inside Delivery! s image is shown with faucets. We will bring your Clawfoot Bath Tub Inside! We won\’t leave it curbside like the other guys.
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The St Thomas Creations Celebration Grande Clawfoot Bath Tub – FREE Inside Delivery! is made of Lucite XL acrylic, features roll top, freestanding center drain. The water capacity is 65 gallons and the Clawfoot Bath Tub comes in variety of colors and claw feet finish options. We will bring your Clawfoot Bath Tub Inside! We won\’t leave it curbside like the other guys.