Selecting the perfect tub for your bathroom goes beyond just finding an appealing design. To ensure you make the right choice, you must also consider the fundamental material the tub is constructed from. This frequently leads customers to ask a major question: “Should I choose a tub made of steel or one made of polymer (acrylic)?”
This decision involves more complexities than you might realize. Each material presents distinct advantages and disadvantages, covering factors such as heat retention, structural integrity, cleaning ease, and environmental impact.
This article is designed to cover the core features of each material:
- The benefits and drawbacks of polymer tubs.
- The benefits and drawbacks of metal tubs.
After reading, you should have a clearer understanding of which material would best suit your specific bathroom needs.
Choosing a Polymer (Acrylic) Tub
First, a quick look at polymer material. This is an incredibly versatile plastic used in a wide range of consumer products. It is relatively inexpensive to produce, shatter-resistant, and can be easily colored—all characteristics that make it highly suitable for bath tubs.
However, polymer tubs have earned a reputation among some people, mainly because early models were not as robust as the superior, reinforced versions available today. If past experience has left you with a negative view of polymer, modern manufacturing advancements warrant giving these tubs a second chance.
What Are the Benefits of a Polymer Tub?
Here are the main reasons consumers favor polymer tubs:
- Affordability: They are typically cheaper to purchase because they are easier and more efficient to mass-produce than metal alternatives.
- Durability and Resilience: They are durable and especially well-suited for bathrooms that see frequent use from individuals who may not be particularly careful, such as young children.
- Strengthened Options: Modern tubs are often reinforced, sometimes featuring a wooden baseboard to enhance strength and prevent warping. Some even incorporate multiple layers of resin, making their structural integrity comparable to metal.
- Design Flexibility: The material is naturally flexible, allowing it to be easily molded into complex shapes. This means you are more likely to find a specific or unique design in this material.
- Variety: They come in a wide selection of colors and designs. Modern manufacturing processes allow them to achieve a refined, elegant look comparable to non-plastic tubs.
- Warmth to the Touch: They feel warmer against the skin, avoiding the shock of cold metal when first entering the tub, which can be particularly unpleasant in winter.
- Easy Cleaning: The surface is non-porous, simplifying the cleaning process.
What Are the Drawbacks of a Polymer Tub?
Despite the advantages, here are some common reasons people are hesitant about polymer tubs:
- Risk of Damage: They are more susceptible to damage; an impact that would not harm a metal tub may cause a polymer one to scratch, crack, or even split.
- Material Flexing: The nature of the material means it will always exhibit slight flexing, even when correctly installed. This is less of a concern with newer, reinforced models but can still deter some buyers.
- Discoloration: The material can gradually become discolored over the years due to prolonged exposure to UV light and certain chemicals found in aggressive cleaning products.
- Environmental Impact: The material’s production relies on fossil fuels, and the finished tubs are not 100% recyclable, making them less ideal from an environmental perspective than metal.
What About Metal?
Metal tubs are typically made from a strong alloy, often iron combined with other elements. This material is renowned for its strength, used in everything from machinery and ships to buildings.
What Are the Benefits of a Metal Tub?
Metal tubs remain popular for several reasons:
- Aesthetic and Solidity: The material conveys a sense of permanence and elegance. Metal tubs often have strong, clean lines that complement both modern and traditional design aesthetics effectively.
- Impact Resistance: They are coated with enamel, which is highly resistant to impact. It is extremely difficult to chip or crack a metal tub (for example, if a showerhead were to drop). If minor damage does occur, the surface can often be sanded and re-enameled.
- Longevity: They are exceptionally durable and built to last a very long time, often outlasting even the most reinforced polymer tubs.
- Customization: The exterior can be painted, opening up a range of unique design options. The color is also protected by the coating and will not yellow or fade over time like polymer.
- Color Retention: The coating ensures the color remains pure for longer, even with exposure to cleaning products.
- Hygiene: Certain metal surfaces are less hospitable to germs, making them naturally more hygienic than polymer. This is boosted by the material’s resistance to scratches, which can otherwise harbor dirt.
- Environmental Friendliness: They are considered more environmentally sound due to less intensive manufacturing processes and the fact that metal tubs are almost completely recyclable.
- Water Temperature Retention: They retain water temperature effectively, though often not quite as well as reinforced polymer.
What Are the Drawbacks of a Metal Tub?
There are legitimate reasons why consumers hesitate before choosing a metal tub:
- Cold to the Touch: The material is highly conductive, making it feel very cold when first touching it, especially in winter. It takes time for the warm water to heat the metal itself.
- Higher Cost: They typically have a higher price point due to the production complexity and material cost, potentially exceeding the budget for some bathroom renovations.
- Weight: The material properties that make metal tubs sturdy also make them very heavy. Maneuvering them for installation, particularly in upstairs bathrooms, can be difficult.
- Structural Requirements: For heavier models, the bathroom floor or subfloor may need to be reinforced to safely support the tub’s weight when filled with water and a person.
- Earthing Requirement: Depending on local regulations and the home’s wiring, a metal tub may need to be electrically “earthed” to prevent risk in case of an electrical fault.
Final Considerations for Choosing Your Tub
Your bathing habits should be the main factor in your decision. If you value a long, luxurious soak, you might choose to invest more in a material that enhances the experience. If you have young children, you may prioritize durability and easy cleaning. If you are prone to feeling cold or take very long baths, you can always add external insulation around the tub to help keep the water hotter for longer.
If you don’t develop a strong preference after reviewing the pros and cons, the simplest path is often to choose the tub whose design and aesthetic you prefer most.
Which Material Holds Temperature Better?
This is a frequently asked question with varying answers. The general consensus is that polymer offers better insulation than metal. However, because most of a tub’s heat is lost upwards through the water’s surface (evaporation), the difference in heat retention between the two materials is often smaller than anticipated.
