Materials Used To Make Bathtubs

When you are shopping online for bathtubs you will notice that there are only about a handful of materials that are normally used to make them. The materials are acrylic, enamel coated cast iron, and fiberglass. There are definitely other materials used to construct tubs but, in my opinion, these are the most popular ones and so I will explain them here for the benefit of those who are not already familiar with them.



Acrylic is one of the materials that is most commonly used to make bathtubs, and its popularity in this market is growing. It is a type of plastic that is heated in sheets before being formed into molds. The thicker the acrylic is, the better and stronger it will be. Thin acrylic can break or crack over time, especially if it is not supported by another strong material like fiberglass or metal. The best acrylic tubs will usually be reinforced with fiberglass, as it makes them very durable and sturdy.

Another benefit of using acrylic to make bathtubs is that it is resistant to staining and fading; this means that your acrylic tub will normally be able to keep its beauty for many years. If the surface gets scratched it is also very easy to repair. All you will need to fix a scratch on acrylic is to sand the area down with fine-grit wet and dry sandpaper that is inexpensive and readily available at your local hardware store. When they are insulated, acrylic tubs are also very good at holding heat.

Enamel Coated Cast Iron

Tubs made from enamel coated cast iron are usually very durable. The cast iron is heated and molded into the shape of the bathtub and then finished with an enamel coating. Enamel-coated cast iron is very durable and will last for a long time. It is very heavy however, and due to its weight it is not recommended that you use this type of tub on any floor other than the ground floor of your house.

These tubs are also usually very expensive. They are available in a wide range of colors and they also hold heat very well. If the enamel coating gets scratched it can be easily repaired with an enamel repair kit. The enamel coating protects the cast iron from rusting, so if it does chip it is best to repair it right away.


There are tubs that are made with only fiberglass. These tubs are usually very affordable; in fact they are some of the cheapest bathtubs that you can buy. They are also very lightweight because fiberglass itself does not weigh very much. A layer of polyester gel coating is usually applied to fiberglass before it is used to make a tub.

Unfortunately however, fiberglass is not the best material for constructing a bathtub if you want to have that bathtub for a very long time. The material doesn’t wear very well and it is prone to scratching. It doesn’t hold heat very well either. The average life expectancy of a fiberglass tub is only about twelve years. I did not review any fiberglass tubs on this website but I thought it important to mention that they do exist.

As you can see, acrylic and cast iron are much better choices for a bathtub. It maybe tempting to go for one that is made of fiberglass because they are so cheap, but it will not last you for very long and you will find that you need to get a new one much sooner than if you get an acrylic or cast iron tub. Acrylic bathtubs are more expensive but they are also very durable. If you plan to install your bathtub on any floor other than the ground floor, acrylic will be your best option, as cast iron is very heavy, especially after being filled with water.