The Pros and Cons of Acrylic Bathtubs

Acrylic is a popular choice for bathtub material because it’s low-maintenance, lightweight, affordable and available in a wide variety of colors, shapes and designs to suit a vast array of needs. Before you leap to upgrade your bathroom with an acrylic tub, it’s best to know all the pros and cons of acrylic tubs.

What is an Acrylic Tub? 

Acrylic tubs are made from clear plastic that is vacuum-formed and reinforced with fiberglass layers to increase durability. Due to their manufacturing process, acrylic tubs tend to be a bit more expensive than fiberglass tubs, but are far more affordable than a majority of bathtub materials. 

Additionally, the flexible base plastic material of acrylic tubs makes it easy to customize your acrylic tub to the size, shape, color and style you prefer.

Acrylic Bathtub Pros and Cons

Acrylic bathtubs are a perfect fit for many homeowners but they may not be the right fit for every situation. This acrylic bathtub pros and cons list will help you determine if an acrylic tub is the best solution for your bathroom remodel. 

Pros

Affordability: When considering the pros and cons of acrylic tubs, affordability is one of the best pros that sets acrylic tubs apart. While they tend to be more expensive than fiberglass tubs, acrylic tubs are one of the most affordable bathtub options currently on the market. Whether you’re remodeling your bathroom or just upgrading an old tub, an acrylic bathtub is likely to fit your budget.

Heat Retention: When considering the pros and cons of any bathtub material, you must consider heat retention. Thankfully, acrylic tubs offer good heat retention for the cost of the tub, keeping bath water warm for longer than many other materials.

Easy Maintenance and Repairs: When using the appropriate cleaning materials and methods, acrylic bathtubs are easy to maintain and repair. While acrylic tubs aren’t resistant to all damages, they are easy to repair should damage occur. Scratches can easily be polished out or filled in, making them one of the easiest tubs to repair.

Durability: Since they are reinforced with fiberglass, acrylic tubs are very durable and can last for years. As mentioned, they’re also quite easy to maintain and repair, which means they can last even longer without needing to be replaced.

Customization: Acrylic is a malleable material which allows these bathtubs to come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and styles. No matter your bathroom design, you’ll be able to find an acrylic tub to fit. 

Lightweight: Acrylic tubs consist of lightweight materials which makes them easy to install and replace. Plus, they don’t require any floor reinforcements so they can be installed on any level of your home.

Cons

Surface Staining or Scratching: While acrylic tubs are easier to repair than many other tub materials and can be chip resistant, they are prone to staining and scratching when improperly maintained or cleaned. 

More Sensible: If you’re looking for the fanciest option when it comes to tubs, acrylic might not be right for you. While they come in a wide variety of shapes and designs, and can even suit some high end needs, they aren’t as high-end as some other materials, such as cast iron.

Sensitive to Some Cleaners: Acrylic tubs are more sensitive to abrasive cleaners, so you’ll have to be careful about what you use on your acrylic tub. You’ll have to clean it with appropriate cleaning materials often to prevent staining and scratching. 

You Don’t Have to Choose Between Quality and Affordability 

Evaluating all the pros and cons of acrylic bathtubs will help better equip you to make the right choice when it comes to your bathtub replacement or bathroom remodel.

At Long Baths™, we provide quality materials and unparalleled craftsmanship because the quality you notice often comes from the details you don’t. If you’re looking to upgrade your bathtub, call 844-308-9135 or visit us online today to get a quote or schedule a free, in-home consultation!

Interested in Long Home Products?
See our special offers now.