Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - bath tubs - fiberglass vs. C.I.

I am considering replacing our tub, and I'm confused by what I hear/read about fiberglass tubs. Most say cast iron is the best, most durable surface, and that fiberglass scratches, scuffs, and can eventually be difficult to clean. Others say fiberglass is easy to keep nice-looking and clean. What's the truth? Also, I've heard that fiberglass tubs need a concrete floor - is this true?

[This message has been edited by KarlD (edited September 11, 2000).]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KarlD:
I am considering replacing our tub, and I'm confused by what I hear/read about fiberglass tubs. Most say cast iron is the best, most durable surface, and that fiberglass scratches, scuffs, and can eventually be difficult to clean. Others say fiberglass is easy to keep nice-looking and clean. What's the truth? Also, I've heard that fiberglass tubs need a concrete floor - is this true?

Fiberglass is the wave of the future in bathroom design.It's easy to work with,looks great,and also easy to keep clean and to maintain.Cast iron is a great tub also but it's heavy , bulky and if chips hard to touch up for the job it has to do! so i say fiberglass. A great place that has a awesome selection is the HOME DEPOT plus they promise the best out in the market

[This message has been edited by KarlD (edited September 11, 2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Check the quality of the fiberglass tubs at home Depot and Lowes vs those at a building supply house. There is a reason Home Depot is lower in price. Its called quality.

My preference -- don't buy either cast iron or fiberglass. Buy steel. And although Home Depot has some cheap junk, they have good stuff too. Don't paint it all with the same brush.

Each has it's pros and cons. Yes, cast iron is very durable. But, on average, a cast iron tub weighs 350 pounds. You'll find out who your real friends are when you need to have it carried upstairs! Cast iron can chip and rust out around the drain and overflow. But, with the advent of plastic shampoo bottles, there is less of an opportunity to chip the tub. Fiberglass can scratch. You should only clean the tub with a liquid cleanser and non-abrasive cleaning pad such as you use on Teflon coated pots and pans. Fiberglass tubs and acrylic tubs should be set in a mortar bed. The mortar will fill the voids in the bottom of the tub. This will elimate the cracking and creaking associated with fiberglass. For my money, I'd install an acrylic tub. It has the characteristics of fiberglass, but is of a higher quality (and higher price). If you accidently scratch it, you can buff, or lightly sand, the scratches. Unlike fiberglass, it is a solid material which allows this type of repair to be done.