Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - bath tub idea?

im going to be redoing my bathroom...can anyone suggest a tub to use...i know cast iron last forever,thats what i have now,but the weight of it is a killer...i was told the plastic new tubs are nice but must be installed correctly,so they dont twist or settle...any suggestions on a standard tub for a do it yourselfer to install other then cast iron....thanks ..

I am going through the same search for a tub. Americast made by American Standard has been recommended to me. When I asked one retailer what it was made of he told me it was porcelain over cast iron over steel. Another retailer said it was plastic over steel. The American Standard website mentions "glossy porcelain" and not much else. So at the moment I haven't a clue, but still looking. Surely someone knows what it is. :confused:

According to American Standard, Americast is a composition of porcelain bonded to enameling grade metal (probably steel) bonded to a patented structural composite.
I am now more confused than when I started. That is on their site though. Good luck.

lovmy4x4,

As Majakdragon mentioned it's makeup is different. Americast is lighter, easier to handle and less expensive than cast iron but you get what you pay for. Many people actually consider it "a replacement for cast iron". IMHO, it will never happen.

I have had 3 customers who installed Americast products. Each has had to have them replaced. Reason being is that they chip easily. This is just my experience and you should check them out for yourself. The plastic "casing" on one cracked 2 years ago, and it caused leaks around the drain. Owner had to do repairs below in dining room due to this. The one client said it chipped and scratched easier than the tub it replaced which was a 45 year old cast iron unit. I can't suggest this product to future clients due to its possibility of failure.

I prefer a good acyrlic unit. I am not talking plastic but a unit like Lasco, for example.

Hope this helps!

i just looked at kohlers acrylic tub,seems nice...read instructions and it basically looks like a cast iron tub install....and only weights 60 pounds.. :) ...i guess it doesnt need a motored base like i was told...think i might go with this set up....anyone have any bad expierences with kohler...

lovmy4x4,

i guess it doesnt need a motored base like i was told.

I'd have great concern for your comment on the above. It is best to add additional support, whether it be a cast iron, acrylic or fiberglass unit. Even Kohler recommends this on most units and doesn't say it on a few. Unsure what you are considering. Those suggesting not, I doubt their units will be trouble free.

http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/pdf/1023730_2.pdf (See page 4)

http://jacuzzi.com/pdf/K272.PDF (See Framing and Support)

I recommend this and this is how I did installations. No problems at all!

Following the directions per the manufacture for installation. Lack of support causes squeaks, in some cases leaks at drain pipe fittings and worst of all cracks in the finish material. Most manufacturers recommend or suggest installing a mortar base support under the tub bottom before setting the tub in place. You can use either a bag of Quikcrete or my prewferred method, a 5 gallon pail of pre-mix joint compound. ( usually I use the pre-mix 5 gallon...lazy and it's less mess) You can lay poly down under the tub prior to doing this to prevent any moisture issues while this is drying.

When this sets up, usually with 24-48 hours, your tub bottom will be rock solid supported!

This does 2 things;

1. Prevents any possibility of potential cracking within the fiberglass/acrylic.

2. Eliminates any movement at the tub drain assembly or potential leaks that could happen. The primary word here is "movement". We don't want any!

Ensure that you do not get any around the tub drain assembly should you need to do anything down the line. In most cases, the holes cut for the drain lines will keep any base support away from it.

Hope this helps!