Comparing Bathtub Materials: Porcelain Enamel vs. Acrylic
Homeowners weighing comfort, performance, durability, and cost may find that acrylic bathtubs offer practical benefits over traditional porcelain enamel models, despite the classic appeal of the latter.
By Blake Wood
Classic claw-foot tubs are typically made of porcelain-enameled cast iron.
A traditional porcelain enamel claw-foot tub gives a bathroom a timeless elegance, yet appearance alone does not determine the best choice. For homeowners prioritizing comfort, performance, durability, and value, porcelain tubs may not be the ideal selection. Modern acrylic tubs avoid many of porcelain's shortcomings while introducing relatively few drawbacks of their own.
Enameled Cast Iron
Porcelain is a ceramic material that gains exceptional durability when fired at high temperature. Since the 19th century, cast iron coated with porcelain enamel has been a standard material for bathtubs. Although highly durable, it comes with multiple drawbacks. The weight is substantial, and iron tubs are seldom offered in the larger dimensions that are common in contemporary bathrooms. The surface feels cold, and the porcelain layer is susceptible to chipping and cracking, which can be hard to fix.
Porcelain on Steel
Steel tubs with a porcelain coating imitate the appearance of cast iron models while addressing some of iron's limitations. Steel weighs much less than iron, and steel tubs cost less than iron ones. However, the porcelain enamel on steel is just as prone to chipping as the coating on iron, and the surface feels equally cool. Additionally, steel tubs often produce considerable noise while water is running into them.
Acrylic Options
Compared with porcelain enamel tubs, whether made of steel or cast iron, acrylic tubs offer multiple benefits. Acrylic tubs are light in weight and long-lasting. Their cost is significantly lower than that of porcelain tubs, and they come in a broader range of styles and colors. Acrylic surfaces resist scratches less effectively than porcelain does, but acrylic is far easier to repair. Acrylic feels warmer than porcelain, and acrylic tubs keep bath water warm for a longer period than iron or steel tubs.
Acrylic Surrounds
With iron and steel tubs, a water-resistant wall is required, typically made of ceramic tile, which makes installing these tubs expensive, slow, and labor-intensive. Acrylic tub surrounds enclose the tub using walls formed from acrylic sheets; these panels are simpler to install and cost less than tile walls. Fiberglass tub surrounds share this benefit, though acrylic outlasts fiberglass.
