Imagine you have a hectic day and come back tired. What can make you feel relaxed? A wonderful warm bath in a premium bathtub, right? Yes, bathtubs are becoming popular interiors in homes for elevating the bathroom experience and improving aesthetics.
Acrylic bathtubs and porcelain bathtubs are the most famous kinds of bathtubs purchased by homeowners. But which one is better and has an extra edge over the other? Let us discuss this thoroughly.
Key Considerations Before Choosing Acrylic Or Porcelain Bathtubs
1. Material
They have totally different manufacturing processes, and the selection of raw materials also has a deviation for acrylic and porcelain bathtubs.
Porcelain bathtub: These bathtubs are actually made of cast iron. The iron bed has a layer of enamel coating of porcelain on the top. Due to the high density of porcelain, these bathtubs are comparatively heavier than acrylic tubs.
Acrylic bathtubs: Acrylic bathtubs are manufactured using molded acrylic sheets. Therefore, these bathtubs are light in weight and easy to install.
2. Durability
Being used in moist areas like the bathroom, durability becomes a significant factor when it comes to comparing bathtubs.
Porcelain bathtub: The enamel coating of porcelain on the surface of cast iron makes the bathtub resistant to cracks and rust. Moreover, with the water-resistant porcelain property, these bathtubs ensure longevity.
Acrylic bathtubs: These bathtubs are also impervious to water and can withstand for decades in a moist atmosphere. However, problems with scratches can't be avoided in the long run.
3. Design Versatility
If you are a person who likes something more than just simplicity, then a discussion about design perspectives is important. Here we have some crucial points differentiating both bathtubs in terms of design possibilities.
Porcelain bathtub: Porcelain itself brings a vast range of design possibilities, there you will find a lot of options for porcelain bathtubs. Whether you need a classic look or modern artistry, this can get you covered.
Acrylic bathtubs: Acrylic bathtubs also provide a beautiful range of options in terms of aesthetics, colours, and shapes. The availability of customization makes them more design flexible in comparison to porcelain tubs.
4. Maintenance
Maintenance is something that you should think about before buying anything. Because this is a repetitive process that you will have to do again and again. So, it is more important that it is easy. So let's find out which is better in this case.
Porcelain bathtub: Porcelain bathtubs can easily withstand wear and tear but can be prone to stains. Therefore, you need to be more careful in the case of porcelain tubs to maintain a gorgeous appearance.
Acrylic bathtubs: Acrylic bathtubs can't easily hold stains and, therefore can be easily cleaned with just a single wipe. Their non-porous surface is the reason behind their hassle-free maintenance.
5. Heat Retention
A hot water bath in a cosy atmosphere is what everyone needs after a busy day. But let's see which one of the bathtubs can retain the warmth for a longer period of time for you.
Porcelain bathtub: Porcelain has a great heat retention quality and helps maintain the warmness in the bathtub for a longer period of time. These bathtubs are a good choice If you are residing in a cool area.
Acrylic bathtub: Acrylic bathtubs are not that good at binding the temperature for hours. Thus water cools down faster in acrylic tubs.
6. Installation Process
Selecting any product without understanding their installation process can be problematic in future. Let's understand which one is suitable for your space in terms of installation.
Porcelain bathtub: Porcelain bathtubs are comparatively heavier than acrylic bathtubs and therefore need extra care during installation. The installation process is very much limited due to their structural requirements.
Acrylic bathtub: These bathtubs are compatible with different styles of installation processes including freestanding, alcove, and drop-in. Their flexibility makes the installation easy and hassle-free.
7. Cost
Budget is always a crucial factor whenever we are purchasing interiors. Let's see which bathtub will be a cost-effective choice for you.
Porcelain bathtub: Porcelain tubs have a complex manufacturing process. The raw materials are also not easily accessible. Therefore, sold with high price tags. However, their beauty and quality justify the price range.
Acrylic bathtub: On the other hand, acrylic bathtubs have a simple manufacturing process and require effectively lower raw materials that are easily available. Therefore, acrylic tubs are very affordable and available at reasonable prices.
Conclusion
After analysing the various aspects, we can say both acrylic and porcelain bathtubs present lucrative advantages to create a space for them in your home. But you need to evaluate the above points and extra key points like the reputation of the manufacturer, quality, and warranty period before purchasing. So, when are you getting a new bathtub for you?