Just like
any other industry Tub King experiences buyers who want to get “more bang for
their buck”. Sometimes this will lead the buyer to make the decision to
purchase a cheaper “replica” of a cast iron clawfoot or freestanding tub. This is not an
uncommon mentality when building and remodeling. However, the decision to save
a buck today may cost a significant amount of money down the line.
Property
inspectors, insurance agents, realtors, and the like have tools available to
them which indicate the life expectancy of items and furnishings in a home and
use the data in attaching values to the individual items and the home in
general. The end result of which can affect the price point related to
insuring, renting, and listing the property for sale.
Taking this
in to account let’s consider the following example:
·Tub King’s 72" Double Slipper Pedestal Cast Iron Bathtub currently priced at $1545
·Competitor 72” Double Slipper Pedestal Acrylic
Bathtub currently priced at $1238
If we were
to pull up the aforementioned “life expectancy” data we would find that, IF
properly cared for and maintained, the life expectancy for an acrylic tub is
approximately 30 years. I stress “if properly cared for and maintained” because acrylic tubs are subject to chipping, cracking, scratches, and turning yellow over time. Referencing the same data a cast iron tub can last
upwards of 100+ years but we will be generous and utilize the lowest referenced
number of 50 years. Cast iron is one of the most durable materials used for tubs and is resistant to most chemicals so does not share the same disadvantages of acrylic which affect the long term durability and
appearance of the tub.
Now, if the
acrylic tub has been treated like gold and reaches a grand old age of 30, what
does the homeowner do now; purchase a new tub or have it professionally refinished?
The cast iron tub still has another 20 years, at the very least, over the
acrylic tub. How does the decision to refinish or replace the acrylic tub
factor in when considering the 20 year difference?
·The homeowner purchases a replacement tub now
the 50 year cycle is $50/yr
·The home owner refinishes the tub now the 50
year cycle is $37/yr
oAssuming the refinishing job is $600
oAssuming the quality of the refinishing job adds
20 years versus the industry standard of 15 – 18 years.
In the end,
the savings of $307 actually cost the homeowner from $305 to $955 more and that
is only taking in to consideration the tubs themselves. As mentioned at the
start, the overall value of the home is affected by these types of small
purchasing decisions so the monetary impact can go further than the tub itself.
In upcoming
articles we will consider other comparisons as it relates to heat absorption,
cleaning, and care of various types of material used in tubs. Please
feel free to email edie@tubking.com with any topics or questions you’d like to
see addressed in future posts.
If you’re considering getting false
teeth, you have two primary options in terms of their material.One is acrylic and the other porcelain.
Many people choose porcelain
teeth for a variety of reasons. Porcelain is a harder substance than acrylic,
making porcelain teeth more durable.Because porcelain teeth resist wear, these dentures preserve the normal
jaw movement and alignment.Acrylic
teeth are subject to abrasion and will wear down over time, causing changes in
the length of the artificial teeth. This, in turn can alter your bite, which
could eventually cause Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) issues later on. This
condition can become very uncomfortable, if not outright painful.
Another problem with acrylic
dentures is that acrylic contains microscopic pits that can trap and retain bacteria.Brushing or quick soaking does not
effectively remove the bacteria, although overnight soaking does a better job
at cleaning dentures.The bacteria
remaining on acrylic teeth can multiply rapidly and cause bad breath, or worse,
an infection in your mouth.
One more thing: Acrylic dentures are about the same price as
porcelain. So why not choose the more durable, better functioning material?
Now let’s switch gears.Glamorous bathtubs today, like the Slipper
tub, Double Slipper, Dual-ended, Pedestals, and Roll Tops are made of either
acrylic or porcelain.Interestingly, the
pros and cons that apply to dentures apply equally to bathtubs.Which material do you think is more durable for
a tub?Let me illustrate.
Porcelain is always the material
of choice.It resists the forces of time
and every day wear and tear. Just think of the abrasive cleaners one has to
sometimes use in their bathtubs to get rid of soap grime, etc. Acrylic must be
cleaned with nonabrasive cleaners. Otherwise,
scratches may occur in the surface of the bathtub.In fact, if you were to vigorously scrub an
acrylic tub repeatedly, especially with an abrasive cleaner, over the years, it
would also develop pitting and an uneven surface.
Another thing, as we have already
shown with dentures, bacteria can get trapped in the microscopic pits of the
acrylic material.You could be setting
yourself or someone in your family up for various dermatological conditions if
you have an acrylic tube that several people bathe in.Common skin infections include cellulitis,
erysipelas, impetigo, folliculitis, and furuncles and carbuncles.Most of these are caused by the Streptococcus
or Staphylococcus species of bacteria. These conditions can range from being
uncomfortable to outright painful, and they’re almost always unattractive. Also
keep in mind they’re potentially contagious.
Not so with porcelain.The glass surface can be easily cleaned and ―
importantly ― sterilized.And from an
aesthetic standpoint, porcelain tubs’ high gloss finish can be maintained for a
hundred years with appropriate care. I
once owned a porcelain claw foot tub that was dated back to 1878, and it still
looked good.
Recently, I someone call me that
wanted to order a porcelain Clawfoot tub.He explained that he had purchased an acrylic one, but it just hadn’t
held up. He said it had started to fade and because of the weight of the water
inside the tub, it had begun to lose its once-firm shape.The legs of the tub could not even rest on
the floor properly. So he now had a tub
that had lost its aesthetic appeal and that had also become unsteady. It may
have even become “scarred” with microscopic pitting. Obviously not a good situation.
When you think about it, what is
acrylic?It’s a type of plastic. Acrylic tubs are formed from one piece of
These
sheets are put onto a mold and heated to form around the mold. After the tub is
formed, fiberglass can be sprayed onto the back of the tub for reinforcement.
colored, plastic acrylic sheets.
However, porcelain is a type of glass. You
simply can’t compare durable cast iron/porcelain with plastic for
durability.Sure, some may counter that
porcelain can break easier than some industrial grade plastics, but how often
do you see someone drop an anvil in their bathtub?
If you’re looking for a material
that will last, porcelain is your go-to choice. These tubs are made by pouring
molten iron into a mold of the desired shape, then smoothing it and coating it
with a thick layer of enamel.
Porcelain tubs are the most
durable on the marketplace. Their finish is resistant to chipping, scratching
and denting, as well as most types of chemicals. There are a number of
different colors available, and there’s a richness to cast iron that just can’t
be matched, truth to tell. Porcelain also tends to retain the water’s heat
better than acrylic and other materials.
And just like the denture
illustration I gave earlier, the prices you’ll encounter when comparing acrylic
tubs to porcelain tubs are about the same.
Consider this: If you had a
choice between buying a plastic plate, or one made of fine china, and they were
both priced the same, which would you choose? Those who purchase acrylic tubs, especially the nicer designs that I
have mentioned, are eventually disappointed.I had someone tell me, “They just look cheap.”
We decided years ago that Tub King would only carry the highest
quality, cast iron/porcelain glamour tubs.They’re worth every penny and will last a lifetime, if not beyond.
Testimonial for Cast Iron Bath Tubs by Tub King
In this article, I compared the
differences between acrylic and porcelain, both as a substance for dentures, as
well as for bathtubs. I discussed the various disadvantages of acrylic, especially
in comparison to porcelain, and also shared several more positive attributes
that definitely make porcelain the material of choice for bathtubs (and
dentures).
If you found this article useful,
please share it with your friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related
to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog.
If you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Have a question?
Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this
article and I’ll personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this
information with you.
Alan and Kerry Knight are the
owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville,
Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and
senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products,
they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award”
four years running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.
