Acrylic vs. Resin – The Ultimate Winner of an Affordable Bathtub

Bathtubs are expensive. It is an investment when remodeling the bathroom, but adding a new bathtub can skyrocket the budget. This might be your thought when you think about buying a new bathtub for your home or even remodeling your bathroom. You are right, but also not right. Quite confusing, right?

Bathtubs are an investment, but they don’t need to be expensive. This is where the acrylic and resin bathtubs come into the picture. They provide the best of both worlds in terms of functionality and price, but which is the best? The acrylic or the resin bathtub? That is the question we will discuss in this article.

Without further ado, let’s get into the article!

Acrylic Bathtub – What Is It?

An acrylic bathtub is a bathtub made of compressed (vacuumed) acrylic sheets. But, acrylic, in general, is prone to cracks due to its low brittle property. This is where the fiberglass comes in. In between the compressed acrylic sheets, fiberglass is placed for better reinforcement and makes up the low brittle property. But, fiberglass is porous. Meaning, there is a great chance for the moisture to seep into the bathtub surface and may do irreparable damage. But this is avoided with the help of acrylic. The acrylic is a non-porous material and also, and fiberglass is placed in between the acrylic sheets. Even if the moisture seeps into the fiberglass, it cannot get to the other since the acrylic stops the process. On the whole, both materials have their pros and cons that suit each other.

Acrylic Bathtub – Aesthetics and Its Physical Properties

As mentioned, the first physical property is durability. Thanks to the presence of fiberglass, you can rest assured that the acrylic bathtub can give you a standard bathtub life of 10-15 years (still maintenance plays a big role), and retain its original structure (unless heavy external pressure is applied on it). Also, the acrylic bathtub is resistant to surface wrapping (a phenomenon where the excess moisture seeps through the surface of the bathtub making it lose its structural integrity which causes cracks).

The second property is heat retention. An acrylic bathtub may not be on par with other materials, such as copper and cast iron, which have great heat retention but it is good enough to get you a nice, long lukewarm soaking session. This is due to the presence of acrylic. As said, acrylic is non-porous, meaning no moisture escapes into the structure of the bathtub. The same can be said for the heat. Non-porous properties help to retain heat longer and ensure there is no unwanted dissipation of heat to the surrounding.

The third property is not an actual physical property but is related to aesthetics. Acrylic is an easy material to “manipulate” and get the desired shape and size. This availability of bathtubs in different shapes and sizes and related to one more factor, which is price. The actual cost of manufacturing an acrylic bathtub is very low compared to the other bathtub materials. And this makes it easy for the bathtub to be available in different shapes and sizes, so it can be perfect for any scenario. Price is one of the sole important factors that make acrylic bathtubs popular among users. 

Cons of Acrylic Bathtubs:

The disadvantage of an acrylic bathtub is that, even though it has good durability, it is still prone to surface abnormalities, such as scratches and stains. This can be worsened if you use a highly-abrasive cleaner to clean the bathtub. You can avoid this by regularly cleaning the bathtub with soft and all-green cleaner, and ensuring that there is no soap sediment on the surface of the tub, which can cause discoloration. This can lead to insufficient longevity and other issues down the line.

Stone-Resin Bathtub – What is It?

From the name, we can interpret that the bathtub is made of two or more materials, or another way to say that is a composite material. The stone-resin bathtub is made of stone (crushed into a certain thickness), natural minerals, and polymer resin to hold all the materials together. Since two or more materials come together, there are noticeable properties that stone-resin bathtubs possess.

Stone-Resin Bathtub – Aesthetics and Physical Properties

The first property is durability. As mentioned above, stone resin is made of stone and polymer resin. This makes the bathtub strong and durable and can withstand noticeable external pressure. Apart from that stone helps to resist any moisture on the surface, meaning that stone is a non-porous which helps to arrest the moisture, and ensure that moisture does not seep through the surface and prevent structural abnormalities.

The second “property” is aesthetics. Similar to acrylic, stone resin is also a flexible material. Meaning, it is possible to manipulate the material to get the desired shapes and sizes of the bathtub. If we are talking about aesthetics, it is necessary to address one of the most common and important issues, discolorization. Over time, bathtubs tend to lose their original color, and this is because of the chemical reaction between the surface of the bathtub and the environment. It is possible to eliminate it if you are caught at an earlier stage, but this can pose a problem. It can even interfere with your bathing experience. The best to avoid any discoloration is to do proper maintenance with all green, non-acidic cleaning agents and stay away from harsh scrubbing.

Aesthetics also influence the price of the stone-resin bathtub. Compared to acrylic bathtubs, stone-resin bathtubs tend to be pricier, and there are good reasons for that. All the benefits offered by the stone resin bathtub are superior to the acrylic bathtub.

For example, heat retention. Heat retention in acrylic bathtub is good, but the stone is a natural heat conductor and retain heat for a long period of time. This makes the perfect middle ground between acrylic and copper bathtubs. With a stone-resin bathtub, you can enjoy your dip for a long time in nice, warm water. Second, stone-resin bathtubs are much more resistant to scratches and other minor structural abnormalities, which makes them easy to maintain. Still, it is recommended to use an all-green cleaner, and soft brush to clean the soap residue, and other dirt on the surface of the tub.

Cons of Stone-Resin Bathtubs:

The first disadvantage is the weight of the bathtub. When compared to the acrylic bathtub, which is lightweight, stone-resin bathtubs are heavier. It is recommended to reinforce the floor before installing the bathtub. This helps to support the weight of the bathtub without causing damage to the floor, or even the plumbing lines.

The second disadvantage is the price of the bathtub. As said, the stone-resin bathtub is made of stone, polymer resin, and natural minerals. These materials tend to be a bit more expensive than compressed acrylic sheets, and the steps involved in the manufacturing process are also extensive. But, the price for the stone-resin bathtub can justify by its benefits, such as a good conductor of heat, and resistance to minor structural abnormalities.

Now, it is clear that stone resin is superior to acrylic in almost every way, except for the price. It all comes to the user’s choice. If you are concerned about the price, and ease of installation, an acrylic bathtub is the best choice for you. If you don’t mind the weight, the more complicated installation, and have the room in the budget, it is best to go with the stone-resin bathtub. 

FAQs:

1. Is a stone-resin bathtub better than an acrylic bathtub?

In terms of benefits, yes, stone resin bathtubs are better than acrylic bathtubs. It has better heat retention, durability, and better aesthetics. Even though stone resin tends to be expensive, its benefits justify the price.

2. How long does a stone-resin bathtub last?

Stone-resin bathtubs tend to last longer than acrylic bathtubs. If we consider that bathtub is properly maintained, it is safe to say that the stone-resin bathtub tends to last 15-20 years. But this can vary according to the situation, such as maintenance, or even the environment. 

3. Does acrylic turn yellow?

Not only acrylic, but almost all bathtubs material with a porcelain surface finish tend to discolorize over some time. This can be easily mitigated by proper maintenance with all green, non-acidic cleaning agents.

Final Thoughts

Bathtubs are a good medium where you sit or even submerge yourself in warm water and wash away all your stress. If you want a better experience, then you need to go for the best bathtubs. Best bathtubs made of materials, such as copper, and natural wood tend to be expensive and require meticulous maintenance. What if you want good benefits at the same lower price? This question is answered by acrylic and stone-resin bathtubs. As said, the above stone resin is the clear winner when you pit it against the acrylic, but you should also consider the acrylic as one of the best options. At that price, providing good benefits is always a steal if you are constrained in budget. If you have some room in your budget, then get a stone resin bathtub. 

If you are on the market and looking for a bathtub, you are in the right place. We provide the best bathtubs made of different and popular materials, including acrylic and stone resin with the best-in-class quality. You can access the collection from here to choose one for your home.