Fri Aug 11 2023
Stone Resin Bathtub – Is It Better Than Other Bathtubs in 2023?
Bathtub tubs are expensive, and that is a fact. When you buy a home, usually bathtubs come with the house, and you don’t have to spend money on getting a new one if the bathtub condition is good.
But, let’s explore an imaginary scenario, where your new home does have a bathtub, but it is in the worst condition, and in dire need of replacement. You are looking online and have more questions than answers.
First, what is the best-suited bathtub for your home? How much does it cost, and finally what are the benefit a bathtub can bring to your home?
Out of all three questions, most people think the most about the price.
When you start to research the price of a bathtub, you can come to the information that price is directly influenced by the bathtub’s material. In fact, all three questions you may have in your mind are influenced by the bathtub’s material.
So, the first thing to look for in a new bathtub is the bathtub’s material.
The first thing to note is that there is a variety of bathtub materials available on the market. Each bathtub material has its own benefits and downfalls depending on how much you pay for them.
For example, fiberglass and acrylic materials are considered the cheapest materials, which may be good for the budget, but there are downfalls, such as durability and being more prone to structural damage.
When it comes to copper, the material is one of the most durable materials and has excellent heat retention, but the downside is that it is heavy and can be pretty expensive.
As you can see each material is different from the others. For our scenario, it is better to get a material that has the best of both worlds (functionality and price-wise).
This is where the stone-resin bathtub comes into the picture.
We will discuss the stone-resin bathtub and its benefits at length, so you can make an informed decision on your bathtub purchase.
A Stone Resin Bathtub – What Is It?
A stone resin bathtub, from the name we can guess that, the material is a combination of both stone and resin.
To be exact, the stone resin material is made of stones that are crushed into a required size. Then the crushed stone is mixed with the strong industrial-grade adhesive, and treated until the material is good enough for the molding process.
In the molding process, the treated stone material is molded into the desired shape and size with the special grade resin (polyurethane resin) along with other natural minerals.
Now, the resulting material is a composite material and is coated with an acrylic resin solution. This helps to ensure that the core and surface of the material is protected from scratches.
Due to the presence of activated acrylic resin, the resulting material is lighter and more durable (best of both worlds).
Benefits of Stone Resin as a Bathtub Material
First off, stone resin is durable, and it is even safe to say that the durability of the material is on-par with copper. So, you don’t have to worry about accidentally dropping anything in the bathtub, it can withstand a good amount of external stress.
But still, it is recommended not to do that. Since it is durable, there is a higher probability of getting a good amount of life from the bathtub depending on how much maintenance is put into the bathtub.
The second benefit is the structural integrity of the material. Most bathtub materials tend to warp and sometimes break over time. This can be seen in fiberglass and acrylic bathtubs. But, with stone resin, thanks to the presence of the stone and industrial-grade polyurethane resin, you can be assured that the warping and breaking are completely eliminated.
Also, the possibility of chipping (one of the most common issues in the bathtub) and other structural defects is considerably low compared to other common materials, like acrylic.
The third benefit is that stone resin is a non-porous material. Meaning, that moisture or water cannot get inside the surface of the stone resin, which helps to eliminate the water damage in your bathtub, and maintain its good structural integrity for a long time.
The fourth benefit is heat retention. When it comes to heat retention, wood, enameled steel, and copper are the kings, but next in line is stone resin. It is safe to say that heat retention of stone resin bathtubs can rival the likes of copper. This ultimately helps in the low usage of water heaters and can save money on electricity bills.
Many may not be aware of the fact that stone resin is very eco-friendly. All the materials used to create the stone resin composite are made from recycled materials, and not to mention to the manufacturing process is very green.
How To Maintain a Stone Resin Bathtub
Surprisingly maintaining a stone resin bathtub is pretty easy. That is one of the major benefits of stone resin bathtubs. For example, a copper bathtub requires meticulous cleaning and ensuring there is no moisture present on the surface of the bathtub. Moisture on the surface reacts with the atmosphere and causes the layer of calcium carbonate (green-like layer) on the surface. This greatly reduces the functionality and comfort of the copper bathtub.
This is not an issue in the stone-resin bathtub. With a few of the following simple steps, you can clean the entire bathtub and retain its glory for a long period of time:
- Clean the bathtub with water. This removes almost 80% of the dirt and debris on the surface of the bathtub. Even though the material is non-porous, it is recommended to wash all the water and ensure there is no moisture present on the surface. You can use a paper towel to remove all the excess water from the bathtub.
- Now, apply an all-green cleaning solution, and gently wash the surface using a soft sponge or a towel. Do not use any abrasive cleaning agent or a harsh scrub to clean the surface.
- Now same as the first step, use a paper towel to remove all the soap and wash it again with water.
With these simple steps, you are ensured to get a good life for your stone resin bathtub. And it is cost-effective compared to other material maintenance
FAQs
The answer is it depends on the level of maintenance that you put into the bathtub. If you clean the bathtub regularly (once or twice a month), you are expected to easily get a decade of life, and if you push, it can even last two decades.
Yes, there is a chance that the stone resin bathtub can break, but that chance is slim. Stone resin bathtubs are quite durable when it comes to withstanding heavy impact on the surface. But still, it is recommended not to drop any heavy objects in the bathtub.
Stone resin bathtubs are lightweight compared to other heavy bathtubs, but certainly heavier than fiberglass or acrylic bathtubs. In summary, if you purchase a stone resin bathtub, it is recommended to reinforce your bathroom floor before installing it.
Final Thoughts
In our scenario, considering all the benefits, it looks like a stone resin bathtub is the best choice. We have to consider one more factor, which is price. You can find a good and reliable stone resin bathtub for a price range of $1500-$2000.
Yes, it can be a little bit more expensive than acrylic or fiberglass. But, the benefits outweigh the price in this case.
So, again considering the benefits and the price, a stone resin bathtub is a good and safe choice for our imaginary scenario.
If you are looking for a stone resin bathtub, you are in the right place. Magnus home products provide our customers with good and reliable bathtubs including stone resin bathtubs. You can access the collection here.
This article hopes to provide enough information on stone resin bathtubs and their benefits, which we, again, hope to make your purchase easier!