Hopefully you have narrowed down your choices of bathtubs, by room, function, size and type. Then come the hardest part, what type of materials to use. Again I refer to Keidels for in depth material type and have added a few other eco- options.
6 Eco Options:
1. ) Wood:Including Teak, Bamboo and Mahoganey
Advantages:
- If using look at FSC certified or reclaimed wood.
- Unique Look
Disadvantages:
- Porous, have to watch for moisture
- Maintenance
- Building Codes
- Prone to warping and rotting
Where to get: WSbathcollections, Teak Tubs, Bath-in Wood,
2.) Lithistone
3.) Durat
4.) Recycled Tile: See Previous Posts on Recycled Tile
Advantages:
- Style and use of recycled materials
- Disadvantages
- Danger of leaks, leading to MOLD
5.) Concrete: Durable, Can do any shapes or color
Advantages:
- Sustainable
- Any style, any color
Disadvantages:
- If you don’t like it when it’s in, very costly.
Where to Get: Sonoma Stone,
6.) Stainless Steel
Advantages:
- Style
- Easy to Clean
- Maintenance
- Durable
- Keep Water hot for longer period of time
- Environmentally Friendly Material
Disadvantages:
- More Expensive
- Not a standard, so might have to have custom made
Where to Get: Diamond Spas, Neo Meto, Agape
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Other Options
Copper:
Advantages:
- Great Look
Disadvantages
- Scratch easier
- More Expsensive
Where to Get: Copper Tubs, Handcrafted Metal,
Porcelain on Steel: (most common type of bathtubs)
Advantages: Economically prices
- Lightweight
- Does not rust, resistant to salk, humidity and air
- Easily maintained
- Durable, do not get chipped or scratched under normal use.
Where to get: Common, can get anywhere
Cast Iron:
Advantages:
- Durable and will last a lifetime
- Do not scratch easily and can be repaired without spending much money
- Keep water warm for longer periods
- Density prevents cracks and chips
- Usually come with warranty
Where to get: Almost any place, very common
Acrylic and Fiberglass :They are a little different from each other. Fiberglass is less durable than Acrylic.
Advantage:
- Inexpensive material
- Lightweight: Great for moving and upstairs
- Can Scratch, but is easily fixed
- Cracking, chipping and peeling resistant
- High Gloss look
- Color consistency
- Retains heat, so water stays warmer longer
- Easy to clean
Where to get: Common can get anywhere
Cultured Marble:
Advantages:
- Cost runs somewhere between arcylics and cast iron
- Can be repaired if chipped
- Easy to maintain
Disadvantage:
- Easily scratched
Where to get: Cultured Marble Products
Marble
Advantages:
- Certain Style
Disadvantage:
- Brittle and can crack
- Expensive
- Solid Surfaces
- Can crack
Marble Review:
Where to get: Amlinkmarble,
Stone
Advantages:
- Great Style
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
Where to get: Stone Forest, Luxury Home Products
Advantage:
- Style and uniqueness
Disadvantage:
- You can imagine.
Where to Get : Pure Contempory , Whirlpool
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