Acrylic Bathtub VS Fiberglass Bathtub
-Sangle Baby Spa Date:2019-10-29
Both fiberglass bathtub and acrylic bathtub are the two most common bathtubs in the market. They are both molded plastic bathtubs. Acrylic bathtub has fiberglass in it, and fiberglass bathtub is made from more than just fiberglass. They are not only very similar on materials, but also the final products are almost identical. They have similarities and differences.
Differences:
Acrylic bathtub:
Acrylic bathtubs are firstly heated, stretched out the soften sheets on the mold, and then vacuumed into their final shape and size. At last, they are reinforced with fiberglass and resin.
A drawback of the heating and softening process is that the resulting bathtub can have thinner areas where the acrylic was pulled the most, such as in corners, which impacts maintenance and repair.
Acrylic bathtubs are extremely durable, easy to clean and don't scratch as easily as other materials. Acrylic bathtubs are significantly more expensive than fiberglass and other tubs. some acrylic tubs can be twice as expensive as their fiberglass counterparts.
Fiberglass bathtub:
Fiberglass bathtubs, also called FRP, are produced by spraying a polyester resin onto a mold. Fiberglass consists of tiny strings of interwoven glass. When used to manufacture bathtubs, fiberglass is formed into a gel coating that is spread or sprayed evenly over a mold at the appropriate temperature.
By applying a thicker layer of fiberglass, the resulting bathtub can be made harder, more durable and scratch resistant.
Fiberglass bathtubs are among the most affordable bath tubs. The finish on fiberglass bathtubs doesn't last as long as other materials as it is less resistant to scratching and tends to fade in color.
The following table explains the differences well between acrylic bathtub and fiberglass bathtub:
| Specification | Acrylic Bathtub | Fiberglass Bathtub |
|---|---|---|
| Porous | Non-Porous | Porous |
| Repariablity | Excellent | Good |
| Color Fast | Excellent | Fair |
| Useful Life | 30+years | 8 years |
| Initial Cost | Moderate | Low |
| Strength | Strong | Fragile |
| Surface | High Gloss | Matte |
| Cleanability | Excellent | Poor |
| Styles | Wide Variety | Moderate Variety |
| Colors | 200+ | Good |
| Value | High | Fair |
Similarities:
Both acrylic bathtub and fiberglass bathtub need less maintenance, require less intensive cleaning, and last longer than other bath tubs. Agents containing harsh chemicals can scratch or damage the surface of acrylic and fiberglass bathtubs. Instead of buying expensive cleaning products, water, vinegar or sopy water work well to clean the acrylic and fiberglass surface. Convenience, durability and beauty shaped put acrylic bathtub and fiberglass bathtub at the forefront of bathtub remolding and installation.
