What should my new bath be made of? Acrylic or Steel?

We often get asked what is the best material for a bath to be made of. Here we look at the two main types of material for a bathtub, Acrylic and Steel. This will hopefully help you decide which is the best choice for you.

The bathroom industry has moved on in leaps and bounds when it comes to the old bath in front of the stove every Sunday! Nowadays there is a plethora of baths available, from luxury freestanding baths to whirlpool tubs.  But choosing which one is right for you and your family isn’t so easy. You need to consider the style of bathtub, the design and the size as well as the material the tub is made from.

So what materials are baths made from?

Most contemporary baths are made from one of just two main materials:

• Acrylic which is a synthetic plastic material
• Steel which is a hardwearing metal alloy

However, in your search for a new bath you can also find baths made from cast iron, stone, tin, copper and nickel.  Before making your choice, let’s have a look at the two most popular baths acrylic and steel.

What are the benefits of an acrylic bath?

Cheaper

Acrylic baths are the number one choice in the modern bathroom. They cost less than a steel bath to manufacture so they are cheaper than a steel bath.

Strong and durable

An acrylic bath is just as strong as a steel bath, usually being reinforced with glass fibre. No longer do acrylic baths suffer from flexibility, modern manufacturing methods resolved this some time ago. If you want a bath that is strong and durable at a budget price then an acrylic bath is the right choice for you.  The material is also highly resistant to staining and scratches so it’s a great option for a busy family bathroom.

Feels warm

One added benefit which you may not think of is that an acrylic bath feels so much warmer to the touch than a steel bath.

What are the benefits of a bath made from steel?

Whilst not as popular as the acrylic bath, steel baths are our next best seller and benefit from a number of key points.

Retain warmth

So, a steel bath may not be a warm to touch as an acrylic bath but it will retain heat for longer. Great if you like a very long soak in the bath.

Designer look

Steel is a more traditional material and can add that designer look you may long for. They also feel more solid because of the nature of the material. There are some gorgeous baths made from steel with clean lines and stylish appearance.

Coated in enamel

To achieve a crisp white finish a steel bath is coated with enamel. While this gives your new steel bath a great aesthetic the bath may chip or scratch a little more easily, this just means you have to be a little more careful. With care a steel bath will last for years.

Green credentials

Steel can be recycled, so when the time comes for you to replace your steel bath you can still do your bit to save the planet.

Let’s recap…

Acrylic baths

• Cheaper, lower priced
• Hardwearing and resistant to stains and scratches
• Warm to touch
• Great choice in sizes and shapes
• Brilliant for families and everyday use

Steel baths

• Great designer options
• Good for careful owners
• Strong solid construction
• Bright white enamel coating
• Retains heat

Some further questions and answers

Are metal baths better than acrylic?

Both options have advantages and the choice is down to your own personal requirements.  For example: if you have a family and the bath is going to be used by everyone every day then acrylic will not scratch or stain as much as a steel bath.

What is the best material for a bath?

Acrylic is the most popular material for a bath because of its hardwearing properties and because it is usually at a lower price than a steel bath. However again this is down to your personal choice and your lifestyle, a steel bath may offer a more stylish look to complement your bathroom.

Will an acrylic bath stain or go yellow?

A good quality acrylic bathtub will not stain or go yellow, they are also resistant to scratches so ideal to use daily.

Which bath is easier to care for and maintain?

Acrylic is a tougher material and is more resistant to scratches and stains but both steel and acrylic are relatively easy to care for. Regular washing with a non-abrasive cleaner and sponge will keep them in great condition.

Shop baths

You’ll find a great range of quality acrylic and steel baths at UK Bathrooms, baths to suit all budgets and personal requirements.

For standard bath size information check out our blog.

This is not just a super shower enclosure but an all round package that would be hard to beat anywhere on the web. This is a true walk-In shower with no door to open or close and generous showering area. The 1790 model is designed to fit neatly into a space where the bath is being replaced. The shower enclosures are available as a right or left handed option, finished in Celtic Silver with a high lustre aluminium frame and chrome plated details.

Constructed with 8mm safety glass, which complies with BS6206A/EN12150-1, this can be treated with Matki Glass Guard Easy Clean Protection, as an additional item. The safety glass is located inside the shower tray eliminating the need for silicon sealant along the base of the surround, therefore retaining its clean look. The 1500/1790 Walk-In ranges are uniquely supplied complete with the Elixir high quality concealed thermostatic shower mixer, a hand shower, diverter valve and a 220mm Easy Clean Deluge shower head and stylish removable decking and available in two sizes 1500mm and 1700mm. Walk-In trays in acrylic capped Synthastone in white or pergamon are supplied with a Fastflow chrome top access waste.

This classy bow fronted shower enclosure takes you up to the next level in with its sleek and minimalistic styling which will add that wow factor to you bathroom or en-suite area. In common with all the bow fronted sliders in the range the Kudos infinite 1200 features 6mm toughened safety glass and can be fitted between two walls, or they can be combined with two special 700mm side panels to give a three sided enclosure, which have to be ordered as a separate item.

Some design features include: Chrome effect wall sections, chrome-plated cast metal corner joints, unique three-dimensional adjustment system, and 1900mm height not including the tray. The door runs on roller bearings, fittings are concealed and 6mm glass is used as standard. The tray is 55mm in height, manufactured in durable acrylic in a high gloss finish. Both the enclosure and tray are backed by Kudos lifetime guarantee.