What to Look for When Buying an Acrylic Bathtub?

Key points that homeowners should know before buying an acrylic bathtub.

Acrylic bathtubs have become a popular choice for modern families renovating their bathrooms due to their advantages, including lightweight construction, sound thermal insulation, and a variety of shapes and styles. However, many consumers often overlook important factors before purchasing, resulting in a poor subsequent use experience, cumbersome maintenance, or substandard quality. This article will comprehensively introduce the key aspects to consider when buying an acrylic bathtub, helping you make an informed choice.

 

1. Why choose an acrylic bathtub?

First, let's understand why acrylic bathtubs have been so popular in recent years:

Lightweight and easy to install: Compared to cast iron or stone bathtubs, acrylic is lighter, easier to install, and has a lower impact on floor load.

 

•  Good thermal insulation performance: Acrylic itself has excellent thermal insulation properties, and the thickened structure can effectively extend the temperature of the bath water.
•  Smooth surface texture and various patterns: Acrylic can be moulded into a variety of shapes and colours to suit different bathroom styles.
•  Easy maintenance: Generally, it can be cleaned with a soft cloth and neutral bath liquid, and it is resistant to yellowing or mould.

 

After understanding these advantages, the next step is to focus on the details when making a choice.

 

2. Material and thickness determine durability

When buying a bathtub, the material is the core. The following points are critical:

•  Sheet thickness: The standard acrylic layer thickness on the market ranges from 3 mm to 5 mm. The thicker, the better, in terms of durability, as well as sound insulation and heat preservation effects. Families are recommended to choose models with a thickness of at least 4mm.
•  Reinforced bottom plate: A fibreglass layer or metal bracket will be added to the bottom of a high-quality bathtub to enhance its load-bearing and anti-deformation capabilities, thereby avoiding deformation or noise problems during use.
•  Sheet type: Try to choose medical-grade or food-grade acrylic, which is safer, odourless, scratch-resistant and yellowing-resistant. Poor-quality ordinary acrylic is prone to brittle cracking and fading.

 

3. Size and ergonomic design

Only by choosing the right size and comfortable shape can you truly enjoy the bathing experience:

Ø Internal size vs. external size: Most bathtubs are marked with their dimensions, including length, height, and width, to ensure that the interior can accommodate the human body. It is recommended to choose a style with an inner length of at least 59 in (or longer) and an inner height of more than 19 in, which is suitable for most adults to sit or lie down.

 

Human body curve design: pay attention to details such as handrails and the depth of the tilted backrest. High-quality bathtubs are typically designed with an angle that conforms to the human body's curve, allowing the back to fit comfortably.

 

Ø Bottom configuration: The anti-slip texture effectively prevents slipping due to accumulated water and can be used in conjunction with a bathroom anti-slip mat.

 

4. Structural performance: insulation, sound insulation and load-bearing

Important performance directly affects the comfort of use and service life:

 

•  Insulation structure: High-quality products may be equipped with an insulation layer or a thermal insulation structure, which can extend the hot water retention time. If you plan to take a long bath, it is recommended to choose a model with an insulation structure or heating function.
•  Sound insulation performance: A bathtub with a reinforced bottom plate and an insulation layer makes less noise when running water. For users of upstairs bathtubs, this experience is significant.
•  Load-bearing test: For couples or children bathing together, it is essential to verify that the bathtub can withstand a substantial weight. It is best to choose a product with a weight-bearing test report provided by the manufacturer.

 

5. Additional functions and accessories support

Nowadays, acrylic bathtubs are rich in categories, and many models also come with additional functions:

 

² Massage function: including bubble jets or water flow impact functions, suitable for people who pursue relaxation and recuperation effects. However, this type of bathtub has a complex structure and requires additional wiring and maintenance.

² Constant temperature heating system: Some high-end models feature embedded heating modules to maintain a steady water temperature, making them suitable for frequent use or winter bathing.

² Lighting and audio: Some bathtubs are equipped with LED light strips or waterproof Bluetooth audio systems to enhance the user experience.

² Drainage method and location: Confirm whether the drain outlet is flexible and movable, and whether it supports fast water discharge or anti-overflow design. When choosing, it should be combined with the layout of the family drain outlet.

 

6. Brand reputation and after-sales service

Choosing a brand is more important than choosing the lowest price, especially when bathroom products are related to installation, maintenance and safety of use.

 

7. Installation and maintenance guide: use with more confidence

Precautions before and after installation should not be ignored:

The installation foundation should be stable: ensure that the floor is waterproof, level and flat, and has sufficient support. Large bathtubs may require additional support or reinforcement for their base.

 

•  Water-saving leakage inspection during installation: After installation, it is necessary to test whether the drainage, water inlet pump, and seal are leaking. It is recommended to test the water for some time before its formal use.
•  Daily maintenance: Clean regularly with warm water and a neutral detergent, and avoid scrubbing with an itchy, dry cloth or steel wool. If it is not used for an extended period in winter, the water can be drained and the unit kept dry to prevent mould growth.

 

8. Purchase process suggestions and checklist

Before buying an acrylic bathtub, you can decide according to the following steps:

Use requirements: bathing frequency, whether massage is needed, constant temperature, size requirements, etc.

Investigate brands and models by checking user reviews, professional reviews, and comparing thickness and functionality differences.

•  On-site experience or field investigation: It is more reliable if you can touch and feel the weight and texture in person in a physical store.

9. Summary: Buying a bathtub is more important than you think

The acrylic bathtub may seem like just a functional device, but it embodies the happy feeling of relaxation and bathing for your family. Its material, thickness, design and installation will affect your experience in the next few years.

 

If you love bathing, prioritise comfort, and want easy installation and a reasonable budget, then a high-quality acrylic bathtub is the ideal choice. As long as you pay attention to the above points before making a purchase, you can choose one that is beautiful, durable, and comfortable, and truly make your bathroom at home a daily haven of relaxation and healing.