How can I tell if my tub is steel or cast iron? (2024)

FAQs

How do I know what type of bathtub I have? ›

Steel and cast iron tubs are magnetic. If you hold a strong magnet near the wall of the tub, it should stick. You may already have magnets on the bottom of your shower curtain to hold it in place and keep the water inside the tub. If the magnets do not stick, that is a definite indicator of fiberglass or acrylic.

Unlike the plain molded fiberglass tubs popular today, some of the earliest bathtubs were intricately carved wooden cabinets lined with tin or copper. Next came more sanitary materials, like vitreous china, glazed earthenware, and porcelain-coated cast iron.

One is the porcelain-covered cast-iron tub, introduced in the early 1900's and still made today. The other three, all of which became popular in the late 1960s, are the porcelain-covered pressed-steel tub, the solid acrylic version and the acrylic-coated fiberglass tub.

PORCELAIN TUBS

But there's a simple item you can use to determine bathtub types in this situation: a magnet. Since enamel tubs cover cast iron or steel, they'll be magnetic. So if the magnet doesn't stick, you have a porcelain tub. Porcelain tubs have a higher tolerance for cleaning agents than enamel or acrylic tubs.

Fiberglass, also called glass-reinforced plastic, is one of the cheapest bathtub materials. It's a reinforced plastic that's poured into a bathtub-shaped mold, resin-coated, and then polished. It can last a couple of years before scratches and cracks affect it.

For an average cost of $350 to $500—a fraction of the $1,200 to $5,000 expense of a new cast-iron or steel tub installed—refinishers can make an antique fixture look brand new. "Professional refinishing can be a cost-efficient solution for that retro look," Trethewey says.

Cast-iron, steel, and fiberglass tubs and shower stalls can all be re-coated to match the original finish or in an entirely new color.

What is a Steel Bathtub? Steel bathtubs, often called porcelain on steel tubs or enameled steel tubs, are made from a stamped steel shell that is later coated with a heat-fused porcelain enamel. This enamel coating allows the surface of the bathtub to be easily cleaned while staying glossy for several years.

Both acrylic and steel baths have their pros and cons, which make them close contenders. When compared in terms of ease of installation, price, and style, acrylic bathtubs are the clear winner, but when it comes to durability, steel enamel bathtubs have the upper hand.

If you have a cast iron sink or tub, it may very well be worth scrapping, especially if you can't find some way of selling it to someone else. While you can find ways to repurpose a cast iron sink or tub, you may also need to get rid of it from your home.

What is a 1950s bathtub made of? ›

Bathtubs in older homes in the 1950s usually had an enameled iron bathtub in white. Bathrooms undergoing a post-war renovation, however, usually featured a ceramic (or its porcelain byproduct) bathtub in one of the wide array of colors newly available.

Lifespan

A bathtub made of acrylic reinforced with fibreglass can last up to 15 years. Meanwhile, cast iron tubs can last up to 70 years.

When cleaning a porcelain bathtub, avoid using abrasive cleaners as they can chip the surface of the bathtub. Also stay away from scouring powder, white vinegar, and steel wool as they can damage the finish of the bathtub.

Fill a bucket with warm water and add ammonia and baking soda to the liquid. Soak a cloth or sponge in the mixture and use it to scrub the tub — focusing especially on stained spots. Keep dipping the sponge, scrubbing and repeating until the tub is clean.

A cast iron bathtub is a bathtub which is made with porcelain fused with iron, which is then coated with enamel to prevent chipping. The result is a bathtub that is highly durable and resistant to chipping due to the enamel coating. The iron characteristics also make it resistant to scratches and heavy impacts.

Most modern bathtubs are made of thermoformed acrylic, porcelain-enameled steel or cast iron, or fiberglass-reinforced polyester. A bathtub is usually placed in a bathroom, either as a stand-alone fixture or in conjunction with a shower.

With proper care, you can expect your porcelain-enameled steel bathtub to last at least 20 years. A bathtub liner can also extend the life of your porcelain-enameled steel bathtub by another 10-15 years.

You'll pay between $350 to $600 to refinish a cast iron tub. Most cast iron tubs typically have a layer of porcelain or enamel on the surface. As such, any chips or imperfections on the surface can cause the metal below it to begin to rust.

It is also unwise to use acidic products on the enamel surface of a Cast Iron Bath. Using products ranging from vinegar to specialised bathroom cleaning products - which some people would use for an acrylic bath - wear away the enamel.

Is it cheaper to resurface or replace a bathtub? ›

Replacing a bathtub costs an average of $3,400, and could cost as much as $13,000. That means refinishing a tub could save you roughly $3,000 since the average price is $480.

How Much Does It Cost to Resurface a Tub? The usual bathtub refinishing cost is between $330 and $600, based on data from ImproveNet. You can expect to pay an average of about $460. This cost includes both the materials and labor if you hire a professional contractor.

Completely replacing the porcelain enamel is a job best left for a professional, and it also requires removing the entire tub from your house. If there are no cracks in the porcelain enamel, you can easily repaint your steel bathtub to get it looking brand new again.

If you've inherited one with a new house – or simply want a change of décor – you can undertake the painting of a cast iron bath yourself. For the best results we recommend ordering a cast iron bath expertly painted in a wide range of Farrow & Ball paint colours from Cast Iron Bath Company.

When steel and cast iron tubs are manufactured, they are coated with a veneer of porcelain. After years of use, this porcelain can wear down to the original casting. With the inevitable exposure to water, the iron or steel will eventually rust.

Spraying a solution of water and white vinegar all over the bathtub provides an effective deep-clean that can help treat stains or residue. Leave the mixture to rest for 15 minutes before wiping off with a clean sponge or cloth. Rinse and wipe as before. Heavy stains and rings might need tougher action.

Steel baths are coated with enamel, which gives you a perfectly white finish but also means it's less resistant to chips or scratches, so more care needs to be taken.

A steel bath or steel enamel bath is made of steel metal that has been coated with a layer of ceramic or porcelain. Steel Baths are usually long-lasting, being made of durable metal and are very reasonably priced.

Resistance to Crack Or Break

Cracks can occur in steel tubs, but only if something very heavy is dropped onto them.

What does an old cast iron bathtub weigh? ›

How heavy is a cast iron tub? Depending on its size, an iron tub can easily weigh 350-500 pounds or more when empty.

American Standard, previously known as Standard Manufacturing Company, began making cast iron bathtubs as early as 1875. In 1883, Kohler's “horse trough/hog scalder” was sold as a bathtub due to the easily-cleaned surface of the porcelain enamel.

Cast iron—the all-purpose material of the Victorian era—had been poured into sinks and lavatories since the late 1850s, and by 1867 the famous J.L. Mott Iron Works was finding a ferrous niche in the bathtub market as well.

Yes, you can sell your old bathtub. On average, a reused or salvaged bathtub will run anywhere from $300-$1,000, depending on the material and quality of the bathtub.

Lead is present in the cast iron or steel tubs coated with a porcelain glaze. As the glaze comes off with time, lead from the glaze can percolate into the bath water. If children drink the bathwater or put their wet hands or toys from the tub in their mouth, chances of lead poisoning increase.

Cast iron tubs are more of a vintage, but timeless look. They do tend to be a bit pricier, but as I said, we were very impressed. To me, it is well worth the price. Cast iron tubs come in a variety of color options including stainless steel.

Cast iron tubs are made by pouring molten iron into a mold of the desired shape, then smoothing it and coating it with a thick layer of enamel. It's probably the most durable tub available, and the finish is resistant to chipping, scratching and denting, as well as most types of chemicals.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Bath is safe to use on acrylic tubs, but definitely skip the bleach. If you're going to use a ready-made cleaner on your acrylic tub, carefully read the label to make sure it won't damage the tub's surface.

For white porcelain only, bleach can be used to remove stains; never use chlorine bleach in colored or vintage porcelain, as it can damage the finish. For both white and colored porcelain, liquid oxygen bleach (such as hydrogen peroxide) is a good alternative.

Though popular for being gentler alternatives to harsh chemical cleaners, baking soda, Borax, and even salt can harm the finish of your porcelain fixtures. As gentle as they are, these compounds are still abrasive and will scratch your finish, especially with regular use.

Why should you put dish soap in your bathtub at night? ›

Because dish soap is meant to break up oils and lift grease and grime from your flatware and utensils, there's no reason why it shouldn't work on the oily soap and human grease build-up accumulating in your tub or shower!

Bar Keepers Friend cleans porcelain, tile, fiberglass, and more. Our products have even been known to save customers from having to replace their tubs and shower tiles. It's often considered one of the best bathtub cleaners.

Soft Scrub with Bleach Cleanser is ideal for all kinds of surfaces. This includes bathtubs, countertops, shower walls, sinks, tiles and porcelain toilets. Sure, bathroom cleaning can be hard.

Steel and cast iron tubs are magnetic. If you hold a strong magnet near the wall of the tub, it should stick. You may already have magnets on the bottom of your shower curtain to hold it in place and keep the water inside the tub. If the magnets do not stick, that is a definite indicator of fiberglass or acrylic.

There are four basic types of baths that are provided based on the needs, preferences, and mobility of clients: a partial bath, shower, tub bath, or full bed bath.

The primary difference between acrylic and fiberglass tubs is the formation process. Manufacturers vacuum acrylic into the final tub form. This can impact durability by sometimes forming weak, thin spots in the acrylic tub. In fiberglass tubs, the manufacturing process does not include a vacuum.

Durability

Acrylic is generally a much more durable material when compared to porcelain. Although porcelain tubs have a much harder surface and are more resistant to scratches when compared to acrylic, the harder surface is much more susceptible to cracks and chipping from heavy impacts.

Cast Iron. PROS: Cast Iron is an extremely durable material. A cast iron bathtub is made from porcelain and iron and then coated with enamel to prevent chipping. This material will stand the test of time.

Deeper than the average bathtub, soaking tubs are designed to offer the ultimate in relaxation by allowing you to fully submerge. Just how far can you sink? Soaking tubs average 23 inches in height, while a standard tub typically comes in at under 19 inches.

What are the two types of bathtubs? ›

The main difference between acrylic and cast iron tubs is their makeup. Cast iron is inherently heavier than acrylic, and they cost more; however, they are also more durable and require less maintenance.

Don't use super abrasive scrubbers or cleaning agents on fiberglass, since it could scratch or damage the surface. Don't use bleach! Don't ever mix ready-made cleaning products.

Push firmly on the side of the tub. If it gives and flexes inward, you have a fiberglass or acrylic tub. Fiberglass can feel flimsier and more flexible when you push on the tub's side, so if it gives quite a bit, it might be fiberglass.

Acrylic Vs. Steel Bathtubs: Which is the Best? If you're looking to save money, an acrylic bathtub is probably the better option. You'll also enjoy better heat retention, insignificant corrosion, and a chance to choose from a variety of design options to match your bathroom vanities.

Clawfoot and freestanding

Often viewed with nostalgic fondness, clawfoot tubs are a popular choice for bathrooms in a vintage style. The classic silhouette involves a slanted back portion with tall, straight sides for reclining while bathing.

Alcove Bathtub Materials

The primary materials for bathtubs in the alcove style are fiberglass, acrylic, cast iron, and stone resin.