Most Common Types of Bathtub Materials for Your Bathroom Remodel

If a tub soak leaves you with a sore back and lukewarm water after 15 minutes, it’s time for an upgrade. Knowing the best bathtub materials will come in handy, whether you’re remodeling the entire bathroom or looking for a comfier tub. 

Do you want your tub to hold in heat so the water stays warm? Do you want a sturdy tub or something lightweight for a second-floor bathroom? Here’s a comparison of seven types of bathtub materials to help you choose the perfect tub, including fiberglass, acrylic, cast iron, steel, porcelain, ceramic, and cast polymer. 

What Are Bathtubs Made Of?

Various materials make up different types of bathtubs, from metals to porcelain to plastic, like fiberglass or acrylic. Tubs can even be made with a combination of materials to give you a lightweight tub that holds heat like a cast-iron tub.

Most tubs today are made with fiberglass, acrylic, cast iron, steel, or porcelain, but you can find bathtubs made from stone, copper, or wood. Ultimately, the best bathtub material will depend on your bathroom’s location in the house, budget, and style preferences.

1. Fiberglass

If you’re looking to keep the cost of a new bathtub on the lower end, plastic options like fiberglass are budget-friendly. Fiberglass tubs cost around $200 to $800 and consist of layers of reinforced plastic coated with resin. This material is lightweight, making it easier to install and great for bathrooms on any level of the house.

There are some drawbacks to fiberglass tubs, though. Fiberglass is a porous material, causing it to absorb water and crack over time. Over time, commercial bathtub cleaners can wear down fiberglass, as this material is vulnerable to scratching and warping. Fiberglass tubs will also fade or experience discoloration with time.

Best for: Homeowners seeking a cost-effective bathtub installation

2. Acrylic

Acrylic tubs, which weigh around 75 to 110 pounds, are another lightweight option. Expect to pay about $700 to $1,000 for an acrylic tub. Manufacturers create acrylic tubs with stabilizers, fillers, resins, and other chemicals and reinforce them with fiberglass—creating a nonporous tub material that’s durable against discoloration and wear and tear. Its durability makes acrylic one of the best materials for freestanding tubs.

While acrylic tubs are great at retaining warm water temperature and are slightly more resistant to scratching than fiberglass tubs, they tend to flex and move and can warp over time. Like fiberglass, avoid cleaning acrylic with abrasive cleaners and tools, which leave scratches.

Best for: Creating relaxing freestanding bathtub setups

3. Cast Iron

For durability and longevity, cast iron is the way to go. Cast-iron tubs are made by pouring hot, molten iron into a bathtub mold and covering the tub in enamel. Like your favorite cast-iron skillet, cast-iron tubs retain heat well and are easy to clean. As a bonus, this material is highly resistant to chips and scratches.

There’s a lot to love about cast iron, but this long-lasting material will make your tub more expensive and difficult to install. These tubs cost between $400 and $14,000 and weigh around 350 to 500 pounds. While looking for pros who install bathtubs, you may need to budget for additional floor reinforcements to handle the weight of a cast-iron tub. Hire a bathtub installer near you who can get the job done safely and efficiently.

Best for: A long-lasting installation (70 years or more) 

4. Steel

Many bathtubs today are made with enameled steel, which is manufactured from steel sheeting coated with porcelain. This combination makes for an inexpensive tub ranging from $200 to $1,000. Enameled steel is lighter than a cast-iron tub but weighs about twice as much as plastic-based bathtubs.

Enameled steel is inexpensive, but this material is vulnerable to chipping. Steel tubs also transfer heat quickly, meaning your hot bath water will cool off quickly. If long soaks are a priority, consider whether steel is the best tub choice for you.

Best for: A mid-range option between plastic and cast-iron tubs 

5. Porcelain

The cost of a porcelain tub ranges from $200 to over $2,000. Porcelain tubs consist of a layer of porcelain over a cast-iron or steel base, or less commonly, glass or tile.

Cast iron is better for keeping bath water warm for longer, while steel is lighter in weight. Enameled cast iron is more durable than porcelain-coated steel tubs. No matter the base, porcelain can be vulnerable to chips, so avoid dropping heavy items on a porcelain tub.

Best for: A low-maintenance tub that looks beautiful 

6. Ceramic

If a beautiful tub that boosts your bathroom's look is important to you, ceramic tile tubs offer a huge range of designs to choose from. But with these more unique choices, you can expect to spend $5,000 to $10,000 for a ceramic tub. These tubs require extra care during installation, and you’ll need to keep up on maintaining and fixing the grout between ceramic tiles.

Best for: Creating custom bathtub designs in different styles and colors 

7. Cast Polymer

Cast-polymer bathtubs are made with engineered natural stone and solid surface material, such as resin, to mimic the look of marble, onyx, or granite. These stylish bathtubs cost around $2,000 to $5,000. Aside from a chic look, these tubs are also easy to clean and resistant to mildew.

While you can buff out minor scratches in cast-polymer tubs, their coatings can wear down over time. When this happens, the tub becomes brittle and vulnerable to cracks.

Best for: Getting the look of materials like marble or onyx 

What to Consider When Choosing a Bathtub Material 

The following factors will determine the right bathtub material for your home. 

Weight

Don’t overlook this factor when switching from an acrylic or fiberglass tub to a heavy cast-iron or composite stone model. When upping the weight class of your bathing experience, you might need to reinforce your floor. Budget to inspect for—or install—the requisite floor joists to accommodate the weight of your new tub.

Cost

Bathtubs can cost anywhere from $200 to $14,000, so your budget may determine your tub material. The most expensive tubs are cast iron or stone, while the least expensive are acrylic or fiberglass. Porcelain, steel, and cast polymer tubs fall toward the middle of the cost range. Don’t forget the cost of installing your new bathtub—installing heavier pieces costs more in labor, too.

Durability

Cast-iron tubs are the most durable, but porcelain and ceramic tubs are next in line. Cast-polymer, metal, fiberglass, and acrylic tubs need more care and can be scratched or chipped more easily. Most tubs made from natural materials can stain from rust or mineral deposits in your water. Keep that in mind when choosing a material to last.

Heat Retention

Cast-iron tubs are best for heat retention, while materials like acrylic and fiberglass might allow bath water to cool more quickly. If you prefer a good, long soak in the tub, go for cast iron or porcelain.

Maintenance

Cleaning is the most common maintenance you’ll need to do for your new tub. Tubs with a more durable surface, like cast iron and porcelain, will be easier to clean, and with fewer grout lines, crevices, and seams, they will be easier to clean day-to-day. Acrylic and fiberglass options are simple to clean but can become discolored over time.

Installation

Installing a new tub is simpler when there are fewer pieces, and installation can be more complicated if your tub needs a tile surround. Moving taps and drains means hiring a local plumber rather than a handyperson to install the new fixture, so choosing a tub similar to your current fixture can reduce costs.