Firmly press your hand against the side of your bathtub. If it has a little give, it is made of acrylic or fiberglass. These materials have a little give or flexibility. Meanwhile, steel or cast iron will not have any give when pressed on.
Press on the side of the tub; if it gives slightly, it's likely fiberglass. Acrylic tubs, on the other hand, are more rigid and sturdier when you press on them. Color and Finish: Acrylic tubs often come in a broader range of colors and have a glossier finish compared to fiberglass.
You'll notice the model name on the front of the shower, for example, Mira 'Sport'. There can be many versions of the same same shower range over the years.
Your Car's Exterior: Commonly, you can tell by looking at the emblems, logos, and badging on the outside of your vehicle. Owners Manual: Look at the front cover of a vehicle's owner's manual or inside at the first few pages; the vehicle make and model (and sometimes version/trim level) is typically printed here.
Firmly press your hand against the side of your bathtub. If it has a little give, it is made of acrylic or fiberglass. These materials have a little give or flexibility. Meanwhile, steel or cast iron will not have any give when pressed on.
Porcelain coated steel tubs do not crack easily, but they are susceptible to chipping if a heavy object falls on them. If you have a chip out of the tub surface, look closely for rust or other signs of metal. If you have cracks or scratches on your bathtub, it is probably made from fiberglass or acrylic.
However, since acrylic is longer lasting than fiberglass, and is less likely to need repairs, it may prove to be a better investment in the long run. On the other hand, fiberglass showers cost very little compared to all the other options out there, so if you want something cheaper, then fiberglass is the way to go.
It's one of the most affordable materials for tubs and one of the easiest to install. This super lightweight material is commonly used in two-story homes because there is no need to install additional support between the bathtub and the floor. Fiberglass tubs have a life span of 10-15 years.
On a white label located on the bath vessel near the pump/motor. On the shell under the suction cover. (Rectangular cover/filter inside of bath)
Labels usually provide important information about the materials used in the construction of the bathtub, such as "enameled steel," "fiberglass-reinforced acrylic," or "cast iron." If this information is no longer available, you can also determine the material by observing the surface sheen of the bathtub.
The repair solution is a liquid version of an acrylic bath and so will give a lifelong repair, the specially formulated white colour pigment is dissolved within the acrylic solution resulting in a seamless finish.
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.
Both fiberglass and acrylic shower units are generally more affordable and are undoubtedly easier to install than ceramic or stone alternatives.
Fiberglass is a thin material that actually wears down with frequent use. It does not retain heat well and is more prone to fading, staining, cracking, and scratching.
Cast iron is the most durable and longest-lasting type of bathtub you can buy, and vintage cast iron tubs are very popular. However, if a cast iron tub is too cumbersome to get to a second-floor bathroom in your home, an enameled steel tub is the next best thing.
But bleach can damage an acrylic tub, and the fumes aren't great to inhale, either. Avoid using bleach, rough clothes and sponges, or steel wool at all costs.
Touch Identification
This is the most important way to differentiate acrylic materials from others. If you carefully feel the surface of an acrylic bathtub, you'll be surprised to find that it's not as cool but rather warm or neutral, while fiberglass feels cooler!
Acrylic Bathtubs are Resistant to Cracking
Crack resistance that reinforced acrylic baths have is an important advantage really worth mentioning. Acrylic bathtubs are highly durable. Plus, they will not develop cracks.
Fiberglass bathtub refinishing and repair has been used extensively to restore bathtubs, showers, and tub/shower units. Unfortunately, fiberglass can become dull after only a few years, and worse yet can develop unsightly stress cracks or even structural cracks resulting in water leaks.
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.
During the '80s, tubs made from fiberglass-reinforced acrylic gained popularity due to their durability, low cost and ease of maintenance — as well as versatility in design, since the material made a wide range of shapes and sizes possible.