Fiberglass Tub vs. Cast Iron

So you've decided to replace your bathtub as part of a bathroom renovation. Choosing between a fiberglass and cast iron tub comes down to weighing and considering few key issues, including how much you have to spend on your new tub and how much regular maintenance you are willing to take on.

Expense and Maintenance

Fiberglass tubs are less expensive than their cast iron equivalents, with fiberglass tubs available for less than $300 and many cast iron counterparts costing more than double that price, as of 2013. Fiberglass tubs can weigh as little as 70 pounds and can typically be installed as a do-it-yourself project, whereas cast iron tubs are generally 300 pounds or more. Fiberglass tubs, however, require resealing every few years and can feel less solid under foot than cast iron. For their expensive and difficulty in installation, cast iron tubs stand up to ordinary wear and tear better and can easily last 50 or more years.


Fiberglass tubs are typically available in a wider array of shapes and sizes than cast iron. If your bathroom remodel has left you with the need for a shape or size tub that is not a traditional simple round or oval shape, fiberglass may indeed be the way to go.

About the Author

Andrew Leahey


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