Stainless steel bathtubs fit perfectly with today's trend to make your home really unique in every aspect and truly one-of-a-kind. People want their homes to make a statement and a very strong one at that. Even bathrooms are now being re-done with the sole purpose of being different and unusual.

Using marble and granite in bathrooms has become quite passé. People are looking for something out of the ordinary and at the same time contemporary and new age. The answer? The use of stainless steel in the bathroom, especially stainless steel bathtubs. Stainless steel bath tubs can be used in bathrooms, either with other fixtures such as stainless steel sinks and countertops for a complete stainless steel bathroom, or you can just add the stainless tub as a focal point of your bathroom. Whichever way you choose to go, the steel bathtub will make a great addition to any bathroom.

Benefits of Stainless Steel Bathtubs

• Extraordinary looks and and an amazing style of bath tubs.
• They are very easy to clean and do not require heavy duty maintenance.
• Stainless steel tubs are very durable and will last for ages with proper care. These bathtubs are also corrosion resistant and do not tend to rust.
• Since material is a good conductor of heat, steel bath tubs help to keep the water hot for a longer time.
• You will be doing your part for the environment as stainless steel is an environment friendly material.

Although these bathtubs can give you that extraordinary touch for your bath that you may be looking for, they do have certain disadvantages such as:

• They can be more expensive than other bathtubs.
• Steel tubs are not conventional products and thus you may not get what you need for your particular bathroom. This may require having your tub custom made.

Even taking the above into consideration, it can be said that a stainless steel bathtub is great if you want your bathroom to be special and exclusive.

Stainless Steel Bathtub Resources

HomeClick.com - Online Retailer of Stainless Steel Bathtubs HomeClick carries several Neo-Metro bathtub lines.

Tubs come in a variety of materials, in addition to being built in different configurations and styles. The choice is a matter of personal taste or space requirements. Copper bathtubs may be strictly for the "rich niche" market. Legend has it that Nefertiti, Queen of the Nile, bathed in copper tubs. Through its unique style, copper tubs add a unique character to your bathroom.

Crafted Casted Metal Bathtubs

Handcrafted copper bathtubs with hand burnished exterior makes bathing a truly fabulous experience. Using traditional techniques, these solid tubs are also cast in antique molds. These freestanding solid clawfoot bathtubs weigh around half a ton. They will not stain in the conventional sense of the word. Being made of a soft metal, a copper bathtub will scratch easily but oxidation quickly heals it.

Certain hand crafted copper bathtubs have a strong rustic character. Distinct hammer patterns are the enviable feature of these tubs. These copper hand made bath tubs come with side rings and rivet base. The entire tub, including its hand-formed top rim has a hammered texture.

Some solid copper ones are lightly hammered giving it a texture and polished finish. These lightly hammered bathtubs are of a more refined quality in comparison to the rustic style. Twisted copper rings, on decorative mounting plates, give them a distinct style. Copper tubs, with smooth and consistent finish, display the extraordinary skills of the artisans.

The embossed bathtubs are top of the line in handcrafted bathtubs. These tubs feature patterns embossed directly on the sides of the tubs.

Keep your copper tub as dry as possible by wiping it clean after each use. This is the best way to keep it looking as good as new. Copper does not support bacterial, viral, or fungal growth. This makes copper bath tubs the most sterile tubs.

Acrylic bathtubs fall in between cast iron and fiberglass tubs in terms of price and benefits. The chemical compound acrylic is waterproof, lightweight and durable, making it ideal for making bathtubs. Tubs made from this strong and light material are a lot easier to work with than cast iron and steel bath-tubs, which chip easily and are excessively heavy in larger sizes, like whirlpool bathtubs.

Benefits of Acrylic Bathtubs

• Acrylic is an inexpensive material.
• These bath tubs are light, which makes for easier moving and installation. They are well-suited for upstairs bathrooms.
• Acrylic resists cracking, chipping, peeling and staining. It can scratch, but this is easily fixed with some buffing using a liquid polisher. Bigger scratches can be fixed with some light sanding and buffing using toothpaste.
• The tub will have a high gloss finish that is pleasing to the eye.
• The color is consistent throughout the bathtub and does not fade, unlike fiberglass.
• The material retains heat well, so water easily stays warm.
• Acrylic tubs are easy to clean with water and regular non-abrasive cleaners. However, the material will break down when strong chemical cleaners, such as acetates, are used.

In your most sultry dream, you are probably seeing yourself in a glass bathtub, soaking naked in the most aromatic water, with chamomile oil caressing your skin from neck down to your toes. When you smell that chamomile extract, which is covering the entirety of the room with the most hypnotic and sexy fragrance known to men, you realize it is not an ordinary bath soak. Petals are around you and overflowing so much that they literally make a flower bed on top of the water. Your favorite bossa nova goddess is singing your music as you are savoring the wine, which is strong but not enough to make you tipsy. You know it then that this is indeed the bath soak you will relish over and over.

Everybody is dying to have this kind of bath soak, you know it for sure. Though there are a few who are still fantasizing over this sultry bath experience, many are now heading towards the realization of this fantasy. For Pete's sake, you only have to have a glass bathtub–or any bathtub, but better if it's glass for a sexier feel–some aromatic oil, rose petals, your favorite relaxation CD, of course a player, and a bottle of wine. Now, if you have all these items and the only thing that's missing is a bathtub, or a glass bathtub more specifically, there's a good news for you.

With the technological innovation and men's overpowering inventiveness, you can now own a glass bathtub and install it in your bathroom with no hassles at all. Right! Glass bathtubs now are becoming one of the bestsellers in the market, enticing more and more homeowners. But just a word: glass bathtubs, because of their intricacy in style and construction, are more expensive than the ordinary bathtubs, with prices that may border from $8,000 to $22,000, depending on the brand and added features.

Now, when shopping, remember to propel your level of patience a little higher because it's normally a bit hard looking for a glass bathtub. Actually, there are those glass tub owners who spent several months scouting for their desired tubs, welcoming desperation over and over until they finally found their darlings only God knows where. So remember this, when you see a glass bath tub online and find out it's not yet available in some stores, be patient. Just think that maybe the manufacturer is still perfecting your bathtub to give you the best tub and a master piece in one.

Glass Bathtub Buying Tips

So, it's clear. You need to have a huge sum of money and an equally huge amount of patience when in the lookout for a bathtub made of glass. So, what now? Okay, here are the other things you need to keep in mind.

1. Consider your bathroom space. Take note that a bathtub needs a space, and not just a space–it needs a big one. Of course, you don't want to buy a tub worth thousands of dollars only to realize later that your bathroom area is too small for a double-person bathtub. Oh, isn't that too sad?

2. Consider if kids will use the bathtub. If they will, you may need to be extra careful. Remember, we're talking of glass here. And you don't want any misfortune to befall the kid or the bathtub, right? Now, if you want a soaking tub to be freely used by kids, why not purchase an inflatable pool or a kiddie bathtub? They can tumble in and out of these versions without mommy's infuriating pleads.

Bathtubs can be made from a variety of materials. It is necessary to know the properties of the available materials so that you can choose the right bathtub according to your needs. Here is a look at some features and benefits of fiberglass bathtubs.

Features Of Fiberglass Bathtubs

• Fiberglass, also known as Gelcoat or FRP, is one of the many materials used to make bathtubs.
• Fiberglass is the least expensive material that can be used for bathtubs.
• It is also very lightweight and is readily molded into the desired shape of bathtub required.
• The surface of fiberglass bath tubs is made by spraying a pigmented polyester resin into the desired shaped mold.
• The fabrication process of fiberglass tubs needs careful hand spraying and hand rolling of FRP.

Benefits Of Fiberglass Tubs

• As fiberglass is a very cheap material, fiberglass bathtubs are not very expensive.
• Higher grade tubs are made of a foam inner core sandwiched between fiberglass sheets. This helps the bathtubs to slow the spread of fire, give heat and sound insulation and also reduce the hollow sound of other bathtubs.
• Fiberglass bath tubs can also be made with sheets of balsa wood and fiberglass. This usage of balsa wood reduces the air pockets in fiberglass bathtubs and makes them tougher and stronger than other tubs.
• They can be cleaned very easily by using just water and a mild detergent.
• A fiber glass bathtub is also very easy to repair. A white water based automotive polishing compound is all you need to remove any surface abrasions and scratches. Apply the solution with a clean dust cloth to the affected area, wipe off the remains, apply a coat of wax and you're done.

Fiberglass Bathtub Resources

Homeclick.com - Large Selection of Fiberglass Bathtubs Homeclick.com has a huge selection of fiberglass bathtubs and acrylic bathtubs with fiberglass backing at great prices. Fiberglass Bathtubs By American Reinforced Plastics ARP is a top manufacturer of fiberglass bathtubs.

There are bathtubs made of marble, and there are fiberglass bath tubs, but who's ever heard of tubs made out of foam? Foam bathtubs are a relatively new invention, developed to reduce the number of unfortunate accidents that occur all the time "“ slipping and falling while enjoying a relaxing bath in the tub.

The Federal Consumer Product Safety Commission has found that around 150,000 injuries a year occur in the bathtub and shower alone! Accidents like these should be the last thing on your mind as you leave a stressful day behind and relax. Invest in a foam bathtub and you will be able to enjoy without having to worry!

Just like its name suggests, a foam bathtub is one made entirely of foam. Using one would mean that you can now forgo having to purchase a bathtub safety mat for your tub. They will not only assist and prevent young children and older people from slipping and falling, but will benefit your entire family as well. One Canadian company, International Cushioned Products, has created such foam tubs called the Soft Bathtub which is made of spongy urethane foam covering with a tough fiberglass hide.

As the flooring gives way when stepped on, the extra hold helps to maintain balance while bathing. The foam material used for the bath tub not only keeps you safe while you bathe, but also acts as an insulator to keep your bath warm longer. Another benefit of the foam is that this material retains heat better than conventional tubs. This makes for a more enjoyable warm bath in addition to greater comfort and relaxation after a long day. Available in four sizes, the Soft Bathtub costs around $1,700 to $3,900 a piece.

You may already know that cast iron bathtubs have a great deal of history behind them. The first ever bathtub to be made, was originally built as a water trough for horses to drink from; and by attaching feet to the trough, it would double up as a bathtub. This bathtub, made way back in the 1800s, was made of cast iron. Cast iron tubs have come a long way since then and are now finding a place in innumerable bathrooms. Enamel coated cast iron is the most durable material for bathtubs but also more expensive.

Features Of Cast Iron Bathtubs

• The word 'cast' refers to the way the bathtub is made and is not a type of iron.
• The molten iron is cast into the desired shape and size of mold and made into bathtubs.
• Cast iron can be fired at much higher temperatures than other materials, thus giving the bath tubs a highly polished finish.
• Cast iron tubs are usually 5 feet in length or less with only very few being over 5 feet.
• Cast iron being heavy, iron bath tubs too are very heavy.

Benefits Of Cast Iron Bath Tubs

• Iron bathtubs are very durable and with proper maintenance literally last a lifetime. They are 'fire polished' and thus can achieve deep hues and high gloss.
• Cast iron tubs do not scratch easily and if they do get scratched, they can be repaired without spending too much money.
• Cast iron helps to minimize vibrations and noise and these tubs keep water warm for longer periods.
• They have a high gloss surface that reduces damage and their density prevents cracks and chips.

If you are the original buyer of your cast iron bathtub, then you can get a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer for as long as you own the cast iron bathtub.

Cast Iron Bathtub Resources

AbsoluteHome.com - Online Retailer of Cast Iron Tubs
AbsoluteHome has a large selection of cast iron bathtubs.

Cast Iron Bathtubs at Vintage Tub & Bath
Vintage Tub and Bath carries all sorts of old-fashioned and modern iron tubs.

When you think of bathrooms, generally what comes to mind is a cold and sterile room which is more functional than anything else. But nowadays more and more bathrooms are being remodeled to have some character and color and be more warm and inviting. Along with having the regular fixtures, bathrooms are also being fitted with closets and perhaps even a workout area! So if you are in the quest for a good-looking bathroom, go with porcelain on steel bathtubs.

Features Of Porcelain On Steel Bathtubs

• Porcelain on steel bathtubs are also known as porcelain bathtubs.
• They are covered with porcelain enamel, which is a significantly vitreous or glassy inert coating that is fused on metal by bonding at a temperature above 800 degrees F.
• Porcelain on steel bath tubs are made of one-piece thin stamped steel shells, which are then layered with the heat-fused porcelain enamel.
• Porcelain bath tubs are the most common type of bath tubs available.

Benefits Of Porcelain On Steel Bath Tubs

• They are very economically priced and are light in weight.
• Porcelain tubs can withstand household chemical stains that can forever spoil most other finishes.
• They do not rust as porcelain enamel is resistant to salt, humidity, and air.
• Porcelain on steel bathtubs do not get chipped or scratched under normal use.
• Porcelain bathtubs will not burn from cigarettes or open flames either as other synthetic coatings.
• They do not have any pores in which dirt can penetrate and thus are very easy to clean. They can be cleaned by regular non-abrasive soap and water.
• Porcelain on steel bath tubs do not lose their color and high gloss as they are fused at very high temperatures.

Have you ever thought about wooden bathtubs? Bear with us….A bath tub is an integral part of a bathroom in most homes. Along with its cleaning function, a bathtub is a great way to ease your aching muscles and relieve the stiffness and soreness of your body. Besides being useful for the obvious purpose of taking a bath, they can also be used for cleaning large objects as well as to clean your extended families "“ your pets!

Bathtubs are available in a variety of shapes and sizes so as to suit individual home requirements. Tubs are also made of many different materials including fiberglass, cast iron baths, stainless steel bathtubs etc. Another unique type in terms of the material used is a wooden bathtub.

We say unique because wood and water do not go with each other. This is the reason why wooden bath tubs are not as durable and long lasting as other types. Bath tubs made of other materials can last you for as long as 50 years with the proper care. But the same is not the case with wooden ones. However good care you take of a wooden tub; it is still going to be a temporary luxury.

A wooden bathtub, although not very durable, is still a great looking bathtub and can add a touch of class to any bathroom. It can provide a unique look that is different from the other regular bathtubs.

A wooden bath tends to rot and get warped. But to delay this, you should look for tubs made from teak wood. This is the best wood that can be used for wooden bathtubs. However, you should use this type of bath tub often and regularly otherwise it will dry out and the wood will split.

When installing a wooden bath in your home, ensure that the flooring is waterproof. It is a good idea to have a floor drain in addition to the bathtub drain. A clear fiberglass resin coating goes a long way in making wooden bathtubs waterproof.

While typical bathtubs are made of PVC, acrylic or fiberglass, cultured marble bathtubs are made of cultured marble, which is a blend of fiberglass resin and crushed limestone. A clear gel coat then covers the fiberglass and limestone mixture to produce a strong and durable yet shiny and non-porous surface, which is easy to maintain and is resistant to wear and tear. The marble bathtub's shape and size depends on the type of molds used in the marble bathtub construction. This means that you will have an option to design the tub yourself as well as customizing color and size of the bath tub. With this, you'll get to save your costs on engaging a professional bath tub designer.

Why Are These Bathtubs Different?

Cultured marble products generally give off a more luxurious feel as compared to standard acrylic and fiberglass bathtubs. Looks aside, cultured marble also has its own advantageous such as long-lasting durability and waterproof capabilities. As marble bathtubs are normally gel coated, this outer layer offers maximum strength and durability. Marble bath tubs generally last longer than the more ordinary tubs, as it is prone to water and is resistant to chipping. There are many choices of marble bath tubs from your traditional bath tub retailer or online through various online bath tubs websites. It's best to visit your neighborhood bath tub store and view the various cultured tubs they have. Then, you could probably check out the various options online to get the best prices. Depending on your findings, you can either purchase your marble tub online and get it delivered, or order it from your neighborhood bathtub store. Online stores such as LL Cultured Marble have been manufacturing cultured marble bath tubs and other marble products for the past forty years. Another marble bathtub producer, Cultured Marble Products offers seven tub designs.