Premium Aristech Acrylics…Setting the Quality Standard.
It's durable…beautiful…and easy to clean.

For over a decade, cast acrylic has been the surface material of choice for high quality whirlpool tubs found in master bathrooms across the country. After years of use, homeowners have found acrylic's reputation for quality and comfort well deserved. Today, more than ever, acrylic bathtubs are also gaining popularity in family and guest bathrooms -- in both new home construction and remodeling.

The reasons are simple. Acrylic gives homeowners everything they want in a bathtub. Acrylic is extremely hard and non-porous by nature. So, dirt, soapy film, and germs can't penetrate. Cleaning is easy using a mild bathroom cleaner and wiping with a damp sponge/cloth, even after years of everyday use. Acrylic retains its beautiful high-gloss shine better than many other materials.

Acrylic bathtubs are also lightweight and very sturdy, making installation easier and often less costly. For home-owners, another benefit is warmth. The acrylics bathtub feels wonderfully warm to the touch. So, unlike porcelain, with acrylic, there are no shockingly cold surprises in store for the unwary bather who may touch a part of the tub that's not under water.

As for style and color, no other surface material compares to acrylic. Today, acrylic tub/shower enclosures, complete with walls and ceilings, are a premier attraction in home shows everywhere. These elegant designs with their curves and built-in features are possible through the easy-to-form nature of acrylic. They are not available in other bath materials like gel coat/fiberglass or steel. Acrylics are also available in a wide range of colors and effects including marbles, pearlescents and granite textures to make an acrylic bathtub a centerpiece in any home.

So, today, the secret to satisfaction in the bath is as simple as choosing the right surface material. And the secret to choosing the right material is equally simple -- always acrylic.

About Cast Acrylic
Cast acrylic was first used in the U.S. for aircraft cockpits and windshields during WWII. Since then, applications have expanded, and acrylics are now one of the most widely used specialty products.

In addition to providing ideal material for baths and showers, acrylic gives portable hot tubs their high resistance to weathering and harsh sanitizing agents. Because it will not dull or fade in weather, acrylic is the premier material for outdoor signs, too.

Acrylics are also the building block of solid surfacing for countertops and vanities like Wilsonart® Gibraltar®, and Avonite® Formstone®. These surfaces, like the acrylic tub, are well known for their ability to withstand heavy everyday use and cleaning.*

* Wilsonart and Gibraltar are registered trademarks of Wilsonart International, and Avonite and Formstone are registered trademarks of Avonite, Inc.

Unlimited Design Potential
Aristech Acrylics are available in a wide range of colors and are easily fabricated into designs that offer the best long-range bathroom and hot tub solutions. In contrast, enameled steel/cast iron offers limited color and design choices. For example, a one-piece shower/tub option is not available. And because gel coat can fade and dull over time, white and bone are generally the only colors available.

Click here to visit the Technical Bulletin section to obtain more specific information on the properties and characteristics of the various acrylic grades suitable for bath and hot tub surface applications.

Compare the Benefits of Premium Aristech Acrylics
Vs
Other Common Surface Materials

CAST ACRYLIC	GEL COAT/FIBERGLASS
•Acrylics hardness and high gloss make it very easy to clean	•Gel coat/fiberglass can show wear and tear, making cleaning more difficult
•Acrylic is virtually non-porous, making it less susceptible to mildew, soap scum, and other chemicals	•Gel coat/fiberglass being more porous may absorb these by-products, causing dulling and discoloration in the long-term
•Since acrylic's color goes through the entire material, most scratches can be buffed out easily	•Because gel coat is a thin veneer of plastic over fiberglass, scratches are more difficult to repair
•Acrylic is color fast and weatherable and will retain its high-gloss appearance for many years	•Gel coat/fiberglass is less weatherable and may fade and dull over time
•Acrylic's finished side never touches the tub mold during the molding process, so its finish is protected from the beginning	•In manufacturing, the gel coat finished side directly contacts the tub mold increasing the chance of surface imperfections and contamination

CAST ACRYLIC	ENAMELED STEEL/CAST IRON
•Acrylic tub/shower construction is seamless and acrylic is non-porous, making it less susceptible to mildew and soap scum and easier to clean	•The grout of tile surrounding enameled steel/cast iron is porous, allowing milder, soap scum, and chemicals to build up and cause discoloration and odor
•Acrylic provides high heat retention for a more comfortable bathing experience	•The enameled steel/cast iron surface is cold and dissipates the heat of the water faster
•Since acrylic's color goes through the entire material, most scratches can be buffed out easily and other repairs are often not visible	•the enamel layer over steel or cast iron is a thin veneer easily chipped and difficult to repair, leading to corrosion and rust of the metal underneath

The Unique Benefits of Aristech Cast Acrylics

High-Gloss Finish…Aristech Acrylic Sheet products retain their glossy appearance through years of normal wear and tear.

Easy To Clean…Hard non-porous surface is less susceptible to mildew and algae.

Color Fast…Won't fade or dull…even in sunlight.

Chemical & Stain Resistant…Resists common household stains such as lipstick, hair dye, ink and crayon.

High Heat Retention…Warm to the touch, providing a more comfortable bathing experience.

Vast Color & Design Choices…Aristech Cast Acrylics provide manufacturers unlimited design freedom.

Easy To Repair…Because the color goes all the way through Aristech Acrylic Sheet, most scratches can be buffed out.

Installation Made Easy
Another important consideration in selecting bathtub materials is the installation process. Some materials handle the stress better than others.

Enameled steel dents easily and can be damaged during shipping. Cast iron is extremely heavy. Steel and cast iron tubs require the use of surrounding tile, increasing the change of damage (chipping) after installation.

Because gel coat/fiberglass can be brittle, damage during shipment is commonplace. Most gel coat fixtures consist of a tub and three walls; this means drywall must be installed above the gel coat walls and on the ceiling. This increases the chance for damage after the unit's installation. And because gel coat is a veneer, scratches are difficult to repair through buffing.

Cast acrylic shine both during and after installation:

Lightweight for easier handling
More design choices for better installation solutions
Full enclosure eliminate the need for tile and drywall installation
Multi-piece "remodeling" showers and tub/shower units offered by many manufacturers can fit through existing doorways for easy installation
Most scratches can be buffed out

Click here to order your FREE "Always Acrylic. Quality Bath Guide."