Bathtub question

[BTW]

I'm redoing a bathroom, and while ordering materials, accidentally ordered an Americast tub instead of a cast iron tub.  I didn't pick up on the mistake until it was delivered as the price was similar to the cast iron tub.

I've researched the tub on the net, and Americast is supposed to be a dependable and durable material. Its also real light. I would MUCH rather install the light tub than a 300 pound cast iron tub. I'm just afraid its going to move or feel flimsy after installation.

Does anyone have experience installing these tubs or using them? Should I return it and get the cast iron tub, or, are these new material tubs a good option?

[Holden McGroin]

Millard Fillmore....

Oh sorry, I answered without reading your question.

Concrete tubs should be okay... don't see how it could be flimsy...

[Mark Luper]

Whatever you do don't get the plastic tubs. Those really feel flimsy to me. I have one so I ought to know

[storch]

I've heard of Americast for use in culverts, box drains etc but never in actual inside the home plumbimg fixtures.  That being said they are the industry leader in those products so I would guess that if they are making fixtures you will have an excellent product for a good company.  now explain how it will be lighter that sure sounds interesting to me.  we remodelled our home in 1999.  the home was built in 1951 and had lots of original stuff that we kept.  that would include two of the four bathrooms.  frau storch is wanting all new bathrooms including the ones redone in 1999.  I'm open to any new technologies especially in the tub shower and tiolet departments I dislike the 1.5 gal toilets they barely flush liquids, fecal matter seems to require two or three flushes.

[BTW]

Well, I call it plastic but its some sort of patented polymer they swear is durable. I guess I just have to try it. I was hoping someone had experience with it that could give tips to give it the best possible chance of not being a piece of junk. Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised - I'm gonna try it.

[SOB]

I saw this on Ask This Old House, Storch.  Looked like a good product (although they were fixing part of it in the episode)...

http://www.flushmate.com/

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/tvprograms/asktoh/showresources/episode/0,16663,1110925-1150468,00.html

[BTW]

Originally posted by storch
I've heard of Americast for use in culverts, box drains etc but never in actual inside the home plumbimg fixtures.  That being said they are the industry leader in those products so I would guess that if they are making fixtures you will have an excellent product for a good company.  now explain how it will be lighter that sure sounds interesting to me.  we remodelled our home in 1999.  the home was built in 1951 and had lots of original stuff that we kept.  that would include two of the four bathrooms.  frau storch is wanting all new bathrooms including the ones redone in 1999.  I'm open to any new technologies especially in the tub shower and tiolet departments I dislike the 1.5 gal toilets they barely flush liquids, fecal matter seems to require two or three flushes.

Wouldn't that be par for the EPA. The old 3.2 gallon tanks took one flush. Miss Pollyanna from the EPA decides we can use half that water so creates a law stating tanks must be 1/2 size (1.6 gallons). People now flush 3 times and we use 1/3 more water. But Miss Pollyanna feels great about herself and the world turns a little brighter.

[parker00]

Originally posted by BTW
I'm redoing a bathroom, and while ordering materials, accidentally ordered an Americast tub instead of a cast iron tub.  I didn't pick up on the mistake until it was delivered as the price was similar to the cast iron tub.

I've researched the tub on the net, and Americast is supposed to be a dependable and durable material. Its also real light. I would MUCH rather install the light tub than a 300 pound cast iron tub. I'm just afraid its going to move or feel flimsy after installation.

Does anyone have experience installing these tubs or using them? Should I return it and get the cast iron tub, or, are these new material tubs a good option?

I bought one of those two piece snap together type bathtubs and even though you could throw it around and damn near bend it anyway you wanted before you put it once it was in it doesn't move or bend and no flexing in the bottom when you step on it. I was worried too but once it was in I was surprised at the strength.

[FiLtH]

I just installed a claw foot tub made of similar material. I liked it. It was solid, and best of all..lighter.

   Storch as far as the low consumption toilets, try a Toto with the large flush valve.

[storch]

what would a bathroom cost these days?  I think I spent around $5k per bathroom in 1999 but now I'm not sure.

[ramzey]

Originally posted by BTW
I'm redoing a bathroom, and while ordering materials, accidentally ordered an Americast tub instead of a cast iron tub.  I didn't pick up on the mistake until it was delivered as the price was similar to the cast iron tub.

I've researched the tub on the net, and Americast is supposed to be a dependable and durable material. Its also real light. I would MUCH rather install the light tub than a 300 pound cast iron tub. I'm just afraid its going to move or feel flimsy after installation.

Does anyone have experience installing these tubs or using them? Should I return it and get the cast iron tub, or, are these new material tubs a good option?

If you screw it / nail it to the wal like instruction say it  should not move.
Depend what kind of model you have. If you worry you can lay a concrete bed under and settle badtub on it (1-1,5'').
Americast is cheap and good brand. When you going to hang backeboards remember to cover tub with something soft on the bottom, tape cartboard pices to the edges , its prevent scraches from thinset drop and sand from backboards.
MOst importand during tile work is do not have anythhing havey or sharp when you are around tub, even small scrach or dent can ruin whole remodeling. So, no hammers , levels, scredrivers laying around over the tub.
Trust me it can save you a lot of gray hairs ;-)

edit:
One more. Very importand, allways clean inside of bathtub during and after any work and dont keep anything inside bathtub you can step on.

[ramzey]

Storch thats depends how big, what kind of materials you like to use
but for 5k you can make it nice

[storch]

the two bathrooms we re-did in 1999 are 8 x 10 and 9 x 12 both with bidets, showers, whirlpool tubs and his and hers sinks. we used granite counter tops and back splashes ceramics on the floors wall tiles.  we didn't use sheetrock, instead we used a concrete board roughly the size of rocklath applied a scratch coat of plaster then mastiked the wall tiles into place.  frau storch thinks the decor is looking dated otherwise the bathrooms are perfect (gets her ideas from those pesky home improvement shows).  I'm considering going with a natural stone product for the walls. I'm considering changing the toilets and going with frameless glass for the showers  the tubs will stay.  since we bought american standard fixtures I think a matching pressurized toilet may not be a problem.  the other two are much smaller.  one is 8 x 6 and the other is about the same maybe just a little smaller.  these will be gutted completely.

[FiLtH]

They all vary. For a complete one with your tastes Id plan anywhere from 8-10k in my area. Whirlpools alone can be 3k or so. If you can replace the fixtures using the existing plumbing it will save you alot. When you start relocating stuff thats when it starts to get expensive. I just helped my brother with his, we did everything, new window, replaced tub with a 3ft shower, required light carpentry work, new sheetrock, new fan/light, insulated, new toilet lav, same locations, and tile floor. He probably has $2500 in it.

[storch]

yes I think the smaller bathrooms will be in the 5k a piece range down here currently.  they have a regular bathtub with a shower head a toilet and sink.  If I can shoehorn a bidet into them I will even thogh it will require cutting, chipping and dust.  the ladies seem to appreciate the concept of the bidet.  the other thing the occurs to me is that the pipes are probably cast and fifty five years is a long time.  should I get a guy with a camera to scare me with the condition of the pipes?  we have had no problems with flushing thus far.