Bathtub
The natural stone also provides the basis around which the rest of your bathroom is built. No matter you are going for a completely modern look or thinking of matching the natural appearance of your stone basin, a natural stone is a perfect choice for a luxe bath.
You may feel that a natural stone bathtub is not very common. But due to their smooth surface, these stone bathtubs are a treat to your skin. It means you can comfortably slide into your bathtub and enjoy a completely immersed warm bathing experience.
However, buying a new natural stone bathtub is a daunting process. It is because there is a wide variety of options to choose from. To make the right decision when selecting the right natural stone for your bath, you need to weigh out the pros and cons of this material.
Are stone bathtubs good?
Many believes stone bathtubs are natural skin friendly. Not only because a natural stone have the natural vibes to our body, but also because high polished stone surface keep the water temperature same for a prolonged period which is very good for taking a bath.
What is a tub stone?
A tub stone is a tub made by stone. It literally hand-carved from a natural stone block and after polished the surface, make a stone block bathtub with amazing look. Common tub stone types include our familiar material such as marble tub, granite tub, travertine tub or even onyx tub.
What is the best material for a bathtub?
There is no other material could even compete with stone. Natural stone is the best material for a stone bathtub.
1. Stone last hundreds of years or thousands of years.
2. Stone retain water heat for a longer period.
3. Polished stone surface could be very easy to clean and maintain.
4. A natural stone tub is easy to maintain. If there is a scratch or minor damange, you could use a hand polished machine to make the surface brand new again.
Which bathtub is easiest to clean?
In terms of clean for a bathtub, it depends on the degree of smooth of a tub surface. The most smooth a bathtub surface could be, the more easy it could be cleaned. But almost everything wear out. Even the most shining cast iron bathtub or glass tub could be worn out within a few years. But natural stone bathtub is different. When you first bought a polished stone bathtub, it could last shining and smooth for longer years. Even if one day it lost the shining, you could use a hand polished machine to get rid of the old surface and wax it to make it new again. Stone bathtub is always easy to clean.
Pros of Natural Stone Bathtubs
Here are some noteworthy benefits of natural stone bathtubs:
1. Long-lasting
The beauty of a natural stone is long-lasting. It is highly durable and strong, so it won’t chip or crack like a cheap acrylic bath. Even if you accidentally damage it, it is easy to repair minor damages on a natural stone. However, the color of natural stone may change over time but it can be slowed down if you take proper care of your bathtub.
2. Retain Heat
You may think that a natural stone is always cold, but you might be amazed to know that it actually retains heat. It means that a warm bath will last for a long time than other bathtub materials, as natural stone stops heat from escaping easily.
3. Easy Repair
There will be a time when you will find a scratch on your natural stone bathtub. But don’t worry, as repairing it is a breeze. You can call a natural stone repair expert or fabricator to help you repair the minor damages caused to your natural stone bath.
You could also find a hand polished machine and like polish a marble countertop, polish the marble tub surface by yourself. When it comes to cleaning, natural stone bathtubs need little more maintenance than regular bathtubs. But the cleaning steps won’t take too much time and effort for cleaning. Remember. the long-lasting durable nature of natural stone baths remains if you regularly clean them to let the stone bath stay in the best condition.
4. Choice of Design
Well, this point is not just specific to natural stone baths – as so many bathtub materials are available in a variety of designs. But the natural stone baths are only available in a standard shape.
A popular shape of stone bath is oval, which is quite deep and lets you slip easily and get immersed in water. You may even go for a regular square shape that ends up looking to have a more cutting edge. However, there are some unique designs, like boat and slipper bathtubs and you can certainly guess their shapes. Plus, these gorgeous bathtubs are likely to dazzle for many years to come.
5. Sturdiness
Nature stone bathtubs made of marble, granite, or travertine are very durable and strong. A natural stone bath is likely to last for many years without cracking or chipping. With porcelain and fiberglass tubs, you need to be careful not to scratch their paint. But staining and scratches are not a concern if you have a natural stone bathtub at your home.
6. Comfort
Natural stone bathtubs are very smooth, comfortable, and created to last a lifetime. A famous natural stone bath is designed to be very deep with a smooth interior, ensuring you get maximum comfort as you soak yourself in it. The surface of a natural stone tub will feel relaxing and comforting against your skin. So, you don’t have to worry about any pain or discomfort when you’re lying in a stone bath.
Cons of Stone
For every pro of natural stone bath, there are some cons as well. Here are a few disadvantages you need to be aware of.
1. Expensive to install
For many homeowners, the high cost of a natural stone bathtub makes it a bad choice. Because a stone bathtub weigh amost 900 kg, you may have to pay almost same cost of a stone bathtub for the installation. Therefore, average homeowners try to avoid installing natural stone baths in their bathrooms.
2. Natural Stone is cold outside
If you want a stone bathtub outside in backyard, it can be quite cold to touch outside the house especially in winter. This is a drawback for many people who are sensitive to cold conditions. Or they have to purchase a radiant garden floor heating system to keep the environment bearable in the winter.
3. Natural Stone is Porous
Unlike porcelain or ceramic bathtubs, natural stone bathtubs are porous and can easily show discoloration when it comes in contact with moisture. The stone types with high iron content can easily rust and discolor in a moist environment. The porousness also means that its surface is likely to get stained easily. A natural stone bath may get permanent discoloration by hair coloring dyes or lipstick stains. The only prevention technique is to seal natural stone annually to avoid such issues.
4.Natural Stone is High Maintenance
A good stone tub is easy to clean, but is high maintenance. Because stone is porous so you need to maintain the surface each year. The way is to apply marble countertop surface wax to a marble tub surface once a year
Recommendation
Natural stone bathtubs for the bathroom are a viable option, all thanks to advanced sealers that minimize the natural stone’s susceptibility to staining and water damage. A natural stone bath is a good option for homeowners who need a “wow” factor in their modern bathroom space. But for many people, natural stone is a costly and high maintenance product. If you are confused about whether or not to choose a natural stone bath for your home, weigh down the pros and cons of the material. After that, you can decide for yourself whether you want a natural stone bathtub for your bathroom or would like to choose some other material.