Can anyone recommend a good tub replacement brand?

Hi all,

So the bathtub/shower combo needs to be replaced in my house, as it is old and has some hairline cracking. It has turned into such a complicated undertaking in so many ways, between trying to find someone to do it and now having to find someone to do the finish work. (No, it's not something I can do myself nor do I have the interest).

The plumbing company I just had give me a quote, installs Kohler Sterling 4 piece replacement tubs, but from what I am seeing and reading online they are not very good quality. Does anyone have any suggestions for a quality replacement tub, it does have to be not one piece as it is going into a pre existing bathroom. Thanks for any ideas or recommendations!

-T

 

Not sure if they manufacture multi piece units, but I have had good luck with Aquatic one piece units.

 

When we started the house Reno' , Con & I went to the big stores but also too Ferguson... The plumbing warehouse for contractors and

homeowners...

I put a 3 piece shower kit in the Master BUT the main bathroom will get a soaker tub from Kohler ; Archer Cast Iron...

Good luck...and sadly my only Plumbing connection in New Hampshire has sold out and is working for one of his bigger competitors...

Loving Life and no head aches or backed up toilets... only New installs

 

If you want a fiberglass tub, they can be sourced at a big box store, do not get American Standard, as their quality is terrible.
Ferguson as stated above is a plumbing supplier that will sell to the public, but if you have a contractor, he will have a discount there.
We like the hybrid tubs they sell. Not quite cast iron, but not as thin as the thin steel crap ones they have at Home Depot.

 

Ok, thanks for the info, any particular brands you guys recommend? The other struggle has been finding someone to do the finish work that isn't booked until next March! What a headache this is!

 

Haha no... Long story long, I had a contractor come out because I wanted it replaced because I could feel a hairline crack or two under my feet, so he came out with his useless plumber and they proceeded to tell me that the tub was not cracked and that it just needed more support under it. The tub is as old as the house, so 42 years old, not cast iron. The contractor said he would just spray foam under the tub to give it more support and I should be good to go, and I stupidly said ok, sounds good. Next time I go to clean said tub I now see multiple hairline cracks all down the middle, if it had no cracks before it sure as shit does now thanks to the spray foam putting pressure on it, or it just made the existing ones more obvious. Told that contractor to give me my money back, which he did, and now the long headache of finding someone to get it done right!

-T

 

We chose to go with Duravit for both of our tub/shower replacements. A larger plumbing house in New England (F.W. Webb) was where we found the first one, but we were able to save nearly $300 by ordering the second one through Lowes (online order only). They're acrylic, not cast or fiberglass.

The Kohler's have great reviews, too, and were our second choice. Once the tub is in, just hire in a tile person to finish the walls and never look back. 4x6 subway tile is something like $0.15/each.

Another option (if you haven't already looked into it) is Bath Fitters. That's more of a facelift, though.

 

If you have to use a big box store, Delta and Kohler are good choices. People have issues with any type of tub when they’re installed incorrectly. For example some of the the Delta tubs have a plastic insert for the bottom which they say needs no mortar bed. This loose installation can make for cracked grout joints later in the tile installed above, or if there’s any movement, you’ll feel the void in your feet when you step in the tub. So it’s not all in the brand, but the installation is very important, as you’ve already experienced. Honestly I would wait and schedule an experienced, well-known plumber, because right now all the good ones are booked. Everyone wants their bath done before Christmas and thanksgiving, and the ones who waited too long to book are scheduled right after the holidays. You may get lucky with a good handyman, but I wouldn’t gamble with your bathroom.

 

I just put in a Mansfield steel tub (porcelain enamored finish) in a bathroom in my house. I went with a 3 piece American Standard surround. I would probably use the same tub again, but might go another direction on the surround if I were to do it again.