I grew up with porcelain and enamel tubs. They’re kind of the norm, and I never really thought about owning anything different until I moved into my current house, which has tubs and shower surrounds made of ABS. Now that I’ve experienced both and had the chance to form an opinion, it’s this: I much prefer the ABS.
First of all, just what is ABS? It’s a heavy-duty plastic that’s lightweight, yet durable. Because it’s so light, it’s really easy to install, and it can last for years on end, if treated properly. Now, why do I prefer it to porcelain or enamel?
1. The ABS is much easier to clean. It doesn’t seem to hold on to the soap scum like enamel does. I can just use a little cleaner on a washcloth and get excellent results. In the past, I’ve hurt my shoulder and elbow trying to clean porcelain. There’s just really no comparison.
2. ABS doesn’t chip like porcelain, and the finish doesn’t wear off, like it does with porcelain.
3. ABS doesn’t look like plastic. It has a nice finish to it, and until you walk up and thump on it, you don’t know you’re not looking at a heavier-duty material. And I don’t know about you, but when I’m at someone’s house and I’ve asked to use their bathroom, I don’t make it a habit to thump on their bathtubs.
Now, with that said, there are a few drawbacks to the ABS. I already mentioned that it is a lightweight material, and some people prefer a heavier material. That’s okay – it’s a personal preference thing, as I’ve never discovered any difference in the functionality between them.
The main thing, though, is that certain shampoos seem to cling to the sides of the ABS, like they’re magnetically drawn. These are the shampoos with an orange tint to them, such as T-Gel. If you’re using orange shampoos, you’ll probably notice that your shower surround is starting to take on an orange tint. However, you can scrub it off without too much elbow grease – just keep in mind that’s something you’ll need to do.
If you need to replace a tub or shower in your home, you might consider looking at ABS as a less expensive alternative. Of course, talk to your salesman about what will work best for your needs.
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