I am looking at purchasing and installing a 5' 36''-42'' (acrylic or cast iron) tub. No whirlpool. Any suggestions on a brand? I was looking at Kohler? Looking for something deep and wide for the lady. The tub is also to be used for a tub/shower combo. Looking at an alcove (tile flange, apron) install. Can't find many tub reviews on the web.

I am a little concerned about the whole "plastic" tub thing but I think that with properly setting the tub in morter we should be fine. Any suggestions?

Is this a silly question or what? Cast iron tub (kohler) $1500 vs acrylic (Lasco or Kohler) $700. Is the cast iron worth the extra cash?; That is once we are able to move the thing into the bathroom. Any suggestions?

No it's not a silly question. We don't recommend brand names unless it's a special installation where that's the only part we could find. To answer your question.
Top of the line= cast iron, next steel tubs, and last comes fiber glass and acrylic. Regards, Tom

Understand.. Thanks. We were leaning towards the cast iron anyway, it's just so easy to take the "inexpensive" way out!

Don't know how I am going to get it in the house. Maybe a moving company. Or keg party.

Brian,

Consider looking at the Tea for Two by Kohler (http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?from=thumb&frm=&module=Baths&item=461802&prod_num=850&section=2&category=10). It is a Deep and Wide cast-iron tub.

I installed this during last years home improvement season. (Starts just weeks before the holidays when it is your turn to host <grin>) My wife loves it and it is deep enough so that I can enjoy a nice soak too.

It is a drop in unit, but, it can be installed in an alcove, which is what we did.

And, yes, it does require a bunch of helping hands. I would suggest a Kegger/Percodan party. But, only after the tub is in place.

GoodLuck, Dan

Oh yes, I am familiar with the tea-for-2. I tried to get away with it. But, Better-half insists on extra wide. We are replacing an old walk in shower so we can go up to 42". And, after the Better-half sat in a 42" oval acrylic at the store, there is no going back. We are looking at the Pristine http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?from=thumb&frm=null&module=Baths&item=432002&prod_num=770&section=2&category=10 or acrylic.(418 pounds) She would be OK with acrylic, but I want the quality of cast iron.

Plan on wrapping the tub surround with Swanstone. Any experience with it.

Here are my budget options:
Cast Iron tub/Swanstone surround
Acrylic Tub/Cultured Marble surround

Does anybody have opinions on cultured marble tubs?

Can you protect against leakage off the tile wall adequately if Tea for Two tub is also being used as shower? Concerned about the absence of tile flanges. Does Kohler's tile bead kit work? C

I think a better question would be this... how long are you planning on staying in the home? Simulated marble is nice but it cracks easy if you drop something in it and repair is not easy. Fiberglass repair is easy and not too expensive. Cast iron is cold and takes hotter water to stay warm. Is your floor able to carry the weight? Are you going to actually use it often enough to make it worthwhile? If money is not an object here, go large, it will last longer and resale better. Image really is everything in sales. What color are the faucets? Is the drain going to be operated by your toe or a lever style?

I have a 6' Tea-For-Two that was installed in an alcove installation with the adhesive tile flange. This is a ridiculous solution to a systemic design flaw which failed and resulted in serious rot under the tub. Kohler's solution was to offer to sell me another of the silly flanges for $86. DO NOT INSTALL THE 6' TUB AS A TUB/SHOWER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, IT WILL FAIL. Kohler's failure to provide adequate support for their design flaw is extremely disappointing. My attitude is exacerbated due to the fact we installed a Kohler shower door that failed, was recalled, and we received no compensation.

The funny thing is that I'm a design/construction professional, and I specify and install Kohler products all the time, and they're generally a good item. I did insist that a client use the 5'6" Tea-For-Two which has an integral tile flange for alcove installation to avoid the issue I've experienced with my POORLY DESIGNED 6' tub. It's a pity that I'm over 6' tall and can't happily use the shorter tub. It's a great product with a systemic flaw the company has failed to correct for over a decade.

We thank you for the imput When you say "flange" are you referring to the drain? If so haqve to agree that Kohler could have come up with a better designed drain. Regards, Tom

No, I'm referring to what they call the "tile in bead" which is a rubber flange that attaches to three sides of the tub edge to allow it to be installed in a three sided tiled enclosure. I haven't had problems with the drain, thankfully.