Choosing the Perfect Bath Material
Choosing the right material for your bath is just as important as choosing the right size or system. It impacts everything from the feel and warmth of your bath to its durability and ease of installation.
At Luna Spas, we work with a select group of top manufacturers to ensure every bath is a perfect foundation for our whirlpool systems. The materials we use are chosen for their superior quality, feel, and performance.
Materials at a Glance
| Material | Key Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitary grade, 5mm | A classic, smooth, and warm-to-the-touch surface. It's lightweight, easy to install, and provides a brilliant, lasting finish. | Carron, Ideal Standard, Duravit, Nordic, Charlotte Edwards, Bathe Easy |
| Lucite® Acrylic | A premium, high-gloss surface that is warm to the touch. It provides excellent heat retention for a long, comfortable soak. | RIHO |
| Toplax®, Puretex® | Toplax® is a fiberglass-free reinforced acrylic, while Puretex® is a high-strength polyurethane reinforcement. Both are lightweight, strong, and easy to install. | Allibert |
| Carronite™ | A patented triple-layer reinforcement that creates a noticeably stiffer, more rigid bath. Retains heat for up to 30 minutes longer than standard acrylic. | Carron |
| Enamel Steel | Crafted from titanium steel with a glass-enamel finish. Virtually indestructible, scratch-resistant, and the most hygienic surface due to its non-porous nature. | Bette, Kaldewei |
| Acrylic-Mineral Composite | A premium, dense material with a mineral core for extra rigidity and excellent heat retention. It feels incredibly solid and durable, with a luxurious polished finish. | LAUFEN |
Sanitary grade, 5mm
Brands: Carron, Ideal Standard, Duravit, Nordic, Charlotte Edwards, Bathe Easy
A classic, smooth, and warm-to-the-touch surface. It's lightweight, easy to install, and provides a brilliant, lasting finish.
Lucite® Acrylic
Brands: RIHO
A premium, high-gloss surface that is warm to the touch. It provides excellent heat retention for a long, comfortable soak.
Toplax® & Puretex®
Brands: Allibert
Toplax® is a fiberglass-free reinforced acrylic, while Puretex® is a high-strength polyurethane reinforcement. Both are lightweight, strong, and easy to install.
Carronite™
Brand: Carron
A patented triple-layer reinforcement that creates a noticeably stiffer, more rigid bath. Retains heat for up to 30 minutes longer than standard acrylic.
Enamel Steel
Brands: Bette, Kaldewei
Crafted from 3.5mm titanium steel with a glass-enamel finish. Indestructible, scratch-resistant, and ultra-hygienic with superior heat distribution.
Acrylic-Mineral Composite
Brands: LAUFEN
A premium, dense material with a mineral core for extra rigidity and excellent heat retention. It feels incredibly solid and durable, with a luxurious matte or polished finish.
Why Choose a Particular Material?
- For Value and Versatility: Sanitary grade, 5mm is a fantastic choice. It is lightweight, easy to handle, and feels warm, providing a high-quality experience at an accessible price.
- For a Premium, Warm Feel: Lucite® Acrylic is a high-grade material known for its brilliant, high-gloss finish and superior heat retention.
- For Durability and Lightweight Design: Toplax® & Puretex® materials, used by Allibert, provide a solid and durable bath that is significantly lighter than other reinforced materials.
- For Durability and Heat Retention: Carronite™ is a game-changer. The added reinforcement makes the bath feel exceptionally solid and prevents flexing, while keeping your water warmer for much longer.
- For Longevity and Hygiene: Enamel Steel is the choice for a lifetime. Made from robust titanium steel, it is impact and scratch-resistant. Its glass-like surface is completely non-porous, making it the most hygienic material for whirlpool systems while offering excellent heat distribution.
- For a Premium, Solid Feel: Acrylic-Mineral Composite baths offer the feel of traditional stone without the extreme weight. It is incredibly rigid and offers outstanding heat retention for a luxury soak.
Steel vs. Carronite™: The Ultimate Durability Showdown
When it comes to high-performance whirlpool baths, Enamel Steel and Carronite™ are the industry heavyweights. Both offer significantly more rigidity and longevity than standard 5mm acrylic, but they achieve this in very different ways.
| Feature | Enamel Steel (Bette/Kaldewei) | Carronite™ (Carron) |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 3.5mm Titanium Steel & Glass Enamel | Triple-Layer Reinforced Acrylic |
| Heat Retention | Excellent (Once metal is warm) | Industry Leading (Stays warm 30m longer) |
| Scratch Resistance | Indestructible – Glass-hard surface | High – Can be polished if marked |
| Hygiene | Superior – Non-porous glass finish | Excellent – Smooth and easy to clean |
| Tactile Feel | Cool at first, then stays very even | Warm to the touch immediately |
Which One is Right for You?
Choose Enamel Steel if... Hygiene is your top priority. The non-porous glass surface naturally resists bacteria and limescale. It’s also the perfect "buy once" bath for high-traffic family homes.
Choose Carronite™ if... You are a "long soak" bather. Its famous insulation properties keep the water temperature higher for longer, and it offers a wider range of ergonomic, traditional shapes.
Our team of experts is here to help. Click the button below and get in touch.
Contact us About Us