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pat2kat_gw

Copper Tub Experiences?

17 years ago

We're about to remodel our master bath and would like a deep soaking tub. Several of the copper tubs seem to fit the bill, as they don't have an overflow pre-drilled. (Many "deep" tubs have such a low overflow that the final water depth is only 17" or 18" and we'd like 21"or 22" so the water covers our shoulders.)

Does anyone have any experiences with copper tubs? Do you like yours? Does it retain heat (as they are advertised to do)? Is 14 gauge copper better than 16 gauge for a tub? Any advice for selecting from among the many brands out there?

Thanks in advance.

Comments (15)

  • 17 years ago

    ...first off, I'm sure everyone realizes that the post from technoplumber above is spam... The website mentioned is brand new (as is technoplumber)and the site doesn't offer copper tubs. ...geez...

    Secondly, to answer your question, pat2kat, I am in the midst of a bathroom project and have purchased a copper tub and sink. Having purchased copper sinks in the past, I have a few words of advice:

    * I cannot imagine going with a tub that is 16 gauge - that would be far too thin IMHO. Just as the thicker 14 gauge is important in a kitchen sink, I believe it is for a tub as well.

    * Stick with the genuine Mexican hand hammered copper.

    * Buy from a reputable company that has been around for a while. I would not deal with a company that is Internationally based or you really have no recourse if you have a problem.

    From personal experience and the experience of many folks on this forum over the years, the company that gets the most widespread support is Copper Sinks Online. I'll put a link to their tub section. We have been very happy with them and they sell the thicker gauge copper at a reasonable price. I found some cheaper pricing on tubs when I was shopping but that was either because the company was not US based or the tub was made from thinner copper.

    We bought the tub, sink and faucets from them and got a "package price" so it pays to call and talk to them directly.

    As for the sound deadening we used an expanding foam. The tub we purchased had an inner and outer sheet of copper, so we simply used the foam that you get from a marine store and filled the gap. There is no "hollow sound" when you tap the inner lining and it should be very well insulated.

    I hope to post pics when we're done with the project.

    Good luck!

    Here is a link that might be useful: copper tubs

  • 17 years ago

    Lawdy! $10,000 for a double-wall tub, and you have add the insulation yourself?... or was the unfilled void part of the negotiated "package discount"?

    PS: Marine/boating stores are indeed the place to find materials that can take serious exposure to water, moisture, even SALTwater, etc... what BRAND foam did you use for this? Thanks in advance.

  • 17 years ago

    LOL - you are going to pay over $5k for any decent copper tub and expect to "foam it" yourself... :-)

    ...again, you will see a few for less, but there is usually a reason. If you have seen one of these copper tubs in person, you will understand why they are so expensive. ...and besides, it was waaaay cheaper than the stone tub we were considering... When we added in the expense of the crane to put the million pound tub in place, the copper tub seemed like a steal! :-)

    It's all relative. We value artisan crafted and unique products in our home - others are willing to buy anything on sale at Home Depot. ...different strokes for different - well, you know....

    Check out the video in the link and you will understand why copper sinks and tubs are expensive. Not just the cost of the material, but I know our kitchen sink took one craftsman over 8 hours to make.

    When I look at the tub I know we made the right decision - it rocks!

    Here is a link that might be useful: how they make copper sinks

  • 17 years ago

    Flyinghigh, Thanks so much. We had found the Copper Sinks Online folks and from the website they seemed reliable, but it can be tough to know for certain. So having your experience is great.

    We'd love to know more once you get your tub installed and in use!

  • 17 years ago

    Hi pat2kat,

    Yes, we first bought from Copper Sinks Online over two years ago and their kitchen sinks are not only beautiful but built like a tank. They are the only ones we found that use the thicker 14 gauge copper and it really shows. I'm sure it's much more expensive for them to build these sinks that way, but they are still very reasonably priced.

    I know others have been equally as pleased with them on this forum over the years. When I first did my research on them back then, there were just 2 or 3 companies selling online as well as a few on Ebay. Now there are dozens. In my research this last order, what I found is that 80% of these companies are new, CSO was still compeititive (especially when considering the thickness of their copper), there are still a lot of companies out there selling "seconds" (what I saw a lot of on Ebay), there were a lot of very small operations that didn't stock product. In the end, it was a no-brainner on our part - buy from the proven leader. We did, and were very happy once again with this company. I don't say that lightly as I have bought from tons of companies whether local dealers, trades people, online or whatever for our various projects and I would put these guys in the top 5 for sure.

    Good luck with your project. These tubs are spendy, but amazingly gorgeous.

  • 17 years ago

    I too am sold on the Cu tubs... but what FOAM product do you fill the void with? DIY'ers needs to know... ;')

  • 17 years ago

    Hi all,

    ...well, we did just get the tub installed (finally!) but am still struggling with the photos. There are too many other priorities at the moment as we finish this project but I will have them soon. I have to admit I have already lounged in the tub a bit during construction. :-) It's awesome!

    The foam we used was some stuff we found at a marine store. I can't remember the brand but it was the stuff they use during boat construction. You can buy the stuff in spray cans, but the void we were filling was massive, so we bought the stuff in bulk (two quart sized cans). They called it "pourable foam" and it was a two-part product that we mixed together and then poured into the tub when it was upside down. It was fairly easy.

    Hope this helps

  • 10 years ago

    I'd like to know what people think of their copper tubs...

    and everyone believes 16 gauge is too inferior? Darn. So it would ding more? Would it retain heat? Price is reasonable but I do wonder.

  • 7 years ago

    I would like to install a freestanding copper tub in my next home. I see that many comments were from 10 years ago. I would love current feedback of the pros and cons.

  • 4 years ago

    We absolutely love our copper tub! We’ve had ours for 6 years, now, and it’s been amazing. It’s the only tub I’ve ever sat in where I can be up to my neck in water, and not have my feet or knees sticking out. I feel like the heat retention is about what I’d expect, or better, out of any tub. Some say it’ll stay warmer, others say it’ll lose heat faster. I think it’s better than a standard plastic tub. Easily holding most of the heat for an hour or more.

  • 4 years ago

    Which tub is this Shon?

  • 2 years ago

    How can you fill a copper tub with foam insulation? Where is the entrance for that?

  • 2 years ago

    Same as any tub entrance: up and over.

    Not sure I understand your question.

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