Who is Carver Bathtubs?
Carver Bathtubs is a Kansas City, MO based whirlpool and air massage bathtub manufacturer with over 30 years of custom bathtub production experience. Our business developed by working with local builders and plumbers who voiced concerns about the lack variety and high prices they found through other manufacturers like Jacuzzi. By taking on every aspect of the production for our entire 26 model tub line we have been able to control our production costs without sacraficing quality. Our 100% acrylic drop in bathtubs and molding process are the same as the big boys in the industry. Service, selection, satisfaction....
Why Choose Carver Bathtubs?
Factory direct prices
Free shipping right to your home or job site
Supporting a 56 year old family owned business from the heart of America
26 custom bathtub models that are customizable with whirlpool & air massage systems
100% acrylic vacuum formed bathtub molds
Fast delivery - Your bathtub will arrive in 7-10 business days
Carver Bathtub style comparisons:
Best suited for those looking to massage sore muscles and joints.
A whirlpool uses a pump (motor) to force the water through the jets. The amount of force depends on the jet design, horsepower of the pump and the amount of air added to the water.
Customized massage
Jets can be adjustable in direction (angle) or volume. The number and location of the jets are set most of the time. Our motors offer multiple speed settings of low, medium and high. A multiple speed motor with adjustable volume and direction jets provides for the most customizable massage.
What else to look for...
A run dry pump: The pump will not be damaged if accidentally turned on without water. This is standard on all of the motors we use for our whirlpool bathtubs, with other manufacturers it is an option.
Rigid PVC piping: All the baths we manufacture have this feature. No water will sit in the pipes only to come out next bath time as something you don’t want to see. Whirlpool pipes can be cleaned with low foaming dishwasher soap. Fill the bath, add a few tablespoons, let dissolve and run the system for approximately 5-7 minutes. How often this needs to be done depends on how often salts and oils are used.
Jet location: Where do you want the massage? Back (upper or lower), feet and hips? Jet location or emphasis varies among the manufactures. All Carver bathtubs optimize their jet location for maximum relief and overall performance..
What is the difference between Acrylic & Fiberglass bathtubs?
Acrylic is a sheet of material that is heated and vacuum-formed over a mold, creating a continuous waterproof membrane. It is then reinforced with fiberglass for added stability and insulation value. Acrylic is non-porous by nature, warm to the touch and retains its gloss finish better than any other material. Acrylic is well recognized for its ability to withstand constant use and cleaning. It is usually recommended that you avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners since acrylic can be scratched.
Gelcoat fiberglass is a colored polyester resin sprayed onto a mold then reinforced with fine glass particles. Being more porous and brittle than acrylic, the gelcoat/fiberglass surface has a greater tendency to dull and discolor over time. Some other drawbacks to using fiberglass are the fact that they can flex or break if they are not adequately supported and they show scratches over time that cannot be repaired.
Let’s compare fiberglass to acrylic on some very specific characteristics below...
| Acrylic |
Fiberglass |
| Non-Porous - Bacteria Resistant |
Porous - Subject to Bacteria & Mildew |
| Excellent repairability |
Good repairability |
| Color fast- Excellent |
Color fast-Fair |
| Useful life- 30+ yrs. |
Useful life- 1-5 yrs. |
| Initial cost- Moderate |
Initial cost- Low |
| Strength- Strong |
Strength- Fragile |
| Surface- Semi Gloss |
Surface- Matte |
| Thickness- .60-.25 |
Thickness- .008-.02 |
| Cleanability- Excellent |
Cleanability- Poor |
| Styles- Wide Variety |
Styles- Moderate Variety |
| Colors- Full Body, Never Fade |
Colors- Dye Based, Fade Over Time |
| Value- High |
Value- Fair |
The big plus with acrylic is that it is solid surface, meaning it has a very high filler content and does not have a gel coat. If you have Corian or similar countertops in your home, then you know what solid surface material is. No mildew, mold or bacteria can penetrate because it is non-porous. Acrylic; being a solid surface, is easier to clean, has a glossy finish and will last for many years. It will not fade over time as the color is all the way through the material, not just on the surface. Whereas, with gel coat fiberglass the gel coat rubs off and then the pores/fibers of the fiberglass are exposed. Once the pores and fibers are exposed they can harbor bacteria, mold and mildew and grime and soap scum get imbedded into the surface which begins the breaking down of the product. Using a gel-coat is like having a paint sprayed onto the fiberglass to "seal” it. It wears off over time which is why it fades and wears and becomes even harder to keep clean.
While fiberglass costs less, it will never last longer or as long as acrylic therefore in the long run it is probably well worth the added expense to get a drop in tub made with an acrylic surface material that is more durable and that will last for many years.
Note: All Carver bath tubs are made with 100% acrylic materials and reinforced with fiberglass for support and insulation.
