THE TUB MATERIAL: It’s heavy, it’s thick like the good old fashion cast iron tubs. It’s made of 80% Marble or Granite dust and 20% polyester resin. It’s 5 to 7 times stronger than real Marble and does not stain or water mark like real Marble. STRENGTH: A Marble or Granite tub is solid and does not flex like an Acrylic or Fiberglass tub. A Marble or Granite tub will always provide positive drainage. Acrylic and Fiberglass tubs require substantial extra reinforcing such as plywood or wood blocking to reduce the amount of flexing and sagging to the point where up to 3/4“ of water will not drain. (Some floors are so poorly constructed that the customers have actually put their foot through the bottom of the tub.) The flexing of the drain area on an Acrylic or Fibreglass tub could eventually lead to a leak at the plumbing connection. A Marble or Granite tub will not flex along the deck area as Acrylic and Fibreglass tubs often do. Flexing along the deck area adjacent to ceramic tile or other wall surface will eventually create a leak at this juncture. This joint is the most important in a shower surround and failure here is the most common problem which, in a short time, can lead to extensive and costly repairs. The deck area of a Marble or Granite tube can be cut down to suit smaller openings without any loss of deck strength. Acrylic and Fibreglass tubs cannot be cut down as they require their flange for strength. THERMAL QUALITY: When filled with warm water, a Marble or Granite tub will hold the temperature of the water substantially longer than any porcelain enameled steel, Acrylic or Fibreglass tub. NOISE QUALITY: In all whirlpool systems the pump is generally located opposite the drain and directly behind the sloped reclining area. The pump generates a fair amount of noise or vibration. The wall thickness of an Acrylic or Fibreglass tub is approximately 1/8“ to 1/4” maximum. Not much to block out any noise or vibration. The wall thickness of a Marble or Granite tub is at least 1” thick and is made up of a much denser material therefore substantially reducing the noise and vibration. EDGE DETAIL: The vertical finished edge of the deck area on a Marble or Granite tub is sharper than Acrylic and Fibreglass tubs. This provides a much better joint between ceramic tile or other wall or deck material. Once again this joint is the most important in a shower surround and failure here is the most common problem which can lead to extensive and costly repairs in a short time. WHIRLPOOL SYSTEM THE SYSTEM: The Marble Factory whirlpool is a C.S.A. approved system. It is a rigid pipe system, not flex pipe which could eventually sag and retain old water. Every system includes 2 air controls, 1 suction, 4, 6, or 8 standard jets, minimum æ horse power pump, water proof electrical box and a convenient tub mounted on/off switch with integrated timer. The whirlpool face plates come standard in white, bone or grey PVC plastic. They are also available in polished chrome or brass at an additional charge. The whirlpool jets are also available as turbo or individually controllable jets at no extra cost. WHIRLPOOL TYPE: The Marble Factory whirlpool is a true whirlpool system which utilizes both water and air pressure for the ultimate therapeutic system. There are other systems which utilize small diameter holes around the bottom of the tub and use a blower similar to a vacuum cleaner motor to blow air through these holes. The air channels in this type of system can never be entirely cleaned or dried out regardless if it even has a purge cycle. In other words, if you are going to use this tub the blower system should be left on for the entire time. If the blower is turned off the air channel will fill with the water, leaving a residue of soap and bath oils if used. This residue, which is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, can never be cleaned out like in a water and air system, which can be flushed with a whirlpool cleaning solution or dish washer soap. Another major problem with this system, if it does not have a heater, is that the volume of room temperature air being passed through the warm water rapidly cools the water to an uncomfortable temperature. This system also only allows you to control the amount of air to pass through all of it’s small holes at the same time where as the Marble Factory system with it’s two air controls can control the amount of thrust on either side of the tub individually or with controllable jets and each jet be can turned off or on individually.