What should you know before buying a copper bathtub?

How much does a copper bathtub weigh?

Far less than stone. Premier lists its 67 x 32 x 32 in hammered tub at 143 lb, and the crated shipping weight at 277 lb. A comparable solid stone tub is in a different class: our 67 x 31 x 22 in marble oval is about 1,150 lb empty and about 1,960 lb filled with a 200 lb bather.

Water adds several hundred pounds to any tub. That is why a copper tub is easier to deliver, carry upstairs and place on an older floor than a stone tub. It also means less to plan for, though you should still check floor support with a structural engineer. For stone figures, see the weight guide.

Does a copper bathtub keep water hot?

Not by itself. Engineering ToolBox lists copper near 401 W/m·K at 0°C, against 2.08–2.94 for marble and 0.2 for acrylic. A thin single wall passes heat to the room quickly. Makers describe copper as retaining heat, and Amoretti lists a double-wall construction for its Tokyo Spa tub for superior heat retention, which is the design that helps.

Stone behaves differently. It conducts heat far more slowly than copper, and thick walls add mass. How that plays out with bath water is covered in do stone bathtubs keep water warm. If a long soak is the priority, ask any maker for the wall construction and test results, not just the material name.

How do you care for a copper bathtub?

Use mild liquid soap and a non-scratch sponge, rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Premier's care sheet says to avoid abrasives, ammonia, bleach, citrus, perfumes and alcohol, which can remove the patina and expose bare copper. It calls copper a living finish, so the patina darkens back with water and oxygen.

• Wax spray (Premier sells one) slows the natural darkening.
• Do not wax a spot until it has darkened back, since waxing slows that process.
• Expect uneven color. Light spots from water or products are normal and are not a defect under Premier's terms.

Stone needs its own care. Marble etches in acids and benefits from sealing. See the stone bathtub care guide.

How durable is a copper bathtub?

Copper has no enamel to chip, and its surface is the metal itself. Gauge matters: Premier's model is 16 gauge, or 0.050 in, and thicker sheet generally resists denting better. Copper is a soft metal, so ask the maker how the hammered finish handles dents and scratches.

Copper is also made to change. If you want a uniform, unchanging surface, copper is the wrong choice. If you like a surface that records use, it is a strong one. Ask the maker for gauge, solder or weld method and warranty terms in writing.

What does a copper bathtub cost?

Published prices vary by maker and whether the tub is made to order. The only price we could confirm is a retailer listing for Premier's 67 in hammered tub, shown below with the stone range for context.

Drains, floor-mounted fillers and delivery are extra. Always compare like with like: size, gauge, wall construction and finish.

How does a copper bathtub compare with a solid stone tub?

Copper wins on weight, on entry price and on a warm, metallic character that stone does not offer. It is easier to install and gentler on older floors. Stone wins on mass, on thick walls that conduct heat slowly and on a finish that does not tarnish or darken. The two age differently: copper patinates, and marble etches in acid.

For other comparisons, see stone vs acrylic and stone resin vs solid stone. Pietra Fonte makes made-to-order stone bathtubs, carved from a single block, with exact dimensions and weight in every quote.