Differences between Fiber-Fab and Superior Tubs and Showers

Every tub and shower manufactured by Fiber-Fab® has a special support base laminated to the bottom, providing strength and a consistently level surface. This unique feature prevents weak and spongy floors that could result in squeaking and eventually cracking. The support base eliminates the need (and expense) to grout under the fixture during installation. Although labor intensive and costly, the benefits of the support base are well worth it to the end consumer.

Fiber-Fab® & Superior® fixture supporting base

Example of other manufacturer's fixture base



Not all gel coat is created equal. Fiber-Fab® uses the best isothalic sanitary ware gel coat possible and applies the required thickness of approximately 18 mils. Other manufacturers may attempt to save on cost by applying only 3 to 4 mils of gel coat.	ANSI fire standards require that some gypsum be mixed with resin to meet fire standards. However if excessive amounts of gypsum are used (to save on costs) then the shower walls become brittle and susceptible to cracking during transportation and installation. Fiber-Fab® uses 35% filler. Some manufacturers increase the amounts of the less expensive filler to as high as 60% to reduce cost.	All gel coated and acrylic products are traditionally reinforced with a combination of fiberglass, polyester resin, and fillers. The ratio of fiberglass to resin determines quality, strength and longevity. Fiber-Fab® maintains a fiberglass to resin ratio of approximately 1:4. Some manufacturers try to reduce that ratio to as low as 1:10 to, again, save money and sacrifice quality.

The composite walls of Fiber-Fab® fixtures have an increased laminate stiffness. With the use of a sandwich construction technique, a special coring material is laminated between two layers of fiberglass laminate. This process can increase strength and stiffness by a factor of seven times over non-cored laminates, as well as a higher impact resistance and twice the insulation value of all-glass laminates. Some manufacturers use cardboard or a low density foam as a filler in an attempt to emulate quality fixtures.

The wall structure of Fiber-Fab's Superior line of bath ware incorporates modern boat building techniques to insure outstanding strength and wall stiffness. In this application, a fiberglass rib, or "stringer" is laid into the wet laminate and covered with a second layer of fiberglass. This insures Fiber-Fab® customers a high quality, dependable fixture, while, at the same time maintaining a competitive price. These fiberglass stringers build in strength and rigidity without the addition of card board or foam, two cost saving materials used in cheaper built products.

Superior® shower & tub structural composite

Fiber-Fab® is the only tub and shower manufacturer that we are aware of that offers a 10 year Limited Warranty that is comparable to our competitions' 5 and sometimes 1 year warranty. Poor surface quality, difficult to clean surfaces, cracks and leakage all come standard with cheaply built fiberglass bath fixtures. You may be able to buy a shower that costs less but you will sacrifice the quality and workmanship and as a result find it necessary to replace your shower within 5 to 10 years because of dry rot and mold.

Superior® is the only tub and shower manufacturer that we are aware of that offers a 5 year Limited Warranty that is comparable to our competitions' 2 and sometimes 1 year warranty. Poor surface quality, difficult to clean surfaces, cracks and leakage all come standard with cheaply built fiberglass bath fixtures. You may be able to buy a shower that costs less but you will sacrifice the quality and workmanship and as a result find it necessary to replace your shower within 5 years because of dry rot and mold.