Vikrell vs. Acrylic: What Are The Differences Between Them?
Two of the most common bathroom materials nowadays are Vikrell and acrylic. They look similar in many ways, but they’re totally different.
In this article, we’re going to present how they differ from each other, the different advantages or disadvantages of each, and how you can get the most out of them.
If you’re looking to get a new bathtub or sink and you’re considering these two materials as the best choices – then this article is for you. Read up and learn everything we have to say about each material!
What Is Vikrell?
First off, let’s start by explaining what Vikrell offers. It is a combination of resins, fiberglass, and fillers. As you can guess, it is not the same type of material as ceramic or metal. It is instead a patent from Kohler. They created this material to provide an affordable yet utterly good-looking & durable option for bathroom furniture.
This is the Vikrell bathtub wall surround we recommend:
- Made from solid Vikrell material for strength, durability, and lasting beauty
- Geometric back wall provides visual interest and ample storage shelves
What makes it so unique is the non-porous surface that it offers on any product, thanks to the huge amount of fiberglass it has. From bathtubs to sinks, everything that is made with Vikrell has a super easy-to-clean surface that doesn’t stain, build, or concentrate dirt.
You can find Vikrell on many other bathroom products, including entire shower sets, toilets, and more here:
| # | Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Kohler K-EC23733-NA Sterling Vikrell Cleaner, 28 Fl Oz |
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Buy On Amazon | |
| 2 |
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Kohler STERLING VIKRELL CLEANER | $8.75 | Buy On Amazon | |
| 3 |
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STERLING, a KOHLER Company 995-0 Latitude 25-inch by 22-inch Top-mount Single Bowl Vikrell... | $239.00 | Buy On Amazon |
What Is Acrylic?
Similarly to Vikrell, acrylic uses small fiberglass sheets as one of its primary materials. Yet, these sheets are used only as reinforcement for the layer of colored acrylic on the surface. Acrylic tends to be thick and pretty durable. It is also a little expensive, but it makes durable and beautiful bathroom furniture.
This is Acrylic bathtub we recommend:
What stands out about acrylic is the unique ceramic-like appearance that stands out in every place. It is shiny, solid, and comes in various colors. You can also find acrylic easy to mold into all kinds of shapes and sizes.
Acrylic is the preferable choice for high-end bathrooms. The durability and looks it offers are unbeatable. You can also find acrylic on many different types of products, going from bathtubs to shower sets, toilets, sinks, and much more here:
Common Difference Between Vikrell vs. Acrylic
Durability
As you can guess, the material that makes Vikrell contains not only fiberglass but also resins and other fillers. This adds up to a durable yet super light material overall.
On the other hand, you can find acrylic. It comes with fiberglass as well, but this time, covered in acrylic plastic. This adds up to a unique plastic appearance that feels truly strong.
So, which one is more durable? Well, we could say that acrylic tends to be stronger and more resistant to cracks & impacts. Breaking an acrylic product takes a lot of strength and bad luck. Vikrell, on the other hand, is lighter and doesn’t withstand impacts that easily.
But when it comes to resistance against chemicals, then acrylic loses a few points. Vikrell will resist most chemicals without discoloring or staining. In contrast, acrylic will react negatively to harsh chemicals or even simple shampoos or soaps.
That’s why it all depends. While acrylic is a sturdier material, it is not a chemically-resistant as Vikrell. So in durability, it is a tie.
Appearance
This is hard to compare because both Vikrell and acrylic look amazing. However, there’s a slight difference to consider.
Vikrell is a high-gloss material. It offers uniform color and rarely stains or builds up dirt. But its non-porous surface is one of the smoothest in the market, so it looks super stylish in the majority of cases. Sadly, Vikrell is mostly found in white – which is a drawback.
Acrylic doesn’t stay behind. It is a decently looking material as well, with a slightly glossier appearance. Yet, it is a little porous, which makes it easy to stain and get dirty. And it doesn’t hold the same smoothness as Vikrell. Luckily, you can find acrylic in many different colors.
So, both materials look beautiful in most products, but they don’t have the same characteristics. If you want something that looks super smooth and uniform, then go for Vikrell. But if you want something in a wide array of colors with a super glossy appearance, then go for acrylic.
Cleaning
They provide similar results in durability and appearance, but they’re totally different when it comes to cleaning.
Vikrell, for example, is super resilient and resists all types of chemicals. And it boasts an ultra-smooth surface, so there’s rarely any dirt or build-up to clean. You can just wipe the surface with a moist rag or towel, and you will clean Vikrell in a dime.
Acrylic, on the other hand, is decently smooth yet not as much as Vikrell, so it gets dirty faster, and it can be a little harder to clean. And because it contains an acrylic surface, it is not as resilient towards chemicals as Vikrell.
In short, Vikrell is an easier material to clean. While acrylic is better than many others out there, it just doesn’t offer the smoothness or the easy-to-clean surface that Vikrell does.
Reparation
Even though many people don’t consider this when buying furniture for their bathroom, it is also essential to consider.
Sometimes, you may break, crack, or split the bathtub, shower set, or even the sink. And replacing the entire product can be a little too expensive or just unnecessary. In that case, you can always repair the piece.
But of course, it all comes down to how well the material can handle the repair. So it is necessary to consider if they’re worth the investment in that sense.
First, let’s start with Vikrell. It contains a lot of fiberglasses, so when it cracks or splits, it doesn’t go too far. And just like any type of fiberglass, it is inexpensive and doesn’t require too much effort to repair. With the right epoxy resin, then you can quickly fix any crack or split.
With acrylic, you won’t have as much luck. Acrylic tends to crack more, due to the layer in the surface. Unlike fiberglass layers on Vikrell, acrylic is a little more solid and difficult to fix with resins or similar products. In fact, when acrylic breaks, it is often not fixable.
The difference is that Vikrell is a little more fragile than acrylic, so while it fixes more easily than acrylic, it tends to break more often. In contrast, acrylic rarely breaks. But when it does, repairing it can be difficult or almost impossible.
Price
When it comes to value for the price & quality, there’s also a slight difference to consider. Vikrell tends to be the most affordable of the two. But it happens because Vikrell is not as resilient towards breakage, which is the most common issue with this material.
Acrylic is not so affordable, and it all comes down to its super glossy appearance and heavy design that stands impacts more effectively. But it may stain more easily.
So, what material is the best value for your money? Well, we can say that Vikrell is the best if you’re going for affordability over anything else. But if you want something sturdy that handles the weight of time – then acrylic is your best bet despite being pricier.
Vikrell vs. Acrylic: Which One to Go for?
This is not an easy pick, as both materials are super similar and offer the same amount of advantages and disadvantages. But we can say that if you want something that never stains and is a piece of cake to clean, then Vikrell should be your go-to option. It is also decently durable and comes at a fantastic cost.
Instead, if you’re going for something more “high-end” that looks glossier and offers sturdy construction, then go for acrylic. It is a little more expensive but way more durable than Vikrell.
But it is your choice in the end. We recommend taking a good look at the product you’re considering before making any choice. Do that, and you’ll know which one to pick.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. WaterFilterly is user-supported. We might receive a commission on any purchase you make through clicking links on this page.
