If you're remodeling your bathroom or just thinking about it, hiring a professional architect can save you time, money, and possible aggravation. It's important, however, that you articulate your specific wants and needs to your architect, so they can translate your lifestyle into your perfect bath.

In addition to the obvious aesthetic concerns, you need to think about practical issues, such as installation, maintenance and costs. Here's what you need to tell your architect when specifying cast acrylic as your preferred bath tub or shower material:

Acrylic tubs and showers come in a variety of shapes and styles. Your architect can create a very traditional look and feel, or he/she can go for more unusual designs, using the tub or shower as the focal point.

Acrylic showers come in simple-to-assemble sections, making them easier to install. Some LUCITE^® cast acrylic sheet bathware comes in sections for easy remodeling. Now, installing a new tub doesn't automatically mean ripping out other fixtures (sinks or toilets) to maneuver the new tub into its place. In remodeling situations where the tub is the only fixture to be replaced, this saves a lot of time and money.

Acrylic tubs and showers are the better long-term investment. LUCITE^® cast acrylic sheet is the most durable bath and shower material on the market. Because the color goes through the material (it's not just sprayed on top), it doesn't chip or lose its luster. Your new tub will still look like a new tub years later. That will be important when you someday determine the resale value of your home. So even though cast acrylic is slightly more expensive than fiberglass at first, the value you get over the life of the product more than pays for the difference.

Acrylic tubs and showers are low-maintenance. You want to spend your time luxuriating in your new tub, not scrubbing it. LUCITE^® cast acrylic sheet is a non-porous material, meaning you don't have to scrub mildew and grime from the surface. Just wipe the tub with a non-abrasive cleanser, and you're done.