Briggs Liberty UltraCAST Bathtub Reviews: Should You Get It?

The Briggs Liberty UltraCast is a porcelain-on-steel alcove bathtub reinforced with composite backing to make it quieter, warmer, and more rigid than ordinary thin steel tubs.

I like the concept because it gives you much of the solid feel of cast iron without cast iron’s extreme weight. The biggest concerns are shipping damage, porcelain chipping, the textured slip-resistant floor, and making sure you buy the exact Liberty model you actually want.

Briggs Liberty UltraCast At A Glance

Also Read: Is Dr. Wellness Hot Tub Worth It?

My Take After Comparing The Briggs Liberty UltraCast

What stands out to me about the Liberty UltraCast is the construction.

This is not an acrylic tub.

It is also not traditional cast iron.

Briggs starts with:

• Formed steel
• Fired porcelain enamel
• Rigid composite reinforcement
• Insulation/support material

That combination gives the tub a noticeably different position in the market.

A normal inexpensive steel bathtub can feel:

• Hollow
• Noisy
• Cold
• Flexible

when compared with cast iron.

Briggs uses the UltraCast backing specifically to reduce those weaknesses.

The other big advantage is weight.

The 60 × 30 Liberty UltraCast is roughly:

88 pounds.

A comparable cast-iron tub can weigh several hundred pounds.

That makes carrying and positioning the Briggs dramatically easier.

But I would inspect the bathtub extremely carefully before installation.

Porcelain-on-steel tubs are durable once installed, but the porcelain finish can chip if the tub is hit during:

• Shipping
• Warehouse handling
• Carrying
• Installation

That is probably the most important buying precaution with this type of bathtub.

Also Read: Is American Standard Princeton Tub Worth It?

Features of The Briggs Liberty Ultracast

Let’s go through the features of this bathtub to see what kind of value you get out of this bathtub. Going through this will help you decide if you should get the bathtub for your bathroom or not. 

Here are the features that you get to see in the bathtub; let’s check them out one by one.

• Porcelain construction 

This bathtub has a porcelain finish, which makes this a very attractive choice. It’s not just the looks either. You also get to experience better durability coming from this bathtub. 

That’s primarily because of the material they use for making the bathtub.

With the porcelain construction, you get a lot of additional features that I will discuss later on. But the base benefit you get from this is the smooth finish on the bathtub, and the looks are also quite premium. 

• Provides safety from slipping 

The bottom of the bathtub is slip-resistant. You will never have to worry about slipping on the bathtub after taking a bath. 

This means you are much safer from slipping on the bathtub and hurting yourself. It’s something that can surely help you and make the bathtub safe for use. 

• Keeps water warm for longer

This bathtub features a warmer set up to make your baths even more comfortable. It can keep the water warmer for a longer period compared to other bathtub choices. 

This works out great when you have to use warm water in your bathtub for a long time. 

Also, you won’t have to reheat water if you have to use warm water. So, if you have a kid who just doesn’t like taking a bath, you can take it very slowly with them using this bathtub. 

• Very easy to clean 

This ties back to the fact that the bathtub is made of porcelain. Because of this feature, you can rely on this one for easy cleaning. It’s straightforward to clean the bathtub’s surface without using too much product or any rough items at all. 

On top of that, the stain resistance on the bathtub is also quite impressive. Along with no stains, it won’t go through fading issues either. That just means the bathtub looks as good as new even after years of use.  

• Scratch-resistant 

Another great advantage you get with this bathtub is the scratch resistance factor. The tub’s surface is complete porcelain, and it’s pretty hard. 

Because of that, you will never have to worry about scratching it with something rough at all. 

Altogether it’s a great bathtub to have for those who tend to leave a lot of scratches here and there. Also, if you have kids, then you won’t constantly be worrying whether they are damaging the bathtub or not. 

• Good warranty 

Last but not least, this bathtub comes with a fantastic warranty.

While it’s durable, you can still have reassurance on the back of your mind that any minor issue will get easily fixed within the warranty period. 

And trust me, the warranty is quite long; you will be more than satisfied with the whole thing. 

Well, these are the features and values that you get out of the bathtub. I don’t want to call the pricing of the bathtub necessarily a feature because it’s moderate. While it’s not the highest, it’s not on the lower end either. 

So, considering all that, I don’t think the price is one of its special features. But at the same time, it’s nothing you can complain about either. 

What Could Have Been Better?

While you can’t complain about the price, I think some things could be better on this bathtub. Let’s get through those factors very quickly. 

• Complicated installation method 

The installation method of this bathtub can be a bit complicated. You will need to follow the manual they provide in the package to every word. 

Also, it gets challenging if you are trying to go for a DIY installation. You will need to get professional help to correctly install the bathtub in your bathroom. 

• It’s not quite deep 

This is not the deepest of bathtubs you get to see out there. It’s pretty standard, and you may feel the depth isn’t sufficient for you in some cases. 

Because of that, you may also find the bathtub a bit uncomfortable at times. However, it’s not going to be an issue for everyone as the problem can be a bit personal to some extent. 

I don’t think these drawbacks with the bathtub will affect everyone. Because you will still be getting a good quality bathtub with loads of features. 

And the price is also quite reasonable in that regard. While this may not be the best pick, it’s undoubtedly a unique one to check out solely because of the UltraCAST factor. 

Is The Slip-Resistant Surface Comfortable?

Opinions vary.

Across Briggs steel-tub reviews, one of the more consistent complaints involves textured slip-resistant bottoms.

Some users describe the surface as:

• Rough
• Gritty
• More difficult to clean

especially for people who take baths rather than only showers.

This is worth considering if you frequently sit or lie directly against the tub floor.

Is The Textured Bottom Hard To Clean?

It can be harder than polished porcelain.

Texture creates tiny areas where:

• Soap residue
• Dirt
• Body oils

can accumulate.

A smooth porcelain sidewall wipes clean more easily than a heavily textured floor.

I would use:

• Mild non-abrasive bathroom cleaner
• Soft nylon brush
• Soft sponge

rather than aggressive abrasive pads.

Can You Use Bar Keepers Friend?

I would be cautious.

Porcelain itself is durable, but repeatedly scrubbing with abrasives can dull surfaces or damage certain finishes.

I would start with:

• Dish soap
• Non-abrasive bathroom cleaner
• Soft brush

before moving to stronger products.

Who Should Buy The Briggs Liberty UltraCast?

I think it makes sense if:

• You want porcelain rather than acrylic.
• Cast iron is too heavy.
• You want a standard 60 × 30 alcove tub.
• You want better sound insulation than basic steel.
• You want a lifetime-warranty model.
• You mostly use the tub for showering plus occasional baths.
• You can inspect the tub before installation.

Who Should Skip It?

I would look elsewhere if:

• You want an extra-deep soaking bath.
• You hate textured tub floors.
• You want a freestanding tub.
• You prefer lightweight acrylic.
• You cannot easily exchange a unit damaged in shipping.
• You want the absolute solidity of genuine cast iron.

Conclusion

In summary, from all the Briggs Liberty UltraCAST bathtub reviews, you can get an idea of how good or bad this bathtub is. Now, whether you will get this or not depends on your personal preferences. 

Also, if you dive very deep and research a lot, then you may find something better than this. Having said that, with this bathtub, you will be getting the reassurance of Briggs, which is a lot to have, in my opinion. 

The reliability factor of the brand can help you stay calm without worrying too much about the quality whatsoever.