When it comes to choosing reliable shower pans, Swan Corporation is a reliable name. Veritek and Swanstone are top-of-the-line products manufactured by this brand.
Though both are great products, house owners often become confused about choosing between Veritek vs. Swanstone.
Veritek shower pans are perfect for regular bathrooms, while Swanstone is great for advanced and high-performance purposes. Let’s see more about these shower pans and help you decide the best option.
A Quick Comparison Table
If you want to get a brief overview of these two shower pans, you can have a glance at this comparison table. You will get a primary idea on Veritek and Swanstone.
| Specifications | Veritek | Swanstone |
| Materials | Compression-Molded Composite Material | Compression-Molded Solid Material |
| Surface | Natural Gloss Surface | Solid Surface |
| Installation | Easy To Install | Slightly Hard To Install |
| Cleaning | Easier To Clean | A Little Bit Tricky To Clean |
| Slip-resistant | A little bit slippery | Highly slip-resistant |
| Durability | Decently Durable | Extremely Durable |
| Robustness | Strong | Excessively Stronger |
| Price | Average Price | Expensive |
| Heat-resistant | Regular Heat-Resistant | Highly Heat-Resistant |
| Color Options | Available in some basic colors | Wide variety of unique colors |
| Warranty | 5 years | 10 Years |
Since both products are made from the same brand, they have a lot of similarities. However, they also have some noticeable differences that set them apart.
Choosing a particular product requires you to determine your main requirements and select either of them.
Primary Difference Between Veritek And Swanstone
So, you have already had a brief overview of both lines of products. But it may not be enough to make a perfect decision since there is still some important information to know about.
Check the below part to know them.
- Materials
Veritek products are made of compression-molded composite materials.
This type of material has an impressive density, offering excellent strength,
On the other hand, Swanstone shower pans are compression-molded solid materials whose strength and material density are higher than Veritek.
However, both products are well made. Swanstone is slightly better than Veritek.
- Surface
A Veritek shower pan has a natural gloss surface, which gives the entire bathroom a large appearance while brightening the space too.
In comparison, Swanstone products have a solid surface and eye-catchy appearance.
Since this type of material is crafted from a nonporous combination of fillers, resins, and pigments, no penetration will occur on the surface due to moisture.
What’s more, solid surfaces are easy to customize, and you can copy the appearance of tile or stone without using grout.
- Installation
Though both types of shower pans are easy to install, users gave more ratings for Veritek than Swanstone regarding easy installation.
Due to the solid design of Swanstone, they need to be a little more careful to attach them to the floor surface.
You may need to put some extra effort into a better attachment for a Swanstone shower pan.
Watch some YouTube videos and you will find installation videos for each of them.
- Durability Showdown
Durability is a major factor when choosing a shower pan material. You want it to last for years without cracking, chipping, or warping.
Veritek shower pans are crafted from engineered stone. While not quite as indestructible as natural stone, engineered stone is still extremely durable and resilient. Veritek combines natural quartz with high-performance resins for reinforcement. This makes the material highly scratch, chip, and stain resistant. With proper installation, Veritek pans can easily last for decades without any durability issues.
Swanstone shower pans are made from solid acrylic sheet. Acrylic is a versatile, strong material that stands up well in the hot, humid environment of a shower. Swanstone in particular is a high-density acrylic formulated to minimize cracking and warping. With good care, a Swanstone shower pan can provide at least 10-15 years of durable performance.
So while Veritek’s engineered stone reigns supreme on durability, Swanstone is no slouch either. Unless you have your heart set on the absolute strongest material available, Swanstone should sufficiently withstand years of regular use.
- Robustness
A product’s strength is essential, and the same goes for a shower pan. After all, it had to endure a lot of weight.
Compared to Veritek, Swanstone is stronger, and it is ten times stronger than other typical shower pans.
Hence, it is not hard to see why people have been using it for a long time without any weary signs. Even less maintenance won’t affect its quality.
Staining and Blemishes
Along with durability, you want your shower pan to resist stains, scratches, and blemishes that can make it look dirty and dated.
Again, Veritek has the edge here. The dense, non-porous nature of engineered stone makes it highly resistant to stains and scratches. Only the deepest cuts will permanently mark the surface. Veritek’s quartz-resin blend is harder than many other materials, so it maintains its pristine, new appearance for many years. You can expect excellent stain and scratch resistance.
Swanstone acrylic holds up quite well to staining too. The non-porous surface deters absorption of dirt, oils, and residues. Minor scratches and scuffs may occur over time, but they tend to hide well with Swanstone’s attractive matte finish. Deep cuts are rare thanks to the material’s hardness. With prompt cleaning, most potential stains wipe away easily.
If resisting stains is a top priority, Veritek is the way to go. But Swanstone acrylic still delivers very good stain protection that should satisfy most homeowners.
- Style and Design Options
Beyond durability, you want an attractive shower pan that matches your bathroom’s overall style.
Veritek shower pans come in a smaller range of color and design options compared to Swanstone. The most popular choices are white and biscuit, in either rectangular or neo-angle configurations. Some gray, black, and cream styles may also be available. But shape and size options are limited. Veritek’s engineered stone material and fabrication process just can’t offer the same flexibility as other materials.
Swanstone shower pans give you far more variety in shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. Their acrylic sheets can be thermoformed into curvier neo-angles, squares, or custom layouts. You’ll also find lots of color choices like black, white, biscuit, gray, sandbar, dune, cinnamon, sage and more.
Swanstone offers over 40 designer colors to match any decor. Unique patterns and textures are available too, like granite, pebble, or wood looks.
So if having a wide range of sizes, shapes, and styles is important to your renovation, Swanstone clearly provides more design flexibility. Just keep in mind their look is not an exact visual match to real stone or wood – the patterns aim to simulate the look using acrylic.
- Feel and Texture
The feel and texture of your shower pan when you step on it barefoot is another key difference between Veritek and Swanstone.
Veritek engineered stone has an authentic natural stone look and feel. The combination of ground quartz and resins creates a hard, stone-like surface that’s cool underfoot. The matte, slightly textured finish provides good grip too.
Swanstone acrylic has a softer, warmer feel underfoot compared to stone. The non-porous surface makes it smooth yet not slippery. Swanstone adds a lightly textured finish for improved traction when wet. Overall, the acrylic feel is pleasant and spa-like. Just don’t expect the truly stone-like chill of Veritek engineered quartz.
So Veritek wins for realism while Swanstone offers a softer acrylic touch. This choice comes down to personal preference.
- Noise and Echos
An often overlooked factor is the noise or echos a shower pan produces when you step on it or run water. A loud, hollow sound can ruin the ambiance you worked hard to create in your bathroom oasis.
Veritek’s solid engineered stone construction does not tend to amplify noise or create echos. The dense material effectively deadens sound. Once installed, Veritek pans are pleasingly quiet.
Swanstone acrylic bases do transmit more noise, especially in neo-angled and curved styles. The hollow-feeling sheets echo and amplify footsteps and dripping water.
This is not ideal for powder rooms or master suites where you want a calming, spa-like auditory experience. On the plus side, some homeowners enjoy the bright, raindrop-like sounds an acrylic pan produces.
If maintaining a quiet ambiance is critical for you, Veritek will deliver noticeably better noise reduction that doesn’t distract from the tranquility.
- Cost Comparison
One of the first considerations for most homeowners is cost and budget. Veritek shower pans are decidedly more expensive than Swanstone.
Veritek shower pans start around $1,500 and can go up to $3,000 or more, depending on the size and style you choose. Keep in mind these prices are for the pan only, not the full shower system.
Swanstone shower pans range from $300 on the low end to $1,000 on the high end. So they can provide a nice price savings over Veritek.
The higher cost of Veritek pans reflects the more premium, high-end material they’re made from. We’ll look more at the materials next. But in terms of budget, Swanstone is the more wallet-friendly choice.
- Heat-resistant
Both Veritek and Swanstone shower pans have decent heat-resistant properties, but Swanstone products are better heat enduring. They can handle up to 450° heat without any problems.
- Cleaning
Since Swanstone shower pans have recessed areas between the non-slip ‘bubbles’ at the base, they take a little more time and effort for cleaning.
On the other hand, Veritek products have a natural gloss surface without any surface coating, making it easier to clean with a simple light scrub.
- Slip-resistant
A shower pan surface will contact a lot of moisture. This often invites mold or mildew.
Since Veritek and Swanstone are made from high-quality materials, they are not prone to develop mold or mildew.
Though you won’t initially show any slippery issues from the Veritek surface, irregular cleaning may make it a little slippery over time.
On the contrary, Swanstone base has a new modern anti-slip pattern, which is not prone be become slippery easily.
But regular cleaning is still necessary to prevent water residue buildup on the recessed areas between the non-slip ‘bubbles.’
- Warranty
When choosing a particular product, a long-term warranty makes the product more reliable and gives you a secure feeling to purchase it.
Veritek shower pans have 5 years commercial warranty, while Swanstone has 10 years commercial warranty.
As we already mentioned, Swanstone is pricier than Veritek, so the extra price will give an additional warranty period.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Both product lines are well suited for various shower systems, but Swanstone products are more advanced and high-performance units, while Veritek is affordable suitable for basic shower systems.
Veritek shower pans are made of compression-molded material, similar to highly sturdy plastic that does not make it prone to crack or chip easily. They are nonporous materials. So, no buildup of mildew or mold.
Swanstone shower pans are impressively top-quality and high-performance products that last at least a decade. They are not easily prone to get affected by impact and heat, perfect for steam showers.
All Swanstone products are made of a combination of materials such as fillers, polymer resins, and reinforcement additives, which are manufactured by following a special process to make heat-resistant, impact-resistant, and chemical-resistant.
Compared to other typical showers pans, Swanstone products are heavy due to their thickness and robustness. A Swanstone shower pan will be at least 5-10 times stronger than any typical shower pan.
Conclusion
So, which option have you decided to pick between Veritek vs. Swanstone? Though both options are no less, they have some pros and cons independently.
If you want a high-end option with several color options, Swanstone is better.
But if you are looking for an affordable option and don’t mind having a standard shower pan, Veritek appears a decent choice. Hopefully, this article has given you a clear overview to compare and choose the best shower pan easily.
Veritek shower pans start around $1,500 and can go up to $3,000 or more, depending on the size and style you choose. Keep in mind these prices are for the pan only, not the full shower system.
Swanstone shower pans range from $300 on the low end to $1,000 on the high end. So they can provide a nice price savings over Veritek.
The higher cost of Veritek pans reflects the more premium, high-end material they’re made from. We’ll look more at the materials next. But in terms of budget, Swanstone is the more wallet-friendly choice.
At the end of the article, you contradict yourself: if you are looking for an affordable option and don’t mind having a standard shower pan, Veritek appears a decent choice.