Not sure which bath to choose? It is not surprising: there are a lot of materials, models - even more. So let's look at common types of baths and dot the "e" categorically.
How to choose a cast iron bath
Cast iron bathtub is the most durable and durable. It will be like new in 50 years, if you take good care of it. Cast iron is an alloy of iron with carbon in a ratio of 2.14 to 6.67%. These baths are cast in double molds, then sanded and reheated to 800 ° C to apply the enamel. When baked, the geometry of the product is not ideal, but a strong glossy coating is obtained, which can be cleaned with powders.
But do not flatter yourself with the quality of cast iron. In cheap models, the enamel is scratched over time, erased and covered with yellow stains that cannot be washed off. Therefore, if you have not decided which cast iron bathtub to choose, take products of the middle price segment - Roca, Beilrado, Vitra, Goldman, etc. They have a durable multilayer coating that is "afraid" only of chips.
Keep in mind that cast-iron bathtubs are only rectangular, and their length differs in increments of 10 cm. For example: 150 cm, 160 cm, 170 cm and more. So it's not always possible to choose a room for the layout. And it's hard to endure it. On average, such a bathtub weighs 100 kg. If the house does not have a freight elevator, shipping costs can cost a penny.
But the cast-iron bath retains heat well. You can lie in it for an hour without adding boiling water. True, before taking a bath, cast iron, like a battery, must warm up, and only then it will give off heat. And what is important: the sound of the water gaining is absorbed by the metal mass. Swim at least during the day, at least at night - the sonorous hum of the jet will not disturb the neighbors.
Cast iron bath: reviews
Platonova Ekaterina, a review of the cast iron Roca Continental: "I have had this bath for eight years already - no chips, the enamel is like new. I put plastic basins, do not put rugs, showers and jars of cosmetics fell into the bath, no damage. Every time I do not wipe a drop with a cloth, I wash it once a week Sanox. The only thing is that the anti-slip coating has darkened. There is no way to make it ideal white. It doesn't bother me: it's better with him than in a slippery bath».
NeMo: «And for a long time I did not suffer from a choice. I ordered a large, cast iron, solid one. If you touch, you sweep a thing. Cast iron absorbs sounds due to its mass and, most importantly, keeps the temperature for a long time, unlike plastic, which immediately cools».
Source: forumodua.com
Oleksiy: «Cast iron - yes, super! It is solid and passed down through generations, but taking a shower while standing in it in winter is torture. Cold, at least do the heating of the crankcase».
Source: forumodua.com
Watch the video review of the cast iron Roca Continental 21291100R
How to choose a steel bath
A steel bath is an alloy of iron with carbon, in which the carbon content does not exceed 2.14%. Such baths are made by cold stamping:
- first, the steel sheet is heated,
- then pressed,
- then enamel is applied to the steel. Its thickness varies from 1 to 1.5 mm.
The geometry of these baths is precisely verified, and the quality of the product depends on the thickness of the walls. Models thicker than 3.5 mm are not inferior in quality to cast iron ones, but they cost quite a lot. If you want to save money, you risk buying a thing with thin walls - 1.5 mm. Over time, such a product deforms, and the enamel will crack. In order not to make a mistake with the purchase, we recommend trusted manufacturers: Roca, Koller Pool, Kaldewei, Ideal Standart.
Steel bathtubs: "pros" and "cons"
- Steel is not whimsical to maintain and is durable. But unlike bulky cast iron, it is lighter - it weighs 25-38 kg. The tub is easier to ship and install.
- Of the minuses of the iron bath: it enhances the murmur of water. Imagine that you are pouring water into an enamel bowl. So it is here: noisy.And this can annoy and disturb others. In addition, hot water quickly cools in a steel product. If you drop something there, chips will form and the bath will begin to rust.
Reviews of steel bathtubs
Anonymous, writes about Roca Contesa: “When they were doing the repairs, they decided not to overpay for the cast iron and took steel. They were afraid that they would make a lot of noise. Nothing like this! Of course, it differs from Soviet cast iron, but not much. And from modern French or Spanish - there are no differences at all. The bathtub is wide, albeit 150 cm long».
Julia Bondarenko: «There is a steel bathtub - the simplest one, which was bought together with the apartment in the new building. I don't think it has a fancy cover. Foamed before installation and sewn up with moisture-resistant drywall. Bottom line: not ringing, the heat from one filling with water is enough for a child to bathe with games. Mine by all means, did not turn yellow, did not darken».
Source: houzz.ru
matskov: «I love to swim and sit in the bath for a long time. The argument in favor of steel is that it's a smooth fifth point. But the old cast iron can spoil the mood: although the paint does not come off, the surface will become rough over time, it is not pleasant».
Source: forumodua.com
Which bath is better - steel or cast iron: table
| Bath | "Pros" | "Minuses" |
| Cast iron |
|
|
| Steel |
|
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Watch the video - an expert opinion on steel bathtubs
How to choose an acrylic bathtub
These super versatile baths are vacuum formed from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The acrylic sheet is placed on special frames, heated and shaped using a vacuum. When it cools down, it is brought to perfection and covered with a reinforcing layer of fiberglass or polyurethane. The thickness of the sides, on average, is 4-6 mm, and at the bottom and in the areas of fastening of the frame, the density increases to 22-24 mm due to the reinforcing elements.
Acrylic bath: "pros" and "cons"
- Corner, oval, asymmetrical, baths for two ... There are a great many of them. Acrylic bathtubs have a good range of prices - this can be a salvation for urgent repairs on a tight budget. The price depends on the thickness of the sprayed layer. It is good if the plaque of acrylic is 4-6 mm: it will be scratched, but the scuffs are removed with "zero" sandpaper and polishing paste. Everything. And then care with cream and gaseous means. And your bathroom will be absolutely white and beautiful, as if only from a store.
- Acrylic is a lightweight, warm material that does not rust. It has good sound insulation. But depending on the quality, soft material can bend under the weight and "play". To avoid this, the bath is reinforced and placed in a metal frame that supports the bottom and sides.
What is the weight of an acrylic bathtub
It is designed for loads up to 500 kg.
Beware of fakes when choosing, ABS plastic is often passed off as acrylic. He is fragile, you will not get around trouble with him. But quaril baths are better than acrylic ones. Quaril material (not spraying!) Is invented and patented by the German brand Villeroy @ Boch. Basically, acrylic is combined with quartz and some additives that give the bathtub more rigidity and durability. The wall thickness of the quaril bath is 18 mm. Such products are much stronger than acrylics and their coating does not slip. At all.
Acrylic bath: reviews
alexd writes about acrylic "KOLO Laguna": "Yes, this is not a cast-iron bathtub, it can even be scratched if cleaned with sand. But the acrylic bathtub has an advantage over the others - it is "warm". The bathtub has a long-lasting finish and is perfectly white. If a scratch is accidentally made, it is easily polished. The product has a low weight (25 kilograms), therefore it is easy to transport and install. Not "noisy": when you draw water, there is no characteristic metallic ringing».
Source: otzovik.com
densen2002: «Subjective: acrylic is "warm", you can lie in the bath and fill with water».
Source: forumodua.com
Vanilla: «I am for acrylic! Our first acrylic bathtub turned 15 in the spring - it still looks fresh. And tenants use it without bothering about safety. In addition, it is lightweight, change-out is not a problem.».
Source: forumodua.com
Which bath is better - acrylic or steel: table
| Bath | "Pros" | "Minuses" |
| Steel | Coating withstands powder cleaning | Chips destroy the enamel |
| Acrylic |
|
|
Useful article: "How to choose a heated towel rail, or which is better - electric or water?"
See the review of the acrylic Cersanit Octavia
