Cast marble bathtubs. Reviews. Manufacturers overview. Cast marble bathtubs - features of choice and operation The best artificial marble bathtubs

Despite the popularity and variety of showers, many families are not ready to give up using the bathroom. The thing is that a bath for our compatriots is not just a plumbing fixture for maintaining hygiene, but also a place of relaxation, spiritual and physical rest, renewal.

The modern product market pleases with a variety of models. One of the unusual novelties was a stone bath, distinguished by its durability, strength, and authenticity. Undoubtedly, the cost of units made of natural material is high, however, the use of artificial stone makes it possible to obtain such a device at an affordable price.

Peculiarities

An artificial stone bath is visually indistinguishable from a natural stone counterpart. Thanks to modern technologies, it is possible to reproduce the texture and color of the material as accurately as possible. At the same time, the bath has less weight and cost.

The manufacture of such models is carried out using granite, marble, malachite or quartz chips, with the addition of special plasticizers and catalysts, as well as polyester resins.

For the manufacture of such structures, the injection molding method is used. The resulting base has a liquid consistency, which is given the necessary shape by pouring into the prepared formwork. After a while (about a day), the liquid stone bath hardens due to the presence of catalysts in the composition. After that, the structure is removed from the formwork. Then it is dried in a special oven, gaining strength, and settles. Then the product is ground, polished, covered with protective compounds.

Advantages and disadvantages

A stone bath made of artificial materials has several advantages.

Increased strength. The device withstands increased loads and mechanical stress, does not deteriorate during use.
Long service life. Such baths are considered eternal. The service life, depending on the manufacturer, is 70-120 years.
Low thermal conductivity. This allows you to keep the temperature of the water for a long time, that is, the water in the bathroom does not cool down.
Hygiene. The smooth surface does not absorb dirt. Judging by customer reviews, mold and fungal microflora do not form on it.
Unique appearance. The advantages of a stone bath are not limited to technical specifications. It makes the room elegant, becomes an exclusive "chip" of the interior.
Maintainability. Unlike natural stone bathtubs, artificial counterparts are subject to repair. If cracks and chips appear, it is recommended to immediately eliminate them using special compounds.

Safety. An artificial stone does not have a radiation background, which cannot be said about a natural one.
Ease of use. Despite the fact that artificial baths, like natural ones, are afraid of cleaners with abrasive components, caring for them is quite simple. Such structures do not require special protection.
No abrasion. This indicator is negligible, which is due to the strength of the polymer-mineral structure of the product.
High soundproof properties. Thanks to this, the sound of pouring water is muffled, the bathtub is typed almost silently.
Ease of installation. If during installation it is necessary to increase the diameter of the drain or equip the structure with an additional overflow, this can be easily done with a drill, then cleaning the edges. There will be no chips or cracks on the surface.

The high price of a unit made of cast stone is often noted, however, it is worth noting that it is significantly lower than the cost of an analogue made of natural stone, but at the same time it is in no way inferior to it in terms of its operational properties. In addition, such a bath, with additional equipment, can have a hydromassage function. Due to its strength, it is not afraid of vibrations, strong pressure and sudden changes in water temperature.

The pros and cons of the material are due to the peculiarities of its production. In any case, the stone bath has a fairly large weight, and it looks very overall, so it fits organically only into spacious rooms.

Such a bath requires periodic restoration of the protective layer., which protects the structure of the material from the effects of detergents and other household products. When this layer is abraded, unpleasant smudges and stains may occur on the surface of the device.

An acquired snow-white stone bath may become yellowish or gray over time. Models made of acrylic in this regard are more durable. Prolonged stagnant water can lead to rust spots.

Kinds

Varieties of artificial stone baths differ in the type of crumb used in the composition.

There are two composition options.

Marble chips or other natural stone chips, as well as resins, pigments and catalysts.
Quartz sand, considered the most affordable option for artificial stone. Devices made from river quartz sand are called acrylic stone baths. Such baths weigh less, have a lower cost, but their strength indicators are not as high as those of the previous version.

Depending on the type of crumb used, the finished structure can imitate different materials.

Marble is considered a classic. Such bathtubs look luxurious and presentable.
Granite is a material in no way inferior to marble, which looks appropriate in any interior.
Onyx is an original material, a feature of which is the variety of overflows in the light, similar to the design with Swarovski stones. In addition, compared to other materials, it has the richest color palette.
Malachite is a material with authenticity, unique mystery.
Stone veneer is an incredible imitation of stone, the texture of which resembles soft wood.
Sandstone is an incredibly beautiful material, from the natural analogue of which the famous pyramids were built.

In addition, there are models for the manufacture of which several types of crumbs are mixed to obtain a unique design.

Depending on the type of treatment of the outer surface of the bath, it may have a different texture:

chipped (the walls in this case have asymmetric chips);
polished (the surface is smoother, but there is still a rough texture);
polished (smooth matte surface with a slight sheen or a subtle pattern);
mirror (glossy surface with a distinct stone color).

Also, bathtubs can vary in shape. They are symmetrical and asymmetrical. Often products are made to order. Among the most popular forms, there are several options.

Rectangular

For safety, the corners of this design are rounded. The length of the product can reach 1.8 m, width - 65 cm. Due to the simple and concise form of the product, you can focus on the texture and depth of the color palette of the stone. Such a design can be placed in a small, even standard apartment.

oval

This more refined, respectable shape of the bath has similar dimensions to the rectangular model. It is recommended to place an oval bath in the center of the room, so it requires a lot of space.

corner

The angled design is more ergonomic and can be designed in a variety of designs: symmetrical or asymmetrical, single or 2 bowls, special ledges and storage space. The corner model is usually heavier than the structures discussed above, has a high cost.

Features of the shape of the bath dictate the way it is installed.

There are two options.

Wall mounted.
Standing separately. Such a model is installed remotely from the walls, usually in the center of the room. As a rule, these are round or oval products, as well as custom-made designs.

Manufacturers and models

Baths from the brand are considered to be the embodiment of high quality and impeccable aesthetics. Jacob Delafon. It is this, as well as the need to import products from France, that determines their high cost. In the brand's collection, you can find both fairly compact (from 120 cm long) and large structures, the maximum length of which is 200 cm. By the way, it was this brand that came up with the idea of a stone shower. The design is a combined type shower cabin, the bathtub of which is made of cast marble.

More affordable is the products of a domestic manufacturer Astra Form. The cost reduction is due to the use of quartz sand, which affects the durability of the material. In general, the company pleases with high-quality products, a variety of models and colors.

If you are looking for a cheaper construction compared to European counterparts (25% cheaper) with natural chips in the composition, pay attention to the products of the Kostroma company "Esthete". High quality, ease of care are the undoubted advantages of the company's products. The only drawback is a small variety of collections. However, they include all the actual shapes and shades of bowls.

The most popular models are "Estet Alfa" and "Grace" equipped with armrests, the possibility of installing air massage and hydromassage, a decorative screen. The stand-alone bathtub also deserves attention. "Marseilles" 170x80. Its dimensions are slightly smaller than the dimensions of the model. "Grace", otherwise it is almost indistinguishable from it.

Another example of high-quality cast marble bathtubs is brand products Aquastone. Products meet European quality and safety requirements, are characterized by a 45-year service life and a 5-year warranty period. The diverse collections include a range of devices with a retro style, modern designs, as well as models equipped with legs or a pedestal.

If you are looking for a wall-mounted bathtub made of artificial marble with an interesting shape, pay attention to the model "Renata" from a Russian manufacturer "Fema Style". It has a length and width of just over one and a half meters (154 cm) and at the same time is angular, which allows it to fit even in a small room. By the way, the same brand produces popular series "Beaumond" and "Francesca". They are rectangular in shape and more compact in size.

When planning to buy an artificial stone bath, you should be prepared for the fact that it cannot be cheap. Too low a price often indicates poor quality. It is better to buy products of famous brands.

When buying a bath on its surface, you can see the smallest pores in a small amount. However, if their number is considerable, and the pores themselves are deep enough - the product is of poor quality, it is better to refuse the purchase.

Experts recommend paying attention to the composition of the product. It should be 80% stone chips and 20% resin. A slight (up to 2-3%) deviation from the specified ratio is allowed. A smaller amount of marble or other chips may result in a decrease in the performance of the product.

High-quality colored bathtubs have an appropriate shade even at the cut of the drain hole. This indicates that the pigment was added directly to the raw material during its mixing. Thanks to this technology, the finished product has an even shade without streaks, which is maintained throughout the entire period of operation.

Despite the appearance of functional, compact shower cabins on the construction market, bathtubs traditionally occupy a strong position in Russia. This is due to the fact that this plumbing fixture is considered in the country not only as a means of maintaining hygiene, but also as a place of rest, relaxation, and health promotion.

Therefore, homeowners are responsible for choosing a container for washing, comparing the pros and cons of models from different materials. The last word in the design was a stone bath, characterized by a long service life, aesthetic qualities and increased wear.

Due to the appearance of artificial stone, the price of products made from this material has decreased, but they still belong to the “luxury” category, therefore they are produced in very limited quantities. In this article we will talk about the types, popular forms, features of the manufacture of stone sanitary bowls.

Varieties

A stone wash basin is a durable, strong, hygienic sanitary ware with excellent performance characteristics. The use of this natural material indoors makes the interior stylish and modern. The price of stone models starts from 100 thousand rubles and depends on the size, quality or complexity of the product.. For the manufacture of bathtubs, the following types of stone are used:

Important! Many homeowners are put off by the high price of natural or artificial stone when choosing a bathroom. However, professional craftsmen claim that these investments quickly pay off, because stone bowls have a longer service life than other types of baths.

Forms

For the sophisticated modern buyer, the variety of models and dimensions of the bathtub plays an important role. Stone models are produced in a symmetrical or asymmetrical form, therefore they are used in rooms of any size. They produce the following from stone:

Professional designers note that a stone corner bath is more suitable for small spaces, because it allows you to increase the comfort of performing hygiene procedures, saving free space. In addition, often such models are equipped with hydromassage equipment, built-in lighting, storage places, which contributes to maximum relaxation and recovery.

Advantages

The exorbitant price often makes buyers wonder if the performance of stone baths justifies the high cost. More often people pay attention to the external attractiveness of stone products, however, in use they show their practicality and functionality. According to professional craftsmen, stone bath models have the following advantages:

High strength. Artificial and natural stone have increased strength, so it is almost impossible to damage models made of this material during operation.
Long service life. Baths made of stone are considered almost eternal, therefore, having bought such a model once, you can use it for the rest of your life.
Hygiene. The surface of the stone does not absorb pollution, does not allow mold, fungus and other pathogenic microflora to spread, therefore baths made of this material are considered the most hygienic and safe for health.
Low thermal conductivity. The low coefficient of thermal conductivity of the stone allows you to keep the temperature of the water for a long time, which ensures the comfort of hygiene procedures.
High decorative potential. Bathtubs made of natural and artificial stone in the interior look exclusive, expensive, stylish. By complementing the wash basin with a sink or countertop, you can get a modern, relevant and memorable design.

Interestingly, a bathtub made of artificial stone has its own advantages, despite the fact that the price for it is less than for natural models. High-quality stone bathtubs are covered with a layer of polyester resin during the production process, due to which they have a non-porous surface. Due to the absence of pores, artificial stone products have antibacterial properties and a self-cleaning effect.

Flaws

Every material has disadvantages, including natural and artificial stone. Before purchasing a plumbing product, the price of which reaches hundreds of thousands of rubles, it is necessary to study the features of installation and operation, weighing the advantages and disadvantages of such a choice. A bath made of artificial stone or natural raw materials has the following disadvantages:

Low maintainability. Repairing stone bathtubs is quite difficult, so restoring a damaged coating can be expensive for the owner. It is more difficult to repair a product from natural raw materials. Artificial stone products are much easier to restore. It is best to close the crack immediately after detection, without tightening, so as not to bring the case to the formation of a through hole.
Prohibition of the use of abrasive detergents. Every housewife knows that sometimes the easiest way to remove dirt is with a hard sponge or abrasive detergent. However, it is not allowed to use stone products for cleaning, as they abrade the outer coating of the bathtub and leave scratches.
risk of staining. Care should be taken when using hair dye or other coloring compounds in a stone wash basin, as they can soak into the material, changing color. The cup must be rinsed after each use.

Important! The main disadvantage of stone sanitary ware is the high price, which makes this type of bathtub out of reach for many homeowners. It is believed that low cost indicates internal defects and questionable product quality.

Video instruction

Mankind has been using baths for decades. The oldest of them - presumably made five thousand years ago - archaeologists discovered during excavations on the island of Crete. During its existence, the shape of the reservoirs has not changed. But the material from which they were made was very different.

Bathtubs were made of wood, granite and ceramics, bronze and cast iron, steel and plastic. But, more recently, the time has come for products made of artificial stone. These are stone baths or cast baths.

Bathtub made of artificial stone - technology for the manufacture of molded products

As a filler or base component in this material, stone chips are used. Often these are products of processing marble or serpentine, granite or jasper, onyx or malachite, as well as quartz sand. As a binder, manufacturers use acrylic or polyester resins, and catalysts specially designed for this purpose are added to accelerate the solidification of the liquid mass. The proportions of the ingredients, as well as the manufacturing technology of molding bathtubs, are selected depending on the specifics of each manufacturer.

Such products made of stone mass are not installed on the usual supports. Included with them are special mortise legs.

The process of casting a bathtub from an artificial liquid stone, as a rule, includes the following steps:

Surface polishing inside the matrix and gelcoat coating for mechanical protection. A thin, even layer of this gel-like dyed resin component highlights the originality of the piece.
Obtaining a liquid mass from stone chips, an adhesive, dyes and a catalyst.
Pouring the composite into the mold after the gelcoat hardens and connecting the vibropress. To create an imitation of a particular breed of natural stone, the mass is stirred in a special way, sequentially adding coloring matter - pigments to the composition.
Removing the finished product from the mold after a set period of time.

Pros and cons of an artificial stone bath

Let's look at the recognized advantages and obvious disadvantages of an artificial stone bath. Products made by casting are diverse, since the production method allows the production of models of various shapes, sizes and colors. These are corner and wall baths, round and rectangular, with an original pattern or snow-white.

The equipment is provided with hydromassage systems, orthopedic headrests, devices for the legs and back. Baths made of stone mass are distinguished by their advantages, which have already been appreciated by discerning consumers.

Pros:

Attractive design. In appearance, the products are similar to models made of natural stone - expensive and elegant, but the surface is exceptionally smooth and warm, which is not characteristic of natural material.
Exceptional thermal insulation properties. Due to the relatively thick walls (12-20 mm) and the fact that the stone mass is an excellent heat insulator, a comfortable water temperature in such a bath is maintained for hours.
Ease of care. Artificial stone is a heavy-duty material that is resistant to all kinds of detergents and cleaners. Small chips and scratches on such a surface are easily polished. A layer of stone mass or gelcoat is applied to the places of thorough damage, and polishing is carried out.
Antibacterial properties. The surface of artificial stone bathtubs is so polished and dense that even microscopic cracks and pores are absent. This structure does not allow the growth of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms.
Reliable soundproofing. When filled with water due to the composition of the material of the product, there is no vibration and noise.
Strength and resistance to mechanical stress. The technical characteristics of artificial stone are not inferior to natural ones, therefore, products made from it are heavy-duty and do not receive damage after impacts when heavy objects are accidentally dropped.
Health safety. Baths made of liquid stone mass do not emit substances harmful to humans and, unlike models made from natural material, are not radioactive.

Artificial stone products are also not perfect. But the important thing is that they have much fewer weak points than those made from other materials.

Minuses:

Significant weight. Only natural stone bathtubs are heavier than stone mass bathtubs. Installation will require a lot of physical effort and professional skills.
The high cost of the product and accessories to it. Unfortunately, not everyone can buy such plumbing.
Risk of staining on the surface when in contact with dyes, such as hair dye. Therefore, you should avoid such situations or immediately rinse the bath.
Do not use abrasive cleaners. If a product made of stone mass is covered with a light protective layer of 1-1.5 mm, the use of these substances will lead to its thinning. However, casting bathtubs from recognized manufacturers do not have such a coating, since an expensive technology for grinding the surface of artificial stone is used in the manufacturing process.

Of course, the advantages of a stone mass bath are greater than the disadvantages. If, however, this sanitary ware is handled with care, provided with proper care and operation, and even subtle surface damage is eliminated in time, then the service life will be long and practically unchanged from its original appearance.

Buying an artificial stone bath is easy. In specialized stores, collections of sanitary ware, which include these products, are constantly on display.

But a potential buyer should definitely pay attention to the fact that retail chains contain both respected brands and inexpensive products of dubious quality, produced without observing the necessary technology.

It is clear that such baths will not please the owners with the desired service life. This is what visitors of forums and social networks tell about them. nets, as about cracked, non-removable stains or products that have lost their original color.

when tapping the walls of a high-quality bath, the sound seems deaf and the same in every place of touch;
the product does not contain seams along the edges of the pattern;
the thickness of the walls at the bath corresponds to 12-20 mm, and the protective coating on them is not less than 1 mm;
the surface of the product is warm to the touch, smooth and shiny, without defects - scratches, roughness, chips;
the color of the color models is uniform and uniform;
a list of related accessories and instructions describing the required technical characteristics are attached to the bathroom;
the manufacturer provides a guarantee for the product;
a good quality casting bath is expensive.

The most worthy among the manufacturers of molding bathtubs:
- Marmorin and Kerasan in Italy;
- Vispool in Latvia;
- Marmite - joint production of Sweden and Poland;
- Riho in the Czech Republic;
- Marmorin in Poland, etc.

Bathtubs made of artificial stone of Russian enterprises are prestigious and popular with buyers:
- Astra-Form LLC;
- ESSE LLC;
- LLC "Estet".

Bathtubs from the stone mass of these manufacturers are not cheap, but the high cost is justified by the exceptional quality. Prices are formed depending on the size, model, availability of additional accessories. As a rule, manufacturers provide a service for making a bathtub, taking into account the wishes of the consumer. Of course, the ordered model will be more expensive than the one presented on the trading floor.

It is clear that the buyers themselves make the decision in the difficult choice of the main and obligatory plumbing item in the house. But spectacular modern bathtubs made of artificial stone do not go unnoticed.

Photo gallery of bathtubs made of artificial stone

February 09, 2017

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Strength / durability

Thermal conductivity

Variety of forms

Variety of colors

Ease of care

Comfort of use

Appearance

Installation and restoration

Manufacturer

Can't decide for yourself which baths are best? Have you already decided which characteristics are most important to you? Perhaps most of all you appreciate presentable appearance, durability or comfort. By prioritizing, it will be easier for you to choose which baths are best for your home. Consider the most basic criteria for high-quality sanitary ware from the position of the 5 most popular materials from which modern baths are made, namely: acrylic, artificial stone (marble), natural stone, steel and cast iron.

Strength / durability

The strength of the bath is determined not so much by the material itself, as by its quality. Stone, cast iron and steel bathtubs from selected European manufacturers have warranty 25-35 years they are heavy and reliable. Stone models in terms of strength favorably distinguishes no separate coating layer, so even if you drop something heavy into the bathtub and a piece of the bathtub breaks off, it will not be as noticeable as in the case of an enamel coating.

The best solid-cast acrylic baths with thick walls on a metal frame promise up to 10 years of warranty, which is also not bad, although they are definitely inferior in strength to high-quality baths made from other materials mentioned. They can be deformed at water temperatures above 100 °C. However, under normal conditions, such extreme temperatures do not threaten your bath.

When deciding which bath is better, whichever material we choose, we can find both high-strength samples and flimsy ones, if you go for a relatively low price.

Weight

On a scale of lightness in the question of which bath is best for the home, steel and acrylic baths are in the lead. They weigh from 20 to 60 kg, which makes them safe and comfortable in modern apartments. On the other hand, due to their weight, they need a more secure fit for stability. Baths made of artificial stone and cast iron occupy a middle position, their weight can reach 150-250 kg, which complicates the process of raising the bath to the floors, but still allows you to place it in the apartment. Bathtubs made of natural stone can weigh up to 1.2 tons, so their use in an apartment of a multi-storey building is practically impossible, this option is suitable for a private house, cottage or villa with a reinforced floor.

Sound-absorbing properties when filled with water

Speaking of "loud" bathtubs, it is easier to name an outsider in this category, namely steel bathtubs. Without an additional noise-absorbing layer, you will get an imitation of a real mountain waterfall at home while filling them with water. Bathtubs of the other types considered have good sound absorption performance and will not bother you with sounds made when filling with water.

Thermal conductivity

If you like to soak in a bath with hot water for a longer time, choose a bath made of cast iron, artificial and natural stone. The thermal conductivity of such baths is very low, the water temperature in them decreases by 5-10 ° C per hour, so the water will cool for a very long time. Steel and acrylic bathtubs heat up quickly, but they also give off heat relatively quickly, so you will have to take a bath in an accelerated mode or add hot water periodically.

Variety of forms

You can buy a bathtub in oval, round, square or asymmetric shape and any type of installation in both acrylic and artificial stone. Such bathtubs often have a thoughtful internal shape, ergonomic and practical, with special curves for the back and arms for maximum comfort and relaxation while taking baths.

Baths made of natural stone represent a special group, as they often look like an unfinished block of rock, which is almost impossible to achieve with other materials. Such bathtubs look especially luxurious in the corresponding bathroom design in Roman, Romanesque, ethnic or eco-style.

Cast iron and steel bathtubs, on the other hand, are predominantly built-in rectangular, which significantly underestimates their rating.

Variety of colors

If you dream of a bright monochrome or multi-colored bathtub, then the most direct way to this goal is to buy a bathtub. Natural stone bathtubs are attractive because they have a unique, natural color and pattern, which makes them especially desirable for seekers of exclusivity, while the choice of colors is limited to the natural shades of the stones. Bathtubs made of artificial stone, for the most part, repeat natural colors, or have a white color, sometimes with a colored outer coating. Steel and cast iron bathtubs are predominantly classic white.

Ease of care

In the context of bathroom care, two things should be said. Firstly, the absence of pores on the surface of the bath will protect it from clogging with dirt and bacteria. According to this criterion, acrylic, steel and stone bathtubs meet the highest rating.

Secondly, the surface must be strong enough not to be afraid of scratches, especially if there are animals in the house, or you are used to cleaning the bathtub with hard sponges and cleaning products. Such tests are not terrible for stone and steel bathtubs.

Cast iron bathtubs lag far behind their competitors in terms of ease of maintenance, as scratches and micro-cracks often appear on their surface over time.

If you do not subject your bath to extreme tests and clean it according to the manufacturer's recommendations, then you can omit this item as unimportant.

Comfort of use

For many buyers, the most important point is how convenient and pleasant it is to use the bathroom. On the one hand, this implies an ergonomic shape, so that it is comfortable to lie or sit in the bath, and on the other hand, a surface that is pleasant to the touch.

Artificial stone bathtubs are top notch in terms of comfort, they are warmer than natural stone bathtubs and have a silky surface that is just a pleasure to touch. Bathtubs made of natural stone and cast iron, though smooth to the touch, are cool.

The main advantage of cast acrylic bathtubs is their warm and smooth surface, however, they can make somewhat loud sounds when they knock. Steel bathtubs close the circle in terms of comfort of use.

Given the quality of the surface and the ergonomic shape, bathtubs made of cast stone and acrylic deserve the title of the most comfortable.

Appearance

You can evaluate the appearance of the bath in the case of a free-standing, corner or wall-mounted structure. So, free-standing cast stone and acrylic bathtubs can be called the best in this nomination, since they do not need either removable panels or tiling, they themselves are a ready-made piece of furniture, and often the main element of bathroom decor. A variety of forms of freestanding bathtubs in the modern plumbing market allow you to choose a model for any size of bathroom and the taste of the buyer.

When planning during the renovation process what style your bathroom will be in, what colors are better to choose, pay attention to decorative external panels for corner and wall bathtubs, because they come in the most unusual colors and textures, give more room for interior designer creativity.

Cast iron and steel bathtubs can also be freestanding and even bear the name of famous designers, and then they compete with the above listed types of bathtubs.

Installation and restoration

If you are used to doing everything with your own hands, then with the installation of a bath, no matter what material it is made of, there will be no particular problems. The only point is that for a heavy bath, that is, stone and cast iron, you will need the help of several people to lift it and put it in the right place. As practice shows, it does not matter which bath is better in quality, almost any can be repaired, but it is preferable if this is done by a specialist who will take responsibility for the result and save you from unnecessary trouble.

Price

It makes no sense to choose a bath solely for the price, because the main indicators are still listed above. The price does not always match the quality of the product. So, you can buy an overpriced acrylic bathtub because it has come a very long way from the factory to the buyer through several intermediaries, or a relatively cheap artificial stone bathtub made in China from low-grade raw materials.

Manufacturer

European manufacturers have firmly established themselves as the best not only in the design of interior items, including plumbing, but also in quality and durability. Therefore, when answering the question of which bath manufacturer is better, one could simply advise buying a bath from Italy or Germany. However, this issue is closely related to the price, because the delivery and customs clearance of such goods eats up a considerable share of the cost, so baths from Europe are not affordable for everyone.

Chinese manufacturers rely on cheapness, but the quality of their products does not leave them a chance to get into the ranking of the best manufacturers.

A compromise for your wallet and wishes can be bathtubs of domestic production or from Eastern Europe.

Conclusion

As a conclusion, we present a visual histogram, which contains the ratings of bathtubs by type of material according to the criteria listed above. The compiled rating is not the only correct one, but only reflects the opinion of the blog editors. The last 4 parameters are not included, since they only indirectly determine the rating of plumbing.

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materials and components,

Practical Tips

Acrylic or cast iron, quartz or cast marble - what is the best material? When buying a bath, all buyers have the same question - and today I propose to consider in detail the properties of each material, compare the pros and cons in order to make the right choice.

First hand information: this article presents conclusions based on many years of personal experience - and not copying disparate information scattered in the vastness of the network.

Expert staff when creating the material, they are represented by the company's specialists HydroMAS who know firsthand what each bathtub looks like and what it consists of from the inside – over many years of work, we have drilled and installed thousands of bathtubs.

Your new bath: what's inside?

It is no secret that modern technologies and industrial design possibilities allow you to create a bathtub from almost any material. From steel, whose only advantage, as you all know, is low cost, to exotic ones such as glass, stone, and even wood. In most cases, the choice is presented from acrylic bathtubs, classic cast iron, cast marble and a relatively new material - quartz. We will consider them in the article.

Acrylic: versatile and popular

So let's start with some of the most popular - acrylic bathtubs . When choosing, pay attention to two key characteristics: the type of acrylic sheet and its thickness.

Of course, you already know about the variety of shapes and sizes that acrylic allows you to create, but I would like to highlight a lesser known fact. So, did you know that the acrylic sheet from which the bathtub is made can be of 3 types: cast, extruded, and combined. Depending on which acrylic is used in production, the final cost of the bath is added up.

cast acrylic - the most durable, reliable, but at the same time the most expensive material. Its feature is in a specific manufacturing technology by casting. Due to this, cast acrylic has a longer molecular chain, which means that your bath becomes much stronger and more reliable.

Extruded Acrylic Sheet manufactured by rolling molten acrylic granules between rollers. The molecular chain in such a material is shorter and directed towards rolling - accordingly, it is less durable than cast acrylic, but still reliable enough for use in standard conditions. There is also a definite plus - the price of a bathtub made of extruded acrylic will be less due to the low cost of production of the material itself.

Combined sheet consists of two layers glued together - ABS plastic at the bottom and acrylic extruded sheet at the top. The percentage of layers can be different, depending on this, the price also changes - as you might guess, the thinner the layer of acrylic, the cheaper. Such material is quite reliable, affordable and very popular among manufacturers of economy segment baths.

Acrylic: what you need to know about the thickness of your bathtub?

Speaking of thickness, it is necessary to divide into two concepts: the thickness of the bathtub wall and the thickness of the acrylic sheet. By itself, acrylic is a very plastic material, which in its pure form will not withstand even the weight of a person, not to mention the weight of water in the bathroom. For strength, acrylic is reinforced (reinforced) with a layer of fiberglass with epoxy resin and embedded elements (as a rule, these are plywood inserts) are installed in the bottom and upper sides of the bath.

When we talk about the thickness of the bathtub wall, we mean the total thickness of the acrylic sheet and the reinforcing layer. The thicker the reinforcing layer, the stronger, and the thicker the acrylic sheet, the longer the bath will serve you. The normal thickness of an acrylic sheet is 4 - 5 mm, but it is worth remembering that this is the thickness of the initial material and during the molding process the sheet is stretched and in some places it can be 2 times thinner, which is absolutely normal.

This is interesting: the thickness and number of layers can be clearly seen on the cut of the tub or on the overflow hole.

Acrylic bathtubs: a few more nuances

What else can affect the longevity of your acrylic bathtub? I also recommend paying attention choice of frame (frame). It must be strong and must have support posts that rest against the upper sides of the bath and prevent them from bending. It is better if the frame is solid (welded), and not twisted from longitudinal and transverse parts with bolts. The monolithic structure is more stable and will not loosen over time.

Another tip for those who buy bathtub with hydromassage . Acrylic would be a good choice for bowl material as it is the easiest material to use and does not require expensive tools to install. It is worth knowing that 95% of these baths are equipped with hydromassage systems already in Russia, even if the bath itself is made in Europe. This is due to the fact that a hot tub brought (already assembled) from another country costs several times more than a bathtub assembled from us - while the same European components are used in the assembly.

Cast iron bathtubs - an ageless classic of the genre

Cast iron- the next most popular material after acrylic. The reliability and harmlessness of this material is known, probably, to everyone. Indeed, from a professional point of view, cast iron is the safest material, it does not emit any toxins, and all possible bacteria were killed when enamel was applied at 900 degrees Celsius. In turn, the large weight of the material makes the bathtub resistant to tipping over.

At the same time, weight may seem like a certain disadvantage - the buyer is often afraid of the difficulties in delivery and installation. In our opinion, this minus is very conditional, since you encounter delivery once in 20 years, and even today all stores have a delivery service that will take care of everything.

Also, the limitations of the design can be attributed to the disadvantages. - if you choose an angular or asymmetric shape, then you can not look for cast-iron bathtubs, they do not exist. But the hydromassage is installed on cast iron without any problems - you can easily buy it in our salon.

Categories of cast iron bathtubs: what determines the cost?

Category 1 - "Euro" - European standard "CE"
Category 2 - "Standard" - first grade
Category 3 - "Commercial" - second grade

Depending on what grade the bath belongs to, its quality and cost depend. The difficulty is that when buying it can be difficult to find out the category of a cast-iron bath - you have to determine this yourself.

How to determine the category and quality of a cast-iron bath? Here are some professional tips:

On my own behalf, I can advise manufacturers for whom I will not be ashamed:

cast iron baths (Spain)
cast iron bathtubs (France)
cast-iron bathtubs Recor (Germany)

The quality of bathtubs of these brands has been pleasing our customers for many years and does not make sellers blush.

Cast marble bathtubs

Such baths as soon as they are not called. On the Internet and in the markets they can be found under the names: marble, stone, artificial stone, stone mass. But their production process is the same.

Making bathtubs from artificial stone can be compared to building a foundation for a building, only instead of crushed stone and sand, ground natural marble or quartz sand is included, and polyester resin is used instead of cement. The surface of the bath is covered with a layer of gelcoat, which, like armor, protects the bath from various kinds of damage. To understand the strength, I can say that yachts and boats, as well as billiard balls, are covered with a layer of gelcoat, and they usually get great.

What are the main advantages of an artificial stone bath?

High coating strength - about which I spoke above.

Great stability to tipping - on average, the wall thickness in a marble bath is 2 - 3 cm, while the weight is not much inferior to a cast-iron bath.
Long-term preservation of water temperature.
Simple and inexpensive restoration. Even if you dropped a hammer into the bathtub and a chip formed, this trouble can be easily fixed at home using a repair kit for 100 rubles.
Design variety. Marble bathtubs can be absolutely any color - from classic white to imitating the structure of any natural stone.

Note: the cost is usually indicated for a bathtub in white, and for the color version, manufacturers ask to pay about 25% of the price. Colored bathtubs are made exclusively for the customer's order, and this may increase the delivery time.

And of course, as a specialist in hydromassage systems, I cannot but add: they are suitable for hydromassage equipment. This is made to order, the installation period for the hydromassage system is 5 working days.

Kvaril bathtubs - a new word in the world of plumbing

Kvaril- This is a relatively new material in the production of bathtubs. The process of its manufacture is quite interesting: particles of quartz sand are enclosed in an acrylic granule, due to which the latter becomes much stronger.

Then these granules
heated to a certain temperature and pour the resulting mass into special forms. This method allows you to make bathtubs of any shape and any size.

In my opinion, this is exactly what the main nuances that you need to consider when choosing a bath material look like. If you still have questions - feel free to write in the comments or through the form on this site, I will try to answer in detail.

Novikov Alexander Evgenievich, a specialist in the installation of hydromassage systems.

Work experience - 9 years.