Acrylic bathtubs are made of durable polymer reinforced in several layers. At the low tide stage, color is added to it, giving color to the bath.
The thicker the walls of an acrylic bathtub, the stronger it is; The recommended thickness is at least 5-6 mm.
Advantages of an acrylic bathtub:
- Variety of shapes and sizes. An acrylic bathtub can be selected to suit any size of room and to suit your taste. When installing it in a corner, you can further save space.
- Surface resistance to mechanical stress.
- Color stability to any changes. The shade of acrylic can be chosen to suit your taste and in accordance with the interior design of the bathroom.
- A light weight
- Good, allowing you to maintain the temperature of the water in the bath for a long time.
- Easy to clean - to clean the surface, simply wipe with a sponge and soapy water.
- You can restore an acrylic bathtub yourself. Irregularities can be sanded, and chips can be filled with acrylic mass and cleaned.
- Environmental friendliness and safety of the material. The surface of the bathtub resists the growth of bacteria and fungi.
- The sound of water filling the bathtub cannot be heard.
Disadvantages of an acrylic bath:
- An acrylic bathtub is not mounted into the wall during installation, i.e., only an attached method is possible, in which water may leak onto the floor due to insufficiently good sealing of the joints between the bathtub and the wall.
- Over time, white may turn yellow from exposure tap water.
- A high-quality acrylic bathtub is quite expensive, and cheaper analogues are susceptible to scratches, cracks and other defects on the surface. In addition, pets can also damage inexpensive acrylic plumbing fixtures.
- When washing or soaking colored fadeable fabrics in hot water, the surface of the bathtub may become stained.
- Do not use abrasive or strong chemicals for cleaning.
- For non-professionals, making an acrylic bathtub is a rather complicated process, so you need to entrust it to a specialist.
Enough high price acrylic bathtub justifies its advantages - durability, strength, ease of maintenance and environmental safety material.
When choosing an acrylic bathtub, it is necessary to take into account that the higher the quality and the more reliable the manufacturer, the higher its cost will be.
At the same time, there is a guarantee that such a bathtub will last a long time, will not change its color, and cracks and chips will not form on its surface over time.
When purchasing, you should pay attention to the availability of the complete set necessary, and also to ensure that the edges of the bathtub are level, otherwise differences in the height of its walls will be noticeable against the background of the tiles.
If an acrylic bathtub has wide and straight sides without slopes, at an angle of 90 degrees, water will run along them by inertia not into the bathtub, but onto the floor.
When choosing an acrylic bathtub with many different fittings and technological holes in models with hydromassage, you should remember that a large number of Flexible water supply tubes tend to become clogged over time, becoming clogged with dirt and mucus.
Cleaning them must be regular and takes a lot of time. In addition, when installing such models, easy access to the water drain and the bottom of the bathtub from any side should be provided for possible repairs.
You should purchase a bathtub with a base made of metal mesh or fiberglass, with a wall thickness of more than five millimeters. It is better if it is made of cast acrylic rather than extruded - you can find out about this from the seller.
It would be a mistake to buy such plumbing fixtures from a manufacturer without a warranty and at a low price.
It is preferable to choose a bathtub with the simplest geometry, because for manufacturing complex shapes thin acrylic is often used. When choosing acrylic, you should pay attention to the fact that the fittings are metal and not plastic, this will increase its service life.
Acrylic bath good quality has a uniform shade, the same wall thickness, smooth surface without any defects, it should not emit a strong chemical smell.
Comparison of acrylic and steel bathtub
Steel bathtubs are a good alternative for those who, for some reason, are distrustful of modern acrylic and traditional bathtubs. They are made from ordinary steel coated with enamel or stainless steel.
Enameled steel is much cheaper than stainless steel, so the second option is not in high demand, although it is safe and environmentally friendly pure material resistant to corrosion.
When comparing which bathtub is better - acrylic or steel, consumer reviews vary. First you need to highlight the disadvantages and advantages of a bathtub made of this material.
Advantages of a metal bath:
- Low cost
- and durability, which lasts up to 15 years.
- High resistance to temperature changes and aggressive chemical cleaning agents.
- Variety of forms
- A light weight
- The smooth surface of the enamel does not allow bacteria to multiply.
Disadvantages of a steel bath:
- Small metal thickness. For heavy wall loads iron bath may become deformed, and cracks and chips may appear on the enamel surface.
- Poor thermal insulation, leading to the fact that the hot water in such a bath quickly cools down.
- Noisy when drawing water
- Due to their light weight, steel bathtubs are less stable.
- The smooth surface of the bathtub is slippery
- The steel bath must be grounded
- Possibility of plaque
Reliable steel bath has a weight from 30 to 50 kg., baths are less than 30 kg. and with low cost, as well as less than 3 mm. represent a low-quality product.
Comparison with acrylic bathtub
If we compare which bathtub is better - steel or acrylic, then a clear advantage steel will be low price and the resistance of its surface to scratches.
However, a metal bathtub can become deformed if its walls are too thin.
Thus, judging by the cost, a steel bathtub is better, but in terms of the ability to easily restore the surface independently, it is superior to an acrylic one.
An acrylic bathtub retains heat inside for a long time, which is not typical for a steel bathtub.
Therefore, for lovers for a long time carry out in hot bath you should choose acrylic. Similar advice for those who prefer to choose a bath with different additional functions, for example, with hydromassage.
In addition, a steel bathtub cannot compete with an acrylic bathtub in terms of its noise level when drawing water, but if desired, if you make some efforts to soundproof the bathtub from the outside, this drawback can be partially eliminated.
For those who love more comfort a bath will do made of acrylic - its surface is warm, pleasant to the touch, smooth, but not slippery.
In terms of durability of the coating, a steel bathtub outperforms an acrylic one, since the latter has a soft upper layer, not resistant to scratches and, even more so, to the impact of heavy objects. The enamel covering the metal bath is reliably “baked” into the top layer, which prevents the formation of various defects.
But all the listed disadvantages of both options apply only to low-quality and low-cost ones.
When choosing expensive models, both versions of plumbing fixtures - steel and acrylic - have equal strength and reliability indicators, but high-quality acrylic bathtubs are always more expensive than metal ones with the same functionality.
The thicker the walls of a steel bath, the more resistant it is to deformation and heavy loads, so you should choose it from metal with a thickness of at least 4 mm. and enamel at least 1.5 mm. At the same time the weight quality bath made of steel should not be less than 30 kg.
The walls of the bathtub must be perfectly smooth, with uniformly painted enamel, without chips, cracks, or sagging.
Some features should be taken into account for the durable installation of a steel bath due to its instability and lightness. For this, specialists are usually invited.
In general, you should be guided by personal preferences, particularly the size and shape of the metal bathtub, as well as its combination with the rest of the bathroom.
Cast iron or acrylic?
Despite the variety of plumbing products offered on modern market, cast iron bathtubs remain the most popular among the average consumer.
Maybe it's a force of habit, since acrylic bathtubs are relatively new to Russian market, and maybe experience developed over the years.
Be that as it may, cast iron bathtubs can compete with acrylic and steel ones.
Cast iron casting is a complex process, but it is still not slowing down in the production of plumbing fixtures.
In order to compare which bathtub is better - acrylic or cast iron, you need to consider in detail the advantages and disadvantages of a cast iron bathtub.
Advantages of a cast iron bath:
- The high strength of cast iron allows you to achieve a service life of up to 50 years without being subject to deformation.
- Large heat capacity that allows you to maintain water temperature long time.
- Possessing low vibration, cast iron has high noise insulation, which allows you to muffle the sound of pouring water.
- Corrosion resistance
- A cast iron bathtub can be mounted into a wall, not in an attached way, to create one with the tiles on the wall without visible joints.
- Bathroom maintenance may involve abrasive and harsh chemicals. detergents without the risk of damaging the surface.
- Affordable price
- The wall thickness of modern cast iron bathtubs is smaller than before, which has made it possible to reduce their weight and increase the useful volume while maintaining quality characteristics. In addition, they are often equipped with comfortable handles and screw feet that allow you to adjust the height of the bath.
Flaws:
- Heavy weight, which creates difficulties when moving and installing.
- Uniformity of forms. Cast iron bathtubs are mostly made in rectangular or oval shapes.
- restoration of enamel in case of chips or cracks
- Over time, the enamel coating may wear away. The porous surface easily becomes dirty, turns yellow, and over time, stains that are difficult to remove can form.
- A cast iron bath takes a long time to heat up.
The cast iron bathtub is a durable plumbing fixture with at an affordable price, but rather monotonous models and heavy weight.
Comparison with acrylic bathtub
A cast iron bathtub will become the best option for those who prefer a traditional bathtub with a regular shape, since all models are the same. Unlike her, acrylic bathtub will ideal option for lovers of unusual plumbing fixtures with different shades.
The affordable price of a cast iron bathtub makes it attractive to the average person, while high-quality acrylic sanitary ware is quite expensive.
A cast-iron bathtub, unlike an acrylic one, is easy to install - it can be adjusted to fit the walls, mounted in tiles, and to accommodate uneven floors using screw feet.
In an acrylic bathtub, the water remains warm longer than in a cast iron bathtub, and the sound of water filling is quieter. If you hit the surface of the bathtub, acrylic can be easily restored, but with cast iron, difficulties may arise.
But if you choose ease of care for your plumbing fixtures, you should go with the first option, since the porous surface of cast iron requires some effort in cleaning.
An acrylic bathtub is superior in surface hygiene, but cast iron is superior in durability.
The advantage of acrylic sanitary ware is its weight, which gives a lot of advantages when loading a bathtub into an apartment and when it is necessary to move it, unlike cast iron.
The functionality of an acrylic bathtub provides a lot of possibilities for integrating additional fittings, jets for hydromassage, which is not possible in a standard cast-iron bathtub. However, this will require additional investment and maintenance.
Unlike acrylic, a cast iron bathtub can be installed on our own without involving the help of specialists.
Despite the strength of a material such as cast iron, it is necessary to take into account that when exposed to a pinpoint impact from a heavy object, cracking will occur along the entire length with the impossibility of restoration, unlike acrylic.
Summarizing all of the above, the following can be said in favor of an acrylic bathtub versus a cast iron one: easy local restoration, flexibility of shapes, sizes, shades, variety of functionality and light weight.
In turn, cast iron has the following advantages: long service life - up to 50 years, reliability and stability, no surface deformation, not subject to sagging under heavy weight.
How to choose a cast iron bath
Before purchasing a cast-iron bathtub, you must make sure that its parameters correspond to the dimensions of the bathroom, including the doorway, otherwise dismantling it cannot be avoided.
The enamel must be smooth and shiny, without chips, scratches and sagging, otherwise further growth of chips and yellowing of irregularities cannot be avoided. Its thickness must be at least 1.2 mm.
It is necessary to ensure that the sides of the bath are symmetrical and level.
Thus, steel baths are economical option, cast iron is reliable and traditional, and acrylic is distinguished by a variety of shapes, modern design, and the possibility of easy restoration.
Despite the variety of models and materials from which modern bathtubs are made, it is necessary to pay attention to their quality and manufacturer, based on personal preferences and financial capabilities.
The opinion of experts can be found in the video:
Which bathtub is better to buy, acrylic or cast iron or steel - a point-by-point selection algorithm with a clear highlighting of the pros and cons of each material.
How to choose a bath
5 situations when which bath is better is obvious
Sometimes there really is no choice. Let's start with these simple cases:
- You need corner or asymmetrical bath. Only acrylic and composite bathtubs are not available rectangular shape, there are no other options.
- You there are dogs. Then only a cast iron or steel bathtub, because... only their enamel will withstand dog claws. Which one is better next?
- You want large bath . Even among rectangular bathtubs, the largest are acrylic. Selection of cast iron and steel baths s very small. Details about.
- Do you want modern and even ultra-modern appearance . It is better to choose an acrylic bath again. The peculiarities of production and casting of cast iron and steel make their appearance slightly clumsy.
- Very modest budget. Your choice is a steel bathtub. Cheap acrylic bathtubs are very bad, but there are no cheap cast iron bathtubs.
If your case does not fall under any of the points, you will have to choose the best bath weighing the pros and cons of each material. Let's figure out how to choose a bathtub when you have already decided on the type of material.
If suddenly you have already decided which bathtub material is best for you, the last step remains - not to receive a defective copy.
When inspecting the bathtub, you definitely need a rule or other flat, long object. The bathtub may have a crooked geometry, and this is very bad. You won’t notice the crooked edge of the bathtub with the naked eye right away, but you will notice it after laying the tiles. The seam at the junction of the bathtub and the wall will be uneven and this will be very noticeable.
If it’s a depression or a bump, and the bathtub is acrylic, then it’s not so scary. During installation, the technician can lift the cavity and support it with corners screwed to the bathroom wall. But if the bathtub is cast iron or steel, then it will be impossible and difficult to fix it.
The bathtub should not be curved either along the upper plane of the rim or along the side. In the first case, there will be a crooked seam between the bathtub and the tile. In the second, she will not stand close to the wall.
Check the geometry of the sides of the bathtub using the rule - it should be perfectly smooth for cast iron and steel, acceptable for acrylic.
Acrylic bath
There is an opinion that supposedly nothing better than cast iron bathtubs has been invented. We disagree. According to our experience and reviews, acrylic bathtubs perfect choice for almost all people, except perhaps dog owners.
Bad reviews about acrylic bathtubs come only from too cheap samples. Allegedly, they bend under the weight, are unstable, and lose color. A good acrylic bathtub should not cost less than a cast iron one, and the minimum required layer of acrylic is 4 mm. Acrylic bathtubs best manufacturers : Ravak, Riho, Kolpa-san, Poolspa. Any of their bathrooms will be high quality and made from fairly thick acrylic.
By the way, we are in:
Pros of acrylic bathtubs
- Large selection of shapes and sizes, modern appearance.
- Low thermal conductivity. They always seem warm.
- Low weight and easy installation.
- Not as slippery as cast iron and steel.
- Scratches on normal acrylic bathtubs with an acrylic layer greater than 4 mm can be sanded off.
- Does not lose appearance over time.
- Not afraid of corrosion and chemistry.
In our opinion, the advantages of acrylic bathtubs, especially low thermal conductivity and big choice sizes and shapes make them a standard choice. If you have, then it is among the acrylic ones that you can find the option that most closely matches the size, because... Their step is small, but their choice is maximum. Now to the cons.
Cons of acrylic bathtubs
- They require a more careful attitude. If you use it only for its intended purpose and wash your bodies, then there will be no problems. But no dogs or technical processes.
- Quite a price for normal quality acrylic bathtubs.
- Cheap acrylic bathtubs are a complete disadvantage.
Use as intended, do not drop into the bathtub heavy objects, and the bathtub will serve you no less than a cast iron one. At the same time, it is always warm and pleasant to the touch. In addition, when the bathroom area is large, for example in, there is a reason to put corner bath, but they only come in acrylic.
Cast iron bath
The most durable type of bathtub, with a limited choice of sizes and uniform appearance. If the bathtub is used for anything more than lying in, or if the bathtub is only accessible standard size baths, then a completely rational choice.
Pros of cast iron baths
- Enamel is the most resistant to mechanical stress. Not afraid of dogs and hard brushes (within reasonable limits).
- Silent, although the importance of this parameter is exaggerated.
- Theoretically, it can be restored even after damage to the enamel.
- Maintains temperature for a long time. It is only important if you lie for a long time with the water turned off.
Cons of cast iron baths
- There are only rectangular and standard small sizes.
- Cold and slow to heat up.
- Heavy and difficult to install.
- If the geometry is not perfect, it is impossible to correct.
If, when purchasing, you missed the uneven top with a depression near the acrylic bathtub, then when installing it, you can lift it with a corner. This maneuver won’t work with cast iron, check the geometry!
Steel bath
It has the disadvantages of both types of baths and has almost no advantages. But the king of cheap options. Much better than cheap acrylic.
Pros of steel baths
- The enamel is almost as good as cast iron, much stronger than acrylic.
- Low cost with acceptable quality.
- Low weight and easy installation.
Cons of steel baths
- The choice of sizes is only slightly larger than cast iron, only rectangular in shape.
- Cold, they cool down quickly, but they also heat up quickly.
- Slippery.
- Once damaged, it is almost impossible to repair.
- They ring when filling with water.
Composite bathtubs made of cast marble
The material has been known for a long time, but it is used for the manufacture of bathtubs relatively recently. Not particularly popular due to its high price, but has several unique advantages. Deserves attention.
Advantages of composite baths
- Huge color palette. The only bathtub that can be in any color, including variegated, shiny, etc.
- Thermal conductivity is low, like acrylic bathtubs, therefore it is never cold.
- Composite bathtubs come in corner and large ones, although the choice is smaller than that of acrylic ones.
- Not noisy, perceived as durable and monumental.
Cons of composite baths
- It scratches easily, although with normal thickness it is also easy to sand.
- High price. Composite baths are not cheap at all.
- Very delicate and often damaged before the repair is completed.
Let's summarize. Bath selection algorithm:
- A steel bathtub is better for limited budget. Carefully check whether the sides are even.
- A cast iron bathtub is better if it is used actively and not only for washing people. If you plan to wash dogs, any hard objects, etc. Check the geometry.
- If finances allow and you want a custom color, choose a bathtub made of composite materials.
- In all other cases, choose a high-quality acrylic bathtub. Important! Don't buy cheap acrylic bathtubs - they are very bad.
By the way, maybe you don’t need a bath at all? Read about
The main advantage of cast iron is its durability. When producing a bathtub, it is enameled and gives it an aesthetic appearance. The enamel is applied directly to the surface of the finished bath or immediately to the product that is hot after low tide. Thanks to this, a degree of additional strength of the coating and its resistance to corrosion is achieved. High-quality cast iron bathtubs have a twenty-year guarantee.
Most often, cast iron bathtubs are produced in a classic form, since this material does not lend itself well to complex molding.
Modern cast iron bathtubs are sold with built-in handles for ease of use, and also have much less weight compared to Soviet bathtubs. However, when the tide ebbs, even with thin walls, its weight will still remain quite impressive - at least 90-100 kilograms. Cast iron bathtubs are easy to clean and do not require special detergents. When washing such bathtubs, it is advisable to avoid sponges or brushes with an abrasive surface, which can scratch the enamel; it is still the weakest link in cast iron products.
Acrylic bath
Acrylic bathtubs are today considered the queens of design, gradually displacing steel and cast iron products from widespread demand. The range of acrylic bathtubs includes a huge variety of models of all sizes and shapes. With the help of compact acrylic bathtubs, a bathroom can be designed in any design, which is very important for apartments with small living space dimensions.
Acrylic bathtubs are in no way inferior to steel and cast iron in their characteristics, and in some respects they even surpass them.
Despite the deceptively fragile appearance of acrylic, this material is very durable and even elastic. Its thickness ranges from 4-6 millimeters, but the bottom of acrylic bathtubs is made thicker, since it bears the main load. The warranty on such products is about ten years, they are easy to care for and quite durable. Harmful bacteria do not multiply on acrylic, and it is also resistant to various household chemicals.
Acrylic bathtubs are available in rectangular, asymmetrical and oval versions; in addition, they are often equipped with hydromassage systems and lighting. Considering the possibility of easy reconstruction of acrylic bathtubs, they can be safely recommended as best product for the bathroom.
Sometimes visitors to our store share their thoughts about the advantages or disadvantages of products, and in particular, cast iron and steel bathtubs, which they “read about on the Internet.” Since the San Premium store has both types of bathtubs in its assortment, our experts decided to express their opinion on this topic. Confusion about where buyers' strange thoughts come from can melt away in a matter of minutes if you Google, for example, the phrase "cast iron bathtubs." On the very first page of search results you can get a link to one of the websites of bathtub sellers with the subtitle “Main advantages of enameled cast-iron bathtubs.”
"High level of strength and resistance to various deformations. The highest quality cast iron and modern enamel coating are used in production."
Cast iron is a rather brittle material, and it is inappropriate to call it “resistant to deformation”. Some of the cast iron produced from iron ore cannot even be cut, because it crumbles so much. It is usually used as a raw material for steel smelting. Conventionally, we can say that cast iron is one of the stages of producing steel from iron ore. Unless, of course, steel is the goal. But in many cases cast iron is quite suitable for direct use.
The phrase “cast iron of the highest quality” begs the question - what quality? Strength, ductility, carbon content? After all, if you measure the quality of cast iron as the percentage of carbon, then cast iron " highest quality"with a minimal percentage will approach the composition of steel. With the same success, the relative purity of unfiltered water can be considered its advantage, although filtered water will be even purer.
"High noise insulation and excellent heat capacity."
The fact that the structure of cast iron contains more carbon than steel is manifested in practice by the fact that a vessel made of more brittle cast iron should have thicker walls than its steel counterpart. Thicker cast iron walls with a higher carbon content in the structure are, figuratively speaking, much more “porous” than thin steel ones. Carbon dispersed in the metal layer creates a certain structure with frequent changes in heat capacity at the micro level, allowing heat to linger longer and sound to dissipate more strongly. Therefore, we essentially agree with this advantage if we consider the situation that the steel bathtubs are not supplied with soundproofing elements, and these vessels will be used in an unheated room during the cold season. But even in this case, the question arises: what about the heat that escapes through the surface of the water, bypassing the walls of the bathroom? After all, more warm air will carry upward the heat of the water poured into the bath, no matter what it is made of.
And this heat outflow can be much more significant than the difference between the heat capacity of the walls of a cast iron or steel bath.
By the way, some types of soundproofing sheets suitable for fastening to steel bathtubs can also serve as thermal insulation.
"Saturation and depth of color. Cast iron bathtubs do not fade at all, maintaining their original color and shine. No other enamel bathtubs look so impressive."
This is a very strange statement, considering that we are talking about enamel baths. For example, the quality and technology of applying enamel to steel bathtubs allows the company’s management to confidently declare a 30-year guarantee for their products.
The managers of the German company (Bette) are no less confident in the quality of their technologies for coating steel with enamels, guaranteeing three decades of impeccable service for steel bathtubs of this brand.
A 25-year warranty for cast-iron bathtubs ("Jacob Delafon") is also an excellent indicator of quality, but the authors of statements about the superiority of cast-iron bathtubs apparently do not correlate their words with these facts.
There is a possibility that they are comparing cast iron bathtubs with some kind of bathtub-like objects created from too thin steel with unsuitable enamel coating technology. And if for some reason such a bathtub is deformed, then the enamel coating may lose its integrity. But in this case, the authors could also consider the option of a thin-walled cast iron bathtub, which can be broken along with low-quality enamel.
This is another reason why, when choosing a bathtub, you need to be more attentive to the qualities directly related to the functions of the product. For example, to the thickness of the walls of the bathtub (which can be judged by relative weight). A simple “formula” - find out the name of the material, and rely on a preconceived opinion - at the current level of technology development, is unlikely to be more reliable than tossing a coin or telling fortunes on coffee grounds.
“Cast iron is resistant to scratches and damage from aggressive agents.”
There are steel grades with similar and even to greater degrees stability, but it is not clear who is interested in this “advantage” in a situation where the metal from which the bathtub is made must be hidden under the enamel.
"Thanks to the perfect combination of enamel and cast iron, modern bathtubs have a smooth surface."
The word "cast iron" can be replaced by the word "steel", and the indicated advantage will disappear, as if it were simply far-fetched.
“Enameled cast iron bathtubs are easy to clean because there are no pores on their surface, preventing the accumulation of dirt.”
Again we are talking about the quality of the enamel, which even among steel bathtub manufacturers can be impeccable.
"They have a long service life - more than 20 years."
We have already given an example with warranty periods. It only remains to add that our specialists principledly and carefully select for the assortment of the San-Premium store only those products whose reliability is beyond doubt. Accordingly, and various kinds disputes “which product is better” with this approach are lost practical meaning, because if a bathtub is not the best among other bathtubs with similar parameters, then it simply does not fall into the list of products in our store.
And in conclusion of this analytical work on one of the sources that can be used by overly gullible visitors, we provide a commentary on general description cast iron found on the same site:
“Cast iron is an alloy of iron and carbon and is quite heavy. Although cast iron bathtubs are made thin, the weight of the average product exceeds 100 kg. At the same time, the large weight ensures the stability of the bathtub during operation.”
Steel also consists of iron and carbon, but it contains less carbon. But it is less fragile, and therefore its walls are made even thinner than cast iron. But still, a cubic meter of steel weighs approximately 7800 kg, and a cubic meter of cast iron weighs from 6800 to 7300 kg, so it is absurd to call cast iron “heavy” in relation to steel. The fact that steel baths are lighter is due to a significantly smaller volume of material than in the case of cast iron. Well, for stability during operation, modern manufacturers include comfortable, reliable and easily height-adjustable legs in the set of steel bathtubs.
Conclusion: steel and cast iron bathtubs are all iron
Comparing with steel, regardless of the conditions and purposes of use, is approximately the same “useful” activity as comparing diesel fuel with gasoline, without taking into account: who will use them, for what, and how. Therefore, if you need to choose the best bathtub, and there are no measurable parameters by which you can understand that one bathtub is “better” than another, then there is no point in even starting the search. It is enough to buy the first one you come across.
Whether it is a high-tech bathtub with a built-in music center and hydromassage or a simple but high-quality enamel container, in any case, one of them will be “better” than the other in some way. Some people care most about the price, while others trademark. This is not difficult to understand, as is the fact that sellers of bathtubs cannot know more about them than their manufacturers, and experienced buyers of different products can sometimes know more than sellers of one. But both of them can learn and share knowledge with other people, creating new opportunities and embodying new ideas for a better future.
We wish you success in purchasing a high-quality bathroom, chosen on the basis of acquired knowledge.
P.S. If it seemed to someone that the purpose of this article was propaganda, then it really “seemed”, since the trade in both types of bathtubs makes no sense in unnecessarily protruding good properties some alone.
There are a large number of different plumbing fixtures on the modern market. The stores offer many bathtubs made of steel or cast iron, as well as cast acrylic. Which one is better cannot be answered unambiguously. Any material has both advantages and disadvantages.
Pros and cons of bathroom fixtures
The most modern and common plumbing option for bath room is an acrylic bathtub. She has positive qualities products made of steel and cast iron and does not include their shortcomings. The production technology of acrylic bathtubs allows you to create this sanitary ware of the most different sizes and forms. They have a beautiful appearance, do not create noise when drawing water, retain heat for a long time and are quite practical.
The advantages of steel bathtubs include acceptable price, ease of transportation and installation, modern design. If such a bathtub is made by a reputable manufacturer, then it will serve for a long time without causing any trouble. However this type plumbing also has negative qualities. It does not retain the water temperature very well, can sag under significant weight, and during filling it makes an unpleasant noise due to the pressure of the water.
Bathtubs made of cast iron are durable and wear-resistant. Their design retains classic features and therefore they are suitable for interior decoration in any room, if their high price does not become an obstacle to this. Purchasing such a bathtub is accompanied by some difficulties during transportation and installation, since the product has significant weight.
A large selection of sanitary ware for bathrooms provides ample opportunities for those who want to purchase the product, but this also sows doubts: which bath is better to choose in order to use it for a long time and without unnecessary hassle. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at the positive and negative qualities of the materials from which bathtubs are made.
What is good about a cast iron bath?
Despite the fact that cast iron casting is a rather complex technical process and there are not too many enterprises producing cast iron bathtubs, production volume is growing, since these products are in great demand.
Cast iron is a reliable and durable material, therefore, the appearance and service life of the bathtub is influenced, first of all, by the thickness, method of application and quality of the enamel. The thickness of the enamel layer on cast iron bathtubs from leading manufacturers is 0.8-1.2 mm, and application methods are used both conservative (manual coating) and advanced.
By technology production process First, liquid enamel is applied, and then powder enamel is used as a fixative. In modern production, matte, glossy and colored enamels are used. Sometimes silver ions are added to the enamels to purify the water collected in the bath. Before choosing a particular version of this plumbing fixture, it is better to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of each type.
The advantage of a cast iron bathtub is that it is not prone to vibration and does not create resonance when impacted, which means that pouring water will create a muffled sound.
In addition, cast iron has low thermal conductivity; there is no feeling of cold upon contact with the bathtub, and the water in it cools relatively slowly.
Cleaning a bathtub that has glossy surface without pores, does not present any difficulties. A variety of detergents are suitable for this purpose, as long as they do not contain acid.
Disadvantages to consider
TO negative qualities cast iron bathtubs include bulkiness and heavy weight, and this affects the process of dismantling, transportation and installation, creating certain inconveniences. Often bathtubs from foreign manufacturers have less weight. This is due to the fact that imported cast iron bathtubs have smaller wall thicknesses. The quality does not suffer from this, but the weight does not decrease much.
The vulnerable part in a cast iron bathtub is the enamel, no matter how special it is. If something heavy hits the inner surface of the bathtub, enamel particles may be knocked off. Restoring the bathtub coating yourself is an impossible task. In addition, over a long service life, the enamel gradually wears off and darkens.
Due to the fact that cast iron casting is a rather labor-intensive process, bathtubs are designed in classic style. But among them you can also find avant-garde cast iron bathtubs. Usually these are plumbing fixtures from foreign manufacturers.
If you need a bathtub with lighting and hydromassage, and you have to choose acrylic or cast iron, then it is worth remembering that the installation of a cast iron bathtub is more complicated than an acrylic hydromassage bathtub.
The service life of a cast iron bathtub can be very long, provided that the enamel coating is handled with care. See more about the advantages of cast iron bathtubs.
A new look at the steel bath
Bathtubs made of steel are in much less demand compared to cast iron bathtubs. When choosing plumbing fixtures for your home, you rarely stop at them. Buyers mostly think only about their shortcomings and forget that they also have many advantages.
Good steel bathtubs do not have enamel peeling off at all. This is due to the fact that enameling is carried out in furnaces with high temperature and the enamel is actually sintered with the steel surface. Even with a fairly long service life, a steel bathtub will not lose its shine and original whiteness. Cracks in the enamel coating occur only if the walls of the bathtub are deformed.
Steel enameled bathtubs are lightweight. Therefore, both transportation and installation are much easier than cast iron products. On average, a steel bathtub weighs 4 times less than a cast iron one; sometimes this argument can play a significant role when choosing plumbing fixtures for the bathroom.
Steel is much more malleable than cast iron, and this factor contributes to the fact that steel bathtubs have many design options and configurations. bath non-standard sizes You should look for models made of steel, not cast iron. Naturally, among them are many classic options with standard dimensions, their average depth is 460 cm.
Something about disadvantages
One cannot, of course, ignore the disadvantages that steel bathtubs have. One of the disadvantages is thin walls, which can become deformed under excessive load, which, in turn, will contribute to the appearance of chips and cracks on the enamel surface. Thin-walled steel bathtubs have a fairly low price, but those products that have a higher cost and, accordingly, thick walls, are almost impossible to deform. Guarantee period The service life of such a capacity is much longer. It is best to choose a steel bath with a wall thickness of 3 mm or more.
A steel bathtub retains heat worse than a cast iron one, and the water poured into it cools down faster. This process occurs faster in a thin-walled bath.
Also, when filling water into a thin-walled steel bathtub, a humming noise is heard, which causes discomfort. In order to avoid this, foreign manufacturers fix on outer surface bathtub gaskets for sound insulation, this partially solves the problem.
You can eliminate the inconvenience of the noise produced by installing the bathtub in a base made of bricks and lined with ceramic tiles.
If the choice is made in favor of a steel enameled bathtub, then when purchasing it you should lift or move it. If it is easy to move, and its weight is within 25 kg, it only means that its walls are thin and may become deformed. A durable steel enameled bathtub usually weighs between 30 and 50 kg.
When faced with the choice of which bathtub (steel or cast iron) will decorate the bathroom, you need to take into account that the cost of cheap steel models is not much less than economy class cast iron options. See more about steel bathtubs.
Modern bath with all the pros and cons
Much later than steel and cast iron bathtubs, acrylic bathtubs appeared. At first they were treated as luxurious style, and they were quite expensive. Currently, acrylic bathtubs are popular and available to all walks of life.
They are made from injection molded polymethyl methacrylate. IN expensive option They use pure acrylic, and cheaper ones use synthetic combined plastic. This material is quite plastic and bathtubs made from it come in a wide variety of shapes. Although cheaper models are made from combined plastic, but they are classified as acrylic bathtubs.
The advantages of acrylic bathtubs include their ability to maintain the water temperature in the original mode and noiselessness during filling. Their surface is smooth but non-slip. If you want to buy a bath unusual shape Attention should be paid specifically to acrylic products.
These baths can be easily restored. Scratches are sanded and filled with a special compound. But you still need to handle the acrylic bathtub carefully. Over a long period of use, the acrylic layer may become thinner, and contact with sharp objects will leave damage, the removal of which is associated with certain difficulties.
Acrylic does not contain pores, and dirt does not accumulate on it, which implies fairly simple care and cleaning. The only thing you should not do is use abrasive powders and products containing chlorine.
One of the disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs is the staining of the surface after washing colored laundry. Over time, a white acrylic bathtub becomes yellow due to poor tap water, and even an installed filter cannot prevent this. So it’s better to buy colored ones.
Acrylic or cast iron bath- it's up to you to choose.
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