Just some 16 years ago, when you came to the plumbing shop, you could observe the slender rows of cast iron bathtubs. There were no other options.
The modern buyer has a much wider choice of plumbing, because acrylic products appeared on sale. Such bathtubs are light, durable, can be of various shapes, so they quickly gained popularity.
But, as you know, the larger the assortment presented, the more difficult it is to make the right choice.
Let's figure out the question of how to choose the right acrylic bathtub.
Features of acrylic bathtubs
The content of the article
- Features of acrylic bathtubs
- What are acrylic bathtubs
- Acrylic Bathtub Selection Criteria
As the name implies, such plumbing is made of acrylic. It is produced in two ways, according to which the cups are divided into two types: cast and extruded. Cast baths are much stronger than extruded ones. Therefore, such products will last you much longer.
Attention! Determining "by eye" what kind of bath the bath belongs to is quite difficult. Therefore, when buying, ask the seller to provide supporting documents, a quality certificate. They contain all the necessary information.
The plasticity of acrylic allows designers to create bowls of a wide variety of shapes and sizes. They are decorated with various decorative elements.
To make the product durable, it is coated with epoxy resins, and then installed on a metal frame.
What are acrylic bathtubs
Bathtubs are distinguished by two characteristics: the number of layers and the shape of the product.
- The number of layers. The strength and durability of the bowl directly depend on this parameter. Quality bathtubs are made of acrylic sheet with a thickness of at least 5 mm. To give extra strength, the product undergoes a reinforcement procedure - several layers of epoxy mixed with fiberglass shavings are applied to the surface of the plumbing. The more layers applied, the stronger the bowl.
- Plumbing uniform. From a flexible polymer, you can make a bowl of any shape.
For example:
- Rectangular. This is a traditional model of plumbing. Such a product fits perfectly into the room with any design. Mount the bowl parallel to the wall.
- Corner The model is very popular. This is because a bowl of this shape can be installed in a room of any size. The tank can be left and right. One side of the product may be rectangular or convex.
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Oval. The bath will become a real highlight of the room, making it elegant, original. But because of its shape, this design takes up a lot of space, so it is suitable only for spacious rooms. Such plumbing can not be called a full bath. Rather, it is one of the elements of luxury. It looks especially profitable on a small pedestal. Typically, these baths have additional features: hydromassage, water level sensor, air massage, self-cleaning. Therefore, they can be used for spa-procedures at home. Such products are made exclusively to order.
Reference! If you need to install a bath in a room with a complex design, give preference to asymmetric models. If your plumbing area has a large area, then you can choose a bowl of any shape.
Acrylic Bathtub Selection Criteria
A bath is an expensive acquisition, so buy it for a long time. It is important to know what product features you should look for before buying. Of course, expert advice should be taken into account. But you yourself need to understand this topic.
When choosing a plumbing product, pay attention to the following characteristics:
- The size. This is the most important parameter. First of all, evaluate the size of your bathroom, the size of the doorway is also important. Acrylic bowl should not occupy all the free space in the room. The dimensions of the product itself are no less important, because the level of comfort directly depends on them. The most convenient bath with the following parameters: height - 70 cm, bowl depth - 60 cm, width - 80 cm, length - 180 cm. A product with these parameters is suitable for most people.
- Wall thickness, number of layers. The thicker the product wall, the stronger and more expensive it is. But "by eye" to determine this parameter is quite difficult. When choosing plumbing, touch its walls. So, a product with a wall thickness of 1 mm should not be purchased. A bath with walls 2 mm thick will last 4 years, 4 mm - 7 years, 5 mm and more - over 12 years.
- Surface. The bath coating should not have defects: chips, scratches, cracks. It should be even, smooth, evenly colored. If you find any defects, it means that the product is of poor quality or was made with a violation of technology.
- Smell. The bowl should not exude harsh odors. Their presence indicates the low quality of the materials from which it was produced.
- Wireframe. Acrylic bathtub is mounted on the frame, which makes the product stiff. The design is a pipe coated with powder anti-corrosion paint. A high-quality frame has points of contact with the bowl only at the corners of the structure. If there are a lot of ribs, the plumbing is fragile and you should not buy it.
The modern plumbing market offers a wide range of acrylic bathtubs, so it can be difficult to make the right choice. When buying, focus on personal preferences - the product must match them. Feel free to ask the seller for supporting documents and a quality certificate. So you can get the best bath that will last you for many years.