Which bath is better? Comparative characteristics of bathtubs from different materials

Half a century ago, our compatriots did not have to rack their brains over what kind of bath to buy in return for the one that came unusable: in plumbing stores you could see only cast-iron and steel products of white standard color sizes. Now their choice is so great that they have to spend more than one day studying suppliers' offers. So, let’s figure out which manufacturers offer bathtubs today and how to choose something good from all this variety.

Comparative characteristics of bathtubs

Made from different raw materials, similar in relation to individual indicators, bathtubs also have individual characteristics.

A variety of forms and firms

Cast-iron bathtubs are the most “conservative” ones - rectangular and oval. This is due to the characteristics of the metal - he and

strong and fragile at the same time, so it’s rather difficult to give it another shape. The most famous European manufacturers are Roca and Novial (Spain), Castalla (Italy), Jacob Delafon (France). In Russia, Novokuznetsk Universal and the Kirov Plant can be distinguished.

Steel and acrylic bathtubs, due to the flexibility of the material and the manufacturing method, are presented in a wider range. You can find a variety of modifications - round, oval, rectangular, symmetric and asymmetric.

Because acrylic bathtubs are in greatest demand among consumers, in the world market there are many manufacturers producing such products. Among the best are Vagnerplast and Ravak (Czech Republic), Riho (Holland), Cersanit (Poland), PoolSpa (Spain), 1Marka, Bas, Triton (Russia). Popular manufacturers of steel bathtubs are BLB (Portugal), Roca (Spain), Kaldewei and Bette (Germany), Verkh-Isetsk Metallurgical Plant (Russia).

The walls of glass baths are most often rectangular in shape. These products are manufactured by Gruppo Treesse and Regia (Italy), Knief (Germany), Doctor Jet (Russia).

Bath configuration from solid natural stone depends on the features of the "cleaning up all unnecessary" equipment, from cast marble - from the mold for pouring. Domestic manufacturers Estet, Astra-Form, are the leaders in the Russian market for marble chips. Essays and their European rivals Victoria + Albert (United Kingdom), Jacob Delafon (France) and Riho (Holland).

Weight and dimensions

Product Weight Depends on the structure of the material, wall thickness, dimensions (length, width, height) and equipment. Approximate weight:

• cast-iron bathtubs from 80 to 150 kg;
• steel - from 25 to 55 kg;
• acrylic - from 15 to 50 kg;
• glass - from 70 kg;
• marble - from 100 kg.

Exclusive models can weigh more.

Standard bath parameters:

• length: from 120 to 180 cm;
• width: from 70 to 85 cm;
• depth: from 35 to 50 cm.

In non-standard products, the dimensions are limited only by the imagination of the manufacturer.

When thinking about the size of the bath, you need to take into account bathroom dimensions. In standard apartments, standard bathtubs are more often installed: sessile or full-size (150-180 cm long).

Complexity and types of installation

A variety of bath designs suggest various types of installation. Its complexity depends on many factors:

• features of the floor in the bathroom (flat or not);
• weight (the lighter the bath, the easier the installation);
• the distance from the floor to the bottom of the product and the features of the location of the drain holes;
• the presence of "filling" in the form of hydromassage and other devices.

At the place of attachment, the bath is:

• wall;
• angular;
• freestanding.

By installation method:

• on the legs;
• on the frame;
• on the floor (provided absolutely flat bottom);
• on the podium.

Attention! If the installation is not difficult (for example, a steel model with adjustable legs, without additional comfort elements), it can be done independently. In other cases, it is better to entrust the work to specialists.

Surface Care Tips

He must be regular, then the use of aggressive agents is not needed, although cast-iron and steel baths are not particularly afraid of them. But acrylic and marble baths do not tolerate alkali, acids and abrasive particles.

Main glass bath problem - drips on dry glass, otherwise they are perfectly cleaned with a soft sponge with liquid products. To add shine, you can use a spray and a dry cloth.

Attention! In order to prevent any bath, it is better to gently clean the soap residue and organic particles after each use, wipe dry. Do not use hard brushes and metal graters.

Durability

The service life with proper care for acrylic bathtubs is from 10 to 15 years, steel and glass - up to 30 years (depending on wall thickness), marble - about 40 years, cast iron - up to 50 years or more.

Comfort to use

The most comfortable - cast iron and stone baths. They are stable, silent, slowly give off heat. Acrylic and glass are also quite convenient if installed evenly, preferably on the frame. Steel baths are a good option if they are provided with heat and sound insulation.

Product Cost

The final figure, in addition to the material, is influenced by many indicators, including dimensions, equipment and design. The most “democratic” price for steel and cast iron specimens. The most expensive are glass and marble models.

Comparison of bathtubs by material

Bathtubs made from various raw materials have their own advantages and, accordingly, disadvantages.

Cast iron

It was this material in 1925 in Spain at the factory of the Rock brothers that became the first for the production of bathtubs on an industrial scale. Cast iron is an alloy of iron with carbon in the form of graphite or cementite. It is poured into a mold, then the metal base is removed, cleaned mechanically, provided with drain holes and overflow, primed, dusted with enamel powder and fired at high temperatures (about 1000˚) until glassy coverings.

Reference! Domestic manufacturers use zirconium salts as part of the enameled coating, western ones use titanium salts. Bonding with titanium makes the surface smoother, smoother and less prone to scratches and rust.

Advantages of cast-iron bathtubs:

• durability;
• structural stability and coating strength;
• slow heat transfer;
• sound insulation.

Disadvantages:

• heavy weight;
• uniformity of forms.

Steel

Also very popular. Steel, like cast iron, is a compound of iron and carbon, but the latter in the alloy is much smaller. It also contains other chemical elements. Steel is much more flexible than cast iron, it can be easily hardened, forged, welded and other methods of machining.

Bathtubs are made from two types of steel: stainless and structural. The thickness of the steel sheet is from 1.5 to 3.5 mm, which is significantly less than cast iron (5 mm or more).

By the way! When choosing a steel bath, it is better to give preference to a product with thickened walls (3-3.5 mm). It is stronger, the operating time and warranty period are longer.

Various forms of bathtubs are created by stamping under a hydraulic press. Then everything superfluous is cut off from the workpiece, holes are made and mounting brackets are welded. In a special workshop, a primer and a coating layer of enamel are applied to the bath, after which the product is fired at a temperature of 900˚.

The obvious advantages of the product:

• high strength;
• long service life and manufacturer's warranty (especially if the walls are thicker);
• light weight and reasonable cost.

Minuses:

• high heat conductivity;
• the presence of noise during water intake;
• specimens with thin walls (1.8-2.3 mm) bend under the weight of large users and deform from impacts.

Acrylic

It is based on the methyl acrylate polymer synthesized by the developers of the American company DuPont in 1952.

Manufacturing technology includes vacuum forming a heated acrylic sheet inside sealed chamber, its subsequent processing with the application of several layers to the surface fiberglass.

Reference! The life of the product depends on the thickness of the workpiece: up to 5 mm - 10 years, 5-6.5 mm - 12-15 years.

The advantages of acrylic products:

• light weight;
• heat preservation;
• a variety of models in shape, color and size.

Disadvantages:

• increased susceptibility to mechanical damage, cleaning products containing alkalis, acids and abrasive particles;
• deformation of the walls with strong heating;
• quality specimens are usually expensive.

Glass

Despite the fact that glass has long and firmly settled in our everyday life (windows, dishes and other objects), a bathtub made of this material an exclusive product that is rarely seen in plumbing stores. It is made of tempered laminated glass, transparent or frosted. If necessary, it can be painted in the right color.

Often it is installed on a frame (metal, wooden) or combined with acrylic.

The main advantages:

• not inferior in strength to metals, able to withstand temperature fluctuations and the aggressive effects of chemicals;
• safety (natural material, there is no possibility for the reproduction of bacteria);
• the product creates the illusion of saving space and fits into any interior.

Minuses:

• difficulties in transportation and installation;
• cost from 100 thousand rub.

Marble

Natural marble bathtubs are made from a single piece of stone. The bowl of the desired shape is cut using special equipment, then the surface is ground and polished.

Cast marble bathtubs are made on the basis of a combination of natural marble chips (80%) and various resins holding it together (20%). At a certain temperature and humidity, a marble mixture is poured into the formwork (casting mold), which dries and crystallizes. After the final hardening, the formwork is removed, and the product is finalized (elimination of minor defects, grinding, polishing). A special epoxy resin painted in the desired color - gelcoat - serves as a coating for the marble base, protecting it from the penetration of dirt and germs, increasing the wear resistance of the product.

Reference! Unscrupulous manufacturers often use not crushed natural marble, but quartz sand, which has a more loose structure, which ultimately affects the quality of the product.

Product Advantages:

• strength and abrasion resistance;
• noiselessness;
• high thermal insulation and dielectric performance;
• the possibility of various tinting of injection models. Solid stone bathtubs have a unique color and pattern;
• simple repair.

Shortcomings:

• high price;
• afraid of hitting heavy objects.

In search of a suitable model for the home, you should not stop at the lightest or cheapest - most likely, its manufacturer has saved something on something. All factors must be taken into account: product characteristics, room dimensions, user weight, care features. Only in this case, the purchase will not result in disappointment, and the new bath will become one of the favorite places for the necessary hygiene procedures and a good rest.