The appearance on the construction market of acrylic bathtubs has changed the idea of bathroom design. Replaced by white cast iron and steel rectangular bathtubs, an incredible variety of intricate shapes and even colors have come.
Today, acrylic bathtubs are the leader in the bathroom fixtures market and are firmly established in the bathrooms of millions of users. Before looking for a replacement for your old bathtub, we suggest that you consider the advantages and disadvantages of the main materials from which bathing bowls are made, as well as familiarize yourself with the best manufacturers and current models of acrylic bathtubs.
Content
- 1 Which bath material is best?
- 2 Bath manufacturers rating
- 2.1 Bas (Russia) - "The magic power of water".
- 2.2 Triton (Russia) - Ocean Energy.
- 2.3 Cersanit (Poland) - a comprehensive solution for the interior of the bathroom
- 2.4 Ravak (Czech Republic) - “Good design should be useful”.
- 2.5 Abber (China) - stylish bathing tanks
- 2.6 Villeroy & Boch (Germany) - "Life under the sign of modern design"
- 2.7 Riho (Czech Republic) - "Pure beauty"
- 2.8 Kaldewei (Germany) - a unique technology of steel-enamel steel baths.
- 2.9 Roca (Spain) - the whole range of bath materials
- 3 The best baths
Which bath material is best?
Acrylic bathtubs
The first thing you should pay close attention to when choosing an acrylic bathtub is the quality of the material from which it is made. However, in order to distinguish high-quality material from its cheap counterpart, we will have to turn to the origins of acrylic baths production technology.
Today, all manufacturers use two types of acrylic in their production:
- cast acrylic sheet;
- extruded acrylic.
These materials have almost identical chemical composition, but if the bath is made of extruded acrylic, then its mechanical strength will be lower and over time the surface of such items is subject to spontaneous destruction (the service life of such baths is 3-5 years). What will definitely not happen with cast acrylic, as it has established itself as more durable and reliable (service life is 20 years or more).
At the first stage, acrylic sheet is subjected to high-degree heat treatment, after which the material becomes plastic and is placed in a mold, where it acquires the necessary bends with the help of vacuum.
After the final cooling, in order to give the bath additional rigidity, its outer part is covered with a reinforcing compound.
It should be borne in mind that baths made of cast acrylic are more expensive, but this will pay off with a long service life, especially since it does not require an emergency replacement, as can happen in the case of installing a bath of extruded acrylic.
Acrylic bath selection criteria
- Bath thickness. When applying a reinforcing layer, some manufacturers try to cheat and apply more of the composition only to the side of the bath. We also recommend evaluating the bath from the bottom side to assess the presence or absence of variations in the thickness of the product.
- Stains and dull areas. This may indicate that the bathtub is made of ABS plastic, on the surface of which acrylic is sprayed. Such a bath will quickly turn yellow and require replacement.
- The absence of sharp chemical odors.
- silent filling;
- the ability of acrylic to keep the temperature of the water;
- durable surface is not damaged by objects falling into the bath;
- the ability to implement any design solution;
- the bath device assumes a simple installation of hydromassage systems and various curtains;
- the ability to install plumbing in the side of the bowl;
- service life up to 25 years and more.
- the surface of an acrylic bathtub is prone to minor scratches and requires careful maintenance without the use of aggressive detergents.
- installation of the bath requires additional installation of the supporting frame. A frequently used option is a brick plinth.
- acrylic is subject to high temperatures, therefore, the acrylic bath must not be filled with clean boiling water.
Cast iron baths
Cast iron baths are not in such high demand as acrylic bathtubs and occupy a small share of the sanitary ware market. In addition to the well-known properties of cast iron, such as strength and reliability, cast iron baths still have their weak point. Under the influence of mechanical damage or the properties of some detergents (which include acids, chlorine), the shiny enamel surface that gives the bathtub shine is destroyed over time. Cracks and chips appear, the bath loses its impeccable appearance and requires restoration. To avoid this, you should carefully choose a bathtub for smoothness and uniform, multi-layer enamel coating, and also pay attention to the thickness of the bathtub walls, which should be 5-8 mm.
- cast iron is insensitive to temperature extremes, unlike acrylic;
- the installation of a cast iron bath does not require additional supports;
- low noise level when taking water into the bath;
- water cools more slowly, since cast iron has a high heat capacity;
- the process of installing the bath, weighed down by a large weight (the average weight of a cast-iron bath is 100 kg.);
- vulnerable enamelled surface;
- limited model range, represented by traditional shapes (rectangular; oval).
Steel baths
The production of bathtubs from steel offers a wider range of models, in contrast to their cast-iron counterparts. However, despite the differences in appearance, steel baths, just like cast iron ones, are covered with a layer of enamel, which requires careful handling.
Another difference between a steel bath and a cast iron bath is a rather noisy filling of the bath with water. As an option to eliminate this drawback, modern production offers the use of various insulating and noise-suppressing materials (polyurethane foam, vibration insulator, polyethylene foam).
Steel bath selection criteria
- The wall thickness of the bath should be 2.5 - 4 mm. Thickness 3 mm., Suitable for users with low weight. If the weight exceeds the average mark, it is worth choosing a product with the maximum wall thickness.
- High quality coverage. The enamelled surface must be smooth and uniform. However, when choosing a bathtub for the elderly or for a family with children, it is advisable to pay attention to models with an anti-slip coating.
- budget price;
- light weight up to 30 kg;
- ease of transportation and installation;
- products with thin walls are subject to deformation;
- noisy filling and rapid cooling of water;
- require additional supporting structure.
An important point: when installing a bath made of cast iron or steel, in order to avoid electric shock, it is necessary to carry out the grounding process. It should also be noted that this procedure should not be neglected when installing acrylic bathtubs, since the installation of some acrylic models requires the use of steel frames, which also need to be grounded.
To protect yourself as much as possible from buying a low-quality bath, we recommend giving preference to trusted manufacturers.Companies that have won a good reputation in the market, as a rule, use only proven material in their production. Popular bath manufacturers and reliable models are presented below.
Bath manufacturers rating
Bas (Russia) - "The magic power of water".
The Russian company "Bas" has been manufacturing acrylic baths and hydromassage equipment for more than 15 years. The range offers more than 100 models made on European equipment using infrared heating technology of acrylic sheets, which provides an unlimited variety of shapes for future baths.
At the final stage of treatment, the surface of each bath model is covered with an antibacterial layer.
- use of cast acrylic from European manufacturers;
- the use of aluminum matrices in the production of bathtubs, due to which the correct geometry of the products is achieved;
- long term of warranty service - ten years;
- the quality matches the price.
- according to user reviews, there is an unpleasant factory smell of the product;
- clumsy, sloppy execution of some models of baths.
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Triton (Russia) - Ocean Energy.
The Russian company, widely known for its production of non-standard dimensional models, not only in our country, but also in the CIS countries. The assortment of the company offers about 60 items. In addition to industry-leading vacuum stamping technology, Triton also manufactures hand-molded bathtubs. Separately, it is worth noting the manufacture of an individually designed frame from galvanized steel, which is welded on exclusive equipment.
Triton carries out a full production cycle from design development to finished products using its own production facilities.
- rich assortment of products;
- availability of models of various sizes;
- loyal pricing policy, many high quality models for a small price;
- large selection of corner baths.
- there are reviews about a large number of defective products;
- part of the assortment is not suitable for people with large weight;
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Cersanit (Poland) - a comprehensive solution for the interior of the bathroom
Founded in Poland over 20 years ago, the production of bathroom products, today has production facilities in Russia.
Cersanit is the only brand in its industry to offer all the products you need to equip your bathroom at once. The company offers a wide selection: both premium quality models and quite budget options;
- acrylic bathtubs are made of sanitary acrylic and meet all hygiene and safety requirements;
- the final bath coating is a five-layer moisture resistant Italian enamel;
- a large selection of asymmetrical bath shapes;
- the possibility of purchasing supporting frame structures complete with a bath.
- the percentage of marriage occurs;
- high ability of enamel to absorb coloring pigments (cosmetic paints, iodine).
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Ravak (Czech Republic) - “Good design should be useful”.
For over 30 years, Ravak has been a leader in the European market for the production of acrylic bathtubs.
Today the company's products are characterized as convenient and comfortable, but at the same time they have a modern innovative design.
Ravak has its own invention. The company became the first in the world to manufacture bathtubs using a 10 degree tilt angle. Scientifically proven to be the best bath position for maximum relaxation of the body.
- time-tested high-class "Czech quality" of products;
- many compact models for a small bathroom area;
- acrylic bathtubs with the possibility of installing curtains;
- warranty period - 10 years;
- not identified (judging by the reviews, the company has a positive image among users of the products).
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Abber (China) - stylish bathing tanks
A young Chinese brand "Abber" specializing in premium quality freestanding bathtubs. The website of the company's representative office claims 100% use of cast acrylic in the production of bathtubs.
Taking into account the latest fashion trends, "Abber" offers in its assortment more than 40 models of various forms of bathtubs. The lineup is presented in a universal, suitable for most buyers, the length of the product and is - 160-180cm.
- exquisite appearance of products;
- a large selection of shapes and colors of freestanding bath models;
- a large number of roomy, but compact-looking models;
- warranty period - 10 years;
- poor quality of components and drain pipe;
- poor geometry of the bottom of some models: when draining, the water does not completely go away, leaving puddles at the bottom.
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Villeroy & Boch (Germany) - "Life under the sign of modern design"
The oldest French-German company "Villeroy & Boch" produces products that have been popular in the European Union for more than two hundred years. The range of the brand includes about 200 colors, in which the stylish and functional bathtubs "Villeroy & Boch" are made. The company also offers customers special models of trapezoidal and asymmetrical bathtubs, ideal for small bathrooms.
All models of bathtubs assume the possibility of installing hydromassage air or water jets (or their combination). In addition, the manufacturer offers to equip any model of the bathtub with Villeroy & Boch's signature TouchLight lighting, which turns on with one hand movement in front of it.
- exquisite appearance of products;
- an abundance of colors and variability of forms;
- advanced functionality (hydromassage, lighting);
- the high level of prices and the widespread counterfeiting of products in this regard;
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Riho (Czech Republic) - "Pure beauty"
Riho specializes in high quality bathroom products, both premium quality and budget models.
The range of the company offers four lines of bathtubs designed for different buyers. However, the main focus of the company is on the ergonomics of its products. The entire range of Riho acrylic bathtubs is designed taking into account all the anatomical features of a person and his needs. In terms of design, the Riho catalog presents both classic rectangular bath models and a variety of modern asymmetrical shapes.
- 10-year warranty, set in the same way for brightness and color stability of the bath;
- in the production of bathtubs, high-quality acrylic with a thickness of 6-8 mm is used;
- non-slip inner surface of the bathtub is covered with an additional antibacterial layer;
- according to user reviews, the anti-slip surface does not meet the stated requirements;
- the absence of the entire model range in the warehouses of official representatives.
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Kaldewei (Germany) - a unique technology of steel-enamel steel baths.
The German company Kaldewei is one of the reputable and recognized manufacturers of premium sanitary ware. Kaldewei is the first company to launch a freestanding steel bathtub welded from several parts.
A distinctive feature of the company is the use in the production of its own development of a unique material - steel-enamel (a symbiosis of heat-resistant glass and durable steel). The structure of KALDEWEI steel enamel provides a balance of exceptional strength and high hygiene of the products.
Another advantageous difference between Kaldewei and other manufacturers is the proprietary anti-mud coating, which provides effective self-cleaning (moisture spontaneously rolls down the drain from the enamel surface).
The Kaldewei range includes stylish bathtubs in classic traditional or contemporary style.
- 30-year warranty for all brand products;
- ergonomic design;
- surface resistant to scratches, cracks and impacts;
- self-cleaning coating provides ease of cleaning;
- smoldering objects will not leave stains or burn marks on the surface of the bath.
- a large number of fake products.
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Roca (Spain) - the whole range of bath materials
The Roca range offers a variety of bathtubs from all possible materials. The most popular are cast iron and steel bathtubs from the Roca brand.
The lineup is presented in 30 options of various shapes and sizes. The company's products are of high quality and affordable prices.
- low price for good quality products;
- three-layer titanium coating of the surface of steel and cast iron baths;
- a wide range of models with additional amenities (headrests, armrests);
- smoldering objects will not leave stains and marks on the surface of the bath
- fragility of fastening the legs of the bath (attached to the base with factory adhesive tape).
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The best baths
Triton BELLA 140x76
One of the most popular models among buyers. The bathtub has a non-standard ergonomic shape that saves space in a small bathroom. Installed on a frame, additionally equipped with adjustable legs and a removable front panel.
Aquatek Nika 170 × 75
This model is in demand among lovers of freestanding bathing tanks. It has a rectangular shape and a removable front panel included.
Triton STANDARD 150 × 75 Extra
The most lightweight model of an acrylic bathtub, rectangular. The high popularity of the model is due to its attractive appearance and budget price.
Roca Sureste 170 × 70
Built-in bathtub, rectangular, complete with handles. Includes front panel and adjustable feet. Components sold separately.
Kaldewei CAYONO 750 Standard
Popular freestanding bathtub model. Legs are not included. According to customer recommendations, only Kaldewei branded legs should be purchased. The model has a rectangular shape and is made of steel.
Riho Miami 180 × 80 without hydromassage
Rectangular acrylic bathtub, additionally equipped with a towel holder, headrest and handles.
Villeroy & Boch Squaro Edge 12
Freestanding bathtub in rectangular design. Additionally, you need to purchase a drain - overflow with a water supply function.
RAVAK Evolution 170 × 97
Freestanding bathtub with non-standard oval shape with anti-slip base. It is possible to complete the model with a branded headrest.
Cersanit LORENA 170 × 70
Stylish freestanding bathtub with reinforced base. Includes end panel and adjustable feet.
