Varieties and how to choose the right bathtub, the best manufacturers
Baths differ in size, have an oval, round and rectangular shape. For their manufacture, metal, acrylic, ceramics and stone are used. Modern models are equipped with systems for several types of water massage. When choosing a bath, you need to take into account the opinion and needs of each member of the family, do not forget that it will serve for several years. To connect additional functions, the structure must be of sufficient depth and length.
Melting
Oval and rectangular bathtubs made of a strong and heavy alloy of iron and hydrocarbons are distinguished by their durability. Cast-iron models weigh up to 150 kg, have been in use for a long time, but they retain their positions.
Advantages and disadvantages
Proven baths can last half a century. The water in them does not cool for a long time, the alloy retains its temperature.Freestanding structures do not sag or bend. Cast-iron bathrooms are covered with enamel, on which chips and scratches do not form, the shine does not disappear.
Dirt does not accumulate on a smooth surface, the product is washed off with washing powder. The thick walls mask the noises, it is inaudible in the room when the water flows from the tap.
Additional functions are easily connected to modern models, a hydromassage system is installed.
In addition to the advantages, cast iron bathtubs have disadvantages:
- heavy weights;
- high price;
- lack of variety of forms.
Buyers prefer models made of durable alloy, which have a long service life and are easy to clean. In addition, these baths are easy to use.
Settings
The standard length of the product does not exceed 180 cm, height 85, but models with such dimensions are not suitable for private cottages. Other dimensions are used depending on the chosen material, the area of the room. For safety and convenience, the head of the person in the tub should be above the water, so the depth has a standard size of 0.6 m.
Cast iron is difficult to process, alloy models are produced with the following parameters:
- 120/70 and 130/70;
- 140/70 and 150/70;
- 180/85.
Models of small dimensions are installed in small rooms, but it is uncomfortable to carry out procedures there. To arrange a room in a panel house, bathtubs with dimensions of 170/70 are purchased.
Manufacturers
High-quality sanitary ware is supplied to the construction market by European companies. Russian factories producing cast-iron models try not to give in to foreign firms.
devon and devon
The Italian brand creates its products in a classic style and offers luxurious cast iron bathtubs with massive feet, sheathed in aluminum or copper. The company produces compact and large-sized washbasins, shower cabins with expensive accessories, faucets, marble and mosaic coatings, ceramic bathtubs.
Roca
A group of Spanish companies, which has almost 78 companies, began its activity with the production of cast iron batteries for heating homes. Over time, Roca began to create boilers, mastered the production of bathroom accessories, including accessories, faucets, furniture, ceramic tiles and porcelain sanitary ware.
Porcher and Jacob Delafon
The French company, which began its activity in the 19th century, now supplies the market with high-quality equipment, produces enameled cast iron products using special casting technology. The furniture collections produced by the brand for the bathroom are distinguished by their laconic shape and sophistication.
Goldman
The Hong Kong-based company's products are simple in design, but valued for their strength and durability. Such properties of the model are acquired through the addition of titanium powder to the cast iron. Notches are made on the tubs, which are covered with high-quality enamel, and handles are installed.
Choice criteria
In order not to change the sewage system, you need to purchase a model, the pipes of which will be combined with the drain in the room.
Surface smoothness
After choosing the brand of the bathtub, you need to carefully consider the coating. There should be no chips, cracks or dents on the walls.
Visual inspection of internal and external surfaces
Cast iron products are covered with enamel, if it is smooth, there are no flaws and waviness, this indicates the quality of the product.
Verification of the uniformity of forms
Before buying a cast iron bathtub, you should pay attention to the sides and the size of the angle, if the design is not oval, it should be 90°.
Checking the contents of the package
Before picking up the goods, you need to see if there are tubes, legs, handles, cork, which are relied on in the standard configuration of a particular model.
Steel
In the fifties of the last century, the United States released the first bath from a lighter than cast iron, an alloy of iron and carbon. Customers liked the model, because it cost much less, weighed 3 times less.
Advantages and disadvantages
Steel bathtubs installed in apartments and private houses are produced using modern technologies in the form of a rectangle weighing up to 50 kg. Buying metal bathtubs has advantages and disadvantages. Since steel models are lightweight, they are easy to transport, install and remove. Benefits of baths include:
- long life expectancy;
- ease of care;
- many installation options;
- a wide range of shapes;
- resistance to temperature changes.
Some steel models have a support in the form of legs or a frame, they are placed on a metal corner. The plasticity of the material makes it possible to create bathtubs that adapt to any interior.Steel models are not without flaws. Thin walls are prone to deformation, rust. A base is required to install the structure.
Soundproofing
When the tub is filled with water, the sound of the jet hitting the bottom can be heard far outside the room.Some companies glue technical plugs on the outer surface, apply polyurethane foam, which improves sound insulation.
Special overlays
Well-known companies that produce plumbing fixtures, steel bathtubs, taking into account the characteristics of metal, low sound absorption, install noise-dampening covers.
Expanded polyethylene foam
The characteristics of the thin aluminum coated material allow it to be used for waterproofing. Penofol has a high sound absorption coefficient, protects the room from different types of sounds.
Polyurethane foam
The negative aspects of a steel bath include the fact that it cools quickly and you constantly have to turn on the tap for hot water to flow. To maintain a high temperature during sealing, polyurethane foam is used.
Manufacturers
Steel baths, strapping and screens are supplied to the market by companies from Germany, Spain, Portugal and Russia.
Emilia
Modern models made of durable metal in various sizes are produced by a Polish manufacturer. Bathtubs are distinguished by exquisite design, covered with high-quality enamel, the material of the body comes from Germany.
Estap
Rectangular steel bathtubs are offered to customers by a Slovak company. Its products are sold at an affordable price, have a flat and smooth surface, repel dirt and are easy to install.
Gala
Sanitary ware of the Spanish brand is in demand not only in Europe, but also outside the continent. The company has been operating since the 1960s and ships to different countries:
- toilets and sinks;
- water heaters and siphons;
- shower cubicles and heated floors.
Under the Gala brand, not only steel bathtubs are produced, but also models made of cast iron, acrylic and artificial stone are very popular.
Kaldewei
The German manufacturer, which celebrated the centenary of its creation and uses innovative technologies in its work, has become famous for its enameled steel products. Today Kaldewei manufactures bathtubs and trays from a single material, several types of hydromassage systems. Models have different colors, original shape.
" Santa Claus "
The Russian company, headquartered in Lipetsk, manufactures quality steel tubs with a wall thickness of 3.5 mm and standard dimensions.
Popular models
Despite the large number of offers on the market, buyers buy products from more well-known brands that are distinguished by durability and strength, are made of high-quality materials and have an attractive shape.
Classic Duo Oval 112
The rectangular 3.5 mm steel bathtub from Kaldewei is equipped with soundproofing and several hydromassage systems. The surface is dustproof, easy to clean.
European MINI
The freestanding bathtub holds 10 buckets of water, weighs only 14 kg, has a compact size and is suitable for small apartments. The surface of the model is covered with a durable enamel, resistant to mechanical and light effects.
Antika
The tub, made in Russia from steel 150 or 170 cm long, is equipped with an adjustable support and weighs about 30 kg. The product has a rectangular shape, covered with vitreous enamel.
Donna Vanna
The model, in the production of which innovative technologies are applied, is appreciated for its high strength, ability to use for a long time, for an interesting design. The bathtub is made of high quality steel with a thickness of 1.5 mm.The structure is easy to install, bolted. Enamel repels dirt, the product is washed off with ordinary powder or gel.
Choice criteria
At the sight of an assortment of baths, a person is lost and does not know what to focus on first. In order for the steel model to serve for a long time, retain heat, it is necessary to check the wall thickness, this parameter should not be less than 3 mm.
Approximate weight
Not everyone knows that its quality also depends on the weight of the product. Baths made of light metal quickly deform, the enamel cracks in such models. To choose good plumbing, it should be taken into account that the mass of a bath with dimensions 170x70 should be at least 30 kg, 180/80 - from 50 to 60, 140/70 - 25-35, the thickness of the sides - more than 2.5 mm.
Revision of the enamel coating
When buying a steel tub, you should carefully look for chips and cracks on the surface, which helps to understand whether high-quality lining material was used.
Additional elements
The standard equipment of modern and expensive steel models includes various parts. When buying a bathtub, you need to carefully check the presence of the necessary elements, some of them need to be purchased and installed yourself.
Drain-overflow
To avoid overfilling the container with water, they resort to tub plumbing. For this, a mechanical or automatic drain overflow system is installed, which consists of a siphon, a neck, a bypass pipe, a special device for closing the hole when the container is filled with water.
Legs
The bath stand, like the model itself, should be in harmony with the interior of the room. Most standard configurations do not provide adjustable feet, and they are purchased additionally.
It is better to purchase products with a chrome finish, since these elements look decorative, do not rust, do not crack and are suitable for any design.
Sound insulation kit
Steel not only does not retain heat, but also does not absorb sound. In order not to hear the water flowing into the bathtub from the next room, mounting foam or liquid nitrogen is glued to the inner surface of the structure and a ready-made soundproofing kit is purchased .
Side screen
The bathrooms installed in the standard apartments are small; some interior elements must perform not one, but several functions. To hide communications, close the side walls of the bath, install screens made of different materials in the form of a solid canvas or structures with sliding doors or shelves.
Acrylic
In recent years, instead of cast iron and steel baths, customers began to purchase models using polymers. Solid acrylic is made by heating molds filled with a compound in a steam oven.
The two-layer plastic for bathtubs is made by extrusion and combination of polymethyl acrylate. After hardening, the structure acquires a glossy surface with a base resistant to mechanical damage.
Advantages and disadvantages
Quality bathrooms are made from strong, pure acrylic. Such products are distinguished by a variety of shapes, shades, which allows you to create an original interior in the room. The advantages of polymer models include:
- the possibility of using hard water;
- low thermal conductivity;
- no noise when filling the container.
The service life of acrylic bathtubs is much shorter than that of metal products; after a few years they begin to discolor and cannot withstand high temperatures. You can hide scratches and cracks on the surface of the polymer by rubbing it with sandpaper.
The main differences with cast iron and steel
Acrylic bathtubs are lighter than models made from iron and carbon alloys. Products of various shapes are created from plastic material. Unlike steel, which is covered with rust where the enamel is damaged, acrylic resists corrosion. The polymer surface of the bath does not slip as much as the metal surface and the walls retain heat.Although cast iron is a strong material, it cracks under impact. Acrylic tolerates mechanical stress and is very elastic, retains heat better than metal.
Cast-iron baths weigh about 100 kg, polymer models of about the same dimensions - 15.
Choice criteria
Before buying a bathtub you like, you need to carefully examine it, find out about the dimensions, acrylic models have non-standard dimensions and may not fit into the room, do not adapt to the room. inside.
Crafting material
When choosing a bath, it is worth finding out from what polymer compounds it was made, since some of them last longer, others quickly deteriorate.
ABS/PMMA
The material, the basis of which is made of acrylonetrile butadiene styrene - elastic plastic, lasts no more than 5 years. The polymer, which has a porous structure, absorbs moisture and wears out quickly.
PMMa
Baths, which are made from pure polymethyl methacrylate, are durable and durable.Such models are more expensive, but they have been in service for more than 10 years and do not lose their attractive appearance.
wall thickness
If you look closely at the side of the bathroom, you will notice that the structure of the sheet is made up of several layers, reminiscent of the rings formed after the felling of a tree. When choosing a bath, it is necessary to measure the wall thickness. In the presence of an acrylic layer of 2 mm, the product will last no more than 50 months, in 5 mm it will be used for 10 years. A good acrylic bath has a smooth, bump-free surface.
Reinforcement method
To impart strength to a plastic model at the enterprises where plumbing is produced, several layers of reinforcement are applied to PMMA. Looking closely at the end of the wall, you can determine the thickness of the base and the uniformity of the coating.
The size and shape
In order for procedures in an acrylic bathtub to be comfortable, you need to correctly select the dimensions of the model - rectangular or oval, round or hexagonal.
Height
Adults, teenagers and small children will be able to use the bathroom if the distance between the floor and the sides is 65 or 70 cm.
Depth
During the procedure, the water must completely cover the human body, otherwise it will feel uncomfortable. The optimal bath depth is calculated from the bottom plane to the overflow hole. It must be at least half a meter tall.
Width
Acrylic models differ not only in a wide assortment of shapes and different parameters. It is difficult for overweight people to fit into a narrow bathtub, products are made not only with an optimal width of 75 cm, but also 90, 100, 120.
Length
In the store you can pick up a modern model made of polymer material with a headrest. Then, for a person whose height is approaching 190 cm, the optimal bath length is 170, otherwise this figure should be 190.
Strength of bowl and frame
Polymethyl methacrylate models retain their shape when filled with water. In products made of acrylonetrile butadiene styrene, the walls sometimes bend.
Acrylic bathtubs are installed on a metal frame, which is a welded structure or a bolted grid. Complex frames contain elements that strengthen the bottom and side walls of the model.
Additional Features
In acrylic baths, options are offered that include various types of effects on the body, from a regular procedure to an Internet connection.
Jacuzzi
The integrated system with hydromassage function passes air through numerous holes, mixing it with water through a network of pipes. Under pressure, the jets strike the surface of the body, giving elasticity to the skin and relaxing muscles and joints.
Chromotherapy
Some acrylic bathtub manufacturers offer customers an additional option to influence the body using 4 colors of the spectrum. Chromotherapy helps to cope with insomnia, eliminate fatigue and relieve pain.
television and radio
Expensive acrylic baths are equipped with special sensors that maintain the temperature of the water and control the duration of the procedure. In the panel of some included models, a receiver, player or TV is integrated.
Electronic control units
To automatically open the tap, when the button on the remote control is pressed, the temperature rises, control boxes are built into electric showers and massage baths.
Manufacturers and brands
Many buyers buy plumbing fixtures from well-known companies.
Ravak
The company, founded in the Czech Republic by two families, began its activity with the production of shower trays. At the end of the 90s, it began the production of Rosa acrylic bathtubs, which received awards at international exhibitions, and began to supply whirlpool bath systems to the market.
Cersanit
A Polish company produces ceramics, toilets and showers. The company exports earthenware, sanitary ware, acrylic baths to the Baltic countries, Romania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Kazakhstan and Russia.
kolo
The Polish company has conquered the European market with quality products and accessories to equip bathtubs. In the creation of products, Kolo specialists apply innovative developments. The company's trademark produces bidets, various models of shower cabins and sinks.
PoolSpa
The Spanish company produces expensive sanitary ware, acrylic bathtubs with a smooth surface and exquisite design.
Wagnerplast
The Czech company, founded in the 90s, supplies sanatoriums and hospitals, manufactures shower cabins and acrylic hydromassage bathtubs for houses and apartments.
Alps
The company's enterprises, which operate in Austria and Poland, produce mixers and water heaters, boxes and siphons, kitchen sinks and underfloor heating, bathtubs made of acrylic, steel, stone .
Riho
The company from the Czech Republic produces sanitary products from high-quality durable materials, dozens of models of corner, round and oval acrylic bathtubs, equipped with hydromassage systems, internal lighting.
Aquanet-Russia
Under the Aquanet brand, the trading company supplies high-quality bathroom products to domestic and foreign markets - accessories, laundry baskets, acrylic, cast iron and artificial stone products.
1Marka
The products of the Russian company are sold in branded plumbing salons, which have opened in different regions of the country. The company launched the production of acrylic shower cabins, hydromassage bathtubs.
What other material is used
In addition to cast iron and steel, alloys, synthetic compounds, ceramics and stone are used in the plumbing industry.
Kvaril
Recently, bathtubs made of composite material have appeared on the market, which contain polymer, acrylic and the most common mineral - quartz. Quaril models, made by molding, have different shapes, have a uniform surface without seams. Polymer additives give the material a shine and a beautiful shade.
Quaril models are durable, durable and undemanding to care.
Glass
Everyone has long been accustomed to metal and acrylic bathtubs, not everyone knows that these products are made from fragile-looking material, but they are durable and look like a work of art. Double-layered glass models look light and decorate the interior. The water in these baths does not cool for long.
Earthenware
Owners of elite housing use as a decor sanitary ware, which is made by pouring a composition of quartz, white clay and goes through several stages of annealing and drying.Exquisite tiled bathtubs are very fragile, but the price of such models amounts to hundreds of thousands of rubles.
TREE
The exclusive bathtubs are made from bamboo, larch, cedar and other types of wood that do not absorb moisture. Such designs quickly fail, but a person likes the smell of wood, feels closer to nature.
Marble
Exquisite appearance, give the room an elegant look of a bath made of a precious mineral. Marble models differ in strength and durability, but not everyone can afford such luxury.
The copper
Plastic metal of a red-pink hue is used not only for the manufacture of cables, in mechanical engineering, but also in the manufacture of bathtubs. Copper models create a special atmosphere and have antibacterial properties. The price of such baths is high, since they are made by hand.
Ceramic
They maintain water temperature for a long time, look exquisite, decorate the interior, fragile models made from an environmentally friendly material - ceramics. These baths differ in colors and shapes and are not cheap.
Additional functions
In addition to handrails, armrests in acrylic models, replacing cast-iron and steel tubs, new options are offered.
hydromassage
Products with a jacuzzi system consist of a body and equipment. An electric pump pumps and supplies pressurized water to the nozzles, which form jets of it, and the thermostat controls the temperature. The compressor supplies air to the bath.
Hydromassage strengthens nerves and muscles, improves a person's health and mood, accelerates metabolic processes, affecting certain points.
The nozzles installed on the bottom and walls of the body of the bath consist of a hole with a liner, hundreds of bubbles are released from it.
Air massage
In acrylic models, a system is installed that provides continuous airflow. Under pressure, the pump lowers it into the water. The bubbles formed clean the pores and restore the elasticity of the skin.Air massage, which is performed in the bath, helps to cope with insomnia, eliminate muscle and joint pain, affects the whole body, not points.
Chromotherapy
The lighting, which is installed in some bathtubs, not only looks beautiful, but also has a healing effect:
- The blue spectrum helps to cope with anxiety and insomnia, restores calm.
- Green color relieves pain and tension, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
- Warm shades accelerate blood circulation, stimulate brain activity, improve metabolism and eliminate apathy.
The effectiveness of chromotherapy is increased in combination with water treatments. The heat relaxes, improves the healing effect on the body.
Automatic disinfection
In addition to the hydromassage system, the baths are equipped with an additional disinfection function, which involves the automatic cleaning and disinfection of the nozzles from microbes and limescale.
Water level sensor
In some models, a device is installed that signals when the tub is full and the tap should be closed.The multivibrator, mounted on transistors, is connected to a sensor consisting of 2 metal rods lowered into the bath. When the water reaches its limits, the alarm goes off and a sound is generated.
aromatherapy
Essential oils extracted from plants are added to the baths. Penetrating into the body through the skin and the respiratory tract, these substances help to relax and mask stretch marks.The effect of aromatherapy depends on the oils used.
How to choose the right corner bath
To save space, to give originality to the interior, it is worth buying a model suitable for rooms of different sizes. The optimal solution for both small rooms and large halls is to purchase an acrylic corner bath, the width and length of which are selected individually. The optimum thickness of the reinforcement layer is 5 mm.
Acrylic models are available with curtain headrests, decorative panels and are equipped with additional options.
Useful tips and tricks
The criteria for choosing a bath are influenced not only by the material, but also by the size, the presence of a non-slip coating, the presence of additional functions.
When buying a cast-iron model, you need to carefully check:
- casting characteristics;
- interior surface condition;
- uniformity of enamel application.
In order for steel baths to work for a long time, the wall thickness should be at least 4 mm. Acrylic is flexible, does not corrode and takes an oval, round or rectangular shape. When buying a bath from this material, check the thickness of the reinforced layer.