Today, the bathroom is available in every apartment. In it, a person not only washes, but also rests. Therefore, it is very important to correctly and responsibly approach the issue of choosing a bath. Many factors need to be taken into account. For example, material, durability, hygiene and comfort. To know which bath is better to choose, we will tell you about all the advantages and disadvantages of existing products.
Content
Steel bath
Characteristics of a steel bath
If this option is considered, then it is best to purchase more expensive products, because they, as a rule, have thicker walls that are much more complicated than deformation. The minimum thickness of the walls of such a bath should be at least 3 millimeters. In addition, you should pay attention to the weight of the structure. A reliable bath should weigh from 35 to 50 kilograms. Equal options have thin walls, which is undesirable.
Of the advantages of steel products, the following can be distinguished:
- The enamel of high -quality steel baths does not exfoliate, because It is applied at high temperatures.
- Simple transportation and installation.
- Relatively low weight.
- Steel as a material has a large plastic coefficient.
- Large selection of products.
The steel bath has its drawbacks:
- In cheap products, deformation of thin steel walls with increased load is possible.
- Heat is poorly held, because steel cools very quickly.
- Noisiness, because of which, when pouring water, ringing will be heard.
Despite the presence of significant disadvantages of steel products, many of them can be eliminated on their own, resorting to some tricks. Today, there is a special polymer coating on sale, which allows you to reduce water noise during its set. However, its price is quite high. It is also recommended to load (“drown”) a bath into a container with sand for about 1/3 to ensure noise insulation. In addition, in some European -made models, the bottom is lined with rubber gaskets that eliminate noise.
You can install additional supports under the bottom of the bathroom. After that, fill the place between the floor and the bottom of the product with mounting foam. Only for this you will need to buy at least four standard foam cylinders. In addition, you will have to hide such a stand with a ceramic tile or plastic panel. Keep in mind that not everything depends only on the type of bath, but also on the quality of its installation.
How to choose a product
- If the question arose of how to choose a bath of steel, then you must definitely pay attention to the thickness of its walls. It should be at least 3-4 millimeters. If the material is thinner, then the product can be deformed under the weight of a person’s weight.
- In addition, a steel bath should have a weight of at least 30 kilograms. The product of smaller weight will bend under weight, which is why the enamel can crack.
- Also, when buying, check the quality of the coating. It should not have flaws and defects.
- It is worth seeing the documents that should provide for the warranty life of at least ten years.
- To make it more convenient in the bath, even when choosing it is advisable to immediately check its depth. The optimal value is 500-600 millimeters.
- In addition to depth, it is important to evaluate the length of the product. It usually depends, first of all, on your height. The optimal value is 1600-1700 millimeters.
- Modern steel baths have a high-quality enameled coating, which is why it can be very difficult to distinguish from cast-iron options. But it should be said that steel structures are stronger than acrylic.
Cast iron bath
Characteristics of a cast -iron bath
Of the advantages of cast -iron baths, the following can be distinguished:
- They are not subject to vibrations, almost silent. Thanks to which the sound of pouring water will muffle.
- Easy to clean.
- Relatively low price. Therefore, everyone can afford to purchase it.
- Durability and strength.
- Corrosion resistance.
- A fairly high heat capacity and low thermal conductivity, so that the water does not cool down for a long time after heating.
Cast iron baths are also not without flaws. Of these, it is worth highlighting the following:
- A large mass, which can cause difficulties in installation and transportation.
- The enamel of the bathroom is vulnerable to strikes.
- All products are similar to each other.
Tips for choosing a cast -iron bath
- Even choosing the simplest cast -iron bath, it is necessary to remove the necessary measurements before going to the store before going to the store. The dimensions of the purchased product must correspond to the dimensions of the bathroom.
- As for the width of the structure, it should be slightly smaller than the size of the doorway. Otherwise, she just won't go there. Otherwise, you have to remove the door.
- The depth of the bath is no less important. This is especially true for old small apartments.
- Be sure to pay attention to the enamel coating. It should be smooth and without scratches. If there is a deformation of the protective layer in the future.
- If the floor is uneven, then the product should have legs that are conveniently adjusted.
- It is desirable that the bath has an anti -slip coating. This is especially true if the product is purchased for an elderly person or disabled person. In this case, the presence of convenient handrails is also important.
- When choosing a particular product, it is best to give preference to structures from well -known manufacturers.
As you know, cast -iron baths are made by casting. Because of this, they turn out to be difficult enough. At the same time, it makes them one of the most durable. Due to this, the shape and design of the product can remain even at high loads. As indicated above, cast -iron baths have high resistance to corrosion. This fact is the main reason for their long service life. A cotton bath can last about half a century.
Acrylic bath
Characteristics of the acrylic bathtub
The advantages of such products are as follows:
- They maintain heat well, so the water does not cool for a long time.
- When typing water is practically no noise.
- A smooth surface that does not slip.
- The material allows you to make a bath of any shape. Thanks to which there are many models of even a non -standard design on sale.
- Small damage can be restored.
Of the shortcomings of the acrylic bathtub, it is worth highlighting the following:
- You can not drain water into it after washing color things. Otherwise, the bath may be stained forever.
- Over time, when using tap water, white acrylic products turn yellow. Therefore, it is advisable to choose color options.
- Relatively high price.
- The walls of acrylic products scratch stronger than other types of baths.
How to inspect the acrylic bath
- First of all, it is necessary to determine the thickness of the acrylic and reinforced layer. You can do this with a conventional flashlight. Although, this method will not give an accurate value. You need to take an ordinary flashlight, turn it on and attach it close to the wall of the bathroom. If the light is visible from the other side, then it means that it is too thin.
- It is also worth knocking in different places in the case. A deaf sound indicates that this bath is strong.
- In addition, if you feel a sharp chemical smell, it means that this model was made of cheap materials. You should not purchase such a bath.
- Put with a palm on the surface. It should not have dents, roughness and scratches. If, upon the certification of the seller, the “tubercles” are a feature of the material, then you should not believe it. There should be no irregularities on the plastic.
- It is also worth paying attention to the color of the structure. It should be homogeneous. If there are stains, then this indicates the poor quality of the product.
- Be sure to inspect the bottom of the acrylic bathtub. It should be absolutely smooth. Sometimes tubercles are specially made at the bottom, but often this is just another way to hide the low quality of the product.
How to choose the optimal size
The most important thing for the bath is to make it comfortable. It is not as easy to choose such a design as it might seem at first glance. I will tell you how to decide on the size of the bath:
- Height. The optimal value of this indicator is 650-700 millimeters. This will easily climb into the bathroom and get out of it.
- Depth. The optimal value is 500-600 millimeters. In the bath of such depths, you can easily hold your head over the water.
- Length. The choice of this indicator is usually based on your growth. It should be enough not to sit with bent knees. The average length of the length is from 1500 to 1800 millimeters.
- The width of the bathroom can be any. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable.
Cast marble bath
This is one of the most expensive options related to the luxury class. The product is obtained by connecting marble crumbs and polyester resins. Of the advantages, it is worth highlighting the following:
- Their coloring can be different.
- Production technology allows you to make the appearance of the material for any rock breed.
- High degree of noise absorption.
- They can withstand vibration well, so that they are best suited for installing hydromassage systems in them.
Of the shortcomings, the following can be distinguished:
- Light weight.
- Complex installation.
- CHARCOMS may be the formation of chips.
Conclusion
- If you wondered which is better than an acrylic, steel or cast -iron bath, then you should pay attention to their hygiene and strength. Then, we can say that in hygiene, an acrylic structure is better, but cast -iron is still much stronger.
- If the choice got up between the acrylic or steel bathroom, then it is obvious that the first of them will have a lower price. However, to restore the surface when scratches appear, the easiest way on acrylic products.
- If you need to choose a cast -iron or steel bath, then we can say that the easier, undoubtedly, is a design made of steel, but in cast iron, water will cool longer.
- If you have a choice between acrylic and cast -iron products, it should be borne in mind that the first of them due to greater elasticity is stronger. Cast iron, as you know, is a rather fragile material.