How to choose a bath

Not long ago, at the mentioning of the word “bathtub” our imagination pictured a heavy, white, cast-iron tub that was so hard to lift on the stairs. There was no choice as such: people bought what they could find on sale and were sincerely glad of their purchase. Nowadays the situation has fundamentally changed: you can choose from a wide variety of baths, different materials, design and appearance. And this time the choice is not complicated by a lack of alternatives, but on the contrary, a huge number of them.

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1. The best manufacturers of bathtubs
2. Baths types. Which one to choose?
3. Parameters of bath choice
4. What bath to choose?
5. How much does a bath cost?

The best manufacturers of bathtubs – which company to choose

Traditionally, the best are considered the well-known European manufacturers of sanitary ware, the presence in the house of a bath of such a brand among connoisseurs is considered a sign of good taste. Recently, domestic manufacturers have pulled up quite strongly, offering a high-quality and aesthetic baths at a very inexpensive price. When choosing a new tub, you should consider purchasing products from the following manufacturers:

1. Vagnerplast
2. Cersanit

3. ool Spa

4. Kolo
5. Aquanet
6. Roca

Types of bathtubs. Which to choose?

Cast-iron baths

Time-tested classics. For many years cast iron has been used as the basic material for baths, and it is still popular today. The reason for that is the physical properties of this metal. Cast iron perfectly keeps temperature, and therefore the water in such a tub does not cool down for a long time. Cast iron bath is very durable, unpretentious in operation and allows the use of aggressive household chemicals for cleaning.

Advantages

• High Strength;
• Durability;
• Excellent thermal insulation characteristics;
• Inexpensive;
• Unpretentiousness in care;

Disadvantages

• Large weight;
• Sensitivity of enamel to contact with heavy metal objects;

Baths made of steel

Inexpensive models, which are made of solid steel sheets by punching. The use of different moulds allows to obtain different shapes and geometric sizes of containers. Steel baths are lightweight, so they are very easy to transport. Outside and inside of such baths is covered by a water-resistant enamel layer, which protects steel from corrosion and provides an aesthetic appearance and a pleasant tactile sensation.

Advantages of

• Inexpensive;
• Long service life;
• Excellent heat transfer;
• A variety of sizes and shapes;
• Low weight;

Disadvantages

• Low stability, requires the use of additional stops;
• Water cools down quickly enough;
• Noisy when filling;

Acrylic baths

Currently the most popular type of baths, combining the advantages of cast iron and steel baths. Acrylic is a special plastic, reinforced with fiberglass to give the necessary strength and rigidity. As a result, the designers have achieved excellent thermal insulation with extremely low weight. And acrylic is very easily processed, which allows you to get the most bizarre and unusual shapes. This class of baths can also include plastic models coated with acrylic, which have similar functional features and a low price.

Advantages of

• Low weight;
• Democratic cost;
• High strength and resistance to mechanical damage;
• A huge variety of colors, sizes and shapes;
• Excellent thermal insulation;

Disadvantages

• Low resistance to abrasion;
• Fears high temperatures;

Quaternary bathtubs

Trying to compensate the disadvantages of acrylic, engineers went even further – they invented a new type of material, characterized by high strength and low weight, as well as excellent heat resistance. The name of this material was given to kvaril, and in its basis, in addition to acrylic, quartz appeared. It is responsible for the main characteristics of the bath and makes it so versatile.

Advantages

• High strength;
• Excellent insulating characteristics;
• Good noise isolation;
• Long service life;
• Excellent heat resistance;

Disadvantages

• The high cost;
• A small variety of shapes;

Marble Bathtubs

Not everyone can afford a marble bath, and, indeed, not everyone needs it. These baths belong to the top segment and are rightly considered elite. Their main feature is their aristocratic appearance, as well as excellent thermal insulation and low noise level. Are made of marble chips, which are combined with special synthetic resins.

Advantages

• Elegant appearance;
• Absorb noise;
• A huge variety of colors, shades and sizes;

Disadvantages

• High price;
• Demanding to service and the use of household chemicals;
• Large size and weight;

Artificial stone bathtubs

Characteristics of these models are largely similar to those of marble baths. They are distinguished by aesthetic appearance, high strength and resistance to temperature Noise during water intake is almost absent, and it cools down long enough. Thanks to a special manufacturing technology provides a variety of colors, shades and shapes, which allows you to pick up a bathtub for almost any interior.

Advantages

• Classic design and stylish appearance;
• Perfectly keep the temperature of the water;
• Almost completely silent;
• A huge variety of colors, shades and sizes;

Disadvantages

• High price;
• Demanding to service and the use of household chemicals;
• Large size and weight;

Baths made of natural wood

“Phoenix” revived from the “ashes”. Wooden bathing vessels were widely used by our ancestors centuries ago, and thanks to new woodworking technology the wooden tub has acquired a new look. Stylish, practical and very beautiful, they have excellent thermal insulation and are practically silent.

Advantages

• Elegant appearance;
• Excellent performance qualities;
• Variety of models;
• Moisture resistance;

Disadvantages

• High cost;
• Wood is fastidious in care and tends to dry out;

Parameters of bath selection

Size and volume

The size and volume of a particular bath is important. Choosing the right model, you need to consider the area and geometric dimensions of the room, as well as the width of the doorway.

Shape

This parameter is strictly individual, but you should also pay close attention to it. Classical oval baths are popular up to now, but semicircular, angular and square models are also popular.

Availability of massage systems

The bathroom is more than just a hot water tank. The most advanced models are equipped with a large number of modern systems, directly affecting the functionality. For example, the most expensive models are equipped by default with modern aero-massage or whirlpool systems, allowing a new look at bathing procedures.

Easy care

You should also pay attention to the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the care of the bathtub during operation. There are a number of popular materials among customers, which are afraid of abrasion or use of aggressive household chemicals. These features should be known in order not to spoil the bath already after the first wash.

Heat capacity

Parameter that reflects how a particular material can retain heat. It depends on how long it takes for a hot bath to turn into a cool bath. For example, cast iron, marble and artificial stone perfectly “hold” the heat, but steel cools down quickly enough.

Durability

Parameter that shows the resistance of the bath to mechanical stress. The stronger the material from which the tub is made – the lower the probability of damage due to a fall of a sharp or heavy object.

Which bath to choose?

1. For a small apartment the best choice will be an acrylic bath or a model made of kvaril. Such models have excellent performance characteristics, and the low weight will allow you to easily raise it to the right floor;
2. For a large and spacious home the best option would be a bath of artificial stone or marble, color and texture that will match the design of the room. You can choose both an ordinary single bath and a model for two;
3. For dacha, the best approach is an inexpensive cast-iron or steel model, simple and unpretentious in operation;

How much does the bath cost??

1. Steel bathtubs are the cheapest. The price of such models is in the range of 4000-8000 rubles;
2. Quality cast-iron bathtubs with enamel coating are a bit more expensive: their cost is 12-23 thousand rubles;
3. Acrylic and kvaril models are also quite expensive – the average cost of acrylic models is 20-25 thousand rubles, kvaril baths are even more expensive, about 30-32 thousand rubles.

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