Various bathtubs represent the category of the most expensive items from bathroom equipment . However, for many people, having a bath is a necessity for the reason that plumbing can be used not only for hygienic purposes, but also as a means to relieve fatigue after a hard day. Nevertheless, each buyer is interested in ensuring that the maximum quality of the goods is attached to a decent price. After all, no one wants to buy a product that can fail in a short time. This topic often becomes the reason for discussing the pros and cons of acrylic bathtubs.
Today, in order to choose the right bath model, one has to take into account not only its overall size. Today they attach great importance to the shape of the bathtub and the materials from which it was made, and also always pay attention to the brand of the manufacturer. In modern salons engaged in the sale of plumbing, cast iron products still have not lost their relevance. And as an alternative, steel models with enameled coating are offered. However, acrylic bathtubs are beyond any competition, the disadvantages and advantages of which become the subject of heated debate.
Subtleties of the process of manufacturing acrylic models
The material from which they are created is called polymethyl methacrylate. This is a complex polymer composition, which is simply called plumbing acrylic. Active use of this composition was in all kinds of bath designs, as well as showers. These products are highly durable but lightweight. For this reason, even when installing dimensional products, as a rule, there is no difficulty.
In addition, plumbing acrylic has a low thermal conductivity, which allows you to hold the set water temperature longer, unlike steel samples. Also, acrylic does not create favorable conditions for the life of various microorganisms. In working condition, this material has high elasticity, allowing you to create the most complex configurations.
However, baths of this class do not tolerate mechanical damage. Even a slight scratch causes damage to the outer protective layer, made in the form of a transparent plastic coating. Also, the disadvantages of acrylic baths include their high cost.
Cast constructions
Cast bathtubs are made of sanitary acrylic. As a reinforcing material, fiberglass impregnated with polyester resins is used. A reinforcing mortgage, which serves as a chipboard, is always embedded in the base of the bottom. Finished products are embedded in a metal frame treated with a corrosion-resistant coating.
This group of goods is necessarily accompanied by certificate documentation, which the seller is required to provide. The warranty period of operation of such products created by casting is 20 years. They are perfect for use at home, providing comfortable operation for a long time.
"Fake Acrylic"
Such a nickname was given to products created using the extrusion method. They can easily be distinguished from standard samples at a markedly reduced cost. Despite their external resemblance to cast bathrooms, these models are of very low quality, as they are made of more fragile material. However, in cottages and in places where people spend a limited amount of time, these products find their application.
Care Features
One of the distinguishing characteristics of an acrylic bath is its capriciousness to various methods of maintenance. In order for this product to continue to maintain its original appearance for a long time, it is necessary to strictly follow the operating instructions. Detergents are strictly regulated here, completely excluding the category containing various abrasive components. This fact is one of the disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs.
The necessary household chemicals can be purchased at any store specializing in the sale of such goods. In addition, today there are special signs that allow the possibility of using these cleaners on the surface of an acrylic bath. Of course, specialists offer their services in repairing these products, but it’s better not to bring this to the end, because the repaired bath will no longer have its original appearance.
The benefits of acrylic bathtubs
Acrylic plumbing reliably occupied its niche in this category of goods. The only reason that does not allow crowding out the rest of the products is the high cost of acrylic models. But, despite all the advantages and disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs, today they can be found in any apartment or house. There are many reasons for this:
- Light weight. Standard samples are usually no heavier than 30 kg. Such a bath is easily transported, for the installation of it is enough effort of one person.
- Easy to install. These products are equipped with special mechanisms that allow them to be placed on the floor with the possibility of adjustment. For this reason, it is not necessary to purchase additional components.
- A huge assortment offered in specialized stores and salons. High plasticity of acrylic in working condition allows you to create an infinite number of forms. This feature distinguishes this type from other products of this group.
- The surface finish of such products is achieved due to the glossy coating, which has dirt-repellent properties. On such a coating no deposits are deposited and spots are not formed. And if sometimes drops of liquid soap freeze, then they can be easily removed with a damp soft sponge.
- Many organizations with specialization in this field offer the opportunity to repair damage through repair. Not only minor scratches and chips are subject to repair, but also more serious damage due to the ability of plumbing acrylic to fill any cavities with subsequent solidification.
- The plastic surface of such bathtubs is never too cold. In addition, plastic surfaces have low thermal conductivity, which allows you to maintain a given water temperature for a longer time.
- Despite its smooth surface to shine, acrylic bathtubs are completely non-slip, which distinguishes them from products made from other materials.
- The antibacterial properties of acrylic do not contribute to the spread of fungi and mold. This is another reason why their surface always remains clean.
- The ability of these devices to additional equipment. Often, you can purchase more convenient nozzles and devices that can be adapted to an existing bath.
Thus, acrylic baths have undeniable advantages over products that are made of other materials. In addition, they can have a unique design that allows you to determine whether a room belongs to any style.
disadvantages
No matter how huge the list of merits of this or that product was, each of them will always have vulnerabilities. Despite all the obvious advantages and disadvantages, acrylic bathtubs have significant:
- Sensitive to mechanical damage.
- Low static strength, forcing the use of a metal frame.
- Inability to small-sized rooms.
- The high cost of models is the main drawback of acrylic bathtubs.
When using acrylic bathtubs, you should always remember that various hard objects, as well as heavy or sharp things, can cause damage. When caring for pets, it is worth using special rugs that do not allow leaving claw marks. Such disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs create certain difficulties during operation.
Shapes of acrylic bathtubs
Products made on a metal basis have great limitations on the elasticity of the material. For this reason, the manufacturers of this group always adhere to a conservative design performance. And the samples created on an acrylic basis, on the contrary, are not tied to a specific shape. The elasticity of plumbing acrylic allows specialists to create models that have the most bizarre shape and configuration. Such bathtubs also have unlimited potential for compatibility with additional elements and devices.
Rectangular
Such models have universal characteristics. A bath of this shape can be installed in almost any room. However, facade linings give the structure a more overall appearance. This is the main disadvantage of AM RM acrylic bathtubs. Reviews say that for this reason, bathtubs are poorly suited to the minimized furnishings of rooms in standard apartments of the Soviet era.
Oval
The oval shape has no specific restrictions on the use. Smooth lines of bends of such models are perfectly combined with other elements of the interior. They are able to introduce visual sensations of the novelty of design, as well as the atmosphere of comfort in the interior of the room.
Asymmetric
These products can have both the right version and the left one, and some models are predisposed for placement in the corner. Such characteristics should always be taken into account at the time of purchase, because such models can only be installed in a certain place. But the shape and design of these products has a pronounced personality, which allows you to transform the bathroom. However, the asymmetry of the lines of such structures implies the mandatory use of facade acrylic linings. After all, facing a curved surface with tiles is not an easy task. This is the drawback of this model's acrylic bathtub.
Corner
Products involving this type of performance can easily compete with previous models in terms of presentability. They can become a key figure in the design of the room. However, this type of acrylic bath has its own advantages. With its considerable dimensions, the location of such plumbing always wins in terms of compactness, which always allows you to leave additional free space. According to reviews, there are practically no shortcomings in the Triton acrylic bathtubs proposed in this design. The only inconvenience such models deliver when cleaning, because it is impossible to reach the far edge of the overall product from the floor.
Round
These are, as a rule, exclusive models, for which it is better to create a room individually. After all, communication can be brought to her only by gender. In addition, due to the large size, such a bath can be conveniently placed only in a voluminous room. Serving such models is also quite inconvenient.
Positive reviews
Discussing the disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs, reviews and shortcomings, it should be noted, first of all, that metal models having a standard shape have already become pretty familiar over many decades of operation. Today, everyone wants to create the inner atmosphere of their home in accordance with personal tastes and affections. The same rule applies to bathrooms. Standard forms and dimensions of many people cause apathy and are not associated with the concepts of beauty and style. For this reason, despite all the shortcomings of an acrylic bathtub, buyers are determined to make a choice in her favor.
Negative reviews
Despite the prevailing advantages of bathtubs made from acrylic, not all people are positive about purchasing such products. Buyers definitely indicate which disadvantages of an acrylic bath do not suit them. There are consumers who do not trust the strength of such a material. Especially the residents living in the buildings of multi-storey buildings, the prospect of flooding the neighbors thrills. In addition, there are people whose habits include the use of various solid accessories, among other bathroom accessories. And it does not go well with a vulnerable acrylic surface. For this reason, this group of people experiences discomfort while in an acrylic bath.
Comparative characteristics of all existing species
To appreciate the superiority of acrylic bathtubs, it is best to conduct a comparative analysis with products made from other materials. Today, in contrast to innovative solutions, products made of cast iron, as well as steel with enamelled coating, which are still in demand, can be supplied. To understand whether it is worth replacing a working cast-iron bathtub with a new acrylic model, first of all, it is worth understanding the main differences between the devices.
Advantages and disadvantages of acrylic and cast-iron bathtubs
The main advantage of cast-iron bathtubs is their special strength and ability to serve for a long time. In addition, the thick-walled construction also retains heat well and does not allow water to cool quickly. In addition to this, the cast-iron bath has an enviable stability. You can freely step on its edge without any risk.
But on the other hand, cast iron does not have the ability to take various forms, but, on the contrary, is tied to a specific pattern, which is difficult and unprofitable to change. In addition, the weight of a standard cast-iron bath is about 120 kg, and this greatly complicates the process of transportation and installation.
Considering the advantages and disadvantages of acrylic and cast-iron bathtubs, we can draw certain conclusions that contribute to the final decision. First of all, you must understand that the acrylic bath is inferior to the cast-iron model in terms of strength. It has a shorter life. Also, an acrylic product is much more sensitive to mechanical damage. The cost of a cast-iron bath is significantly lower than that of a similar acrylic sample.
But, on the other hand, the acrylic model greatly wins in the weight category, which makes it much more efficient to make manipulations with it. In addition, this plumbing is twice as capable of maintaining the temperature of the water, as well as taking a variety of shapes and combined with additional accessories.
Advantages and disadvantages of steel and acrylic bathtubs
Steel products are inferior to cast iron and acrylic models in most of the available specifications. Such a bath is not able to maintain water temperature for a long time due to its high thermal conductivity. Thin-walled steel is capable of noisy response to contact with a stream of water, which is an additional inconvenience. Also, such a bath is not particularly stable and often needs additional support.
But compared with cast iron, the material has greater elasticity and is presented in a larger assortment. Although acrylic models in a variety of designs, he still has a long way to go. The only indisputable advantage of steel enameled baths is their low cost. This condition allows these products to become in demand in summer cottages and country houses.
Thus, the advantages and disadvantages of steel and acrylic bathtubs become apparent.