The bath has long and deservedly become a necessity. But when choosing it, many consumers have difficulty. If the dimensions depend directly on the dimensions of the room, then the material of execution can be any. Which baths are better? It depends on the priorities set. Basically on sale you can find three types of fonts: cast iron, steel and acrylic. Cast iron for many remains a model of strength, so this option is chosen by adherents of the classics. Bathtubs made of steel are the most budgetary; they prefer to install them as a temporary option or, not wanting to spend a lot of money on a purchase. Acrylic bowls are the most beautiful, they are set for aesthetic purposes.
However, not everything is so simple. Which bath is better, acrylic cast iron or steel, depends not only on the characteristics of the material and its price. Each individual person may choose their own version. Therefore, it is worthwhile to deal with them more thoroughly.
Solid cast iron
Cast iron can not be called a plastic material, therefore, products from it do not have bizarre shapes. Bathtubs from this material traditionally have a classic rectangular or oval appearance. To make the plumbing look attractive, the surface is coated with especially durable enamel. The material not only gives aesthetic appearance to cast iron, but also protects it from the effects of water and cleaning products. In order to make the coating as resistant and smooth as possible, the bath is kept in a furnace with infrared radiation.
Despite the fact that cast iron is difficult to shape, quite beautiful products with soft bends are often found on sale. In addition, thanks to the use of enamel, plumbing can be of a wide variety of shades. Such products are much more expensive.
The benefits of a cast iron bath
The material is famous for its strength. Baths from it are durable, sometimes they withstand active use for more than a dozen years. Finding out which bathrooms are better, it is worth considering the advantages of a cast iron model that others cannot boast of:
- Strength. The material is not afraid of extreme temperatures and sudden changes.
- It is not deformed. The bath will not suffer even if a heavy object hits or falls into it.
- Long service life. Appearance remains impeccable even after years of use.
- The coating is being restored. Enamel is easy to restore at home with the help of specialists.
If we consider the question of which bathtub is better, cast iron or steel, then we should start from the specific heat. Steel does not maintain temperature well, and the water in such a font cools quickly. In cast-iron bowls, water cooling is much slower. However, considering which bath is better, acrylic or cast iron, in this case, acrylic is often more practical.
Cast iron is a very strong and tough material. Therefore, plumbing will not bend from it and will not change shape during active use. The bath is quite heavy, the wall thickness reaches 8 mm, so it does not "walk" even when bathing a sufficiently heavy person. The design does not require additional fortifications, it stands stably, without unnecessary movements.
Features of cast iron bathtubs
Finding out which bathtubs are best is worth considering taking care of them. Cast-iron enamel, which has no pores. Therefore, with regular and proper care, the material remains shiny and smooth for a long time.
Even abrasive products can be used to remove particularly stubborn dirt and plaque. However, manufacturers are advised not to abuse them.
An important criterion when choosing a bath is the noise level when collecting water. Cast iron in this regard is the best option. However, acrylic samples have the lowest noise level.
The range of cast-iron bathtubs is quite wide. Manufacturers equip them with handles, anti-slip rugs and a hydromassage function. Therefore, even the most demanding people will be able to choose the right option.
Cast iron flaws
With a lot of positive aspects, cast-iron bathtubs were more often replaced with acrylic ones. One reason is too heavy weight. The most common cast-iron bath can weigh more than 100 kg. In addition, the font selection is not large enough.
However, if the buyer decided that this particular material suits him in all respects, then it is worthwhile to find out which cast-iron bathtub is better. Such plumbing is bought for a long time and costs a lot of money. Therefore, her choice must be approached thoroughly.
If you are interested in which cast-iron bath is better, then it is worth considering the proposals of well-known manufacturers. The most popular and well-established on the market are Jacob and Roca. Products do not have fanciful shapes, but differ in smooth bends, stable enamel and a variety of color schemes.
Cast iron restoration methods
Enamel in a cast-iron bathtub may become deformed over time or chips may appear due to impacts by heavy objects. But coverage can be restored. There are several ways to do this. The choice depends on the preferences and budget of the owner.
Often use the bulk bath method . But this method requires careful preparation and some skill. A simpler option, but also expensive is the installation of an acrylic liner. Moreover, this method is comparable in price to the acquisition of a new bath.
A more accessible and easier way is updating the enamel. To do this, the old must be well cleaned and degreased. After that, they use a special composition that seals microcracks and makes the coating shiny and smooth.
Noble Steel Font
More recently, light steel was an affordable alternative to ductile iron. Such bowls may appeal to many consumers because of their characteristics. Therefore, finding out which bathtubs are better, acrylic or steel, reviews of the latter will help draw conclusions. So, among the positive aspects distinguish:
- The font is quite light.
- The coating has hygienic properties. Pathogenic bacteria do not breed on it.
- The coating is quite durable, withstands temperature extremes and chips do not form when heavy objects fall.
- The cast-iron bath stays cold for a long time until it warms up. Acrylic bowls are pleasant even without preheating. The steel version warms up quickly enough, which is an advantage for families with small children.
- Plastic steel, like acrylic. Therefore, products from it can have a wide variety of forms. On sale you can find special models designed for two swimmers. The steel font looks quite presentable and non-standard. Therefore, it is suitable for many modern interiors.
When deciding which bathtub is best to purchase, it is necessary to consider the installation features. The pig-iron version is too heavy, it requires more than one pair of hands to enter the apartment. But when installing additional devices does not require. Steel fonts are much lighter. It is possible that one person can handle it. However, too little weight will not do without additional fasteners.
Disadvantages of steel plumbing
Often consumers are interested in which bath is better, acrylic or steel. We can unequivocally answer that with a lot of positive aspects, steel is still inferior to other materials. The reason is quite significant disadvantages:
- Thin walls. Steel fonts have very thin walls, so they are subject to deformation during active use, improper transportation or impact with heavy objects. Models with thicker walls already have a corresponding price comparable to acrylic samples.
- Of course, steel warms up very quickly. But also quickly and cools down. The material does not hold temperature at all, unlike cast iron and acrylic. Therefore, in order not to freeze, you will have to constantly add hot water.
- To install, you need a special frame, which is not always convenient. In addition, special products should be purchased for cleaning, abrasives can damage the surface.
When deciding which bathtubs are better, you need to pay attention to the noise level during water intake. In steel versions, it is the highest. The leader in silence in this case is acrylic. Sometimes manufacturers offer special gaskets that promise to get rid of noise. However, the problem is not fundamentally solved, and the price of the product increases.
Steel option for the discerning buyer
Font made of steel is much cheaper than cast iron and acrylic. At the same time, the material is plastic, so quite original products are found on sale.
Due to the properties of steel, designers offer a wide variety of bathtubs of various shapes. The color scheme is also very wide. Despite the higher price for non-standard shapes and bright colors, yet it is inferior to acrylic images.
Which steel baths are best depends on its purpose and location. There are small models that are universal for small bathrooms. If it is possible to install a larger font, then the rectangular option is suitable, in which you can lie at full height. There are also samples for the elderly with handles, with different recesses for bathing small children and options for people with disabilities.
Acrylic Models
Quite often, consumers are interested in which bathtub is best for the bathroom. Recently, acrylic bowls have been very popular. However, reviews of such bathtubs are mixed. Some are happy with everything, they are pleased with the attractive appearance of the product, ease of care, comfortable sensations during the reception of water procedures and low noise. However, there are users who complain about the fragility of the material.
Why are the responses different? This largely depends on the manufacturer and its production technology. Sometimes the buyer focuses on advertising, but is disappointed. So which acrylic bathtubs are better? The reviews indicate that if you select a product from a trusted manufacturer, do not buy the cheapest option and follow the rules of operation, then the font will bring only positive emotions.
What is acrylic
Acrylic is a soft and very ductile polymer material. Cast bowls and extruded models are made from it. To make the surface look pleasant, it is coated with epoxy resins. Like the steel version, acrylic bathtubs require installation on a special metal frame. Acrylic, like steel, has a small weight, so the bath without additional fasteners is unstable and under the weight of a swimmer is constantly shaken.
The benefits of acrylic bathtubs
Which acrylic bathtub is better? This question is of interest to most potential consumers. Definitely it is impossible to answer. When buying, pay attention to the appearance. Acrylic should be a uniform shade, without spots. If there are stains on the bowl, it is better to refuse the purchase. The font definitely should not be taken if roughness or dents are found.
According to reviews, acrylic bathtubs have a number of impressive advantages:
- Aesthetic appearance. Acrylic samples are the most beautiful. On sale you can find fonts of a wide variety of shades, shapes and sizes. Cast iron is not striking in such a variety, and steel is not so plastic to make plumbing in bizarre shapes.
- Good heat capacity. The cast-iron bath holds the temperature well, but acrylic in this case is the leader. Steel at this position is in last place. Even if the water has cooled or is just starting to accumulate, the surface still remains pleasant to the touch. This is important for children and lovers of long water treatments.
- Easy to care. For acrylic bathtubs, a special product is sold. With its help, it is easy to care for the surface. The material does not absorb pollution, so you do not have to rub it.
Of course, acrylic fonts are not perfect. They have their drawbacks. But lovers of swimming appreciated these models.
Disadvantages of Acrylic Bowl
It is important to understand which acrylic bathtub is better. In this case, you should pay attention to the maximum temperature indicator. Theoretically, acrylic can withstand up to 160 degrees, but this is based on experiments. In fact, the manufacturer can use low-quality materials, therefore, when filling with hot water, the bath is deformed.
Some do not like the feeling of acrylic deflection and instability. Especially, this phenomenon does not suit fans of cast-iron options. However, the impression is misleading, acrylic is plastic and does not break under the weight of a person.
Yet the material is fragile. Therefore, when a heavy object falls, it may burst. However, the repair is not difficult. In addition, the strength depends on the integrity of the material and the use of high-quality components.
Acrylic is a rather capricious material and requires the use of special tools. If abrasive products are used, the coating is easily damaged. Scratches appear on the surface and the external gloss is lost.
The price of acrylic samples is much more expensive than steel. However, when a high-quality font is purchased from a bona fide manufacturer, the operational life will be at least 10 years. But this is subject to careful operation, maintenance and technically correct installation.
What to choose
Almost every family has a bathtub. Which is better (reviews will help determine), depends on personal preferences, conditions of use, dimensions of the premises and financial capabilities of the buyer.
Given the features and characteristics of each material, you must not forget about the price. If the budget is not large, then an ordinary cast-iron bath is often preferable. At the peak of popularity are the acrylic bowl, but steel options are gradually losing ground. This situation has its arguments, given the possible shortcomings. Often, a steel bath is chosen as a temporary option if it is not possible to pay for high-quality acrylic or there is no certainty that the floor will withstand heavy cast iron.
But you should also choose which is more important. For some, the beauty and aesthetics of acrylic will be the decisive factor, while others will prefer the strength and durability of cast iron. At the same time, it is important to take into account the functions that family members would like to see in the selected bowl. Therefore, you should not look for the ideal option, but choose the most preferable one, with the shortcomings of which a particular family may well come to terms.
conclusions
When you have to choose a bath, the coating material is the most important issue. Each has its own advantages, but there are also disadvantages. It is important to choose priorities and based on this select the font. For adherents of solidity, strength and standard solutions, cast iron is an undoubted choice. However, many argue that the bathtub often suffers from falling heavy objects, and its shape is not very attractive. Steel look decent, are not expensive and the coating is quite durable. If installed correctly, the bottom does not bend under weight. In this case, it is not forbidden to put buckets or basins. Acrylics look very beautiful, but pouring boiling water into such a bowl will not work. In addition, improper care leads to material deformation. However, if the main thing in the font is its appearance and it is not planned to use it for anything other than bathing, then the option is attractive.