The word "bath" came to us from the German language. Since ancient times the so-called capacity (or reservoir), designed both for swimming and for the adoption of special medical procedures. Now almost every apartment has a so-called bathroom, that is, a room where a person can wash or, as they say, take a bath. The bath itself is an integral interior item in such a room. Without it, even the name of the room itself loses its meaning. Now you need to learn more about all cast-iron bathtubs, reviews and opinions about them.
Variety of species, advantages and disadvantages
Baths by type of material are:
- metal;
- wooden;
- plastic;
- ceramic;
- acrylic.
In turn, metal baths are:
The most common in their time cast-iron bathtubs. Reviews about them are mixed. Like any other piece of furniture, they have both positive and negative sides. Among the shortcomings, 4 main indicators can be distinguished:
- The complexity of processing the source material. Cast iron is an alloy of iron, carbon and other elements. Casting of such a composition is a rather technically complicated process. This excludes the possibility of producing products of various shapes and modifications, therefore, most often cast-iron bathtubs of the same type.
- Significant mass. Cast iron bathtubs are much heavier than the same products from other materials. Such things are difficult to transport, and the installation process is much more complicated.
- Finishing the product. Cast-iron bathtubs are usually coated with a layer of enamel. This material may undergo various deformations during use. As a result of sharp blows, cracks and chips appear on it, which spoil the appearance of the product and thereby reduce its service life.
- High price.
Those who in practice used cast-iron bathtubs can give feedback on each of the items listed.
Despite all of the above, this plumbing product has quite important advantages:
- High heat capacity. Such a bath heats itself for a long time, and the water in it will slowly cool. It is very convenient for taking water procedures.
- Low noise. Noise refers to the sound that water makes when it falls. Thick walls of the product do not vibrate under the influence of pouring fluid flows, therefore such bathtubs are sometimes also called “silent”.
- Enamel, evenly covering the surface of the bath, gives it a perfect shine and a fairly presentable look.
When purchasing cast-iron bathtubs, it is better to ask for feedback not only from consumers, but also from specialists. Those who decide to install domestic products should know several significant differences from similar models of foreign brands.
Firstly, our industry produces products with thicker walls. This increases their strength and durability, but at the same time significantly complicates the design. Imported models are much thinner (less than 5 mm) and much lighter.
Secondly, the coating quality of domestic models is very different from foreign models, and not for the better.
Thirdly, the design solutions of imported bathtubs are more diverse, while ours are made according to samples approved back in Soviet times. They are more reminiscent of an ordinary trough than a comfortable and elegant interior item.
A bit about size
Depending on the overall dimensions, cast iron bathtubs are presented in 3 separate categories on the world market: small, standard and large. The choice of model depends on the area of the room and the wishes of the owner. The most popular are standard samples. They are mainly produced in two sizes: 140x70 cm, 150x70 cm. There is no fundamental difference between them, but the second option is the most preferred. When designing modern houses in our country, the most often used cast-iron bathtub is 150x70. Reviews about it by specialists, as well as owners, indicate the right choice. It is worth noting that it is ideally adapted for the size of the bathrooms of typical domestic apartments. In such a bath, any person can safely be in the “reclining” position. With a depth of 40 cm, everything can be done without any problems. In addition, the sizes allow to produce products of various shapes and designs. In such models, a very different configuration of the walls, the presence of handles and armrests are possible. All these features in no way will interfere with the main purpose of the product.
For those who love space
For owners of elite housing, the Russian Universal plant offers an excellent version of a cast-iron bathtub from the “large” category. This enlarged version is specially designed by Novokuznetsk specialists for spacious bathrooms.
Overall dimensions are slightly increased. Now the length of the product is 170 centimeters, which allows almost anyone to lie completely immersed in water. Rounded forms of sides, perfectly snow-white enamel coating make the new version different from others. The bathtub itself is cast-iron "Grace", reviews about it and quality characteristics are beyond praise. Such a product, of course, requires the presence of high-power plumbing. All these features should be considered during the planning and installation period to ensure the necessary safety. The main thing is for the new model to please, help to relax and create a feeling of complete comfort.