Usually the phrase "bath in Khrushchev" conjures up an unsightly picture. Small cramped room with painted panels and an old peeling bath. But is this always the case? And is it possible to install modern plumbing in Khrushchev?
Bathroom Dimensions
There are two types of designing bathrooms in Khrushchev. This is a combined and separate bathroom. In the first case, the area of the premises is 3.5 square meters, in the second - only 2.5. Often it can be even smaller if drywall sheets were installed during the repair to level the walls. But still there are some secrets to increasing usable area. This is the correct layout, selection of materials, plumbing and furniture for the bathroom.
The area of the bathroom can be increased by joining to it some part of the apartment. You can donate a toilet or part of the hallway. But in the first case, you need to consider what you have to put in the new room and the toilet.
The area of the room will become larger, but you should not count on installing a huge round hot tub in it. Firstly, there will be no place for other accessories, and secondly, such a bath should have a lot of free space around it. Do not forget that all rooms in the apartment must be made in the same style. And you can make Khrushchev spacious if you have another apartment.
Planning
If you are going to radically change the look of your bathroom, do not rush. First you need to understand the communications taking place there and draw up a plan for the proposed changes. It would be nice to make a layout, at least in 3D.
Communications
Typically, the communications to which the bath in Khrushchev is connected are in an unsightly state. Although many residents have already replaced pipes and risers with plastic ones. If you are just going to do this, then this is a great reason to change the interior of the room.
Often the plumbing fixtures that you plan to install will not directly connect to existing communications. In this case, do not give up your favorite plumbing. It is better to change the connection system by laying new pipes in the right place. Existing materials and technologies allow you to do this without any special material costs and physical effort.
How to put everything you need
Every year, more and more devices and mechanisms appear, without which it is difficult to do for any family. Often the owners throw out the bath and replace it with a shower. As a result, an area for installing the washing machine appears. Of course, you can’t do without it now. But is it really necessary to deprive oneself of the pleasure of soaking in the bath? There are several ways to leave it and put everything you need.
To seal the plumbing, you can install the washbasin sink so that a horizontal loading washing machine fits under it.
The toilet can be mounted. Saved space can be used to place toiletries. The sewer riser can be turned into a cupboard by making shelves for detergents inside.
Bath material
For a long time, bathtubs have been made of cast iron. They are durable, serve more than one decade. They keep heat relatively long, noise from a stream of water is not heard very much. The main disadvantage is the large weight of such a bath and the fact that chips that can form from a blow with a solid object cannot be restored. Modern cast-iron bathtubs are coated on top with high-quality smooth enamel. It does not darken and does not get dirty as quickly as the old ones. Powder enamel protects the bath from corrosion.
Steel bathtubs are easier to transport, but less durable. Their disadvantage is a rapid loss of water temperature, a strong jet noise, the same enamel chips. They are cheaper than cast iron and acrylic.
Acrylic bathtubs are beautiful in appearance, warm, silent. There are also acrylic and polymer concrete bathtubs. They are very beautiful, but expensive.
Cast Iron Bath Molds
Cast iron bathtubs have not so many different models as steel ones, and especially acrylic ones. Usually they have a standard rectangular shape. But you can order a bath of the size you need. Or try to choose the appropriate option from the available assortment.
For placement in a small bathroom fit:
- small rectangular, including sitting baths ;
- angular;
- asymmetric.
If you are comfortable with the size of your bath, you can use the acrylic liner on the old one. If your bathtub is small, it should be as deep as possible. This is 42 cm. You can find models with a depth of 45 cm.
Rectangular bathtub in Khrushchev
The smallest cast-iron bathtubs that can be found are products with a length of 120 or 130 cm, a width of 70 cm.
Bath 150x70 is considered the European standard. At a depth of 45 or 42 cm, you will feel quite comfortable.
A large bathtub installed in Khrushchev’s, with a length of 160 or 180 centimeters, will not help save space.
Asymmetric bathtubs
Modern manufacturers also produce asymmetric cast-iron bathtubs. They can be left-handed and right-handed. This greatly expands the installation options for such products.
When buying a cast-iron bathtub of any shape, you need to make sure that the coating enamel is intact, there are no cracks, chips or other defects.
Asymmetric bathtubs are usually the most beneficial for any bathroom. They are in the form of a petal, fan, or cut-off drop.
A wide selection of asymmetric bathtubs 135 cm long allows you to choose the most convenient. In some rooms, you can install more - 150 cm.
Corner baths
Corner baths are often asymmetric, that is, these are the sides forming a right angle, of different lengths. This makes it possible to slightly increase the workplace. Indeed, in addition to various plumbing and furniture, you need to consider that a door is placed on one of the walls.
An asymmetric corner bathtub of 120x90 cm will be quite convenient for the owners. There are bathtubs measuring 115x72 cm and 180x130 cm. But this is rather a large bathtub. She will not allow to save the necessary centimeters.
Bathtubs with seat
Usually they are made of steel and acrylic, but you can also find cast iron. A bathtub with a seat is suitable for those people who find it difficult to sit and get up. Usually these are older people. They need to sit in a dry bath, then let water in. And it is better to get up after all the water from it has come down. But children should not be washed in such a bath, because they may fall.
Acrylic liner
If you do not have the desire or ability to throw away the old cast-iron bath, it can be restored using an acrylic liner. It is made individually for each owner. This is due to the fact that there are several options. Therefore, the old bath is carefully measured in several ways.
The acrylic liner itself consists of two layers: acrylic itself and soft plastic. A bath iron will hold this structure, protecting from stress and destruction.
The liner is installed by the master, putting it on an old cast-iron bath. Fastens with special latches and processes the gaps between them with sealant.
The advantage of this repair is that you do not need to change communications, take out a bath, remove tiles from the floor. And an acrylic bath is more expensive than an insert.
It’s easy to take care of her. Such bathtubs do not change color, are easy to clean. If scratches appear, they are removed by polishing. Rust is removed with vinegar. Of course, you have to disassemble the drain. Perhaps he will need a replacement.
The disadvantage of this method of restoration is that with the wrong proportion of sand and cement for laying under acrylic, the surface of the bath will have a dark color. With poor-quality sealing, mold and fungi can settle in it.
Restoring liquid acrylic is much easier because it is poured directly onto the edges of the bath. But he is short-lived. Therefore, soon you will again face the problem of replacing the bath.
Installation of a small bath
After you have decided on the choice of shape, material and model, you need to prepare a place for a bath. Walls level, lay tiles or other facing material. Then level the floor.
On some models, the bathtub is attached to the wall. The hole is made with a perforator. A special skirting board protects the joint from leaking. Then the legs and the bath itself are installed.
Bath color
Usually they are sold in one color. The white bath is not original, but it visually makes the room bigger. But you can find a bathtub of almost any color and even multi-colored. Acrylic liner can be green or beige.
Bathroom Doors
Usually the bath in Khrushchev is separated from the rest of the room by a curtain or doors. The following types are available:
- Doors-curtains made of glass or polyester. Glass beautiful and easy to care, but expensive. Polyester doors are much cheaper.
- Plastic cheaper than glass, can be of different colors. A white bathtub framed by such a door looks very elegant.
- Sectional, may consist of two to seven sections. Suitable for bathtubs of non-standard shapes.
For a corner bath, it is better to take four-section doors, for asymmetric - five-section doors (accordion). How much does a cast-iron bath cost?
Price
Product price depends on size and manufacturer. Bath 150x70 Continental costs about 42 thousand rubles.
Bath Malibu RC more expensive - 50 thousand rubles. It is equipped with two handles that make it easier to stand up.