Which bathtub is better? — cast iron, steel or acrylic

Despite the growing popularity of shower cabins, traditional baths do not give up their positions. After all, they are created for complete relaxation and revitalizing sessions with the use of essential oils, sea salt or aromatic foam. In terms of comfort, the latest generation models are not inferior to hydroboxes. But it is important to know which bath is better, so that you do not make a mistake with the choice and for a long time to enjoy water procedures.

The first thing to pay attention to is the material and manufacturing technology. From these parameters depend not only on the operational characteristics of the bowl, but also on its appearance, as well as transportation and installation options.

Today, bathtubs are made of:

• cast iron
• steel
• acrylic
• quarryl
• tempered glass
• stone — natural or artificial
• wood
• copper

Steel, cast iron and acrylic are the most widespread — they are used both in mass production and for elite products. The other materials are intended for the creation of designer models, mostly in a single number.

Features of cast iron bathtubs

They have a long history. Appearing in our household back in the XVII century, cast iron bathtubs are still the leaders of the sanitary market, despite the growing competition and the emergence of new materials. Is this not evidence of their undeniable advantage over their steel and acrylic counterparts?

 Advantages of cast iron bathtubs 

• Low thermal conductivity. The water in such a bowl does not cool down for a long time, allowing us to laze with special comfort. However, we can not say that cast iron holds the primacy in heat capacity, with the advent of acrylic it had to «squeeze». It turned out that the polymer font keeps the water hot 2 times longer.

Of course, much depends on the thickness of the walls of a particular model, ventilation in the bathroom and other conditions. Therefore, it is difficult to state unequivocally which bath is better — acrylic or cast iron, when it comes to heat capacity.

• Durability. In this point, the cast-iron bathtub is still out of competition. Its minimum service life is 50 years, but this is far from the limit. With a careful attitude, cleaning with mild detergents without abrasive particles and caustic acids, the bowl will keep the enamel coating, and therefore can serve more than one generation of the family.

1. Stability. Another undeniable advantage of sanitary ware made of cast iron. Thanks to its massiveness, the font will not turn over, even if a person with a lot of weight sits on its edge.
2. Durability of enamel. The coating does not fade over time, does not thin, causes pleasant tactile sensations. The outer side of the bowl is often painted in bright colors, which allows you to diversify the design of products. But the enamel requires special care, otherwise it will yellow, cover with microcracks and begin to deteriorate.
3. Low noise level. The bath is dialed almost inaudible. This is the advantage of a cast-iron bowl over a steel one.
4. Ease of maintenance. Unlike, for example, models made of acrylic, cast-iron bathtubs are not capricious and do not need special cleaning agents. On the contrary, they are recommended a simple soap solution with the addition of vinegar, washing powder, bleach or soda.

But it is necessary to wash the bathtub regularly, after each use. If there are no serious contaminants, warm water will be enough, and if there are stains, rusty sweat or plaque, you can take any means on an alkaline basis.

 Disadvantages of cast iron bathtubs 

• The great weight of a cast-iron bathtub from a dignity easily turns into a disadvantage when it comes to delivery and installation of the product.

The thickness of the walls of a quality bowl should be at least 5mm, no wonder that its weight ranges from 90 to 120 kg. It is impossible to lift such a sanitary device on a high floor alone — it will require the participation of 3-4 people. Bulky full-size bathtub will not fit in the passenger elevator, so in the absence of freight, it is carried up the stairs, where there is an additional problem of turning around on the platforms between the marches.

The installation of the font also involves at least two people. All this creates difficulties and makes you doubt the advisability of buying a cast iron model.

• Complexity of restoration. If there are chips or cracking of enamel, you will have to use the services of specialists, because it is problematic to restore the coating at home.

• Uniformity. Cast iron has little flexibility in processing, so its products have a simple shape, close to the classic: oval, rectangular or triangular (for corner models). Those who like an extraordinary modern design are unlikely to like such restrictions.

When to choose a cast-iron bath

The font made of cast iron on curved carved legs in the form of lion’s paws, will be perfect for a bathroom in the style of Empire, Provence, retro or shebby-chic. Elegant bathtub can be freely installed in the center of the room, «gathering» around it all the rest of the composition.

The stable bowl will not require additional support, as it usually happens with steel or acrylic models. There will be no need to build a podium to hide the unsightly auxiliary structure.

Cast iron bathtub classic style looks strict and refined. Especially if the outer coating is painted in pastel colors, or covered with hand-painted paintings.

Families with small children, elderly people or people with a lot of weight, should also pay attention to cast iron models. Especially since today manufacturers equip the font with special internal handles, anti-slip coating and a comfortable seat for those who do not want to fully immerse in water.

And for fans of home spa procedures, began to produce cast-iron baths with hydromassage jets. True, such devices are considered elite and cost accordingly.

Steel bathtubs. Pros and cons

Sanitary ware made of steel belongs to the category of budgetary. But a quality product is able to serve up to 30 years, without requiring replacement or large-scale restoration.

If you compare which bathtub is better — cast iron or steel, you can find arguments for and against each variety.

 

 Pros of steel models 

1. Let’s start with design. Since steel bathtubs are made not by casting, but by stamping, and the material itself is much more plastic than cast iron, the shape and size of the bowl are not imposed strict restrictions. As a result, the model range is characterized by great variety, allowing you to choose a suitable option for both modern and classic interior.
2. The price of steel sanitary ware, as mentioned above, is very democratic, due to the full automation of production.
3. Bathtubs made of steel are at least twice as light as cast iron. Their weight, depending on the size, is from 15 to 50 kg. The bowl can be carried and installed alone, which is very convenient.
4. Care for the steel bath is much easier, and the bath itself is more hygienic. Enamel, baked at high temperatures, does not form microcracks, from which it is difficult to remove lime scale and dirt.
5. Modern models have hydromassage functions, equipped with handles and soft headrests, do not slip, providing complete safety. On the level of comfort they surpass cast iron analogs and are not inferior to acrylic.

 Negative sides of steel bathtubs 

The minuses of steel baths are not less than the pluses, but most of them can be eliminated independently, by improvised means:

1. Rapid cooling of water. Steel bowls do not hold heat well — this is one of the main disadvantages. But they heat up quickly, so to take a shower we do not have to stand with our feet on a cold surface.
2. Threat of tipping over. If we place ourselves in the bathtub inappropriately and violate its stability, we risk falling down with it.
3. Deformation from gravity. Under a massive person or object, the bathtub sags, which leads to cracking of the enamel.
4. Low noise absorption. Thin walls of the bathtub ring under the water jet, so dialing it quietly will not work.
5. Rust on the chips. Cast iron oxidizes much less than steel. Therefore, bowls made of this metal in places where the enamel is chipped off, almost do not rust. Steel containers do not have such a dignity, which is why they are much faster to fall into disrepair.

Fortunately, it is not difficult to improve the performance of the bathtub.

The first thing to do when installing the bowl is to take care of its reliable fixation. Standard «legs», which are included in the set, are usually not enough. You can erect wide supports made of red brick (silicate does not tolerate moisture well) — this is the most successful solution. In order not to affect the appearance of the plumbing, all auxiliary structures and pipes are covered with a decorative screen.

Applying on the back side of the bowl mounting foam solves two problems at once: there is additional sound and heat insulation. As a result, the water does not hit the walls so loudly and keeps the temperature longer. Instead of foam, you can use technical cork or vibroisol — a bitumen-based material designed for noise protection of cars.

How to check the quality of a steel bathtub

If in the question of which bathtub is better, preference was given to a bowl of steel, it is very important not to make a mistake with the choice when buying. Then such sanitary ware will serve for a long time, making water procedures really comfortable. At the same time, the cost of the product will be much lower than the same acrylic, which is far from always has an adequate price-quality ratio.

What to pay attention to:

• The thickness of the walls of the steel bath should be 2,5 — 3 mm. In the store we will not determine this figure by eye, but we can move the container to feel its weight. If the bathtub easily yielded under our pressure, the manufacturer has clearly saved on the material, making the walls thinner than the standard.

• Defects of enamel coating — another sign of low-quality sanitary ware. Splashing or excessively thin layer, through which the base shines through, roughness, foreign inclusions and other imperfections of this kind are unacceptable. If the enamel does not lie in an even layer, over time it will crack from uneven loading, making the bathtub unusable. «Correct» coating is smooth and pleasant to the touch, has a uniform coloring.

• It is better to buy sanitary ware from leading manufacturers — this is the most reliable guarantee. Well-proven German firms Kaldewei and Bette, the same Roca and BLB from Portugal. Among domestic companies is trusted production of Verkh-Isetsk Metallurgical Plant, which meets modern standards and at the same time cheaper than foreign counterparts.

Stainless steel bathtubs

We are accustomed to metal baths with enamel coating, but there are, although less often, stainless steel models. So which bathtub is better?

Stainless steel bowls are superior to enameled ones in all parameters, except… price. Such baths can not be called budget — they will cost much more expensive than sanitary ware made of cast iron or acrylic.

But we get a highly ecological, durable and resistant to damage of any kind product with an original, unique design.

Stainless steel sanitary ware is an ideal choice for a bathroom in the style of minimalism, hi-tech or loft.

Acrylic bathtubs: new technologies vs. long-standing traditions

Bowls made of synthetic material — polymethylmethacrylate (simply referred to as Plexiglas) are more and more actively ousting sanitary appliances made of metal. The technology of manufacturing acrylic bathtubs is constantly improving, so the growing interest in them is quite justified.

The price and quality of polymer font depends on the method of manufacture. There are two of them:

• casting with subsequent reinforcement
• the use of multilayer construction of the type «sandwich»

1. Products made of molded acrylic (PMMA) are obtained by pressing at high temperatures. To increase strength, the bathtubs are reinforced with fiberglass or polyurethane and then sanded.

Molded acrylic has a smooth surface without micropores, where pathogenic flora or dirt particles could accumulate. It is easy to clean, does not crack, withstands heavy loads. In case of minor damage, the surface of the bathtub can be restored independently by simple grinding or by treating with special pastes.

Fonts made of molded acrylic are characterized by a high price, but their service life is at least 15 years.

2. There is an economy option — the so-called «sandwich». For the basis is taken cheap ABC-plastic and covered with a thin layer of acrylic.

Asking which bathtub is better in this case makes no sense. Any damage to the acrylic coating in the bowl-«sandwich» leads to direct contact of water with plastic, which is not characterized by moisture resistance. As a result, the bathtub is destroyed and it has to be replaced with a new one. In addition, fragile sanitary ware can crack from the impact or point load and sags during bathing.

It is not surprising that budget versions of acrylic font are designed for 3 — 4 years of service. Buy them should only in one case: if you want to regularly update the design of sanitary ware, keeping up with fashion and without sacrificing your wallet.

 Advantages of acrylic bathtubs 

• Ability to keep warm for a long time, pleasant for the body, not cold surface.
• No noise when drawing water.
• The coating does not lose color and does not darken.
• Lack of toxic components (only in quality products).
• Low weight — no more than 30 kg.

• Creative design, the ability to create plastic products of complex shapes. Bowls are designed mainly for bathrooms of modern style. Although it is possible to pick up a classic model.

Comparing different types of baths, buyers often hesitate: which is better — acrylic or steel. Both weigh a little, especially compared to cast iron bowls, attract stylish, modern appearance and are equipped with all the necessary safety features.

True, the cost of quality acrylic font is an order of magnitude higher. But they do not rust, do not need enamel coating, which cracks over time and have antibacterial properties.

 Disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs 

• A bathtub made of acrylic requires a supporting frame, which helps to distribute the load and keep the shape. It is desirable to purchase it not separately, but together with the bowl, choosing manufacturers that offer both positions.

• Special care products will be needed, as acrylic can easily be scratched with ordinary powder or an overly stiff brush. Due to its instability before mechanical impact, it is not recommended to bathe pets in acrylic bathtubs, which can leave claw marks.

• Danger of deformation from hot water.

Choosing an acrylic bathtub. What to pay attention to

Bowls from PMMA are not cheap, so it is so important to buy a really high-quality option that justifies the money invested in it. What to pay attention to when buying?

1. From the font should not emanate an unpleasant «chemical» odor. If it is — in front of us is either a plastic analog, or a low-quality product.
2. Sufficient layer of reinforcement. To check the presence of fiberglass, treated with epoxy resin, you can inspect the edge of the bathtub.
3. If you point a pocket flashlight at the bowl, the light should not be visible through the wall thickness.
4. An important signal is that the shape of the bowl is too complex. Sturdy, injection-molded plastic doesn’t need flashy curves, which likely serve as additional stiffeners for a thin-walled and fragile model.

Let’s summarize, which bathtub is still better?

What bathtub we would not choose, the main thing is that it was made of quality material, in compliance with the technology of production. Then any model: cast iron, steel or acrylic will serve for a long time, not requiring increased attention.

And what is better — a matter of personal preference. If you need reliability and simplicity, choose cast iron bowls, if you want something original and impressive, let’s opt for acrylic, and if you need to save money, for steel font.