Which bath is better - acrylic or steel? Comparative review

TOP 3 best acrylic bathtubs

So that you can roughly orient yourself in the ratio of price and quality of products, we have prepared a rating of the three most purchased acrylic products:

1. BAS Nicole. Compact corner model with hydromassage and corrugated bottom. Dimensions: 160 × 102 × 50 cm. Cost: 33,500 - 37,000 rubles.
2. Roca Hall. Robust rectangular model with additional reinforcement layer and headrest. Dimensions: 170 x 75 x 42 cm. Price: 16,000 - 21,000 rubles.
3. Cersanit SANTANA. Rectangular model with extended equipment (frame, screen, siphon, overflow). Dimensions 170 × 70 × 44 cm. Cost: 8,300 - 10,200 rubles.

When compiling the rating, the sales rating was taken into account, as well as product reviews on the plumbing forums.

Which option is still better? The expert speaks

Which bath is better to choose: acrylic, steel or cast iron? It is worth considering the features of the materials and counting on the purchase of a model in the middle price segment. What to focus on, says the expert:

In recent years, the real choice of bath material has been reduced to cast iron and acrylic. Steel models are bought less and less, and there are objective reasons for this: the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Steel should be chosen only if the budget is so limited that acrylic or cast iron seem like an unaffordable luxury.

Decide what is more important to you - the strength of cast iron or the beauty of acrylic. Think about what additional features your family members may need for comfort, and consider the interests of everyone. When choosing, ask sellers questions and do not be lazy to read the technical documentation. Do not fall into the illusion that there are ideal materials, and choose one whose shortcomings you are ready to put up with.

How to choose an acrylic bath

During the overhaul, an invariable part of it is the complete replacement of plumbing equipment with more modern and practical models, from faucets and fixtures to the toilet and bathroom. In the vast majority, when replacing an old font, preference is given to acrylic analogues, since these are practical and beautiful products. But when they come to a specialized store, many people immediately face the most difficult question of how to choose an acrylic bathtub and not miscalculate. In this article, we will give recommendations on choosing a quality product and attach a video material that will answer all your questions, which will make your choice of acrylic bath conscious and independent of the desires of sales consultants.

Additional features of the acrylic bath

The main advantage of acrylic bathtubs is the ability to equip them with a host of additional features and turn an ordinary bathroom into a kind of spa. Typically, the following options may be present as additional features:

jacuzzi. Acrylic hydromassage bathtubs are used to being called jacuzzis by the name of the Italian Jacuzzi, who is the author of this idea. The principle of operation of such a bath is as follows. A special motor takes part of the water from the filled tub and returns it to the bowl through special nozzles that mix the water with air. Aerated jet of water, supplied under pressure, creates a massage effect, relaxes and tones muscles, allows a person to relax

When choosing an acrylic whirlpool tub, pay attention to the quality of the nozzles - ideally they should be metal, not plastic. Also pay attention to the nature of their placement. It is desirable that the pump does not make much noise during operation.

Naturally, the water pressure from the nozzles must be regulated;

It is desirable that the pump does not make much noise during operation. Naturally, the water pressure from the nozzles must be regulated;

chromotherapy is often combined with hydromassage, but can be used alone. It is carried out due to the blue LED lighting with prismatic reflectors built into the side walls of the bathroom. In theory, such an effect on the skin stimulates blood circulation and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of future chromotherapy treatments by looking at the bath. It all depends on the power of the backlight and its focus;

There are bathtubs that can be built into a smart home system via Wi-Fi, but for many, these features still seem like an unnecessary excess, and there is some truth in this.

If your goal is to buy an acrylic bathtub with a hydromassage, then preference should be given only to large proven manufacturers, since we are talking about a rather complex system.

Pros why consumers choose cast iron

1. The first and, perhaps, the main reason is durability. The mechanical strength of the material used, plus the enamel's chemical resistance to virtually any type of cleaning agent, make this an attractive choice. With care, a cast iron bath will last as long as you want.
2. The second reason is that the low thermal conductivity of cast iron and its high heat capacity keep the water poured into the cast iron bath hot for a long time. Thick walls accumulate the heat of hot water and then gradually give it back, allowing the bather to soak up longer.
3. The enamel used to cover cast iron is highly durable, smooth, its colors are rich and bright, the enameled surface is shiny and gives the whole structure an elegant look. The absence of pores on the surface of the enamel facilitates cleaning from contaminants.
4. Another distinctive feature of cast iron baths is their large mass. Even the most modern lightweight models weigh at least 100 kg. This is not always convenient, but such a large weight also has positive aspects - cast-iron bathtubs are exceptionally stable and usually do not require any additional strengthening measures during installation. In addition, thick walls dampen the sounds of running water without requiring additional soundproofing.

Cons why they refuse cast iron

1. The first minus is the reverse side of the plus and the consequence of the large weight of the cast-iron bath. Due to the massiveness of the structure, considerable difficulties arise during transportation and installation. In addition, for some buildings it is necessary to take into account the additional load acting on the floors. This is especially true for large bathtubs.
2. Another disadvantage of cast iron baths is also directly related to their advantages. Enamel, for all its strength and hardness, is a rather fragile material, and, in the event of an impact, chips can form on its surface. Such a chip cannot be eliminated with improvised means, it is necessary to call a specialist with special tools, materials and relevant skills for the restoration of enamel coatings.
3. In addition, even with external integrity, over time, the upper smooth layer of enamel is destroyed, the coating acquires a porous rough structure. Especially often, housewives who use products based on oxalic or phosphoric acid to maintain cleanliness face such a nuisance. In the future, damaged enamel, like a sponge, absorbs iron salts contained in tap water, turning yellow at the same time and practically not giving in to cleaning with mild means, so that in order to maintain the whiteness of a bath with damaged enamel, one again has to resort to acidic preparations.
4. And, finally, the third minus of cast-iron bathtubs is the conservatism of the form. Cast iron does not have enough malleability to allow designers to experiment with bizarre configurations. Therefore, the strict classical form of cast-iron bathtubs remains unchanged.However, this disadvantage for someone turns into a virtue, because strict classics never go out of fashion.

Acrylic bathtubs general information

Acrylic bathtubs (as their name implies) are made from a special polymer substance - acrylic.

There are two technologies for the production of acrylic bathtubs, and accordingly, all acrylic bathtubs are divided into:

• extruded
• cast

The plasticity of acrylic makes it possible to produce bathtubs of various shapes and sizes from it, which is why it is used to make designer models of bathtubs.

Acrylic bath

For strength, acrylic bathtubs are coated with epoxy resins on the outside and mounted on a special metal frame.

The disadvantages and advantages of acrylic bathtubs are widely described on the Internet, and we will try to analyze all these facts as impartially as possible.

Lightweight and modern acrylic bathtub

When figuring out which bathtub to choose cast iron metal or acrylic, it is worth studying the quality characteristics of the products.

According to its properties, acrylic is a type of plastic that can easily take any shape, be painted in any color and can be easily reinforced.

Therefore, an important difference between acrylic bathtubs is that they are made in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes, which makes it possible to install them in any room, even if the bathroom is very small.

If you choose an acrylic corner bath, then this frees up space along the wall where you can install a sink, washing machine or bathroom furniture.

Since acrylic is very flexible, in the manufacture of a bathtub, it must be reinforced with a metal mesh or fiberglass to give the structure the necessary strength.The final cost of an acrylic bath depends on the quality of the reinforcement. As a rule, products reinforced with a metal mesh are more expensive.

Acrylic sanitary ware can be made not only in standard white, but in all colors of the rainbow and their shades. Plumbing acquires color even at the production stage, when a dye is added to the molten mass, so over time the paint does not wash out and does not fade

However, when choosing an acrylic bathtub, you need to pay attention to color uniformity.

It is worth saying that due to the increased popularity of acrylic plumbing, many unscrupulous manufacturers under the guise of acrylic sell plastic products, the quality of which is much lower

Therefore, before buying a bath, pay attention to the following points when you choose it:

• the thickness of the walls must be at least 5 mm, in order to determine it, you need to feel the cut of the side, taking it with your fingers on both sides.
• along the entire length, the width of the walls should not differ, there should be no roughness and burr on the sides;
• mandatory presence of a reinforcing layer, check whether it is possible on the cut;
• when tapped, a quality product will make a dull sound;
• It is desirable to have a certificate of quality and a guarantee.

Also, you do not need to purchase a bathtub with dents and an uneven surface, which indicates a low quality of plumbing.

The better acrylic bath: pros and cons

Comparing whether an acrylic or steel bath is better, it is worth noting that the first option has many advantages over cast iron, among which are:

1. Lightweight - polymer is much lighter than cast iron, light weight (about 30 kg) facilitates delivery and simplifies installation.
2. High strength and reliability, despite the visual fragility.
3. Variety of shapes and colors. Manufacturing technology allows you to create a bath of a certain shape, width, length, height and color, so that it fits perfectly into the interior.
4. Multifunctionality. Some models are equipped with a jacuzzi, hydromassage, armrests and headrests.
5. The presence of a metal frame and connecting legs for stability.
6. The color of the bath is preserved for a long time without fading and the appearance of yellowness.
7. Some models have antiseptic properties.
8. Low thermal conductivity and a high level of heat capacity, that is, the surface of the bowl heats up very quickly, and the walls themselves and the water cool down very slowly.
9. High degree of sound absorption, that is, when filling with water, there is practically no noise.
10. Glossy, but at the same time non-slip inner surface, allowing you to carry out water procedures without special anti-slip pads.
11. At the same time, it is very easy and simple to take care of an acrylic bath. It is enough to regularly wipe it with liquid soap or gel-based cleaners.

This design will be a good solution for people with diseases of the back and joints, as bowls of a certain shape can be made to order.

However, acrylic designs are not without drawbacks compared to cast iron products:

1. Compared to a cast iron bath, the strength of acrylic models is much lower, and it depends on the degree of reinforcement.
2. The service life is only 10-15 years and depends on the quality of the product.
3. Easily damaged by sharp objects. However, it should be noted that such damage is quickly repaired during restoration.
4. It is not recommended to bathe pets, as their sharp claws can damage the coating, however, minor scratches can be easily removed with a polish.
5. Afraid of open fire. Acrylic can melt even from an unextinguished cigarette.
6. Afraid of abrasive particles and chemical cleaners.
7. The high cost of acrylic plumbing, the price minimum starts from 9-10 thousand rubles.

Peculiarities

Bathroom hot tubs are usually made from just 3 materials: cast iron, steel and acrylic. Each of them has its fans and has individual features of operation.

Cast iron

Cast iron was the first material to be widely used in the manufacture of bathtubs. In fact, this material is a durable alloy of iron and carbon. The first cast iron bathtubs were made back in 1925 by the Spanish Roca brothers, who decided to expand their range of cast iron products and came up with the idea of ​​creating durable cast iron bathtubs. The Roca brand remains one of the world's leading manufacturers of high-quality and durable cast iron bathtubs to this day.

The strength of cast iron products can vary greatly depending on the amount of elements such as silicon, manganese and sulfur in the composition of the alloy. A high-quality cast-iron bath should have walls with a thickness of at least 0.5 cm, as well as a thick enamel coating, which is applied in two stages at the factory.

Steel

Steel is considered a more affordable material than cast iron - the price of quality steel products can be several times less than the simplest cast iron models.One of the key features of steel and metal bathtubs is a huge variety of shapes and sizes - there are a lot of round, angular, asymmetric and polygonal models among steel bathtubs.

A good steel bath should consist of steel sheets with a thickness of 2.3 mm (for thin-walled models) to 3.5 mm (standard thickness models). Any steel bathtub is additionally covered with a layer of enamel, which is usually thinner than that of cast iron fonts.

Acrylic

Plumbing and bathtubs made from acrylic and quaryl (a more durable version of acrylic) are still considered a novelty. Acrylic is a synthetic polymer that is made from acrylic acid, resulting in a material that is highly resistant to wear, UV rays and oxygen attack. Acrylic is valued by many consumers precisely for its glossy, smooth and quickly heated surface.

Acrylic bath is made in specific conditions using two technologies.

• In a special vacuum chamber, acrylic sheets are bent into the desired shape. The product obtained in this way will not be particularly durable - the walls of such a bathroom will bend at the slightest pressure and can be deformed even from cold water. To strengthen such a bath, the surface of the product is treated in several layers with epoxy and fiberglass.
• A layer of acrylic is applied to the fiberglass frame itself, made in a certain shape. This technology for the manufacture of acrylic bathtubs is considered more reliable.

Comparing acrylic and cast iron: important characteristics

And yet, when choosing a bathtub, do you prefer acrylic or cast iron? To finally dispel all possible doubts, let's compare both options in several important ways.

Durability and strength

In comparison of these indicators, cast iron wins, of course. It does not give in to corrosion and differs in high resistance to any mechanical influences. The maximum that threatens him in this sense is a chipped enamel. Such damage, if desired, can be restored by restoring the enamel layer.

Cast iron holds its shape very well, does not bend and serves the owner for decades.

Acrylic is inferior to him in many ways. The term of its operation depends entirely on the quality of the product and how it was made. Two-layer baths rarely last more than 5-7 years, for cast baths this period is certainly longer. But still, it is not as great as that of cast iron: only 10-15 years.

The strength of acrylic products is low. Even the best bathtubs can sag under the weight of a person, which creates a certain discomfort and a feeling of instability.

Appearance and design features

Acrylic products simply have no competitors in this area. The technology of their production allows you to fulfill any design ideas. Bathtubs can have various forms, up to the most whimsical.

The ease of processing plastic allows you to make a large number of holes for installing additional equipment, which makes it possible to equip acrylic bowls with any functionality.

Acrylic bathtubs have much more design options than cast iron ones. Unusual shape, spectacular lighting - all this makes acrylic equipment very attractive.

There are no restrictions in the choice of colors of products. Cast iron bathtubs cannot boast of such a variety. Heavy metal does not involve the use of designer refinements in processing.

The model range of cast iron products is very small, the number of forms is also small. Only the legs of the structure and, possibly, the handrails are decorated. There is also no variety of colors - all devices are mostly white.

Mounting Features

Everyone knows that the installation of a cast-iron bathtub is quite complicated, which is associated with its mass - any model weighs more than 100 kg. To this must be added the mass of the bathing person and the water drawn into the bowl.

The result will be more than 220-250 kg, which can be considered a serious load on the floors. Concrete, no doubt, will withstand it, but wooden structures, for example, will need to be further strengthened. However, this is where the difficulties with installing a cast-iron bath end.

It is quite difficult to deliver it to the installation site, especially if it is located on one of the upper floors. Due to its massiveness, it is very stable and all the installer needs is to level it in height. What are the legs with the ability to adjust.

It must be admitted that mounting acrylic products is also quite difficult. The main difficulty here lies in the obligatory presence of a metal frame, which is necessary to strengthen the bowl. For each model, the design is developed specifically. Bathtubs are completed with frameworks at production.

During installation, you must first properly assemble the frame and connect it to the bowl. It seems to many that such a design will not be enough to make an acrylic bath stable.

The power frame is an integral structural element for an acrylic bath. But it may not be enough. So that the equipment does not “play” during operation, it is installed on a brick pillow

In this case, a home-made frame is additionally used or a brick pillow is assembled as a base. All this, of course, makes it difficult to install an acrylic product.

But otherwise, it goes quite simply, given that the weight of the frame and the bath itself is small. If desired, any home master will cope with such work alone.

Cost and additional costs

The price is formed depending on the brand, design and quality. Each buyer determines the ratio of these characteristics acceptable for himself.

It is important to understand that it makes no sense to buy a thing that is too cheap and obviously of poor quality. The funds spent on its purchase and installation can be considered thrown away, because it will not last long

Additional costs include the cost of purchasing special cleaning products for bathroom care. These will definitely be required for acrylic, cast iron products are less capricious in this regard.

Pros and cons of acrylic bathtubs

When choosing, you need to understand what positive and negative aspects each of the options has. As for acrylic, the advantages include:

1. Ease. The usual weight of the product is from 15 to 45 kg, which greatly simplifies transportation and installation.
2. Good thermal insulation. Acrylic is considered a "warm" material that retains temperature well and is very pleasant to the touch. The heat loss of a bath filled with hot water is usually about 1° in 30 minutes, which is considered an excellent indicator.
3. No microbes. Acrylic has antibacterial properties, so even in a comfortable environment for them with high humidity, bacteria do not live on the product.
4. Quality sound absorption. The acrylic bathtub fills with water almost silently.
5. Safety.Despite the fact that the acrylic bathtub looks smooth, it has an anti-slip effect. It is very difficult to slip, fall and damage something in an acrylic bath.

Now let's talk about the disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs. The disadvantages can be considered:

1. The material reacts negatively to strong heat and contact with aggressive chemicals - various adhesives, varnishes, solvents. All this, even hairspray, can damage the coating of the bath. Open flames or hot objects are strictly prohibited.
2. It is necessary to choose cleaning products that do not damage the acrylic coating. Any abrasive detergent is excluded as it scratches the surface. For high-quality acrylic, soft compositions, preferably specialized ones, are quite enough.
3. The coating may be destroyed as a result of mechanical stress. Acrylic is durable, but will not withstand strong impacts.

Acrylic bathtubs are also different in that they allow the use of additional accessories for taking water procedures. Usually these are all kinds of nozzles of various modifications that make the usual water procedures more effective.