How to choose an acrylic bathtub so you don’t regret it later

Advice from specialized experts will help you choose an acrylic bathtub. In addition to the general characteristics, special criteria inherent in acrylic are taken into account.

Key indicators for any bowls:

Manufacturer company.
Appearance
Configuration, installation type, dimensions.
Ergonomics.
Life time.
Price.

Specific data:

Brand, material manufacturer.
Technical details.
Frame design.
Equipment, additional options.

Expert advice

First, it is better to study the recommendations of specialists who will help you make the right choice:

Before purchasing a product with an acrylic bowl, you should determine the size of the structure so that it fits freely into the bathroom.
In the store, you need to carefully examine the model you like and ask about the thickness of the material. A cut on the end of the side with two layers of acrylic and reinforcement indicates a design made of PMMA, the presence of three layers indicates that the product is made of ABS.
It is necessary to take into account that the cut along the side shows the maximum thickness of the acrylic; accordingly, the walls are much thinner. Special attention is paid to the side cuts of the curved edges.
It is necessary to check the bottom and walls of the bath for roughness and unevenness. The acrylic bathtub has an ideally smooth inner surface with a shine.
There should be no odors coming from the surface, including from the outside. A pungent odor is an indicator of poor quality materials and non-compliance with production technologies. There may even be the presence of slightly toxic substances.
Acrylic bathtubs are mounted on an auxiliary support frame. It is necessary that this metal frame be of high quality, and with a reserve it can withstand the weight of a person and the water necessary for taking a bath. The dismountable or welded structure includes supports at the corners of the tank, intermediate ribs and height-adjustable legs.
When buying an acrylic bathtub, you should focus on the affordable price category. Plumbing with an excellent reputation has a price that fully corresponds to the quality.
Ensure safe use - models are made of cast acrylic, which does not require an anti-slip coating or special mats.
Even high-quality acrylic bathtubs have disadvantages. For example, products are sensitive to powders and alcohol-containing products. Therefore, in order to preserve the appearance of the plumbing fixtures for a long time and avoid scratches on the surface of the bathtub, cleaning products should be used without abrasives and aggressive chemicals.

Watch more video tips from popular experts.

What material is of the highest quality?

Acrylic bathtubs are composite models with a highly layered or monolithic structure. The structures are made of polymer - extruded or cast acrylic.

There are two ways to make acrylic bathtubs. A budget option are models made of elastic plastic and homogeneous plexiglass, used to create an acrylic layer that wears out and wears out in about 4 years. More expensive and durable are bathtubs made of pure polymethyl methacrylate, which have a service life of 10 to 12 years.

What should the thickness be?

The durability, wear resistance and service life of the model are affected by the thickness of the outer acrylic layer. Depending on the brand, it ranges from 2 to 6.5 mm.

The wall thickness of expensive and high-quality bathtubs is approximately 6 to 8 millimeters. Low-grade and budget products have acrylic walls with a thickness of 2 to 5 millimeters.

Often, in order to strengthen the thickness of the walls and base, the back of the bathtub is covered with a reinforcing layer such as extruded acrylic or reinforcing material.

Fiberglass is used in the manufacture of the lower reinforcing layer. If it is sufficiently thick, the product becomes rigid, strong, is not subject to deformation under the weight of a person and is not afraid of falling heavy objects.

Determining the thickness of the reinforcement is possible only visually from the end part of the acrylic bathtub. If you have doubts about the reliability of the design, you can lightly press the central part of the bowl with your hand. A good material should be elastic and not bend

Rating of leading manufacturers

Not all acrylic bathtubs receive high ratings from consumers. And most often these are low-quality products from Chinese manufacturers. Unscrupulous manufacturers disguise poor quality products as all sorts of bells and whistles.

When choosing a Chinese-made bathtub, do not give in to the temptation to compensate for the quality with additional options: you can do without musical accompaniment, but not everyone has the opportunity to replace the bowl after a year of service

It is believed that the best acrylic bathtubs are produced in Europe. This is confirmed by numerous reviews from users who successfully use the plumbing fixtures.

Among the manufacturers that have proven themselves in the plumbing equipment market, the four leaders are:

Vagnerplast , a Czech manufacturer, acts as a benchmark for others in the field of selling high-quality sanitary ware, using only European cast acrylic in its production. The product is guaranteed for a period of 10 years.
Pool Spa - a Polish company produces products that comply with the Dutch KIVA standard, the German DIN standard and has an ISO 9002 safety certificate. The product range includes both simple models from the Primo or Agualino series, and sophisticated options from the "Primo" or "Agualino" series. Relax" or "Laguna".
Jacob Delafon is a French manufacturer that produces certified products with a 7-year warranty. The key to its success is its comprehensive approach, which is confirmed by leading sales in foreign markets.
Riho - a Dutch company uses sophisticated technological equipment in production, which allows differentiated heating of the acrylic sheet to obtain the same thickness of the bowl walls. The company specializes in the production of compact and comfortable bowls of asymmetrical shapes.

The average price of plumbing fixtures from these manufacturers ranges from 8-15 thousand rubles. If the bathtub kit includes additional equipment, the cost, accordingly, increases to 20 thousand and above.

Among domestic manufacturers, the leading place is occupied by acrylic bathtubs of the “Triton” brand, which in terms of variety of functions and quality of material are not inferior to foreign analogues

In recent years, there has been growth dynamics in the production and sale of high-quality Russian-made products. The price of domestic products is one level lower, and the quality is practically not inferior to European ones.

A clear example of this is the Russian companies Radomir, Aquatek and Bas. All of them produce a wide range of sanitary ware, both affordable and more elite price categories.

By adhering to the conditions listed above, be sure that the acrylic bathtub you like and research will be the best. You won't have to go back to selecting a new model for the next twenty years.

How to choose the optimal shape and size?

Thanks to the plasticity of acrylic material, in addition to the selected classic models, a large assortment of bathtubs of the most non-standard configurations and sizes began to appear. However, unlike standard designs, to make plumbing products with interesting shapes, thin rather than thick acrylic is mainly used. Therefore, we choose such acrylic bathtubs correctly and carefully.

Its comfort and performance completely depend on the size of the plumbing fixtures. Taking into account the requirements for maximum convenient use, there are optimal parameters.

An acrylic bathtub should have a height of 65 to 70 centimeters from the floor level. These values are suitable for both adults and children.

The average width of the structure can be from 75 to 80 centimeters. In this case, the individual complexion of the person is taken into account. For example, for people with a large build, it is possible to purchase a bathtub with a width of 100 centimeters.

The depth is measured from the bottom drain hole to the overflow level. This way it is determined how much water can be poured. Basically, the depth limit is from 50 to 60 centimeters. Too much depth is uncomfortable for those lying in the bathtub. Due to the shallow depth, the water will not cover the human body.

The average length is from 150 to 180 centimeters. The parameters of the font are selected to suit the height of the tallest member of the family. If the model is not equipped with a headrest, then its length can exactly match the height of the person bathing. If there is a headrest, for a person 1.8 meters tall it is appropriate to choose an acrylic bathtub from 165 to 170 centimeters.

Against the background of a steel and cast iron bathtub, acrylic bowls stand out due to their unique shapes. Using the unique properties of the polymer material, which responds to high temperature changes and remains flexible when cooled, manufacturers are able to achieve a wide variety of configurations.

For a small bathroom, typical of a city apartment, a compact rectangular model is perfect. Such a plumbing product is pressed against the far and side wall planes and covered with a protective decorative screen. Most often, such devices do not have additional options. Classic bathtubs sometimes include elements in the form of side handles or armrests.

A design with a corner modification will ideally fit into a medium-sized bathroom. These models are distinguished by one curved wall, a corner seat and a bowl rotated 45 or 90 degrees. The equipment is more advanced. In addition to the handrails, headrest and armrests, the set includes a hydromassage, a shower head, a faucet spout embedded in the side and glass inserts. An asymmetrical acrylic bathtub with a left- or right-hand design will allow you to create an individual and stylish bathroom design.

The spacious room allows for the installation of any model. An interesting solution is acrylic bathtubs of round or oval shape, located in the center.

Differences from steel and cast iron products

When buying a bathtub, you need to consider all the options.

I introduced you to the features of acrylic bathtubs in the previous section. To understand how a cast iron bathtub differs from a polymer bathtub, I will list the most important advantages of the first option:

A bathtub made of cast iron has the highest strength. Unless you specifically set such a goal, it is almost impossible to break the cup. However, this does not apply to the external decorative enamel coating. Firstly, it wears out during use, and secondly, it can be easily damaged as a result of an impact.
The enamel with which cast iron is coated has virtually no pores in which dirt can accumulate. Therefore, caring for cast iron plumbing products is very simple.
A cast iron bathtub retains heat well. Hot water inside the bowl will cool more slowly than in an iron or acrylic structure.
Once purchased, a cast iron bathtub, subject to the conditions of its operation, will faithfully serve not only you, but also your children. And even grandchildren. You will only have to change it to something else if you decide to somehow “refresh” the design of the plumbing room.

Cast iron bath (pictured). – an excellent choice, if not for several disadvantages.

As you can see, a cast iron bathtub has excellent performance characteristics. And I would gladly give the palm to her, if not for a few nuances:

the product weighs more than 120 kg, so transportation and installation may cause problems (especially if you live in a high-rise building without a freight elevator);
a considerable part of the thermal energy of the water is spent on heating the cast iron, so for a comfortable bath you will have to adjust the temperature of the liquid accordingly;
The shape and appearance of cast iron bathtubs are not original due to the difficulties in processing this material.

A steel bathtub is another alternative to acrylic.

However, in addition to cast iron, there is also steel. After all, it was steel bathtubs that were used for installation in most plumbing rooms in houses built in the second half of the last century. Therefore, it’s time to figure out what is better – a steel or acrylic bathtub. In my opinion, here the latter option is more attractive. I'll explain why:

Inexpensive steel bathtubs have thin metal walls that become deformed during use. Cracks, chips and other defects appear on the enamel, which cause inconvenience when performing hygiene procedures. And the cost of more expensive products with thick walls is close to the price of high-quality acrylic and cast iron models, which negates the low cost advantage.
Steel has high thermal conductivity, so hot water poured into a bathtub cools quickly. You won’t be able to fully enjoy a pleasant pastime in the foam by candlelight.
When filling the bowl, the stream of water makes a loud noise that is heard not only by you, but also by all your neighbors. This problem can be partially solved by insulating and soundproofing the product with polyurethane foam.
A metal bath requires mandatory grounding during use, which is not always possible due to the lack of an appropriate cable in the electrical wiring.
Due to its design, it is difficult to install a steel product securely in the bathroom. Typically, specialists resort to various kinds of tricks, described in detail in the articles on this site.

The only advantage in protecting steel bathtubs is the low cost. However, it does not pay for the problems that you can get by installing such a structure at home.

But the winner is obvious. At least for me.

I hope we have come to the same conclusion on the question of whether a cast iron, acrylic or iron bathtub is better. But in order to fully enjoy the benefits of your purchase, you need to purchase a quality product. That is why the next section is devoted to how to choose the right bath.

What strength is suitable?

Acrylic bowls have low strength because they are made of flexible and pliable plastic. To strengthen, a reinforcing layer with epoxy is applied to the outside. The more layers of reinforcement, the stronger the acrylic bathtub becomes.

Polyester resins strengthen the acrylic sheet. In order to make the structure even more durable, it is appropriate to use a reinforcing metal frame and bottom or reinforced chipboard. Due to its light weight, this plumbing fixture allows for simplified transportation, installation and dismantling during repairs. The weight of the bath is thirty kilograms, and the cast iron product weighs 80-150 kg.

What are the advantages of acrylic bathtubs?

Note:

light weight, facilitating transportation and installation;
maintaining the selected water temperature due to the low degree of thermal conductivity;
ease of maintenance (the absence of depressions and protrusions allows you to clean the device by wiping it with a damp cloth);
variety of shapes, designs, colors;
restoration without significant costs.

The disadvantages include the fragility of the material, the service life is no more than 10-12 years.

What additional options should I take?

Due to the auxiliary parameters, acrylic bathtubs make taking water procedures pleasant and comfortable. To increase comfort while swimming, almost all plumbing fixtures are equipped with headrests, stands or armrests.

The most popular and healthy addition is the Jacuzzi model. In addition to the usual properties characteristic of an acrylic bathtub, the jacuzzi is equipped with hydromassage, which is a relaxing and healing procedure for the human body. A similar hydromassage effect occurs when air is mixed with water jets supplied through the nozzles. By turning the nozzles the direction of the jets changes. These sprayers can be located on the sides or built into the bottom of the bowl.

Another option that children will especially enjoy is air massage. Water jets mix with directed air currents, resulting in the formation of bubbles on the surface.

There is also chromotherapy. Using this function, directional lighting colors the water jets in certain shades, which, in combination with hydromassage, helps to enhance the beneficial effect on the human body.

Modern acrylic models are equipped with elements such as game consoles or radios. The system is controlled by a hydraulic switch or control panel. Plumbing fixtures with a special shelf for a laptop or a product with an integrated panel with a plasma TV are common. The jacuzzi has Wi-Fi or a direct connection to the central smart home system. These acrylic bathtubs meet any preferences and requirements.

What about brands?

According to experts, it is recommended not to save money when purchasing an acrylic bathtub and to give preference to proven brands that can last for many years.

The market presents a large number of models of different quality levels and price categories. Manufacturers offer plumbing fixtures made of acrylic in any color of the rainbow. A win-win and universal solution is a glossy snow-white bathtub. When choosing a non-standard colored bowl, a harmonious combination with other plumbing fixtures and the interior is important.

German and Italian designs are considered expensive and high quality. These foreign manufacturers prioritize quality. There are plumbing products from the company GNT (Germany), Sunranz (Germany), Artcheram (Italy) or Novellini Elysium (Italy). Acrylic bathtubs are very durable with an average price from 55,000 to 200,000 thousand rubles.

Simplified and cheap acrylic products are produced by Turkish or Chinese companies. Of course, there is also functional plumbing from the company EAGO (Eago) from Hong Kong, but if we are talking about ordinary market models, then it is possible to purchase an acrylic bathtub at a price of 6,000 to 30,000 thousand rubles.

Reviews

It took me a long time to choose a bath. In the end, I bought acrylic and did not regret it. The main thing in choosing is a wall thickness of at least 6–7 mm. <…> Does it hold heat enough? to pamper for about 30 minutes. No deformations were detected when completely filled with water and the weight of the human body. One small drawback is that after bathing and draining the water, soapy water stains remain on the walls, but they can be removed even with a simple rag. The scratch can also be removed - almost with a rag. Satisfied. Don't buy Chinese steel for this money! and cast iron will be 2 times more expensive!

1111https://www.woman.ru/home/Interior/thread/3854246/

Nowadays there are bathtubs made from acrylic sheet 2-4 mm, less often - 6 mm. You don’t need to trust the seller’s word, you need to check these numbers yourself. All the sides are layered, everything can be seen perfectly.

Vladimir Evteev https://idealnijdom.ru/kak-vybrat-kachestvennuyu-akrilovuyu-vannu/

A hot tub is a breeding ground for infections. Therefore, a disinfection system is the main requirement. The noise of such a bath will only relax the deaf. The complete impression is that you are flying on a tractor. The bathtub itself is extremely unreliable by design, which makes its installation extremely controversial. Any plans to have a bathtub built into the trim may cause problems with bathtub renovations in the future. Only an island installation will create a uniquely repairable bathtub. There is, however, the option of installing it above the ladder, which will eliminate the need for a curtain and a seal with the wall.

cineman https://forum.cok.ru/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=21277