Basic classification and characteristics of baths

In this article I will talk about what types of bathtubs are in greatest demand. I will write what they are made of, the pros and cons, and list the standard sizes of bathtubs. I will consider what types of bathtubs are equipped with hydromassage, and describe the shapes of the fonts.

The best way to relax after work is to take a hot bath with fragrant foam and turn on pleasant music. In markets and hardware stores, models from any material and various configurations are presented, so that the size and price are suitable even for small bathrooms.

Advantages and disadvantages of baths

Among the advantages of the units are noted:

• the opportunity to dive into the water and relax;
• the presence of built-in water massage in modern models.

Disadvantages include:

• bulkiness;
• consumption of large amounts of water.

The properties of the materials from which bathtubs are made are different, and these differences affect performance

How to choose?

Quite popular today, acrylic bathtubs first appeared on the plumbing market 50 years ago. Unfortunately, a large number of proposed designs can mislead the buyer: questions immediately arise as to which design is better to choose, how much it should cost, and what nuances there may be when choosing.

It is worth paying attention to the material from which the bath is made. Acrylic is a complex chemical mixture of certain polymer compounds of esters and methacrylates

In fact, this is a subtype of plastic that is particularly durable, quite elastic and has a smooth surface. It is recommended to visually inspect the edge of the side of the sanitary ware. If it was possible to count three layers, then the structure was made from an ABS layer, PMMA and a base. If there are only two layers on the edge of the rim, this means that the bathtub is made of PMMA with the addition of a reinforcing base.

If the design is purchased for a summer cottage (for seasonal use), then you should not choose a luxury design. For constant use, it is better to buy a little more expensive and choose a design made of PMMA and a reinforced base.

When choosing an acrylic bathtub, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

it is necessary to decide in advance not only the shape, but also the size of the bathtub;

be sure to check how many layers there are in the structure of the bowl

Whether it is cast or not, it is made of plastic or acrylic; pay attention to the thickness of the acrylic layer and measure it; pay attention to the number of layers and thickness of the reinforcing layer of the structure; inspect the surface, paying attention to the elasticity of the material;

• how the frame is made, how many supports the structure itself has;
• the presence of additional functions in the design, as well as how they work;
• choose one manufacturer.

When finalizing your choice, you should remember the original purposes of the purchase. Despite the choice of shape, type and color of the bathroom, it is worth remembering that with the right choice, careful treatment and care, it will last a long time.

Classification

Bathtubs are classified according to materials of manufacture, size and configuration. The sum of these characteristics determines the price of the washing device.

Material:

There are:

• cast iron;
• acrylic;
• metal;
• from cast marble.

Cast iron

In apartments built in Soviet times, cast iron monsters are still preserved, the service life of which is half a century.

Advantages:

• exceptional reliability;
• keeps warm (cast iron model takes a long time to cool down).

The disadvantages include:

• high cost;
• heavy weight;
• limited choice of shapes and sizes;
• scratches form on the enamel covering the surface over time;
• the sound of falling water is heard.

Cast iron has a high mass, which is explained by the properties of the material, low thermal conductivity, and high strength

Acrylic

Acrylic bathtubs appeared on the construction market relatively recently, but due to their qualities they are popular with buyers.

Their advantages:

• light weight, which facilitates transportation and installation;
• the ability to create structures of various sizes and shapes;
• long-term heat retention;
• possibility of installing underwater massage;
• long service life;
• ease of washing.
• When water falls from a height, it does not crash against the bottom of the bathtub.

The main advantage of acrylic is that various models of bathtubs of the most intricate shapes are made from it
. Disadvantages:

• less durable than cast iron, they can break when hit by a heavy object;
• can only be washed with a soft sponge and soap or special products for acrylic models;
• some models require an additional frame.

Small scratches on the surface can be easily repaired with special materials

Signs that should not be purchased:

• strong unpleasant odor;
• surface roughness;
• the product has many broken lines.

Steel

Compared to cast iron products, they benefit from several characteristics:

• less weight;
• ease of installation;
• lower price.

Sanitary containers made of steel are quite light in weight, which is 3-5 times less than that of cast iron
. Disadvantages:

• cools down quickly;
• The water hits the bottom very noisily.

Cast marble

Cast marble is a material made from marble chips glued together with polyester resins.

Advantages of the model:

• holds heat well;
• withstands heavy loads;
• can be painted in a variety of colors;
• looks beautiful.

Bathtub made of cast marble
Disadvantages:

• heavy weight;
• complexity of transportation and installation;
• high price.

There are also models made of wood. Wooden ones look exclusive and luxurious. A cast bathtub can be decorated with mosaics.

You rarely see wooden ones, but their appearance makes the design of the room unique.

They occupy a special place.

Unique wooden bathtub

Types of baths

All baths are classified according to the type of materials from which they are made. Before you wonder which bathtub is best to choose for your home, you need to consider all types of products. It is imperative to take into account and compare the characteristics of materials , their pros and cons.

Cast iron baths

These products are associated with durability and reliability, which is why they are still popular and in demand. The guaranteed service life of cast iron bathtubs is about 50 years. High-quality cast iron products are expensive ; today's manufacturers make cast iron bathtubs using silver ions in the coating. Enamel, which contains a noble metal, helps purify water, so bathing in such a bath is doubly useful.

This product has its pros and cons, which will be discussed further. Among the advantages:

1. Silence - when the bathtub is filled with water, its surface does not make noise when struck.
2. Low thermal conductivity - the water will remain warm for a long time.
3. Easy care - thanks to the material and enamel, this product is easy to clean , and with constant care it will look clean and hygienic for a long time.

Strength and durability, cast iron is a very durable material, and thanks to its glossy or enamel coating it looks very aesthetically pleasing and beautiful. Manufacturers coat modern bathtubs in several layers , so they look great, they have a shine that is not found in products made from other materials.

Cast iron products also have disadvantages:

1. Heavy weight - although modern manufacturers are already making thinner products weighing from 120 kg, lifting it to the upper floors will not be an easy task. This minus can also be considered a plus, since the large weight will help it be very stable.
2. The enamel of cast iron products is very vulnerable; it is afraid of impacts from various objects , from which the enamel can break off and it will be difficult or impossible to restore it.
3. Products made from a material such as cast iron cannot please customers with a variety of shapes; most often we see them in a traditional rectangular shape, with a difference in width or length.
4. The cost of cast iron products is high, they can include various functions, the price difference also depends on the size and manufacturer.

Acrylic bathtubs

Now they are at the peak of popularity, as they amaze buyers with a variety of shapes, sizes and even colors. If you have a large bathroom in your home, you can easily choose the right model or make an individual order based on your wishes and fantasies. The plastic from which acrylic bathtubs are made must be reinforced with metal mesh or fiberglass. Experts recommend that when choosing acrylic products, pay attention to its thickness; it is best if it is at least 6-8 mm.

Thanks to the pouring method, acrylic bathtubs can take on various shapes , and dyes are also added during the production process, which create the desired color. Inexpensive models of acrylic bathtubs, in addition to acrylic itself, also contain synthetic plastic. It is more flexible than acrylic and costs less; some manufacturers use it in production; products are called acrylic, although this is not entirely true in reality. This fact should be taken into account when you go to choose a product at a plumbing store.

The advantages of acrylic products include:

1. Easy to install, they are very easy to install and transport, since the bathtubs are lightweight compared to cast iron.
2. They can have any shape, height, width and length, so they are much easier to choose.
3. A large range of colors allows you to choose the color to your liking, taking into account the design of the bathroom.
4. Low thermal conductivity, water cools quite slowly, by 1° for 30 minutes.
5. Color fastness, after years the original color remains the same.
6. Minor damage can be easily repaired using sandpaper and light sanding.
7. The surface is smooth, but it does not slip.

Among the many worthy qualities, there are also disadvantages that you should definitely know about if you want to purchase an acrylic bathtub.

1. If dye accidentally gets into it or water is drained when washing faded clothes, the bath may become “stained” and it will be difficult to fix the problem. Low-quality tap water with a dirty tint can also have a bad effect; the product will gradually lose its whiteness if it had that original color.
2. The inner surface of an acrylic bathtub is easy to damage , as practice shows, this happens often, but this problem can be eliminated.

Good quality acrylic bathtubs from well-known manufacturers will cost more than cast iron products. Compared to cast iron, which can be used for decades, acrylic can last only 10-15 years, which is very short, although no one can say this for sure, since acrylic plumbing fixtures have appeared recently.

Steel baths

This type can be classified as economy class, since it is considered the most inexpensive. This argument is often the determining factor in the purchase for most citizens. Externally, they are not much different from cast iron, but they look very attractive. For the production of such bathtubs, 3 mm thick steel is used, so the finished product weighs about 30 kg, which is also not bad compared to heavy cast iron bathtubs.

Steel bathtubs can come in different sizes, but they are much stronger than acrylic products. Steel bathtubs have been on the market for a long time and those who have used them for many years have been satisfied. Steel structures, like cast iron ones, are covered with a layer of enamel, so they have an attractive and solid appearance , the main thing is that it does not bend under the weight of the body. To do this, you should definitely pay special attention to the thickness of the product.

The advantages of steel products include:

1. Easy care - they are easy and quick to clean, and among modern models there are those that can clean themselves. They have a special surface layer , so all the dirt that has accumulated on the walls of the bath is removed with water.
2. Light weight plays an important role when choosing a product.
3. Attractive design.
4. High-quality bathtubs are equipped with an anti-slip system, wide sides, armrests, a towel bar and other elements for convenience.

Among the disadvantages of steel bathtubs are such qualities as:

1. A small variety of shapes, most often these are ordinary rectangular products, angular ones are very rare.
2. When filling, the bathtub makes noisy sounds , which is very unpleasant. Experts advise placing a rubber mat on the bottom, which serves as sound insulation.
3. While taking a bath, the water temperature drops quickly, so you have to constantly add hot water to feel comfortable.
4. You should be careful with enamel, which is easily damaged; the surface requires special care products.

Dimensions and dimensions

Regular rectangular ones are available in standard sizes:

• length – 180, 170, 150, 130, 120 cm;
• width – 80, 75, 60 cm;
• height – 62.65 cm.

If possible, you should select a model that matches the height of the tallest member of the family, otherwise he will have to accept it with his knees bent.

Currently, many new models are being released with sizes that differ from the standard ones.

The dimensions should be comfortable for all residents of the house, and also correspond to the space of the bathroom

Variety of shapes

The construction market offers any form.

This and:

• ordinary rectangular;
• oval;
• round;
• square;
• corner;
• broken lines of various configurations.

Corner mini-bath is the ideal solution for a small bathroom

Specifications

The advantage of acrylic models over other representatives of bathroom products is the ability to install hydromassage in them. They have many nozzles in the bottom and sides, through which water and air are supplied under pressure into the filled bathtub and massage the person in it.

There are 2 types:

• with hydromassage nozzles;
• with hydromassage and air massage nozzles.

Such options are installed in spacious rooms that allow the placement of additional devices (compressor, water and air mixer, etc.). As an option, suitable for a spacious attic.

A hydromassage is a device equipped with a special system that creates constant movement of water inside the bowl.

Features of bathtubs of different shapes

When planning to update your bathroom fixtures, pay attention to the size and shape of the bathtub. We are accustomed to the fact that a given plumbing product must be rectangular, but manufacturers are trying to break this stereotype by offering other interesting models. Therefore, in order not to get confused in the products and choose the right bath for your interior, you need to study the features of each of them.

Traditional rectangular bathtubs

This option is very popular among users, as it is the most practical and ergonomic in shape. In addition, here you will find a huge range of models made from various materials (acrylic, cast iron, steel, ceramics, etc.).

Rectangular bathtubs are also famous for their wide range of sizes. Today you can find both miniature versions (120x70/75/80), and standard models (180x80 cm), and large-sized products from 180 cm and more. This allows everyone to choose a bath according to their own requirements and capabilities.

Corner bath models

Corner-shaped bathtubs have become real helpers in optimizing space, because despite their bulkiness, they rationally use every centimeter of the room. This is especially useful for small bathrooms, where you need to arrange all the plumbing fixtures as thoughtfully as possible.

Most often, acrylic or steel are used to make corner bathtubs, but sometimes you can also find models made of artificial stone. The size range of corner baths varies from:

120 cm to 180 cm in symmetrical models;

120-190 cm in length and 60-170 cm in width in asymmetrical bathtubs.

Elegant oval bathtubs

Oval bathtubs are chosen mainly by aesthetes, as this model is sure to become the highlight of the interior. The sanitary ware is distinguished by its laconic and soft form, so with its help you can create an atmosphere of calm and relaxation in the room.

Oval bathtubs are made from all the basic materials as other models. They are usually equipped with additional functions that promote relaxation (hydro and air massage). The standard size of an oval bathtub is 140x210 cm, but you can choose individual dimensions to suit your room.

Original round baths

Round bathtubs are an exclusive feature that can rarely be found in a typical bathroom. And all because such baths are usually designed for more than one person, and not everyone can boast of such spacious bathrooms.

But if you are a lucky person who can afford this sanitary product, then you will definitely appreciate the whole range of pleasant sensations that it will give you. After all, this is not just a place where you can take hygiene procedures, but a real spa at home (they are equipped with many jets for hydromassage and other relaxing functions).

As for the material, round bathtubs are made from high-quality acrylic, less often from steel, sometimes from artificial or natural stone. It all depends on the user’s budget and personal preferences.