Which bath is better - acrylic or cast iron

The bathroom is the place where you want to relax after a hard day at work. Currently, there is a large selection of baths from different materials, various shapes, sizes, colors. This is an item that has been purchased for many years, so you need to take a serious approach to buying a bath, having studied all the pros and cons of each variety. The main "competitors" for a long time remain cast-iron and acrylic baths. Consider the pros and cons of each.

In the matter of choosing any product, including a bath, the brand plays an important role. A well-known company will not risk its name and reputation, producing low-quality products.

Reference! The first cast-iron bath models were made in Spain in 1925 by the Roca brothers, and since then ROCA has been considered the world leader in this market segment.

Cast iron is a hard metal and it is difficult to form, therefore baths from it mostly have a classical form. However, European brands, unlike Russian ones, offer different forms and styles.

Baths made of this metal are durable, and in terms of their durability they surpass all other types. The wall thickness of Russian-made products reaches 10 mm, while European brands make it up to 5 mm.

Because of this, their weight is less, but they are not inferior in strength to Russian models. This difference in thickness is due to the different composition of the enamel. When something heavy falls into such a bath, the maximum damage will be chipped enamel - this defect can be repaired.

Due to the large weight - 120-150 kg - the cast-iron model must be installed on the legs. The most reliable place the product on a concrete surface.

This type of bath heats up for a long time, but keeps warm well. When water hits the surface, no noise is heard, the material is not afraid of corrosion. To ensure that the bath lasts a long time, you should avoid using abrasive cleaners and wipe it after each use. With proper operation, the cast-iron bath will last more than 50 years without restoration and repair.

High-quality cast iron model should be different:

  • uniform coating;
  • lack of chips;
  • Absolutely smooth surface.

Acrylic for the manufacture of baths began to be used not so long ago, but has already received great popularity. Products from this material are of two types:

  • molded;
  • from two-layer plastic.

Casting varieties have significant advantages. In terms of cost, they are not much different from cast iron.

The great advantage of such baths is the ability to choose the shape, color, additional functions - lighting, hydromassage. Depending on the design, such a product can be installed in any part of the bathroom. The color range of acrylic models is very diverse, and thanks to a special coating technology, even after prolonged use, the surface does not fade.

The strength and durability of acrylic baths inferior cast iron. The service life of products from cast acrylic over 15 years, provided that the walls are thicker than 4-5 mm. Check the thickness can be in place of draining water.

Acrylic designs are lightweight, so install the product under the power of one person. Feature of the product is the frame. Special attention should be paid to the bottom - manufacturers increase its thickness. If necessary, acrylic structures additionally strengthen the bottom, because the bath is able to sag under a lot of weight.

Due to its features, acrylic perfectly retains heat, does not produce noise during operation, and bacteria do not multiply on it. The surface of such a bath is perfectly smooth and does not need strong chemicals during care. To maintain cleanliness, it is enough to wipe it after each use with a sponge or rinse with a stream of hot water. However, this material is sufficiently fragile and the fall of a heavy object can ruin the product.

High-quality acrylic model should be:

  • durable;
  • with a smooth surface;
  • sufficient thickness.

It is impossible to unequivocally say that some kind of bath is better or worse. Everyone who is going to make a purchase must decide for themselves what is paramount for him: durability, design, functions, weight, shape, color.

Each model has its pros and cons. In addition, they must all comply with the general quality requirements:

  1. Wall thickness. In cast iron models it is not as important as in acrylic, but when choosing the latter, it is worth paying attention to it. It is better to give preference to thick-walled.
  2. Coating thickness. This is important for both materials. Besides the fact that the coating should be perfectly smooth, it should also be quite thick - it contributes to scratch and chipping resistance.
  3. Equipment. In acrylic models, you need to pay attention to a reliable frame, and in cast-iron for leg strength.

These recommendations will help make the right choice.

Watch the video: The great bath debate: steel versus acrylic (March 2024).

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