Which bath is better?

The bathroom is one of the most necessary and important places in the house, since there a person can regularly maintain their own hygiene and just relax after a hard day. Today, manufacturers make bathtubs from a wide variety of materials (cast iron, steel, acrylic). Therefore, which one is better to choose a bathtub - acrylic, steel or cast iron, is a personal choice of each buyer. When choosing plumbing, one should take into account the disadvantages and advantages of the materials from which it is made. From this point of view, we will consider which bathtub is better.

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Acrylic Baths: Pros and Cons

Acrylic plumbing began to be released not so long ago, but in a short period of time it became very popular and popular. Acrylic is an elastic material from which plumbing fixtures of any shape can be built. Due to this, a unique bathroom design is created. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of such material.

Advantages:

• A light weight. On average, an acrylic bathtub weighs no more than 30 kilograms. Therefore, it can be conveyed and installed by one person.
• Good thermal conductivity. Due to it, the water in the bathroom can remain hot for a very long time.
• Variety of forms. The material is heated to the desired temperature and the shape of the future bath is blown out. Forms can be: triangular, square, round, etc. Usually, unique designer products are also made from acrylic.
• Reliability. With the help of metal mounts and the frame, the installation is very firmly fixed. It is also coated with special resins that protect against damage.
• Resistance to corrosion. Unlike steel plumbing, acrylic is not susceptible to corrosion. In a bathroom made of polymeric material, rust cannot appear.
• Noise. The process of collecting water occurs silently.
• Restoration. In case of visible damage to the installation, you can correct the deficiencies with liquid acrylic.

Disadvantages:

• Fragility. If you drop a heavy object into the bathtub or hit it hard, cracks and holes may appear.
• Deformation. At high temperature, the material can change shape, melting point - 160 degrees. Such hot water does not flow from the faucet in the bathroom. However, if you collect too hot water, then the plumbing equipment will immediately respond to this. Therefore, manufacturers recommend first turning on the cold water tap.
• Cleaning products. Abrasive detergents severely damage the structure of the material. Therefore, it is recommended for cleaning to buy special products that are safer to care for. Of the henchmen use soft gel formulations and pastes, without aggressive acids, alkalis.

Important! High-quality acrylic plumbing is very expensive and can last about 20 years. However, when buying it is very difficult to determine a reliable model. Therefore, it is recommended to choose with the help of a consultant or a good specialist in this field. Along with this, there are very affordable models on the market, so if you need a budget bath for a couple of years, you can easily afford this option.

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Steel Plumbing: Pros and Cons

Steel bathtubs are found in almost every home. Often they are given a standard classic shape - a rectangle. They are much heavier, unlike acrylic installations. And they also have very low sound insulation. Consider the pros and cons of such models.

Pros:

• Durability and long service life. Due to the resistance to adverse factors, the service life of such a plumbing device increases.
• Resistance to abrasive cleaners. Since steel is very durable, it can be cleaned with substances that contain alkaline and acid elements.
• Not subject to mechanical damage and cracks.
• Very easy to install.
• Does not accumulate statistical electricity.

Important! If we compare the models to determine which bath to choose - acrylic, steel or cast iron, then the steel product will cost less than any other option.

Minuses:

• It is subject to corrosion. Since steel belongs to the group of metals, rust is highly likely due to the high level of humidity.
• Poor thermal conductivity. In a steel structure, water cools very quickly.
• Low noise absorption. While the water is typing, there is a buzz on the entire bathroom. It brings discomfort.

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Cast Iron Plumbing: Pros and Cons

Cast iron plumbing is chosen by people who do not want to bother much with installation and maintenance. It is quite simple to operate and is not subject to mechanical damage.

Pros:

• Service life more than 50 years.
• Made of very durable material.
• Resistant to shock and cracking.
• Good sound insulation during water intake.
• Keeps water warm for two hours.
• Very simple and easy to care for.

Minuses:

• It has a large and almost unbearable weight.
• The choice of forms is not great. Usually available in standard rectangular shape.
• Slippery inner coating.

Important! Due to the fact that cast-iron plumbing is covered with many layers of enamel, there is a risk of damage to it. Therefore, it is not recommended to drop heavy things into the bath, as they can damage the enamel layer.

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How to choose a bath?

Many buyers are wondering how to choose an acrylic bath, because this particular option remains invariably more in demand today. In order to make it easier to make a choice, there are several rules, adhering to which, you can not lose out with the purchase:

1. Thickness. The thicker the bath, the stronger and more resistant to mechanical shocks. The thickness of the high-quality durable construction is at least 6 mm.
2. Price. The lower the cost, the more guarantees that the product is made of low-quality material.
3. When buying, pay attention to the presence of gloss in the inside of the structure. If it is, then you will buy a reliable acrylic model.
4. Elasticity. If, when pressed on the surface of the structure, it is deformed, then it is made of cheap plastic.
5. The surface of the structure should be free of roughness. Ideally, it should be even and smooth. If there is noticeable damage, this indicates a poor manufacturing technique and poor quality.
6. The color of the sanitary equipment should be uniform, without translucency. If the color is heterogeneous, this indicates that the product is made of thin acrylic sheet.
7. It is better to choose a standard form of construction, as this gives more guarantees that it is made of durable high-quality raw materials.

Important! When choosing plumbing, you must decide for yourself what is more important to you - price or quality. Buying a quality installation is closely related to its cost. The more expensive the bathroom, the more guarantees of reliability and quality.

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Stock footage

These simple rules will help you determine which bathtub is better in operation and will last longer.