10 tips for choosing an acrylic bath: sizes, thickness, manufacturers

Acrylic bathtubs crept into our homes recently, replacing the usual cast-iron samples. They bribed not so much low weight as a variety of sizes and shapes, excellent ability to retain heat, ease of care and a host of other benefits. The choice of acrylic baths is amazing, and, as you know, the larger the range, the more difficult it is to make a purchase. Let's try to figure out together how to choose an acrylic bath, what is important to pay attention to in the store, and which manufacturers you can trust.

No. 1. Acrylic bathtubs: advantages and disadvantages

We will talk about production technology a little later. First, find out the main advantages of acrylic bathtubs:

• light weight and ease of transportation;
• a huge variety of shapes and sizes. Traditional rectangular and oval, round and corner, with backlight or hydromassage - acrylic bathtubs are presented in a wide range, so you can choose the right product in a bathroom of any sizes. Moreover, at the production stage, the acrylic mass can be painted in the necessary shade - we get a crazy assortment;
• acrylic excellent keeps warm, therefore, the water in such a bath will cool more slowly than in cast iron or steel, about 1⁰C in 30 minutes;
• good soundproofing properties. If you were annoyed by the noise of the accumulating water in a steel bath, now the nervous system can relax - acrylic damps noise well;
• smooth pleasant surfacewhich is easy to clean;
• excellent antibacterial properties. Mold will not appear on such a bath;
• sufficient strength, simplicity restoration.

Now about cons of acrylic bathtubs:

• the cost is slightly higher than cast iron and steel baths;
• the strength of acrylic is inferior to cast iron, therefore, when installing, legs alone cannot be dispensed with - a frame is needed that will additionally support the bath and take on the load of water and a bathing person;
• falling heavy objects can damage the surface of the bath;
• use of abrasive detergents is not recommended - scratches may remain on the bath;
• Acrylic is not very resistant to extreme heat. It's about a temperature of +160⁰C, but under normal operating conditions this drawback will not manifest itself.

Durability An acrylic bath depends on many factors. A high-quality, albeit not the most expensive, product can withstand active use for 10-12 years, and even more if properly maintained.

Which bathroom is better acrylic or cast iron, it’s hard to say, since a lot depends on the budget and the requirements put forward. If you do not need exquisite forms, and the budget for the purchase of plumbing is small, then you can stop at the cast-iron version, but today such baths are still massively replaced by more modern acrylics.

No. 2. Technology and material for the manufacture of acrylic baths

The technology for producing acrylic bathtubs is quite simple. The acrylic sheet is heated to a temperature when the material acquires good ductility and fluidity.Then it is placed under the press, which forms the shape of the bath. The reverse side of the bathtub is reinforced with a composite; polyester resins with fiberglass or polyurethane are often used. After that, all the necessary holes are drilled.

Two different types of products are called acrylic bathtubs today.which are made of different materials:

• acrylic bathtubs are the best option. Such products are created on the basis of polymethyl methacrylate. The compound is poured into sealed molds and polymerized in steam ovens. Such bathtubs come out very strong, wear-resistant and durable, serve at least 10-12 years. Additionally, the acrylic bowl receives a reinforcing base;
• coextruded acrylic bathtubs, or two-layer plastic, ABS / PMMA. ABS is acrylonetrile butadiene styrene, an elastic plastic that forms the base of the bath and makes up about 90% of its mass. PMMA is already familiar to us polymethyl methacrylate, it is acrylic, which is only 5-10%. Such baths also receive a reinforcing base. They are produced by the method of simultaneous extrusion and combination of melts of two substances. ABS plastic has a porous structure, therefore it is able to absorb moisture to a small extent. If you use such a bath often, then the base will quickly collapse. A thin acrylic layer is also quickly erased, so the durability of such bathtubs is low.

At first glance, it is obvious which bath is better to choose. Of course, the one made of cast acrylic, even if it costs more. This is true in cases where you select plumbing for an apartment or a house where you live permanently. For country house with seasonal living, you can safely take a bath from ABS / PMMA - the savings will be noticeable, and wear under intermittent loads will not be catastrophic.

Conscientious manufacturers and sellers will always honestly say what material this or that bathtub is made of. But what to do if doubts creep in and you want to be sure that you are not being deceived? Everything is simple - enough calculate how many layers the bathtub is made of, and for this look at the edge on the side. Cast acrylic bathtub will have only two layers: acrylic and reinforcing base. The cheaper version of coextruded acrylic has three layers: acrylic, plastic and base.

No. 3. What should be the thickness of the acrylic bath?

We won’t surprise anyone if we say that the thickness of the acrylic bath and its durability are in direct proportion. You can evaluate the thickness of a particular sample right in the store by looking at the end of the bathtub rim. Thickness ranges from 2 to 6.5 mm:

• products with 2-3 mm thick are the cheapest, but they are durable in 3-4 years;
• bathtubs about 4 mm thick with constant loads can last about 7 years;
• bathtubs 5-6.5 mm thick - long-livers and will be able to stand 10-12 years.

Sometimes you can find samples about 8 mm thick. They are expensive, and difficult to give them a complex shape. However, it often turns out that this is not acrylic at all, but several layers of plastic.

Number 4. Pay attention to the reinforcing layer

If acrylic bathtubs were produced without a reinforcing layer, then they would not be able to withstand a large load. Many are used to evaluating different bath samples, so to speak, from above, looking at snow-white acrylic and analyzing sizes. Look "under the body" and look at the reinforcing layer also does not interfere. There are few options for its execution:

• polyurethane layerwhich differs in dark color, possesses sufficient durability, environmental friendliness and has no smell. It is ideal for a bath;
• layer of a mixture of essential resins and fiberglass inferior in strength and has an unpleasant odor, which manifests itself when heated to high temperatures. Such reinforcement has a rough surface and island edges, so during installation, you must be especially careful not to get hurt.

The reinforcing layer should not be thin. This can be estimated again at the end of the side. However, some cunning sellers deliberately make the sides thicker, knowing that those who are knowledgeable and savvy in choosing an acrylic bathtub will definitely look at the ends. The rest of the bath receives a thinner layer of the reinforcing layer, so it does not interfere with additional experiments. You can slightly push the bottom of the bathtub and its walls with your hand: normally, the material should not bend.

For another test, you will need a flashlight or a laser pointer. It is necessary to lean the included flashlight to the bottom of the bowl and from the back side to see if the light penetrates. You can fold your palms and look into the hole formed between them to estimate as accurately as possible whether part of the rays passes through the material. A sufficient layer of acrylic and reinforcement will not be able to miss a single drop of light. Remember that the thickness of the reinforcing layer must be uniform throughout the bathroom.

No. 5. What should be the surface of the acrylic bath?

The inner surface should be smooth, glossy and free from flaws in the form of scratches, tubercles or roughnesses. All these defects are a sign of a fake or a very low quality product that is unlikely to serve you faithfully for ten years.

Experts advise checking the quality of the surface by pressing a palm against the walls of the bathtub. To a perfectly smooth surface (a mirror is the best example), the palm sticks a little, so with good acrylic there should be about the same effect.

No. 6. Acrylic Bath Size

In terms of size, giving advice is already more difficult. Everyone, deciding which acrylic bath to choose, should take into account the size of the bathroom and your own requirements to the comfort of water procedures. The main thing is that the product is convenient for all family members.

You can focus on such ergonomic tips:

• the side of the bath should be located on height 65-70 cm from the floor. In such a bath, adults, adolescents, and children can easily get into;
• bath depth (the distance from the bottom of the bowl to the overflow hole) should be 50-60 cm. If the bath is shallower, then the water may not cover the whole body, if it is deeper, it will be uncomfortable to keep your head in order not to choke;
• widthsufficient for one person of medium build - 75-80 cm, but on sale a lot of wider products;
• lengthusually ranges from 120 to 180 cm and may be even larger. The choice depends on family growth and available space in the bathroom. A bathtub with a length of 120 cm is very uncomfortable, in a bathtub of 150 cm the knees of tall people will be bent, and a product with a length of 165-170 cm with a headrest is perfect for people with a height of up to 180 cm.

On sale you can find just the same giant bathtubs, which can simultaneously fit 2, or even 3 people. Such a luxury costs a lot of money, and not every home can fit.

Number 7. Shape and color of acrylic bath

Unlike cast iron, acrylic allows you to create bathtubs of almost any shape. The most common baths are:

• rectangular - This is a classic that will be appropriate in almost any bathroom. Such products are quite convenient, but many can reproach them with rusticity;
• oval baths - also a fairly common option, it looks more interesting than rectangular bathtubs, in terms of convenience and compactness they go on a par;
• round baths They look very impressive, differ in decent dimensions, but there will be enough space for swimming. Such products will become a decoration of the bathroom, but will only be appropriate in large enough rooms;
• corner baths allow you to use every square centimeter of the room with benefit. In addition, they look very good, but due to the increased width in the corner area, some problems may arise during washing;
• asymmetric baths complex shapes will make the interior unique and emphasize your own taste.A special chic is a bathtub with a transparent glass insert. The main problem of asymmetric bathtubs is the difficulty in finishing after installation, so when buying, it is immediately better to take a special panel that will play the role of a screen.

The choice of the shape of an acrylic bathtub in its entirety depends on the size of the room and personal preferences everyone. To some extent, the selected interior style.

As for shade, then glossy snow-white is a universal win-win option. If you want to move away from this standard and choose a color bath, then think carefully about how harmoniously the bowl will combine with another plumbing fixtures and the interior. Bathtubs of bluish and turquoise tones look good, which give the water a marine hue, but with all the color options you need to be very careful. Here the rule "measure seven times - cut one."

Number 8. Metal frame for acrylic bathtub

A bathtub made from molded acrylic is able to maintain its shape when filled with water. A bathtub made of ABS plastic coated with acrylic under water load may slightly deform. In any case, the bath bowl requires reinforcement with a special welded or prefabricated metal frame. After installation, the frame is hidden behind decorative overlays or tiles. Usually manufacturers complete bathtubs with suitable screensso that everything looks harmonious, and bona fide companies make screens from the same acrylic as the bath itself. Some companies, trying to save money, make the screen of plastic, and then the surface of the bowl and the lining can vary quite significantly.

The cheapest option is a welded or prefabricated structure that covers only the bottom of the bathtub and assumes the vertical pressure of the water. A more reliable and expensive frame also has side elements that will support the walls of the bath.

No. 9. Additional features of acrylic bathtub

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

• jacuzzi. Acrylic whirlpool bathtubs are used to calling a jacuzzi 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 bath and returns it to the bowl through special nozzles that mix water with air. The aerated stream of water, supplied under pressure, creates a massage effect, relaxes and tones muscles, allows a person to relax. When choosing an acrylic bathtub with hydromassage, 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 advisable that the pump does not make much noise during operation. Naturally, the pressure of the water from the nozzles must be regulated;
• chromotherapy often combined with hydromassage, but can be used separately. It is carried out due to the blue backlight built into the side walls of the bathroom with prismatic reflectors. In theory, such an effect on the skin stimulates blood circulation and has an anti-inflammatory property. It is difficult to evaluate the effectiveness of future chromotherapy procedures while looking at the bathtub. It all depends on the power of the backlight and its focus;
• there are baths that can be integrated via Wi-Fi into the system of a smart home, but for many, these features still seem like an unnecessary excess, and there is some truth to this.

If you have a goal to buy an acrylic bathtub with a hydromassage, then preference should be given only to large, trusted manufacturers, since this is a rather complex system.

No. 10. Top acrylic bathtub manufacturers

To be sure of the quality and durability of the bath, it is better to take the product from a trusted manufacturer who has been on the market for many years and will not spoil the reputation of products of dubious quality. The plumbing market is vast, but I would especially like to highlight several of the largest and most reliable firms of acrylic bathtubs.

Foreign manufacturers:

• Ravak Are the best-selling acrylic bathtubs on the continent. The Czech manufacturer captivates with many years of experience, excellent equipment and quality materials. The wall thickness in products is rarely less than 5-6 mm. The range is so huge that you can safely say: absolutely everyone will find a solution for their wallet and personal requirements;
• Vagnerplast - Another Czech manufacturer who was one of the first to make acrylic bathtubs. It produces them only from injection acrylic; it gives a 10-year warranty on all products. The assortment has both very simple models and bathtubs with hydromassage;
• Cersanit - A major Polish manufacturer of sanitary ware, which captivates with a pleasant price-quality ratio. The range is quite decent, the product is given a 7-year warranty;
• Pool Spa - a Spanish manufacturer that produces beautiful bathtubs with hydromassage and backlight and amazes with quality accessories. There are quite simple models in extensive collections;
• Riho - Dutch manufacturer, which also has production facilities in the Czech Republic and Poland. It produces bathtubs with a very unusual design, while maintaining excellent performance;
• Italian companies Novellini Elysium, Artceram and BelBagno produce bathtubs with an impeccable design and the highest quality, but such samples are also not cheap;
• German companies GNT and Sunrans produce baths, which can be called the standard of quality. These are very strong and durable products with a guarantee;
• also note the Austrian company ALPEN and manufacturer from Hong Kong Eago. Polish company showed itself well Kolo and chinese TEIKO.

  Domestic manufacturers:

• AQUANET-Russia produces baths using modern European techniques and equipment. Products with a thickness of at least 5 mm meet the highest requirements and are cheaper than European counterparts;
• 1MARKA - a large domestic company, makes bathtubs exclusively from molded acrylic, gives a guarantee of 10 years, striking assortment;
• Bas uses European reinforcement technology; produces very practical and durable models;
• Aquatec It offers bathtubs of various shapes, with and without hydromassage. There are interesting round and asymmetric options. The prices are reasonable;
• Radomir produces luxury and light bathtubs (under the Vannesa trademark). The range of products is very decent. Even low-cost models have interesting design features;
• Bell rado produces about 40 models of bathtubs, among which are large enough, and small, with hydromassage, and asymmetric. Economy bathtubs come under the BellAqua brand name. The quality is not bad.

Finally, we note that the store should carefully evaluate the size of the bath, inspect it from all sides, inquire about the availability of relevant certificates, find out all the information about the manufacturer, find out the conditions of the guarantee, and only then make a purchase.