How to choose the right acrylic bathtub, taking into account expert advice

Advantages and disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs

First of all, it is important to understand what pros and cons await you when purchasing and using an acrylic bathtub, and how it differs from the usual metal and cast iron options.

Advantages:

1. Durability . Modern production capabilities make it possible to produce acrylic bathtubs that are close to cast iron in quality.
2. Plasticity of the material. This provides an excellent opportunity to produce products in a wide variety of shapes.

   

   An acrylic bathtub will fit into both simple and intricate interiors

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3. Lightness . Thanks to this, installing a bathtub does not require the involvement of additional male power, and subsequently the load on the partitions in the apartment or house is reduced.
4. Minimum porosity . This fact greatly facilitates the maintenance of the bathtub and extends its service life.
5. Hygiene . Achieved thanks to the special coating structure. In most cases, acrylic bathtubs can simply be rinsed with warm water.
6. Low thermal conductivity . Acrylic retains heat well; for about 40 minutes, the temperature of the water drawn into the bath practically does not change.
7. Eco-safety . Thanks to a special antibacterial coating, the baths are safe for humans.
8. Good sound insulation . Water splashes do not create much unpleasant noise.
9. Resistant to damage . Acrylic bathtubs are less susceptible to chipping, scratching and cracking. If they appear, then the acrylic surface is much easier to restore than other materials.

Like any product, acrylic bathtubs have not only pros, but also cons:

1. It is necessary to use special detergents that carefully clean the surface. Otherwise, there is a possibility of chemical damage to the top layer and the appearance of stains, scratches and other external defects.
2. Acrylic, which is used to make bathtubs, has a melting point of up to 160 degrees Celsius. At high temperatures, the material begins to soften, and a bath that is not of very high quality may even become deformed. Therefore, first you need to pour cool water, and then turn it on hotter. And in any case, do not fill the bathtub with water exceeding 40 degrees.
3. The bathtub may sag slightly under heavy loads and weights. For high-quality products this is not a problem; possible deflections in some cases are leveled out by the frame. But nevertheless, you should be careful. For example, if a heavy object falls into an inexpensive bathtub, it can cause a serious crack.

How to choose a high-quality acrylic bathtub - practical recommendations

An acrylic bathtub, unlike a traditional cast-iron bathtub, requires a more careful selection and evaluation “from all sides.”
The point is in the characteristics of the material from which it is made. Acrylic (if you don’t go into technological nuances) is a type of plastic. Hence the attentiveness, and some “caution”, and thoroughness that should accompany the purchase of this product. What to consider, what criteria to choose (otherwise it will turn out to be “excruciatingly painful”) - we’ll talk about this in this article.

To make everything else more clear, we note that in general the manufacturing process of this product consists of molding sheet acrylic. It is given the required configuration (depending on the design of the product), and then additional protective (strengthening) coatings (in several layers) of polymer resins and fiberglass are applied. So, where to start choosing an acrylic bathtub:

Dimensions

Naturally, they are determined by the size of the room where the bath is supposed to be installed. But there are general (average) criteria on which ease of use depends, for all family members, regardless of height and age.

• Depth of container. It is advisable to focus on an indicator of about 50 cm.
• Bathroom height. About 70 cm is enough. Higher sides will make it difficult to use. This applies primarily to people who are elderly or overweight.
• Length. There is no need to explain that the height of the largest family member needs to be taken into account. If it’s convenient for him, then it’s even more convenient for everyone else.
• Width. This is precisely where there can be no advisers. Whichever bath seems more convenient is the one you should take. The main thing is that it fits in the installation location and does not create interference with its dimensions.

By the way, many experts, quite seriously, recommend that you don’t hesitate to climb into the bathtub you like right in the store and check your sensations. After all, convenience and comfort of receiving procedures plays an important role.

Form

It is clear that the thicker the workpiece, the more difficult it is to work with it. Some Manufacturers who produce bathtubs of the most original shapes simplify their task by using thinner sheets as the starting material. What this means is described below.

Frame

It is purchased separately, but without it the container, as a rule, cannot be installed. How is it mounted, what material is it made of (metal is better), is it possible to fix it to the floor and in what way? By the way, the more support points, the more stable and reliable the structure.

Accessories

In addition to the fact that the acrylic bathtub needs to be installed, it also needs to be connected. Drains, connectors and the like - where to buy them if you need to replace them? And are they sold separately in this locality? What to replace with, what analogues? This issue needs to be dealt with extremely carefully.

Sheet thickness

The strength of the product depends on this indicator. It should be taken into account that the weight of the water collected in the container is quite significant. Plus – the mass of the bather. The best option is when the thickness of the canvas is at least 5 mm (not to be confused with the total thickness of the walls of the product). Such baths are considered to be of the highest quality. The acrylic sheet is always placed on top, all other layers are reinforcing.

Number of layers

To understand how well the reinforcement is done, just look at the cut of the side. Everyone has encountered plywood at least once in their life. It's basically the same thing. The more layers, the better.

Smell

It is always present if any “chemistry” was used in the production process. The lower the quality of the substances used, the stronger the smell.

Hue

There should be no visible stains or streaks on the surface of a good bathtub. Therefore, a simple visual inspection already provides some food for thought.

Bottom of the container

Experts recommend choosing products with a completely smooth surface. It is in such bathrooms that it is impossible to hide the existing technological miscalculations and, as a result, defects. Some models have various “swells” or some kind of relief on the bottom, which is often explained by the Manufacturer’s “concern” about injury safety. Practice shows that this is often one of the tricks of marketers, which allows them to pass off low-quality products as higher quality. Therefore, you need to take the time to run your palm over the entire surface of the bathtub.

Some Manufacturers use metal (in the form of rods) to further strengthen the sides and bottom.

The story will not be complete if we do not dwell on the “price of the issue.” The cheapest (Chinese-made) baths cost approximately 5,500 rubles. High-quality domestic products - from 8,000 rubles. Imported products, by definition, are more expensive (+ transportation costs). Therefore, such baths at a price of 9,000 rubles must be purchased with caution. Isn't it too cheap?

Much depends on the form. For example, copies for corner placement will cost 3–4 thousand more than traditional, rectangular analogues.

Baths such as “Cersanit”, “Kolpa-san”, “Riho”, “Aquanet” have proven themselves well. Among the domestic ones are “Triton”, “Radomir”. There is no point in listing them all, since there are quite a lot of them.

Practical recommendations

• When going to the store for an acrylic bathtub, it would be a good idea to take a flashlight with you. He will “tell” better than the Seller about the quality of the product. To determine whether the thickness of the product is sufficient, you need to turn on the flashlight and lean it against the side. If the light spot is visible from the opposite side, then it is better to refuse such a purchase. In addition, this check needs to be done at different points - along the walls, along the bottom. The thickness may not be the same over the entire surface of the bathroom, which also confirms the low quality of the product.
• The strength of the product is checked by simply “tapping” the case. A dull sound indicates the reliability of the sample.
• A bathtub made of cast acrylic is considered to be of higher quality than one made of extruded acrylic.

In conclusion, I would like to say that you should not hope for a complete and objective consultation from the Seller, especially since the article provides the most comprehensive information. Not to mention that many of them are in some sense “disingenuous”; Not everyone has a bathtub made of acrylic in their home, therefore, it may not be “in the subject.”

They base all their advice and recommendations, as a rule, on the description of the product, which is made by the Manufacturer himself. So the objectivity and impartiality of even the most polite, sympathetic and “knowledgeable” sales manager raises certain doubts.

What nuances should you consider when choosing: expert advice

Quality

With a fairly large selection, it is not always possible to quickly navigate. Here are some recommendations, following which you can buy a truly high-quality product.

1. For a good bathtub, the side cut should always include only two layers - an acrylic sheet and reinforcement. Its service life is more than 10 years. If the product has only one layer, it means that the bathtub is made entirely of inexpensive plastic. Bathtubs made of three layers - plastic, acrylic and reinforcement - are also low quality products. They contain a small amount of acrylic, essentially acrylic-coated plastic that has a short lifespan.
   

   The side cut will show how many layers the bathtub design includes. If, after looking at the side cut in bright light, you notice some kind of third layer, this indicates that this is a cheap plastic bathtub that will soon lose color and become covered with cracks.

2. Choose bathtubs with the thickest walls possible. If you see a bathtub with thin walls, but at a high price, do not take it. This is the case when the price does not correspond to the quality. The thickness can be checked by ear: knock on the wall, the sound should be dull. Another sign: high-quality products do not transmit light. Please also take into account that the thickness of the acrylic layer on the side cut is maximum; on the sides of the product it is much less.
   

   Be sure to take a bright flashlight to the store. When choosing a bathtub, use it to determine whether there are any visible spots in the body that indicate the poor quality of the material.

3. Check with the seller what reinforcing material was used in production. If it's polyurethane - great, it doesn't conduct heat well and is non-toxic and odorless . However, today many manufacturers use fiberglass and ether resins - they have an unpleasant chemical smell. This “underside” of the bathtub is rough to the touch and can leave splinters. Fiberglass is also less durable than polyurethane and can release harmful substances into the air.
   

   Unfortunately, inexpensive bathtubs with various options such as hydromassage are reinforced, as a rule, with fiberglass, because it makes it easy to embed nozzles and other necessary elements into the walls of the bathtub.

4. A high quality and durable bathtub will not contain too many kinks.
   

   Check that there are no places in the structure where water can stagnate.

5. High-quality bathtubs should have a perfectly smooth and shiny surface.. In low-quality ones, it is porous and slightly rough.
   

   Shine a flashlight along the bottom and walls inside the bathtub: with its help you will notice the slightest irregularities that will indicate the poor quality of the product.

6. It is also important to evaluate the quality of the acrylic bathtub frame. The simplest frame is a welded or prefabricated rectangular metal frame under the bottom that can withstand water pressure and the weight of a person. The side walls are not reinforced, but this is not required for a high-quality product with a regular rectangular shape. A complex frame is usually included in a set of non-standard-shaped products; it has additional elements that strengthen the walls around the entire perimeter.
   

   But if a fairly inexpensive bathtub has a complicated frame, this may be a signal that the manufacturer is hiding its low quality in this way: without an extensive frame, such a bathtub simply cannot withstand the weight and becomes deformed.

The frames of acrylic bathtubs depend on the shape of the product, but any frame should not be too complex, this may indicate low rigidity of the bathtub itself

Comfort

What shape of bath is better to take?

Acrylic baths can be of the following forms:

• rectangular;
• round or oval;
• corner;
• asymmetrical.

A rectangular bathtub fits well into a standard small-sized room; it is often installed from wall to wall. It has a minimal frame and one side panel. Hydromassage and similar options on such models, if they exist, are rare, because additional equipment for a small bathtub with access from only one side is extremely inconvenient to install and subsequently maintain or repair.

The corner bath is available in two variations - right and left. The free side can be convex or concave, straight or rounded. These bathtubs are suitable for medium-sized and large rooms.

Round and oval products take up a lot of space, significantly reducing space, but they can create a luxurious atmosphere in a spacious bathroom. Often these models have hydromassage.

An asymmetrical bathtub is an ideal solution if you need to fit a bathtub into a complex room, but, as a rule, it also requires a significant amount of space. Such products are also often equipped with hydromassage equipment.

Additional options

If you choose an acrylic bathtub, pay attention to the availability of pleasant options; perhaps one of them is missing for you to be completely happy. But be prepared for the fact that they will significantly increase the cost of the bath, and such a product will require additional maintenance on your part. The most common functions:

• Hydromassage or Jacuzzi - once upon a time, bathtubs with this function were considered a luxury; now they are available to many consumers. It is necessary to take into account the number and location of nozzles, this affects the quality of the massage. It should be done from the back and sides. Some models provide foot hydromassage. It is worth considering that such baths are larger in size than baths without a Jacuzzi.
• Aeromassage differs from hydromassage only in technique. The nozzles create air jets, so in addition to pleasure, you will also observe air bubbles. Children will love this massage.
• Chromotherapy is a type of light treatment. This function allows you to carry out water procedures in beautiful lighting effects, which promotes relaxation.
• The water heater is designed to maintain a suitable water temperature.
• Sensors for measuring temperature and water levels, stands, headrests - all these additions are designed to increase the level of comfort.

Tips for choosing the shape and size of plumbing fixtures

Choosing an acrylic bathtub can be difficult due to the variety of shapes and sizes. Such plumbing fixtures are presented on the market in different design solutions.

The shape of sanitary furniture can be:

• rectangular. This is a classic option suitable for any interior. It is convenient to place it under the wall, but in a room with small dimensions, the bathtub will look bulky;
• oval. The design has smooth outlines, so it can fit into any interior. Such a product can be placed on a podium or mounted into the floor;
• angular. Although this product is compact, it is very functional and convenient. It is better to buy corner baths for small bathrooms;
• asymmetrical. This is non-standard furniture, made to order. Such designs are relevant when creating a stylish interior.

After choosing the shape of the sanitary furniture, it is worth deciding on its size.

1. The best height of the structure is 65-70 cm. This is a “family” option, since such a product is suitable for adults and small family members.
2. The best depth is from 50 to 60 cm. This is the distance from the bottom of the bowl to the overflow hole. If you choose an acrylic bath smaller than 50 cm, then the water level may not be enough to cover the lying body with water. In deeper structures, on the contrary, there may be so much water that lying in the bathtub will not be comfortable.
3. The optimal width of the product is 80 cm, but the figure depends on the configuration of the consumer. For obese people, this width of the product may not be enough. But now there are products on sale whose width is 120 cm or more.
4. The best length is 180 cm. However, this is not a specific indicator, since it depends on the furniture model and the height of the users. If the bathtub is equipped with a headrest, then a design with a length of 170 cm is suitable for a tall person. If the product does not have a headrest, then the plumbing fixtures are selected according to height.

Also interesting: Review of materials for making bathtubs

Rating of manufacturers and models

When choosing an acrylic bathtub, you need to take into account various nuances, including the manufacturer. Here is a brief overview of the most popular of them:

1. Vagnerplast. Only the highest quality materials are used, in particular English cast acrylic. The product warranty is more than 10 years.
2. Kolo. This company has many medals and certificates confirming the high quality of its products. The choice of models here is quite large.
3. Pool Spa is a manufacturer from Spain. The choice of models is large. The acrylic used in production is very durable. The price is quite high, but the guarantee is appropriate.
4. Ravak is a quality manufacturer from the Czech Republic. Bathtubs from this company are very popular all over the world.
5. Cersanit - good quality bathtubs at an affordable price. The warranty period is seven years. A modern type of antibacterial acrylic is used, but because of this it is not possible to install a hydromassage.
6. 1Marka is a Russian manufacturer. German cast acrylic is used in the production of bathtubs. 10 years warranty.
7. Aquanet is another popular domestic manufacturer with reasonable prices. The assortment is large both in shape and size. Bathtubs from this company are made from high-quality acrylic 5 mm thick in several variations - oval, rectangular or asymmetrical.

There are other manufacturers, in particular, there are companies from China (Massimo, Appollo, Coliseum, Huber, Gemy, Vela). But the companies presented above are well established and combine excellent product quality with good guarantees.

Table: the most popular rectangular bathtubs measuring 150x70, according to ratings on Yandex.Market

Photo gallery: popular simple-shaped bathtubs

Acrylic bathtub BAS Verona 150x70 with hydromassage

Acrylic bathtub model 1MarKa Melora 150×70

Acrylic bathtub model Triton STANDARD 150×70 – rating 5 out of 5

As you can see, not all acrylic bathtubs of standard shape receive high ratings from consumers. But the models presented in the gallery below can boast of maximum or close to maximum ratings. These are the best options for price-quality ratio, according to Runet users.

Photo gallery: models of acrylic bathtubs from different companies with maximum consumer ratings of 5 out of 5

Acrylic bathtub 1MarKa Love 185×135

Ravak Behappy 150×75

Bathtub Triton VICTORIA

Bathtub Riho Future 170 without hydromassage

Bathtub Aessel Rio Grande

The best manufacturers of acrylic bathtubs

The best are considered to be domestic and foreign brands and brands included in a fairly wide list. In order to navigate correctly, it is better to group them according to several criteria:

1. Ravak brand is considered a recognized pioneer and market leader . The peculiarity of the products is simple products with the possibility of additional equipment. Models with hydromassage from this manufacturer are popular. Cersanite is a leader along with the indicated brand.
2. Manufacturers from China have low prices. Their quality will allow the baths to be used for 5 to 12 years. We are talking about Eago, Appolo, Gemy, Victoria .
3. Acrylic bathtubs made in Russia are quite high quality and technologically advanced. As a rule, they are an order of magnitude more expensive than Chinese options. You should pay attention to the brands: Bach, Triton, Aqvatek, Serena .
4. For connoisseurs of quality and ideal plumbing, foreign brands such as Italian, French, and German are suitable: Teuco, Jacob Delafon, Villeroy and Bosh .

The average service life of an acrylic bathtub is 20 years

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

What to look for when choosing an acrylic bathtub

1. Thickness of the reinforcing layer and acrylic

, the higher the better. When choosing from several bathtubs you like, you should compare the thickness of acrylic and reinforcement. The thicker the layers, the better the quality of the bathroom.

2. When choosing a bathtub, you should give preference to well-known manufacturers

, so they pay more attention to the quality of their products, which is confirmed by the necessary certificates.

3. With the hydromassage turned on, listen to the operation of the hydromassage motor. High quality motor

should not rattle, and the bathtub should not vibrate under the action of the motor.

4. Injectors

The hot tub should be made of metal. Plastic injectors will quickly fail. It will be convenient if the water pressure in the nozzles is adjustable.