Acrylic bathtubs: pros and cons, types, sizes and choice

Acrylic bathtub is in demand in the market of sanitary products. Its popularity is due to its good technical characteristics and operational qualities. Fonts of various shapes, colors and dimensions are made from acrylic. If you are planning to replace an old bathtub with a new acrylic one, you should learn in advance about the advantages and disadvantages of such a sanitary product, its varieties and study other useful information.

Acrylic is a type of plastic. This is a polymer that, when melted, takes the desired shape, is easily painted at the production stage, and is reinforced to give the structure additional strength. A bath can be made of two materials:

• ABS / PMMA - two-layer plastic obtained by combining two melts;
• polymethyl acrylate - "clear" acrylic glass.

Plumbing products made of two-layer plastic are considered unreliable, since they have a short service life (mainly 5 years). Cast acrylic bathtubs are better and more durable.

The manufacturing technology of fonts from "pure" acrylic includes several stages:

• molding - the acrylic sheet undergoes heat treatment, and after softening takes on the necessary shape through the use of vacuum equipment;
• structural reinforcement - a composite layer is applied to the acrylic “preform” (polyester resins and fiberglass are used for its manufacture);
• pruning - excess material is removed;
• drilling drain holes water;
• assembly - installation of the structure on the power frame;
• polishing.

Such a production process is expensive and time consuming. To make bathtubs from a two-layer material is faster and financially more profitable, therefore such products are much cheaper than analogues of cast material.

An acrylic bathtub combines lightness, stylish design and durability. The weight of standard products is within 30 kg, making them convenient to transport, move and assemble. Install a new container under the force of 1 person. Acrylic bathtubs are lighter than steel and cast iron counterparts.

In addition, they have a number of other "significant" advantages.

1. Strength. Plumbing products produced by the method of "casting" are able to withstand impacts, drops of small objects and other loads.
2. Excellent heat capacity. The water collected in the bowl will keep the temperature for a long time. This will especially appeal to those who like to soak in the bath and relax after the past day.
3. Good sound insulation compared to cast iron and steel bathtubs. The polymeric material helps to absorb various noises, due to which the pouring of water into the container will not be accompanied by a loud sound.
4. Maintainability. If the acrylic surface is scratched or cracked on it, the matter is fixable. In this case, it is necessary to polish the problem area with the help of special compounds. Cast iron and steel products can also be restored, but their repair will be longer and financially expensive.
5. A variety of colors and shapes. Due to the flexibility of the material, many designers are very fond of acrylic. From this polymer it is possible to make bathtubs of any configuration and form - from simple to the most intricate. In this regard, acrylic "went" much further than cast iron, since cast iron models can only be rectangular or oval. The range of colors is also rich - acrylic can be painted in any color at the production stage. At the same time, you can not be afraid that over time the tones will fade or fade. Throughout the entire period of operation, they will retain their brightness and juiciness.
6. Comfort during hygiene procedures. The surface of the bathtubs is perfectly smooth and even, but it does not slip. Touching heated acrylic gives a comfortable tactile feel.
7. High hygiene. In the manufacture of the polymer, antibacterial substances are added to the composition, so that yeast and other pathogens will not develop on the surface of the plumbing.
8. Long preservation of external presentability. Unlike steel and cast-iron bathtubs, various types of pollution are not eaten into micropores of acrylic. It is because of this that over time, a plaque appears on the bathing tank, which does not lend itself well to detergents. Acrylic plumbing is not a problem.
9. Unpretentiousness in leaving. To maintain the cleanliness of the font, you can use a sponge and laundry soap. For care, it is not necessary to buy expensive detergent compositions.

Disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs are also available, but in comparison with the advantages, they are few. For example, the minus includes the price of plumbing made of acrylic. Here we do not take into account low-quality products made of technical polymer. The cost of high-quality acrylic bathtubs is higher than for analogues made of cast iron or steel.

Another disadvantage is “Fear” of high temperature acrylic. For example, if too hot water is drawn into the bowl, the surface can easily deform.

Another disadvantage of acrylic fonts is their sensitivity to cleaning compounds with abrasives and alcohol-based products. Wash the bath so that "arm" will be unacceptable.From unsuitable formulations or rough sponges, the surface may lose its external presentability, which will require premature restoration of the product.

A significant minus is also attributed to the mechanical instability of thin-walled models. Under the influence of heavy weight, the bottom of such a bath will “play”, which can cause discomfort to the swimmer. To eliminate this drawback, you will have to strengthen the frame further. And this is an additional waste of time and money, especially if the work will be performed by a hired specialist.

There are several varieties of acrylic bathtubs. In addition to shape and size, products are classified depending on the installation method.

• Wall. Such models have one (or several) flat side, designed to be installed close to one of the wall surface. Wall fonts can have legs or be installed on the base.

• Freestanding. These types of bathtubs are often installed in the center of the room or in such a way that they can be accessed from any of the 4 sides. Freestanding models are equipped with exclusive legs. Original and stylish look solutions “on the paws”.

• Embedded. Such varieties include bathtubs that are installed on the floor or in a special design - the podium. These plumbing products are suitable for spacious rooms. They are often chosen for the arrangement of bathrooms in country houses, cottages or luxury apartments.

Acrylic baths come in single, double and even triple. These models distinguish from each other sizes. Single is designed for one swimmer, double - for 2, triple - for 3.

There are also sedentary solutions. Such options are most often used for medical manipulations, and they are also preferred in families with small children, the elderly or persons with disabilities. The main feature of the sedentary font is small dimensions and elongated shapes. They are equipped with a sealed door and seat, have the shape of a square, circle or triangle.

Bathtubs of various shapes and configurations can be equipped with metal handles. Basically, such decisions are chosen in families with children or the elderly. They are often chosen by overweight people, since it is more difficult for them to get out of the bath, relying only on the slippery edges of the plumbing. In this case, it is much more convenient to take on the corrugated handles.

Acrylic bathtubs can combine many additional functions, since most modern models are not just fonts connected to the plumbing and sewer system.

The dimensions of the bathroom are an important indicator that you should pay attention to when buying a bathing container. The optimal height of the product from the floor is 60-65 cm (such models are comfortable for use by both children and adults). The depth of standard plumbing is 60 cm, but there are deeper bowls. The width of most single bathing tanks does not exceed 80 cm, however, solutions with large values ​​are also on sale.

Due to the huge selection of shapes, acrylic bathtubs can be of various sizes. In stores you can find small-, medium- and large-sized solutions. Models are large and compact, narrow or wide. Traditional oval and rectangular containers have a width of 70 to 170 cm, and their length can range from 120 to 195 cm. The font length should be selected based on the parameters of the room and the growth of all family members.

Acrylic bathtubs can have a variety of forms, which will not surprise a modern buyer. Let's talk about the features of each.

• Rectangular This is a traditional form that can fit into any style of interior. Such solutions are suitable for both small and spacious rooms. Due to their simple forms, they will help to save useful space in the bathroom for placing furniture, household items and various plumbing.

• Oval. Combines smoothness of lines and streamlining of forms. Oval structures are most often placed in the center of the room on the floor surface or on a special podium. Thanks to the style of such products with their help, you can create coziness in the bathroom and make it comfortable for hygiene procedures.

• Corner Such designs are designed to be installed in the right or left corner of the room. They allow you to competently organize the space of the room. Angular models are symmetric and asymmetric. Thanks to their unusual appearance, they allow you to stylishly design a bathroom and add a twist to the interior.

• Round. Such a font is a rarity in the plumbing market. Basically, these solutions are represented by double bowls with a wide range of options. Round containers, even of small sizes, take up a lot of space, so they are suitable only for large rooms. Circle-shaped bathing bowls look stylish and unusual, visually they represent a small home pool.

There are several types of forms that appeared on the market not so long ago. For instance, square and semicircular. These are options for those who are used to surprise with originality. Square and semicircular acrylic bathtubs are not suitable for standard bathrooms. These solutions are designed for spacious rooms in which the owners do not keep records of every meter spent.

Good acrylic bathtubs are made by several companies. Decent plumbing products are produced by Roca (production facilities are located in Spain and Russia), Ravak (Czech Republic), Villeroy & Boch (Germany), Oxame (France), BelBagno (Italy together with China). As well as mostly positive reviews, people leave on acrylic bathtubs Gemy (Chinese plumbing), Bach (Russian brand), Vidima (Bulgaria).

We give a rating of companies whose products are most in demand among consumers.

• Roca. This is a Spanish company that began operations in 1929. The largest plant with branches in Russia and the USA. The company offers the consumer the largest selection of acrylic bathtubs - the catalog contains more than 200 solutions from both “pure” acrylic and extrusion. For sale there are simple bathtubs with traditional forms, modern models with non-standard forms, as well as variations with a set of additional options (jacuzzi, backlight, various types of massage). The manufacturer gives a guarantee for the material for at least 8 years, and for individual components - 2 years.

• Villeroy & Boch. German manufacturer of high-quality sanitary products. Baths from Germany are covered by a warranty of up to 10 years. Products have good technical and operational qualities. They are reliable, strong and durable. The only drawback of such products is the high price.

• Ravak. This is a Czech brand under which comfortable bathtubs with anatomically comfortable shapes are produced. Acrylic plumbing Ravak is resistant to cracking and scratching, deformation. The equipment is convenient to operate and reliable. The product warranty is 10 years. To the minus, consumers attribute the need for an additional purchase of all components (including supporting elements), which imposes an additional cost on the purchase of a bathtub.

• BelBagno. A company from Italy, whose production facilities are located in China.Goods manufactured in the Middle Kingdom have a lower cost than Italian products. However, Chinese plumbing has not the worst quality (all plants are equipped with the latest technology from Italy). BelBagno bathtubs are a combination of style, grace, convenience, reliability and durability. The disadvantages of products include their weak frame (for budget models), fakes and rarely found defective goods.

Acrylic bathtubs are available in a wide range of models. However, the larger the product range, the more difficult it is to make a choice and purchase a worthwhile product. Do not think that expensive goods are always of high quality - the same rule applies to plumbing. Going to the store for the bathroom, it is recommended to learn expert advice.

Guided by certain rules, it will not be difficult to choose the best option for yourself.

1. Material. Which product to choose - high-quality made from molded acrylic or short-lived from ABS / PMMA - it will all depend on what purpose the plumbing is bought for and how often it will be used. For example, for a summer residence, you can choose a cheap multi-layer bathtub. In these cases, the product will be used seasonally, and its operation will be non-intensive. For a house or apartment, it is better to give preference to models of cast acrylic glass.
2. The thickness of the acrylic layer. The greater the value, the longer the plumbing will last. Reliable products should have a topcoat thickness of at least 5-6 mm.
3. The state of the top layer. The surface of the bath should be perfectly flat and smooth. Fossae, tubercles, roughness and other defects are unacceptable. Their presence indicates violations of the technology for the production of plumbing and its low quality.
4. Dimensions The bath should be suitable for the size of the room. For small rooms, you should purchase compact plumbing, and for spacious bathrooms, any fonts are suitable.
5. Strength. Before buying, you need to put your palm on the bottom of the structure. If it bends, you should refuse to purchase, because before you is a thin-walled product or an ordinary plastic fake.
6. Availability of additional features. If the bathtub is equipped with a backlight or hydromassage system, you should check their performance. It is also necessary to think in advance whether these options will be used in the future. If not, then there is no point in paying extra for them.
7. Design. The stylistic design of the bath should correspond to the interior of the room.

It is worth paying attention to the manufacturer. There are a lot of Chinese acrylic plumbing products in stores. Such products often attract consumers with their price, but cost is its only advantage. Cheap acrylic bathtubs of dubious production are unlikely to last long.

In order for the acrylic bathtub to maintain external impeccability as long as possible and to be as if only from the store, it must be properly looked after. Acrylic is easy to damage, which is why it is not recommended to bathe pets in the bathroom that can scratch the surface with their claws.

To prevent abrasions and scratches on the surface, do not use powders, products with abrasive particles and brushes. The compositions used should not contain alkali, acids, ammonia and chlorine. These substances can damage the acrylic surface.

If a scratch forms on the bathtub, it can be removed by yourself at home.To do this, you need to buy a repair kit (sold at plumbing stores), fill the scratch with liquid acrylic and leave to dry. After the mass has hardened, its excess is removed with sandpaper. Then the surface is treated with a liquid polishing compound.

Studying customer reviews is the best way to find out the truth about products. During the operation, the owners identify first hand the advantages and disadvantages of acrylic plumbing and share their impressions. According to consumers, acrylic bathtubs:

• very light;
• perfectly retain the initial temperature of the water;
• “Repel” grease and dirt;
• “Do not make noise” during water intake;
• Do not turn yellow and do not fade even after many years of use.

In general, owners of acrylic bathtubs are pleased with the purchase. Among the shortcomings, consumers revealed the fragility of acrylic and its slight damage when non-compliance with care recommendations.

For more tips on choosing an acrylic bath, see the next video.