Cast Marble Bathtubs: Varieties, Selection and Care Tips

Cast marble bathtubs look spectacular and unusual, giving the interior room luxury and respectability. But how practical is this choice, and is it worth changing more familiar solutions to design? The pros and cons of marble bathtubs in products made of composite materials are partially compensated, but nevertheless, the artificial analogue is inferior to the natural mineral in the variety of decorative ornamentation, which is absolutely unique in each layer of natural stone.

Modern production technology allows you to get products of any shape and size, while the manufacturing process is much less expensive and time-consuming. Corner bathtubs made of artificial marble and other models look no worse than their expensive counterparts made of stone, weigh less, are better amenable to restoration.

What features do cast marble bathtubs have? How difficult is it to care for them, what sizes can be found on sale? Which of the manufacturers is considered the leader in this field? A review of the products presented on the Russian market and customer reviews will help to understand all these issues.

Cast marble bathtubs are different from any other models on the market. They absorb sound well, are suitable for installation directly on the base, have a wide range of shapes and sizes. A marble bath made of artificial material is a cast polymer product mixed with natural stone chips. The composition of the composite also contains a coloring composition, protective and decorative components.Marble is presented in the form of fine sand, and its volume reaches 80%.

The technology for producing products is similar to concrete casting: the filler is mixed with a liquid base based on polyester or epoxy resins and placed in a mold. In a fluid state, the material is able to form almost any geometry options, to combine thickened sections with thin ones, if the final form of the product requires it. The mixture prepared for polymerization solidifies, condensing in the process by vibration. Finished products are polished, technological holes are cut into them for the installation of plumbing fixtures.

Cast marble bathtubs have the following advantages.

1. Superior Strength. The polymer bath, subject to a volume of stone aggregate of 80%, is quite strong and durable.
2. Abrasion resistance. If you avoid abrasive cleaning, you can guarantee the service life of the decorative coating from 15 to 20 years, and the bowl itself - up to 50 years.
3. High sound absorption. Artificial cast marble drowns out the sound of water. These baths are one of the quietest, not inferior to their counterparts made of natural stone. In addition, they provide effective repayment of vibration effects, which is important when using hydromassage technology.
4. No pores due to gelcoat coating. The surface does not accumulate bacterial microflora, respectively, is completely safe for wet rooms. The material eliminates the formation of fungus and mold.
5. Warm material texture. The surface retains heat for a long time, ensures the maintenance of optimal water temperature. It is nice to touch her even with bare feet.
6. Non-slip texture. Injected marble is much safer than acrylic or metal; in a bowl of such a bath it is almost impossible to slip.
7. A wide range of shapes and sizes. You can find a solution for any area of ​​the room and even make a custom product to order.
8. Variety of color palette. You can find one-color or multi-color solutions, choose a product with painting or engraving, mosaic coating, accurate imitation of natural stone
9. Effective design solution. Cast marble products look no less respectable than their solid stone counterparts, but cost several times less.
10. Convenience of creating technological holes. You can increase the diameter of the drain hole or perform other manipulations using ordinary household tools.

Cast marble also has obvious flaws. It is almost as heavy as natural stone, requires a careful attitude to the surface, chips and cracks easily form on it. In poor-quality products, a fault can form even as a result of thermal expansion of the material. In addition, intensely pigmented colorants can leave marks on the surface of a white bath.

In their configuration, cast marble bathtubs can be of several types.

• Rectangular This option implies the traditional method of installation - with the adjoining sides to 2 walls. The shape of the bowl also has a classic appearance, implies installation on legs.

• Corner Models with equal length of adjacent sides and a rounded or curly front side. The mixer in such models is mounted on the edge of the fence or suspended on the wall.

• Asymmetric. They mean installation with a decorative side directed to the left or right.Most often, such models have 1 rounded or oval corner.

• Oval and round. Freestanding bathtubs that can be mounted on the floor, on the podium, on the legs and in combination with an additional protective screen. Curly solutions, the upper side of which is made in the form of a shoe or the shape of an ocean liner, are popular.

• Trapezoidal. Custom models with an extended headrest and narrowing to the foot. Pretty popular design option. It can be combined with other forms - for example, the sides can be oval.

• Triangular. Found in few manufacturers, are available with rounded corners.

• Square. Such bathtubs are made in a wall, corner, freestanding version, the inner part of the bowl can have a rounded, oval, figured appearance.

• With headrest. Figured products that provide the anatomical shape of one of the sides of the bowl. In some cases, a headrest is offered as an option. It is formed using an acrylic liner of the corresponding color.

The standard dimensions of cast marble bathtubs depend on their shape. Most often, rectangular bowls are used in the following size range:

• 180 × 80 cm;
• 170 × 80 cm;
• 160 × 74 cm;
• 150 by 85 cm (double) or 150 × 70 cm.

Oval bowls are most often made in the size of 170 × 70 or 160 × 70 cm, the variant 175 × 75 cm is also popular. In a freestanding floor-mounted version, a 190 cm long and 90 cm wide variant can be found. On average, the width in such models is 100 cm less than the length. The corners have different sizes, you can find options 114 × 169 cm or equilateral 140 × 140 cm, 135 × 135 cm. For rounds, the standard diameter is 150 or 160 cm.

Cast marble bathtubs are quite diverse in their execution. Thanks to the application of gelcoat, you can give the surface of the walls outside and inside almost any appearance. Dyeing in bulk is also popular, it allows you to get uniform colored products that are repairable. The style of execution can also be varied:

• English provides for concise forms;

• Italian baroque means luxury and chic;

• hi-tech goes well with black round and square bathtubs;

• Japanese style provides minimalism and perfection of geometry;

• eco-design allows the use of floral motifs;

• the Venetian style requires a mosaic decoration of the bowl;

• Art Deco allows the use of white oval bathtubs and asymmetric patterns.

The production of cast marble bathtubs has been established in Russia and abroad, but not all companies producing this product use natural stone as a filler. For instance, Willeroy & boch Under this name, it manufactures quartz products, including 60% quartz sand and 35% acrylic resins. Victoria + Albert uses quicast, based on volcanic stone and acrylic. Russian manufacturers are more honest with their customers - Astra form uses a mixture of marble chips and polyester resin, Esse applies Marmoril with acrylic filler.

The list of the best manufacturers of cast marble bathtubs today looks like this.

• Astra-Form. The undisputed leader in the Russian market, the company operates in Mytishchi, Moscow Region, offers a standard lineup and custom manufacturing, specializes in working with artificial marble. Products are sold only through its own dealer network, the brand offers a wide range of options for its bathtubs - from lighting and headrests to ozonation, hydromassage, air massage.

• "Esthete". A domestic company with production in Kostroma, exists since 2012, a regular participant in international exhibitions. The company produces exclusively artificial stone products, but it is difficult to call it marble - it consists of polyester resin and quartz sand. The product itself is painted, a gelcoat is applied on top. The brand is known for making designer baths with engraving or drawing in the form of hand-painted paintings.

• Esse. The manufacturer of cast marble bathtubs from Tyumen, offering a wide range of products in different styles - from vintage and classic models to minimalistic and high-tech solutions. Coloring of the material is carried out in bulk, on an individual order, tinting, the addition of sparkles, imitation of the texture of natural stone are possible. The company has its own patent for Marmoril material. In the product line, you can find design solutions that give the bath a look cut from a single piece of marble.

• Marmo Bagno. Russian manufacturer from Lytkarino near Moscow, using Italian production technologies. In addition to marble chips, crushed quartz, onyx, dolomite are used as filler. Bowls are created by individual orders, they allow you to mount hydromassage systems, you can choose tinting or imitation of the texture of natural stone. The brand offers quality products, but does not have a large selection of models.

• "Fem style." A Russian company that does not use the technology of coloring the material in bulk, the necessary similarity with the stone is given to it only at the expense of gelcoat. The brand offers a fairly wide range of options, from perimeter lighting and a whirlpool to chromotherapy.

Among foreign brands, the highest praise Elite products from France from Jacob Delafonmaking sandwiches from acrylic and a mineral-based composite inside it. The shape is bounded by rectangular wall-mounted bathtubs. No less popular baths English brand Victoria + Albert, issued in a free-standing format, with catwalks or special "lion" legs.

When choosing cast marble bathtubs, it is important to consider the following points.

• Size matching. Ideally, if the bowl can fit in a full height lying. The comfortable depth is 50-60 cm, a higher side is inconvenient to step over. In a small room, it is better to choose wall-mounted bathtubs in a corner or rectangular design.

• Color and stylistic solution. It should match the design of the bathroom. For baroque, rococo, renaissance styles, bowls on decorative legs are suitable. Minimalism requires the use of a screen, beyond which the installation method will not be visible. Colored baths are always 30-50% more expensive than white.

• Workmanship. It is necessary to clarify the wall thickness - at least 2 cm, check the surface for the presence of rough areas, uniformity of color, the presence of seams and voids. It is better to choose products from the collections of well-known brands, without trying to save on quality.

Caring for cast marble bathtubs is not that difficult. If you avoid the use of highly colored shampoos, gels, bath foams, it will be enough to wash the surface weekly with a liquid soap with neutral acidity. After use, rinse the bowl each time with clean water, wipe dry with a soft cloth. The product is contraindicated in shock loads, especially those associated with contact with sharp and heavy objects.

Reviews about cast marble bathtubs are no less controversial than about natural stone products. Almost all owners note their modern geometry - perfectly correct and comfortable, convenient for people of different stature and complexion. The long-term preservation of the water temperature in them in comparison with metal or acrylic plumbing fixtures does not go unnoticed.

Among the features of the operation of cast marble baths, the instability of the material to mechanical stresses can be noted. With careless use, you will have to restore the coating often. Besides, washing with soap and water to maintain a clean surface is clearly not enough, and special chemically neutral agents are expensive. The sides of such products are quite thin, putting your hands on the edge is not very convenient, but this drawback is atone for the depth of the bowl and the full use of the entire area of ​​its internal space.

Luxurious cast marble bathtub. The oval bowl is in harmony with the pattern under the natural stone, mounted on the podium.

Stylish gray cast marble bathtub on exquisite lion paws in the form of coasters. A freestanding bowl is complemented by plumbing in gold.

A luxurious freestanding molded marble bathtub in the shape of a shoe looks easy and elegant.

For an overview of the Brim cast marble bath, see below.