When it comes to repairs in the bathroom, the first thing a person thinks about is to choose a classic bathtub or install a shower. Many people choose an ordinary bathtub - it is convenient, functional and in many cases does not require alteration of water communications.
Read more about French classics and the oldest plumbing manufacturer.
A little bit about the brand
Today, the market has a huge number of brands that offer fonts of all sizes and types. One of the highest quality representatives of sanitary ware is considered the French brand Jacob Delafon.
The company was founded in 1880, when the two brothers Etienne and Denis decided to open a small factory for the production of refractory enameled ceramics. In 1888, the plant began making glazed white ceramics. Plumbing appeared in the assortment of the brand in 1895.
Today the Jacob Delafon brand is one of the leading in the world. Showrooms and brand stores are located around the world. In the production of plumbing, high-quality cast iron and enamel are used, but the brand representatives do not disclose other secrets.
Jacob Delafon bathtubs are considered one of the most durable, beautiful and comfortable.
Advantages and disadvantages
In the manufacturer’s lineup there are a lot of different models of bathtubs: classic, for the elderly or people with limited physical abilities, angular, in the form of bowls and so on. In addition to such a large lineup, The main advantage of the Jacob Delafon brand is the quality of the materials used and the patented ceramic technology.
Another plus is wear resistance and high thermal conductivity. Water in such a bath will cool more slowly, and this quality does not depend on the model and price.
The only negative plumbing this brand - high price. Even economy options will have a price higher than the market average.
But for high quality and safety you have to pay, so choosing Jacob Delafon for your bathroom, you will not regret the money spent, this plumbing will delight you for decades.
Kinds
Bathtubs of the French manufacturer can be of several types, depending on the materials used:
- acrylic;
- cast iron;
- stone.
Depending on the design, Jacob Delafon fonts may be as follows.
- With a shower. With low sides, standard rectangular or angular. It can be equipped with a step and a glass curtain.
- Universal standard rectangular bathtubs. They may have pointed or rounded edges, a protrusion for the head and a special bend for the back.
- Asymmetric. Narrow at the legs and wider at the head, round or rectangular.
- Corner Suitable for small rooms. May be oval or rectangular.
- Freestanding. Luxurious, in the French style, on legs or on a pedestal. Can be in the shape of a bowl, rectangular or oval.
Each Jacob Delafon collection has many options for the most demanding tastes. For example, the Elite series is represented by two types of bowls.
- Rectangular standard bathtub made from innovative lightweight and durable Flight material with antibacterial protection and a removable gel pillow for the head. The size can be chosen from any of the several proposed (170x70x44.5 or 190x90x44.5 cm).
- Rectangular freestanding bathtub from the same material (size 180x 85x44.5 cm).
As additional accessories from this collection, you can purchase a white front panel made of light aluminum, a solid oak seat, a drain-overflow and a removable gel pillow.
Enamelled cast-iron bathtubs from the Parallel and Repos collections are in demand. The Repos line features models with a deep bowl and several options for font parameters. The largest option in cast iron is 180x85 cm. For greater convenience, handles can be installed on the bathtub.
In the line Parallel - fonts of the premium segment, ranging in size from 170x70 to 180x80 cm. A distinctive feature of the bathtubs from this collection is a back with a tilt of 53 degrees and the presence of a soft silicone pillow for the head.
In addition, the brand has modern models with hydromassage. The bowl can have sizes from 135x80 to 180x145 cm. You can choose a compact size for a small bathroom or a large spacious font for two. Hydromassage bathtubs are made of acrylic or acrylic with mineral chips.
These elegant stylish models are suitable for almost any modern interior.
Materials
Jacob Delafon produces bathtubs from several materials. Whether it is classic heavy cast iron, “warm” acrylic or an innovative polymer - it depends on your preferences.
The modern, patented Flight material is a mixture of mineral composite and acrylic: between the two layers of acrylic is a layer of composite. A bath made of this material is lighter than a cast-iron, but stronger than acrylic. Absolutely smooth surface, increased strength and comfort guarantee a pleasant pastime and relaxation at the end of a hard working day.
Another innovative material used in the factories of the brand is Lithocast. It consists of a mixture of mineral chips and acrylic. The range of these bathtubs is represented by strong and durable models with low weight compared to steel or cast iron options. Stone finish and several color options will allow you to choose either the standard version of the rectangular bathtub, or an unusual model in the form of a free-standing bowl.
Acrylic is a common modern material. Jacob Delafon offers several lines of acrylic bathtubs. Direct, angular, built-in or freestanding - they are durable, have a guarantee of up to 10 years, are easy to clean. The only problem - a brittle outer coating that can scratch.
Cast iron is a strong and wear-resistant material used for the manufacture of bathtubs for more than a dozen years. Thanks to the material, Jacob Delafon enamelled cast iron fonts retain heat longer, are scratch resistant, and are easy to clean. The only negative is too much weight and cost.
Dimensions
The collections of the brand include bathtubs of several sizes depending on the type (built-in, corner, freestanding, with shower). The most roomy option is in the lineup Elite Its size reaches 190 cm in length, 90 cm in width and 44.5 cm in depth.
Corner options can be very small (up to 135 cm long and 100 cm wide) or standard - up to 170 cm long. The choice depends on the size of the bathroom - in a small room, even a small angular model may look too bulky.
The brand also has line of compact rectangular bathtubs measuring 140x90x52 cm. For convenience, you can install pens on it.
The standard rectangular options - regular or built-in - have two sizes: 170x70 or 180x80. Freestanding models are presented with options up to 180 cm.
In the range of bathtubs with integrated shower you can find right-handed or left-handed models. They are quite roomy - they can be called double. Also in large corner bowls 2 people can easily fit.
How to choose?
Choosing a bath is a laborious task, because, as a rule, it is chosen 1-2 times in a lifetime, so there is no point in saving on plumbing. Unfortunately, more and more European brands today are faked, so before buying you should carefully check not only the bath itself, but also the documents for it.
The second thing you should pay attention to is the material and size. Cast iron is the most durable and durable; acrylic is valued for its variety of shapes and lightness.. The size of the font directly depends on the area of the room and your own needs. Someone needs a small sitting bath, while someone needs a deep and wide bowl, but with a comfortable back and a non-slip bottom.
Many advise you not to be shy in a plumbing store and check whether it is comfortable to be in a particular model. Before buying, choosing the right brand, read reviews on specific options, then it will be much easier to choose.
How to care?
Any plumbing with careful care will last much longer. You should know how and how to clean bathtubs from different materials from Jacob Delafon so that the purchase is not overshadowed by sudden defects.
Jacob Delafon Cast Iron Enamelled Tubes Can Be Cleaned special abrasive cleaning agents, but only if severe contamination occurs and only on an enameled surface. Enamel on cast iron can be cleaned with a soft brush; steel and abrasive sponges cannot be used. In case of light contamination, the cast iron bowl should be cleaned with a soft sponge and soap. After cleaning, rinse the surface thoroughly with water and wipe dry.
Acrylic and the innovative materials that make Jacob Delafon bathtubs are quite moody. To clean highly contaminated areas, you can use special tools for acrylic, usually it is available in the form of a spray. Hard sponges and sponges made of steel thread cannot be used, since the bath will be damaged. After cleaning, rinse the bath and wipe dry.
In case of light pollution, acrylic fonts can be washed with a mild soapy solution. Cleaning powders and potent sprays cannot be used to wash acrylic, as the surface of the bath will crack and become unusable.
Review Reviews
On the Internet you can find a large number of reviews about Jacob Delafon bathtubs - and all of them are divided into either good or bad. Negative reviews relate to volume and convenience - some models proposed by the consultants turned out to be in practice not comfortable, small and not deep enough. In some cases it is impossible to relax or splash - water splashes out due to insufficient bowl depth.
Some users note too high a price for acrylic and cast-iron models of the brand, as well as the fact that scratches form on enamel literally after several months of use. Perhaps the bath was improperly looked after, so there were scratches and chips. But, if you purchased a truly original product and found a factory defect after use, then it has a guarantee of 10 to 25 years, depending on the material. This point should always be clarified before purchase.
There are a lot of enthusiastic reviews regarding the material, shape and appearance. Users note that Jacob Delafon models - stylish and not like Soviet bathtubs, suitable for any modern interior.
To summarize, we can say that the bathtubs of this French brand are suitable for people of lean physique and short stature. But in any case, one should not be afraid to “try on” the convenience of the bowl on oneself even in the store, so that an expensive purchase is not useless.
To install the Jacob Delafon Elite acrylic bathtub, see the next video.