The bathroom is the most unique room in the house, used not only for its intended purpose, but also to relieve stress, rest and relaxation. Once in this room, everyone is immersed in an atmosphere of comfort and tranquility. And this is not surprising, because the main role in the room is played by the bath. It should be comfortable, functional, and most importantly, beautiful. Under all these requirements, models made of stone are suitable. They are just considered a fashion trend.
Features
For many decades, humanity has been using bathtubs, and no one can imagine a comfortable life without this plumbing device. According to historical data, the very first bathing bowls appeared about 5,000 years ago. For such a long period of time, washing tanks have come a serious way of modernization. They were made of wood, granite, ceramics, precious metals, steel, plastic and cast iron. And more recently, cast and stone bathtubs have gained immense popularity.
Bowls for bathing from natural stone, namely onyx, marble, granite, for average families, the pleasure is very expensive. Yes, and to get them in ordinary plumbing stores is extremely rare. Basically, bathtubs made of natural stone are made to order. The high cost of the product corresponds to the complexity of the technological process of processing the material. The master must give the natural stone a conceived shape.
But, unfortunately, the manufacturing process of such a container cannot boast of perfection, and this means that a hidden marriage may appear in the working process. Immediately it is impossible to find manufacturing flaws; they become noticeable after a long operation process.
The bathtubs made of artificial stone have practically no differences in appearance from natural material. Using modern machining of artificial stone, manufacturers create unique designs of bathing bowls, exactly repeating the image of natural models. Most often, crushed marble, granite, malachite and quartz are used in production.
Regarding technical characteristics, injection structures are in no way inferior to bathtubs made of natural material. The differences between them are only in weight and pricing.
Advantages and disadvantages
The high cost of stone bathrooms often stops consumers from such a serious acquisition. And in order to understand what sky-high prices are, they begin to sort the production process step by step and refine the characteristics of the sanitary product. The external attractiveness of products simply attracts the enthusiastic views of customers, only in the process of operation it will be possible to recognize the multifunctionality of the design. And yet, for a clearer understanding, you should carefully study the merits of stone bathing bowls.
- High level of durability. Despite the artificial and natural origin of the material, it is impossible to damage the structure manually.
- Duration of operation. Stone tanks are a type of perpetual sanitary ware. Such models are acquired only once and remain a useful decoration of the bathroom for life.
- Personal hygiene. The surface of the stone bath does not absorb even minimal pollution, the stone material resists the emergence of pathogenic bacteria. For these reasons, stone plumbing is considered the most suitable for the human body.
- Low rate of thermal conductivity. A stone bath filled with hot water is able to maintain a manually set water temperature for a long time.
- Decorative highlight. Stone bathtubs look not just beautiful, but very impressive. They fit well into the interiors of bathrooms. It is advisable to complement the bathtub with a washbasin made of a similar material or countertop.
- Features of natural material. The surface of the natural stone bath is covered with a layer of polyester resin that covers the pores of the material.
Thanks to this nuance, bathtubs receive additional antibacterial properties and a self-cleaning effect.
Along with the advantages presented, stone baths have an insignificant number of disadvantages.
- Minimal repair option. It is very difficult to carry out repair work of stone baths; restoration of products leads the family budget to significant expenses. Repairing bathtubs made of natural stone is even more difficult, since the artificial material is much more pliable, which means it is much easier to recover.
- Detergents. Mistresses are familiar with the way of dealing with serious contaminants; they use hard sponges and aggressive detergents to remove them. But just such a method of washing is strictly prohibited in removing dirt from the surface of stone structures. Chemicals corrode the clear coating, and a hard sponge leaves scratches.
- Home beauty salon. Women who are accustomed to dye their hair at home, must be extremely careful to use the chemical composition of the paint. Even small drops can eat into the surface of a stone bath and will not be washed off.
The last and most important drawback is the cost of stone baths. When buying, it is important to know that a high price indicates the quality of the product, and a low one indicates design defects.
Varieties
Modern manufacturers of stone baths, delving into the intricacies of interior design art, create not only familiar rectangular designs, but also models with asymmetric shapes that can be used in rooms with different quadrature.
Rectangular models with rounded edges
The traditional form for bathtubs made of stone of any kind. The length of the structures ranges from 160-180 cm, the depth of the container is 65 cm. Miniature dimensions allow you to place bowls of this shape even in small bathrooms, and the color scheme will perfectly emphasize the richness of the texture of the interior.
Oval patterns
Designs of bathtubs made of oval stone look succinctly in a modern interior. They fascinate with linear smoothness, harmonious shapes and material. Oval bath modifications have an increased level of ergonomics, which simplifies the operation of the device. The only drawback of this form is the impossibility of installing an oval structure in the center of small rooms.
Corner models
Quite compact baths, despite the tangible size. May have symmetrical and asymmetric proportions. Several bath bowls are possible in the design. High price policy pays off with multifunctionality and an increased level of comfort during operation. However, it is worth considering: the mass of the bath is several times greater than the weight of oval and rectangular structures.
Interior designers note that for rooms with a small quadrature, the angular capacity is ideal. It saves space. Quite often, manufacturers equip corner models with additional functions, for example, hydromassage, backlight, hidden shelf.
Varieties of containers made of artificial stone are divided into two types, the difference between which is crumb. This is a crumb of natural material or quartz sand.
Materials
A stone bathing bowl is the most popular, strong and hygienic plumbing fixture with many operational characteristics. With this natural material, the room acquires a special chic, emphasizes the style of the interior and its richness. At the same time, there is not much difference in which material is used in the manufacture of the structure, natural or artificial, although each of them has a number of distinctive qualities.
Bathtubs made of natural stone
In an ordinary plumbing store, it is almost impossible to meet a bowl of natural natural material, because they are made in single models. Accordingly, the price of such a design is very high, which means that it is not available to every consumer. The main reason for the high cost is the complexity of the wizard. It is very difficult to process a stone, and only a highly qualified professional can give it a rounded shape. For the same reason, the range of stone baths cannot please consumers with a wide variety.
Most commonly used in the manufacture of bathing tanks marble and granite. Undoubtedly, the finished designs turn out to be unimaginably beautiful, elegant, only their mass requires special conditions for flooring.
Such bowls must be placed on high-quality concrete, otherwise the floor of the bath and the ceiling of the neighbors from below will simply not support the weight of the structure.
Artificial bathtub
Visually, such designs are no different from natural materials, but at the same time their cost is much lower. Thanks to modern technology Artificial baths easily accept the texture and colors of natural minerals. The weight ratio is much lighter than natural designs.
In the manufacture of bathtubs of artificial material is mainly used marble and quartz chips. The connecting elements used are polyester resin, a catalyst and various plasticizers.But this does not mean that the strength of artificial structures is low.
Like natural stone models, they are able to serve their owners for many decades.
Sizes and shapes
In the manufacture of modern bathtubs, various natural materials are used to give the structure an unusual shape. And that means pick up an interesting instance is not difficult.
Bowls of angular shape made of artificial stone have a variety of sizes, ranging from the standard 180x80 cm, ending with universal dimensions, namely 120x70 / 75/80 cm for seated structures, 120/150/160/170 / 180x70-75 / 80 cm for full-size models. Although the most popular options for modern apartments are dimensions of 150x70 cm and 185x90 cm.
On the one hand, corner baths seem huge, but in fact they only help a person to get additional free space, even in the smallest room.
Despite the visual cumbersomeness, it is angular containers that help to properly organize the space of the bathroom. It is impossible to find bowls with such a unique capacity made of natural material, you have to order them and wait a sufficient amount of time to get a quality design.
The range of oval bathing containers boasts not only a sleek design, but also soft forms. It is the oval baths that allow a person to relax after a hard day's work. The only inconvenience may seem to be the absence of armrests and seat recesses. Regarding dimensions, oval structures have a certain standard, namely 140x210 cm, but these are not the only specimens. Manufacturers of artificial stone bathtubs are ready to offer a wide variety of dimensions, and if necessary, even make to order.
Natural stone containers can be found in the store, but their sizes will not always fit the square of the room, which means that you will have to order the product in the workshop.
Round baths are considered exclusive work. Depending on the size, they can be single or double. The design necessarily has a hydromassage system. Round bathtubs are more suitable for rest and relaxation. To experience maximum pleasure, the size of the bath should allow a person to stretch to full height. For this reason the circumference of the structure ranges from 130 cm to 220 cm.
The main thing is that the bath itself as harmoniously entered the interior of the room and leave enough free space.
Color schemes
The color palette of bathtubs made of natural stone cannot boast a wide variety. For example, you can consider the well-known marble. To make the structure, a block of appropriate sizes is taken, a bowl is cut out inside, the sides are processed to emphasize the richness and decorative component of the room.
Marble is a self-contained natural material, and each new product will have a unique and inimitable pattern with unusual veins, texture and fancy tones. The color scheme of the bath itself is determined by the shade of the natural massif of stone. It can be white tones, beige, gray. It looks very interesting green palette, yellow. But the very luxury and decoration of the interior can create black marble. In a similar way, the color of the bath is determined from any other natural material.
And for the production of sanitary ware from artificial stone, marble chips, hardeners and resins of various types are used. All the presented components can be filled with the necessary color of the tint, due to which the original colored containers for hygiene procedures are obtained.
Manufacturers
Today, there are many world-famous manufacturers of sanitary products, but not everyone is ready to boast of the presence in their own line of stone products. Russia in this matter is moving forward by leaps and bounds. What is the manufacturer only worth Estet. Over the seven years of its existence on the market, the company has managed to achieve worldwide recognition in the production of sanitary equipment from artificial material.
Keeping up with firms Astra Farm and Marmo Bagno. In their assortment there is a wide variety of bathtubs made of artificial stone. In their bins are hidden unique recipes for making the production mixture, as well as a lot of unusual tricks that give each element of plumbing additional strength and beauty in appearance.
Among manufacturers of plumbing made of natural stone, it is impossible to choose the best. All of them make unique, strong and multifunctional designs. Brands Salvatori, Teucob and Sign pay particular attention to the issue of the production of swimming bowls made of stone. Many users claim that the products of these manufacturers meet all the needs of consumers.
How to choose?
When purchasing a stone bath, it should be understood that its cost will be very high. The reduced cost of the product indicates poor product quality and hidden marriage. Choosing a product of the best known brands, thereby the consumer receives an additional quality guarantee for the product they like.
When studying an attractive model, it is important to touch its base. The presence of the smallest pores is an acceptable standard, but if a rough surface is felt in large quantities, then the product is of poor quality, it should be discarded.
When choosing a model of artificial stone, it is important to pay attention to the composition. The product certificate should indicate the elements present, where stone chips should be 80%, the remaining 20% - resin. The maximum permissible error is 2-3%. A low rate of natural chips indicates a lack of performance.
The tinting effect of the color baths must be checked at the cut-off section of the structure. If a tone is present, then the pigment was added to the raw materials kneading for the manufacture. And thanks to modern technology, finished models can have a uniform color, without streaks and patterns. By the way, colored bathtubs are matched to the intended color of the interior, although modern designers offer to make contrast.
Do not forget about the dimensions of the necessary design. Before you go shopping, you need to take measurements of the place where the container will stand. At the same time, for spacious rooms, constructions of different shapes can be considered, and for rooms with a small quadrature, only miniature models.
Review Reviews
Today, a bathtub made of stone is the peak of fashion trends. Only not every family can afford to follow the trends of plumbing products. But those who have acquired such designs cannot be overjoyed. Heads of families with great pleasure return home and before bedtime relieve fatigue and stress due to the relaxing properties of a stone miracle. Young mothers are ready to bathe their babies for hours, because the water temperature necessary for the baby remains for a long time, which means that the child will be able to splash until she gets tired. For women, stone baths seem like a real piece of heaven on earth. A pleasant aura of the room, a cozy bathtub, hydromassage, air massage, comfortable water temperature.
Many buyers often have doubts about the need to purchase stone plumbing. But if you do not consider the option of fashion trends, such designs serve exclusively for human comfort.
Having made a purchase once, you will no longer have to spend ten years on a new model, such as, for example, with cast-iron or enameled specimens.
Examples in the interior
Having familiarized with the characteristics of stone baths, It is proposed to consider examples of products from natural and artificial material.
- The model made of natural material has a special charm and complements the interior with rich notes. On either side, the design has a similar pattern and color scheme, which confirms its natural origin.
- A distinctive feature of the presented model is the difference in the shades of the base structure and the bowl itself. But, despite the difference in colors, the artificial capacity looks as elegant and aesthetically pleasing as the capacity of natural stone.
About cast stone bathtubs (RAA Bath Factory, Latvia) see in the next video.