Freestanding acrylic bathtubs: shapes, sizes and selection rules

A freestanding bathtub is usually associated with luxury, spaciousness. However, with proper planning and choosing the right model, such a font can be placed even in a typical medium-sized bath. Advantages and disadvantages of freestanding bathtubs, selection criteria and beautiful examples in the interior - in this article.

A free-standing bathtub is always an exclusive, memorable element. Thanks to it, it is possible to turn the bathroom into a boudoir, a SPA corner, add to the interior of bliss and grace. In some interior styles, a freestanding bathtub is almost a requirement. First of all, these are bathrooms designed in vintage, retro, Provence style. In this way, a similar bowl allows you to better and more accurately convey the style of the room.

It is worth noting that such a bath allows you to rationally use the space - on all walls of the room you can make niches and shelves for storing bath accessories and accessories. This in most cases eliminates the use of cabinets and shelving, often cluttering up the room.

Speaking specifically about acrylic models of freestanding bathtubs, it is worth noting their durability (operation period is about 25-30 years), fairly good resistance to mechanical damage, reliability and attractive appearance. These characteristics are combined with affordability (at the price of acrylic bathtubs - the middle option between the more expensive cast iron and the more affordable steel bathtubs).

Acrylic is a light and environmentally friendly material, so there are no special difficulties in the delivery and installation. In addition, it is a raw material with low thermal conductivity, that is, it gives off heat slowly, which means that the water in such a bath will not cool.

The walls of acrylic bathtubs do not rattle and do not deform, but only on condition that they have a sufficient thickness (at least 6 mm). With a smaller wall thickness, acrylic bathtubs will have a noticeable drawback - to deform under the influence of a large weight.

The disadvantage of such products can be called the possibility of using them only in large bathrooms. As a rule, these are modern apartments of an improved layout (or standard apartments, but after the redevelopment of the bathroom), as well as private houses, various hotels, spa complexes, etc.

Even if the bathtub is not located in the center, but along one of the walls, at least 50–80 cm should still be moved away from it. Not everyone, due to the size of the room, can afford it.

Another "minus" can be called higher cost of free-standing models compared to their standard “wall-mounted” counterparts. Even with equal volume and size, such bowls have a difference in price by an average of 1.5-3 times.

Freestanding bathtubs can have almost any shape. Especially luxurious look oval and round products that are suitable primarily for classic interiors. Such bowls, as a rule, are located in the center, they become the accent of the interior. Quite often, round bathtubs are mounted inside the podium so that the walls of the bathtub only slightly rise above it.

Same thing can be said about rectangular and square models. Such fonts look especially stylish in modern and baroque interiors. Preference should be given to large bowls with the correct lines on massive legs with a pattern.

A rectangular or rounded bowl on the podium fits well into a modern interior, including hi-tech. Ideally, if it is equipped with a glass insert.

Asymmetric bathtubs can also be freestanding. These are various trapeziums, drop-shaped baths, bowls in the form of a semicircle. They look best in newfangled interiors. Such products can be colored, if the whole room is designed in certain colors.

Free-standing fonts can have almost any size. Although quite rare, small-sized products with parameters of the longest side (if it is an asymmetric model) of 90-120 cm can be found on sale.

The most popular are standard bathtubs, the length of which is 150-160 cm. They are suitable for installation both in apartments and in private houses and are considered relatively convenient. An adult of average height takes a semi-recumbent position in them (for comparison - in a small font you have to wash while sitting). Fonts are considered standard in size 150x70, 170x70 cm.

Finally, oversized bathtubs are distinguished, the length of which is from 180 cm. Considering that the stand-alone samples are still designed for spacious rooms, it is the oversized models that fully embody such basic characteristics as ease of use and luxury.

For private houses, bowls with a length of 200 cm are usually purchased.

The standard width of rectangular and oval baths is considered to be 60–90 cm. But again, remembering that freestanding bowls are usually chosen for large rooms, often the width starts from 90–100 cm and ends with 120–130 cm.

When describing the dimensions of freestanding bathtubs, their depth is usually mentioned. It can vary between 42–50 cm. European brands usually produce bathtubs with a depth of 37–45 cm, and domestic products have a depth of 47–50 cm.

When choosing a free-standing bath, you need to focus primarily on the size of the room where it will be located. At a minimum, the bathtub should fit in the room and not clutter the aisles. However, the opposite situation: a bathtub too small for a large room is not the best option. With this approach, a comic effect is created, all the luxury of such a bowl is lost.

Second moment - immediately determine the font installation features. You may need to install a podium for her in order to place all communications under it. When placing a podium, it is worth taking care of how a person will rise into the bath and leave it. However, today on sale you can find models whose communications can fit without a podium.

The next criterion is the shape of the bath. It is selected depending on your own preferences, features of the style of the room.

Among the stand-alone options, there are practically no products of a combined type. But even if you see similar ones on sale, it is better to refuse to buy such a product. They are a font made of reinforced moisture-resistant plastic, the inside of which is covered with an acrylic layer. Such products are afraid of temperature changes, have a short service life (10-15 years), are easily deformed.

Recently on sale, you can increasingly see Kvarilny baths. Buying them is a good option. Quaril is a type of acrylic, in the composition of which quartz sand is present. Thanks to such an additive, the quartz baths have an even longer service life (on average 30 years), and are characterized by increased reliability. Improved operational properties lead to a higher cost of baths from kvaril, however, they do not differ from acrylic analogues.

It is important to pay attention to the quality of the product. Wall thickness should be at least 6–8 mm. Thin-walled options are cheaper, but ultimately less durable. No less important is the number of reinforcing layers: from 1 to 5. In a good product there are 3-5 of them. You can calculate the number of layers if you look at the edge of the bathtub - the reinforcement will be visible, the layers are clearly calculated.

Additionally, you can test for quality and wall thickness using a flashlight. It is necessary to shine them on one of the walls of the bath: if on the other hand the beam is noticeable, this indicates insufficient wall thickness. The product can not be called quality.

Another test is to tap the bath in several places. Sound should be equally deaf everywhere. The surface should also be homogeneous: without roughness, gray and yellow spots, inclusions.

If the product stands on its legs, then they must be durable. Important: decorative legs are never installed as an independent support. Usually they cover more solid support legs. If there are uneven floors, then additional legs will be required. But again, the main burden should not fall on them.

The legs should be attached to the bowl and floor using screws or brackets. All other fixation methods are unreliable. As when choosing a bowl design, when buying legs, you should consider how much they fit into the interior of the room.

If desired, you can purchase a bath with additional functions. Since such models are more expensive, it makes sense to first weigh whether you really need them. In many cases, in large numbers there is no urgent need - 1-2 is enough. Among the popular: hydro and air massage, ozonation of water and drying the bath, lighting.

In general, acrylic bathtubs are not capricious. It is important to remember only that they do not tolerate abrasive and too aggressive means. The sloppy appearance and darkening primarily cause various kinds of microdamage to the surface: the use of powders and abrasives, hard brushes.

The best option is to use gel formulations (ideally especially for acrylic) and soft sponges for cleaning. The acrylic bath is well washed with ordinary liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. The use of a special polish will help ensure the gloss of the product.

Despite the strength of acrylic, Avoid dropping heavy objects into the tub, especially from high altitudes. This is fraught with the appearance of microdamages and visible cracks on the surface.

If there is hard water in your area, it is necessary to wipe the bath dry after use so that scale does not form on the surface in the future.

If the acrylic bath is damaged, you can repair it by buying a special composition for this. With a significant deterioration in the appearance of the bowl, you can pour a new layer of acrylic on the old bath.

The epitome of luxury in a contemporary style. Thanks to the oval detached font of a large size, it is possible to create an atmosphere of bliss, while the decoration and design as a whole are quite minimalistic.

A boudoir-style room for which a round bathtub on powerful legs in the form of paws "work", a huge mirror, exquisite plumbing and a multi-tiered crystal chandelier.

Unusual shaped bathtub in ethnic interior. Thanks to the color and location behind the original forged wall, the bowl becomes the center of the interior.

See how to properly install a freestanding acrylic bathtub and who it fits in the next video.