How to choose an acrylic bath: the best manufacturers

The development of technologies leads to the emergence of new materials that, in terms of the totality of characteristics, are at least as good as the old ones, and sometimes even surpass them. For example, polymers. They appeared not so long ago, but are actively entering our lives. And now they are used to make dishes, pipes, packaging, sanitary ware, etc. If we talk about the bathroom, then cast-iron or steel bathtubs are increasingly being replaced with acrylic ones. But in order to choose an acrylic bathtub and not regret it, you need to know some technological nuances, as well as the rules for handling this material. 

Pros and cons of acrylic bathtubs

Even before the repair, you have to decide which acrylic bathtub to choose. To make it easier to decide, we weigh the positive and negative qualities of acrylic bathtubs. We will talk about good quality products, and not about cheap fakes.

Pros of replacing a steel or cast iron bathtub with an acrylic one:

• Light weight. A medium-sized acrylic bathtub weighs about 12-15 kg, so it can be carried by one person. This reduces shipping costs and facilitates installation.
• Low heat capacity. Even in the cold season, acrylic feels like a warm material. Standing and sitting on it is more pleasant than on metal, it heats up quickly. Many times faster than steel or cast iron.
• Sanitary acrylic is a low-porous material, but even when wet it is not slippery.
• There is almost no sound when taking on water.
  

These are positive points. Now about the shortcomings, they are serious. In order not to regret the decision made, it is necessary to choose an acrylic bathtub being aware of all the nuances. So, the disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs:

• Acrylic requires special care. You can use only special non-abrasive products, wash the container only with soft rags, do not use graters, hard washcloths, etc. For washing acrylic baths, you can not use products containing ammonia and chlorine, bleaching additives (that is, washing powders are also undesirable). To wash off severe pollution, a special composition is simply left on the surface for a while, and then washed off.
• Under load, the bottom bends a little, which causes the walls to move. For this reason, the installation of an acrylic bath is carried out according to a special algorithm – on regular or additional stops (bricks). The gap between the side or the wall is closed with a special plinth or tile, but everything must be done according to the recommendations of the manufacturers.
  

• Handle the container carefully – acrylic is scratched. For example, you need to lay some kind of fabric under the basins, do not get into the bath in shoes, etc. If it is a high-quality sanitary acrylic, the scratches are shallow and do not interfere with operation, besides, they can be sanded using special polishing pastes. In cheap composite models, scratches remain forever, and can also cause peeling of the protective coating.
• If something heavy falls into the bath, chips may appear on the surface. They are repairable, but only if it is high-quality acrylic.
• Acrylic bathtub has thin movable walls. And although during installation a frame is brought under the sides, it will not work to fully lean on the edge of the bath. Moreover, you can’t sit on its edge. This trick works only for people with low weight.
  

All these shortcomings are from the field of operation and maintenance, but you should know about all these nuances so as not to be aware of when buying.

How much does an acrylic bath cost

When choosing an acrylic bath, the question of cost invariably arises. The fact is that the price for a bowl of approximately the same size can differ by 3-5 times. It’s not so much about the “appetites” of manufacturers, but about production technology. Acrylic bathtubs are made in three ways:

1. The so-called casting baths. The finished form is filled with acrylic. After it hardens, the front surface is covered with a layer of fiberglass, filled with epoxy resin. The thickness of the acrylic layer with this production method is the same – there are no thinner sections in the places of bends / kinks. Since sanitary acrylic is expensive, bathtubs made using this technology cost a lot.
   

2. From sheet acrylic. In this case, the acrylic sheet is heated over the mold until soft, after which, with the help of vacuum, it is “sucked” into the mold, and remains in it until it cools. Acrylic bathtubs made using this technology have different thicknesses. At the bottom, where there is usually the most active wear, the thickness of the acrylic is less, since the stretching of the sheet in this place is maximum. But, with a good quality of the source material, the thickness of the acrylic here is 3-4 mm, which is quite enough for long-term operation.
3. Extrusion or composite baths. Strictly speaking, these are not acrylic baths, but many unscrupulous sellers also call them acrylic. A bowl is formed from a sheet of ABC plastic, its front surface is covered with a layer of acrylic. Usually these are the cheapest products – plastic is cheap, acrylic is often used cheap. Despite the low price, these “works” are better not to buy. The fact is that plastic and acrylic do not have very good adhesion and different thermal expansion. As a result, during operation, the protective surface peels off, the acrylic layer cracks and begins to peel off. There are many negative reviews for this product.
   

So in order to choose a good quality acrylic bathtub, you need to understand what technology it is made of. To determine this “by eye” is unrealistic. You can try only by indirect signs to understand whether it is good or not. The most accessible indicator is the strength of the sides. If they bend and look unreliable, it is better not to take this copy.

You can also see the thickness of the acrylic around the drain hole. Of course, the thicker the white layer, the better. Another indirect sign of good quality is a large mass. It happens that bathtubs of the same manufacturer have the same size, but the difference in weight is about 50%. The one that is heavier usually has more acrylic. Well, another indicator is the price. Good acrylic bathtubs are not cheap. Plumbing acrylic is an expensive material. The more it is, the more expensive the bath. So “cheap and high quality” is not about this product.

Since outwardly it is impossible to understand by what technology this or that bath is made. Therefore, manufacturers supply their products with passports, which describe the manufacturing method, the installation procedure and conditions, and the care method. Before buying, you need to study this information and only after that buy. And then, if everything suits you.

Which is better

As you know, the most expensive containers made using injection molding technology. They have a long service life and are easy to care for. Some manufacturers give them a 10-year warranty (subject to installation and maintenance recommendations). This is a great choice, but not everyone can afford such baths. A good option is bowls made of sheet acrylic. They are quite reliable, have a relatively low price. Both options are good in that if scratches or chips form, they can be repaired. Scratches are polished, and chips are filled with a repair compound.

Composite baths are the cheapest segment, but they cannot be repaired. Chips and scratches will remain forever. There is one more thing: when using cheap acrylic, the surface turns out to be porous, dirt clogs into the pores. It is very difficult to remove it, because potent agents cannot be used. So taking care of such bathrooms is difficult. Even if the acrylic layer does not crack, they lose their appearance quickly.

If you want to choose a good quality acrylic bathtub, take the time to go to the exhibition centers to see and feel copies of different manufacturers. When inspecting, pay attention to the thickness of the walls. On a cut in the area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe sides, you can evaluate how well the container is reinforced, and the thickness of the acrylic is also visible here. When inspecting, estimate how the declared thickness of the acrylic layer corresponds to reality.

If you have chosen several brands, ask for certificates before buying. Serious firms provide paper on acrylic, and also certify their products according to European and international standards. The presence of such papers is one of the signs of the seriousness of the campaign, and their absence is a reason to think: are you going to buy a fake.

Acrylic bathtubs the best manufacturers

There are many unknown and some proven companies on the market. Firms with a name sell their products more expensive. This is more likely due to the fact that unknown firms, trying to conquer the market, simplify technology and find ways to save money. What does this lead to? Often to problems during operation. Therefore, even with a limited budget, it is advisable to choose an acrylic bath of a well-known brand. This way you will know exactly what you are paying for.

Ravak (Ravak) – good quality

If you need a good quality acrylic bath, pay attention to the products of the Czech company Ravak. By production sanitary sheet acryle is used. But the technology has been improved in such a way that the heating temperature of the sheet in different zones is different. As a result, the thickness of acrylic is the same everywhere.

To increase the strength of the containers, the finished acrylic bath is reinforced. Rawak reinforces some models with a metal mesh (glues them from below to ready-made containers), but more often they use several layers of fiberglass fabric, which is coated with a water-repellent compound. In any case, the total thickness of the walls of the acrylic bath turns out to be solid, even with a significant load, they do not “walk” very much.

In the assortment of this company there are a large number of bathtubs of classic, asymmetric and unusual shapes. Since it can be problematic to find a curtain for containers of an unusual shape, some models are equipped with curtains (glass sliding). You can immediately get a bath and shower.

To make it easier to choose plumbing, bathtubs are produced as part of the collection. Most often, in addition to the bath, a washbasin is offered. Such a pair usually matches perfectly in style and shape, as they are developed together. They also offer a support (frame), a siphon with an overflow device, a headrest and a front panel (screen). So at Rawak you can not only choose an acrylic bathtub, but also pick up accessories for installation and installation.

Cersanit (Tsersanit) – decent quality for a small price

The Polish company Cersanit produces sanitary ware made of porcelain/faience and acrylic. The prices, in comparison with other European manufacturers, are somewhat lower, the quality is at its best. Pleased with the abundance of shapes and sizes. There are containers of the usual rectangular shape, there are rounded, streamlined ones. Can be installed against the wall, in the corner, in the center of the room. Separately, it is worth mentioning the Cersanit Pure line. The surface of these baths is coated with a composition containing silver ions, which provide antibacterial protection.

At the enterprises of Cersanit, the bath bowl is molded from sheet acrylic Lucite. To give it greater rigidity, in loaded places, the capacity is reinforced with additional plates. To ensure that the surface does not lose its luster during operation, the inner part is filled with a layer of resin.

There are usually no complaints about the quality of Cersanit acrylic bathtubs, but the reviews note a strong smell that does not disappear for a long time. If you need inexpensive but high-quality sanitary ware, you can choose an acrylic bathtub from the Polish company Cersanit.

Kolo baths

Another Polish company Sanitec produces sanitary ware under the brand name KOLO (Kolo). Acrylic bathtubs of this brand are also made from sheet acrylic, then reinforced with fiberglass. They come complete with adjustable legs, can be equipped with a drain / overflow system, a screen, accessories – a headrest, handles.

If you want to choose an acrylic bath for convenience, take a look at the products of this company – they have various lines using interesting solutions. For example, the Kolo Komfort line (Kolo Comfort) has a beveled side, which is convenient to lean on with your back when taking a bath. They have an anti-slip corrugated bottom, they are large in size (from 150 to 170 cm in length). Also, this line can be equipped with a headrest and a seat, which are fixed on the sides of a special shape.

The Kolo Mirra line is distinguished by its shape – they are rectangular on the outside, and asymmetrical on the inside. They also have large sizes – from 150 cm to 170 cm in length. They can be equipped with handles for easy lifting, headrests.

The containers of the Spring series are distinguished by an unusual shape with benches inside. These ledges can also be used as tables or shelves for bath accessories. In the production of this series, high-quality acrylic is used.

Apollo – Italian-Chinese products

Like many European firms, Appollo moved production to China. At the same time, the quality of products has not become worse, and the price, due to cheaper labor, has become more competitive.

Among the products of this company there are interesting models with glass inserts (AT-9050L, AT-9076T, AT-9075T). Such fonts look unusual and stylish and are in solid demand. In many models, holes are provided in the sides for installing mixers not on the wall, but on the side. Moreover, some models are equipped not only with a drain system, but also with mixers. In others, you can pick up a branded mixer of the shape you like for an additional fee.

On request, the fonts are equipped with hydromassage, airmassage, chromotherapy (changing the colors of the backlight in a certain rhythm). The mode of operation of all “additives” is regulated. Height-adjustable legs and headrest are included as standard.

Р РѕСЃСЃРёР№СЃРєРёРµ РїСЂРѕРёР · водители

The production of acrylic bathtubs and Russian campaigns did not bypass. Their products are mainly in the middle price segment. They are not as expensive as European products, but the quality is also inferior, although there are campaigns that have good reviews. Here are the most famous companies and a brief description of the products:

• Aquatek. Acrylic is of good quality, but the walls of the containers are thin, they “walk” under load. There is a frame (made of aluminum pipe), which should give them more rigidity, but according to reviews, there are not enough slats in it, so the bottom and sides still sag. With proper care, acrylic does not change color, but it is easily scratched.
• Triton. Acrylic is very good – does not change color, almost does not scratch. But the trouble with the bundle is not a very good frame, the drain / overflow system that comes with the kit has a short thread (it may have already been changed), so it’s difficult to install it without leaks.
  

• 1MarKa (1Marka). The owners of these acrylic baths complain of a strong smell that lasts for a long time. There are complaints about the uneven frame, there are even unwelded places, unevenly bent guides for the glass curtain.
• Bas (bass). If we talk about containers without additional devices, then they have good reviews: the bottom is anti-slip (in a pimple), easy to clean, not scratched. As disadvantages, design flaws are indicated: the frame is not of the best design, in models with a mixer installed on the side, water flows down the hose under the bathtub.

In general, you can also choose an acrylic bath from Russian manufacturers. Some adjustments may be required during installation, but the containers themselves, in general, have good characteristics.