Which bath is better - acrylic or steel? Comparative review

Happy owners of new apartments, as well as those who started repairs in the bathroom, face a difficult choice. The stores have a huge number of attractively and externally and at the price of plumbing fixtures, many of which are made from materials unfamiliar to the buyer.

Which bath is better: acrylic or steel? This question is asked by most visitors to stores. In the article we presented, technical specifications are examined in detail, the positive and negative sides of the demanded types of plumbing are examined, on the basis of which one can make the right choice.

Perfect bath: what should it be

Imagining a "bath of dreams" everyone, of course, endows it with certain qualities. In this case, the appearance of the object can be any, it is important that the product has certain performance characteristics.

A good bath should have a low heat capacity. Only in this case, the water poured into the bowl will cool as slowly as possible, which will give a person the opportunity to soak in plenty in a pleasant environment for the body.

It is desirable that the inner surface of the bowl does not slip, so water procedures will be completely safe. This is especially important for older family members and for children.

The coating of the bath should be durable and resistant to all kinds of damage. Ideally, the bath should not be afraid of aggressive chemicals, nor the fall of heavy objects or shock, nor abrasive cleaners.

The inner coating should be washed well. It is desirable that the pollution was as difficult as possible to gain a foothold on it. Then for the care of the surface of the bowl will be enough for the most simple means. It is important that the bath is durable.

If its walls are too thin, the bowl will deform and “play” under the weight of a washable person.In this case, it is desirable that additional equipment, for example, a device for hydromassage mounted without problems.

The weight of the plumbing fixture should not be too large, otherwise there will be problems with its transportation and installation. Shape and size can be absolutely any. It is important that in these parameters the bath is well suited for a particular room and fits perfectly into its interior.

An “ideal” bath should be beautiful, reliable, comfortable and multifunctional. An important quality of plumbing is the ability to keep the water temperature long enough

All about steel bath

It would be a mistake to think that all steel bowls are the same. They are made from two fundamentally different materials. The first is structural steel. Baths from this material are produced by stamping.

A sheet of metal is placed under a heated press, which with effort gives the bowl the desired shape. After this, the workpiece enters the enamel. Structural steel is not resistant to corrosion and therefore needs to be protected.

In the factory, an enamel layer is applied to the base. In contrast to the cast iron counterpart, on which several layers are superimposed, one to a maximum of two layers is applied to the steel. As a result, enamel has completely different properties.

It has no pores in which pollution could accumulate. But at the same time, the enamel adheres worse to the base and peels off quite easily as a result of mechanical damage or other exposure.

An exclusive stainless steel bathtub is stylish and durable, but also a more expensive option. It fits perfectly into any interior and does not disappoint the owner with its performance characteristics.

As a protective layer, not only enamel can be applied to the base, but also a polymer that improves adhesion. Such a coating is accordingly better supported on metal. In general, enamel baths made of steel alloys have a low cost.

They are very easy to care for, because they do not trap dirt on their walls, and leaks and stains from soapy water on them are not too noticeable. However, the service life of such a protective coating is short, it can be extended using tools specially developed for this purpose.

In addition, stainless steel is used for the manufacture of bathtubs. It is absolutely safe for humans and environmentally friendly. The truth is much more expensive than structural steel.

Stainless steel baths are made by stamping, they do not need any additional processing. The surface of such products is maximally resistant to various kinds of damage, but difficult to maintain, since it is too noticeable drips of soapy water and limescale.

Enamelled steel bathtubs are less durable. The enamel does not hold on the base very firmly and may break off when an object is hit or dropped

In both cases, the thickness of the metal walls of the bath is considered an important aspect. It can vary from 0.15 to 0.35 cm. The best option is a thicker sheet. Such a bowl holds its shape well and does not bend during operation. Thin-walled bathtubs are easily deformed, which is unpleasant. And if this is an enameled model, then in the areas of deflection the enamel begins to exfoliate and breaks off over time.

With landmarks choosing a steel bath will familiarize you with an article to read before buying metal plumbing.

Features of steel products

Like any other product, steel bathtubs have some features that affect their performance. Let's consider them in more detail.

Metal tendency to deform

Almost all steel baths are slightly prone to bowing and slight deformation of the bowl. This is especially true for thin-walled models that literally "walk" under the weight of the person in them.

The manufacturer is aware of this problem and may offer a special reinforcing cage complete with the product. This is a construction of several supports, which should steel plumbing installed. The supporting frame will provide stability and a stable position, exclude fluctuations in the bowl during hygiene procedures.

For high-quality installation of the bath “on the foam”, immediately before foaming, the bowl should be filled with water

Such frames for bathtubs of large sizes or non-standard shapes are especially relevant. The design helps to remove excess load from the walls and distribute it more evenly. As a result, the bowl becomes more stable and does not deform.

If there is no such frame complete with a bath, it is advisable to make it similar to yourself. Alternatively, consider installing a bowl on foam blocks or a brick with blowing foam into the free space under the bath.

Minimal sound and heat insulation

The metal is characterized by low soundproofing characteristics. It practically does not absorb sounds. For this reason, the filling process of the steel bowl is accompanied by a loud noise. This is not the worst flaw, but for some it matters.

Similarly, with thermal insulation. The metal has a high heat capacity. He very quickly draws heat from the heated water, which, accordingly, cools down just as quickly.

This is very unpleasant for those who like to lie in a warm bath for a long time, and it gives certain inconvenience to everyone else. Therefore, the manufacturer recommends that you use an additional insulator when installing a steel bath.

It is produced in the form of plates, all products of well-known brands are necessarily equipped with them. If your model is not equipped with such plates, you can handle it yourself.

The easiest way to make heat and noise insulation for a steel bath is by foaming its outer surface

To make a home-made insulation layer, you will need foamed polyethylene, technical cork or similar materials. If they are not, the usual polyurethane foam is quite suitable.

Insulation is applied to the outside of the bath and fixed there. After drying, the bowl is installed in the selected place. Such an insulating layer absorbs sound well and significantly reduces the thermal conductivity of the metal.

Advantages and disadvantages of using steel bathtubs

Steel products have several advantages, we list the most significant of them:

• Sufficient lifetime for the price. With good care, a bathtub made of structural steel will last 10-15 years, and a stainless steel product will last even longer.
• Relatively light weight. An average steel bath weighs about 20 kg, which is several times less than that of a cast iron counterpart. Thanks to this, the product is easy to transport and install.
• Easy to care. The porosity of the coating of the bowl is minimal. This prevents the accumulation of contaminants and greatly facilitates the cleaning of the bath.
• Comfort to use. Steel bowls warm up very quickly. To do this, they just need to rinse with hot water.

Deficiencies in steel products have already been voiced. This is insufficient sound insulation, a tendency to deformation and high heat transfer. However, all these problems can be easily fixed if desired. Given this, as well as the fact that the cost of such bathtubs is significantly lower than that of cast-iron or acrylic, it is easy to explain the demand for steel products.

The secrets of choosing the best steel plumbing

When choosing a steel bathtub for a home, you need to know exactly what to pay special attention to. First of all, you should carefully examine your favorite model for wall thickness.

It should be 3mm or more. Unfortunately, determining this “by eye” is not always possible, so you need to estimate the weight of the product. If a bowl of impressive size easily rises with one hand, you should refrain from buying.

On sale you can find steel baths of various sizes and shapes. If you wish, it is easy to choose an original and functional model for your bathroom

A quality bath can not weigh less than 18-20 kg. If this is not so, the manufacturer simply tried to save on metal. The geometry of the bowl should be perfectly flat, as well as its surface.

Steel baths stamp, therefore, all cavities, bulges and bends are defects that should not be. Particular attention should be paid to the quality of the enamel coating, if present.

It should be smooth, uniform, without the slightest influx or sag. There should not be chips or cracks, even the smallest. Subsequently, they will become a place where rust will appear.

If the bath cover is self-cleaning, even a small crack will lead to the loss of the properties declared by the manufacturer. And finally, it’s worth evaluating the cup “by ear”. Fingers should tap the surface of the bath. A high-quality product sounds uniform, without bounce and extraneous noise.

What you need to know about acrylic bathtub?

Acrylic bathtubs under the general name hide products with various operational properties. They are united by the fact that polymer compounds are used in the manufacture: ABS plastic, PMMA substance, or a complex that includes both artificial compounds.

More precisely, acrylic sheets are released from these compounds, which, under the influence of vacuum, are given the necessary shape. The highest quality bowls are made of polymethyl methacrylate or PMMA.

According to the manufacturing method, these acrylic sheets are divided into:

• Injection. Production involves pouring molten polymer between two rigid panels and subsequent curing of the sheet in a clamped state. This is plumbing acrylic with maximum impact resistance, uniform sheet thickness and minimal shrinkage when heated.
• Extrusion. The manufacture consists in extruding the polymer melt through the crevice nozzle of the production plant. As a result, acrylic sheets with higher porosity, lower density in all directions and impact resistance are obtained than injection moldings.

Bathtubs made of cast sheets are more expensive, but also significantly ahead of extrusion products in practical and technical terms. Unfortunately, externally acrylic bathtubs from cast and extrusion sheets are almost indistinguishable. Therefore, when choosing you need to be very careful.

The production process of sanitary ware from both types of PMMA acrylic sheets is carried out according to a single technology. Of them, a bowl is formed under vacuum pressure. Then the back of the acrylic plumbing is reinforced with fiberglass, after which the technological holes are cut and the sides of the bath are trimmed.

The best quality acrylic bathtubs are made from sheets made by injection molding of polymer with the acronym PMMA

Acrylic plastic sheets with the acronym ABS, referred to among chemists as acrylonetrile butadiene styrene, are the cheapest and most impractical variety. The plumbing made of them is actually disposable, does not withstand grinding, but due to porosity it is perfectly painted in a variety of colors.

The outside of the bowl is reinforced with fiberglass. It looks like a reinforcing layer composed of long heavy-duty threads

ABS is a porous and very hygroscopic material; it is rapidly destroyed by contact with moisture. Therefore, the life of such products is small. The top layer of acrylic can have a different thickness. The smaller it is, the more vulnerable the surface. A thin layer of polymer can easily be pierced with a sharp object, chipped or simply worn away with intensive use.

In assortment acrylic bathtubs there are also products made by coextrusion from the polymer complex ABS / PMMA.In the manufacture of both types of materials pass through the extrusion nozzle, the result is a two-layer panel.

This sandwich sheet for vacuum molding is laid so that the bottom was located ABS. The option is stronger than the standard extrusion and cheaper than injection PMMA, but loses the latter in technical parameters.

Features of acrylic bowls

Acrylic bathtubs are distinguished by several features that distinguish them among the plumbing equipment. We will consider them carefully.

A variety of sizes and shapes

The technology for manufacturing acrylic bowls allows you to produce a variety of shapes and sizes of products. Perhaps, no other material opens up the widest scope for the creativity of designers.

Any configuration and dimensions of the product are possible. In addition, during the manufacturing process, the holes required for the installation of special equipment are quite simple.

Acrylic bathtubs can be equipped with a variety of additional equipment for massage, chromotherapy, lighting

Therefore, acrylic bathtubs can be equipped with any devices for hydromassage, chromotherapy, backlighting, etc. In addition, pigment can be added to the raw materials for casting at the stage of preparation, giving any desired shade. Thus, acrylic bathtubs have a very different design, which makes it easy to choose the best option for your bathroom.

The presence of a reinforcing frame

Acrylic bowls are plastic. Under the weight of the water and the person in the bath, its walls and bottom can bend and slightly deform. To avoid this effect, each bowl is equipped with a special metal frame, which should remove excessive stress and evenly distribute the force over the entire surface.

Given the variety of designs for acrylic bathtubs, you need to know that a responsible manufacturer is developing a framework for each of the models he produces. Usually the design comes complete with plumbing, as it is used in installation of acrylic bath without fail.

This is a frame covered with anticorrosive protection made of a square steel pipe. The frame necessarily has height-adjustable legs, angular supports and intermediate stiffeners.

Acrylic bathtubs are necessarily equipped with a reinforcing frame on legs adjustable in height. Stabilizing plumbing design is developed for each model.

Considering the frame, we can conclude about the strength of the acrylic bowl. The smaller it is, the more support points the steel frame will have. The strongest bowls are equipped with frames with four fulcrum.

The reinforcing structure may be all-welded or prefabricated. The latter option is more convenient. In addition, its presence is a signal of the strength of the acrylic bowl. A welded frame is usually attached to a bath of low strength.

Maintainability and durability of acrylic plumbing

You must understand that the service life of the product depends on its quality. The most durable PMMA injection cups. Subject to proper operation, they will last 20 years or more. At the same time, the products are repairable.

This means that, if necessary, chips and cracks that appeared on the surface of the bathtub can be removed. Especially for this repair compounds are produced, which are liquid or pasty acrylic.

Repair kits are available for bath repair, the use of which guarantees a high-quality elimination of surface defects. In the complete set of funds there is sandpaper for all types of plumbing, for acrylic it is gray

The liquid is applied to a flaw on the surface, completely fills it. After the composition hardens, there is not even a trace of a defect left. The durability of sandwich sheet baths depends on the thickness of the acrylic injection layer. It can be different.

Practice shows that bowls coated with 2-3 mm acrylic layer will last about three to four years.Products with a 4 mm acrylic layer can "work out" for about seven years, and finally, baths with a 5-6 mm acrylic layer last 10-12 years.

Criteria and Rules choosing a good acrylic bath are listed in the next article, which we recommend that you familiarize yourself with.

Pros and Cons of Acrylic Products

Like any other, acrylic bathtubs have advantages and certain disadvantages:

• Low heat dissipation. Acrylic bowls retain heat very well, losing about half a degree in 30 minutes. In addition, the coating is pleasantly warm even to the touch. Lovers of long bathing procedures will appreciate this.
• Light weight. The mass of the medium-sized acrylic bathtub is about 15-20 kg. This greatly facilitates its transportation and installation.
• High sound absorbing properties. Filling the bowl with water is completely silent.
• Hygiene and safety. Acrylic is very smooth, so pollution on its surface does not linger. To clean the bowl, it is enough to use a soap solution or special products. In addition, the material has pronounced antibacterial properties. The surface of such bowls does not slip.

Of the significant disadvantages, it is worth noting the low resistance to aggressive chemistry and high temperatures. Acrylic Plumbing Care also not easy, but now there are specialized cleaning products on sale.

Too hot liquids, a working hair dryer, varnishes, including for hair, solvents, adhesives, etc. are dangerous for an acrylic bowl. The use of abrasives to clean the surface is also unacceptable. They will scratch the coating, which will hopelessly ruin it.

Extremely undesirable for acrylic bowls and rough mechanical impact. If a heavy object falls, even from a small height, it will certainly lead to a crack or chip. The formation of a through hole is also possible. However, if the bath is injection molded, most of the defects can be repaired without a trace.

Secrets of choosing acrylic products

As already mentioned, the performance of an acrylic bathtub depends on its quality. Therefore, the first thing I want to recommend to those who choose such plumbing is to buy a product of only a well-known brand.

In this case, it will be possible to see a certificate confirming the quality of the goods, and in case of problems to make a claim. Unfortunately, “by eye” it is quite difficult to determine low-quality acrylic.

The responsible manufacturer supplies its products with special screens covering the space under the acrylic bathtub. It is almost impossible to make such a screen yourself

Those who decide to buy a product from an unknown manufacturer can advise the following. First you need to carefully examine the end of the bowl. Here you can see the layers. The top is acrylic, the rest are reinforcing. It is necessary to evaluate their thickness and quantity.

It is desirable that the reinforcing layers be at least 4. It is worth considering the surface of the bath. Irregularities and roughness of life should not.

Then it is desirable to slightly apply pressure to the walls and the bottom of the bowl. They should not bend too much like plastic panels. And the last test is on the clearance. You need to take a flashlight or a laser pointer and attach it alternately to the bottom and walls.

At the same time, palms should be placed with a cup in the same area on the outside of the product and look through the resulting window into the light. If it is visible too brightly, the thickness of the product is insufficient.

With a comparative analysis of technical and practical characteristics bathtubs made of acrylic and cast iron You can find it here. We recommend reading the review on this issue.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video # 1. Secrets of choosing a steel bath:

Video # 2. Choose a bath of acrylic:

Video # 3. Comparative analysis of all types of popular bathtubs:

Unambiguously determine that it is better acrylic or steel is impossible.Each user chooses the best option for himself, taking into account all the features of the plumbing fixture, its advantages and significant disadvantages, individual operating conditions.

Do not forget about the financial side of the choice. It is better to purchase high-quality equipment from the budget segment than an inexpensive product of a higher class.

Which bath do you think is the best and why? Share your own selection arguments. Please write comments in the block below, ask questions, publish thematic photos.