Which bath to choose? Detailed guide and tips for choosing.

Criterias of choice

In order to correctly choose a bowl, it is important to consider:

• Dimensions. The dimensions of the structure should be selected individually for each bathroom.
• Forms. The aesthetic component and the volume of water depend on it.
• Material. This factor affects the durability of the bath and the convenience of its operation.
• Availability of additional options. Hydromassage, chromotherapy and other selectable built-in features enhance bathing comfort.
• Price. The cost of a bath is influenced by the combination of all these factors.
• Manufacturer. Plumbing from trusted firms is much more reliable and has all quality certificates.

Let's consider each parameter in more detail.

Determine the size of the bath

Before visiting the store, you should measure the dimensions of the bathroom. Massive bowls that can be placed in the center are suitable only for spacious rooms. The large area of ​​the bathroom allows you to choose the most convenient option for yourself. In typical apartments, where the bathroom is 3–6 m long, the tank is placed along the wall. To avoid leaks, its length should be equal to the length of the wall.

Also, the choice is influenced by the height and weight of a person. A length of 160–180 cm and a width of 70–80 cm are optimal for the owner of an average height (about 175–180 cm). The most suitable depth of the bowl is usually 60 cm. The standard height of the product is 60 cm, but you can choose models with low sides that will be convenient for children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

The minimum wall thickness should be 5 mm. If you choose a product with thin walls, it will deteriorate faster.

In the photo there is a bathroom, where the bowl is set aside for a relaxing bath. A shower cabin is designed for hygiene procedures.

Which shape is better to choose?

The most popular shape is rectangle or oval, but there are many other types of bathtubs that will suit a particular room. The main factor influencing the choice is the area of ​​the bathroom. You also need to build on the amount of furniture and the presence of a washing machine. In addition, the volume of each type of product is taken into account.

The rectangular shape holds up to 600 liters, the angular one - up to 550.

Less capacious tanks of asymmetric shape (up to 400 liters). It is worth choosing this option if the bathroom is small.

Radial, that is, round, containers have the largest volume - up to 690 liters.

For a spacious bathroom, a bowl of any shape, including a square one, is suitable. For a cramped bathroom, it is better to choose a rectangular or asymmetrical corner.

What do you need to know about the material of the bathtub when choosing?

Consider the pros and cons of various plumbing fixtures in order to easily understand many of the nuances and accurately choose the right option.

Cast iron baths

Cast iron is composed of iron and carbon. The enamel, which covers the surface in several layers, gives a special wear resistance to the structure. The duration of its abrasion reaches 20 years.

Despite the high wear resistance of the surface, the cast iron bath should be handled with care, do not throw heavy objects into it. Before finally choosing a bowl in the store, you need to check the purchase for chips. It is better to use an anti-slip mat during operation.

In the photo there is a bathroom in a country house, equipped with a bathtub on curly legs or "paws", which give the product a rich look.

Cast-iron bathtubs are often found in Soviet-built apartments, which indicates both the long service life of these products, and the laboriousness of its dismantling. It is unacceptable to install such heavy structures in frame houses and apartments with wooden ceilings. The safest option is the first floor of the cottage.

Steel baths

Steel is an inexpensive alloy, so bowls made of it are the most budgetary. The steel bath is relatively light (approx. 30 kg), which makes it easy to install. Wall thickness - from 1.5 to 3.6 mm, including a layer of acrylic coating to protect against scratches. But, in addition to the pros, there are also disadvantages to a steel bath.

Owners of steel baths are often worried about the rumble that occurs when filling the tank with water. To reduce noise, the outer side of the bowl is pasted over with penofol or poured with polyurethane foam. You can also choose special soundproofing pads.

Today you can choose a steel bathtub, treated with quartz enamel from the inside, which reliably protects against scratches. There are also thin stainless steel bowls on the market, but they are unpopular due to their high cost.

Acrylic bathtubs

Acrylic is a relatively new, but demanded material. The structures are made of durable plastic and fiberglass. The design is varied: for some products, you can additionally choose handles, seats, headrests and shelves.

It is worth considering that structures with an abundance of bends are not as reliable as traditional bowls. You can also choose a model painted in a shade that is unlikely to fade.

If the inner lining of the acrylic tub does get scratched, the damage can be repaired with sandpaper.

Pictured is an elegant trapezoidal acrylic bathtub.

Quaril baths

The expensive material kvaril is a modern development that can hardly be called publicly available. These bowls are made from acrylic and quartz. The manufacturing technology was patented by Villeroy & Boch (Germany), and before choosing a product from a quaril, you should find out information about the manufacturer, so as not to buy a fake.

The wall thickness of quaril structures reaches 10 cm. You can also choose a structure that does not require a reinforcing metal frame. According to the owners, quaril bathtubs do not bend during bathing, much more reliable and therefore in many respects preferable to acrylic ones.

The most interesting are the specimens standing on "legs": a classic bathtub made of new and high-quality material looks great in any interior.

Glass

The bath bowl is made of double-layer glass. They look original, but not every man in the street decides to choose a transparent tank for his bathroom.

Transparent glass bathtub does not visually hide the space. The bespoke designer pieces include a variety of inserts: you can choose between stone or wood for a truly exclusive finish. Also, the design can consist of frosted glass or have any shade.

The photo shows a luxurious tinted glass bowl, which is equipped with comfortable headrests.

Faience

The material for the manufacture of earthenware (or ceramic) baths is expensive varieties of white clay. It can be argued that a faience bathroom is the choice of aesthetes, and here's why:

Ceramic baths should be handled with care: despite the fact that the walls are covered with special glaze, chips and microcracks can form on them.

Often, earthenware bathtubs are freestanding, placed on "paws" or simply on the bottom of the bowl.

Marble

Let's consider the features of a bowl made of a solid block of natural stone and covered with a special protective compound. Before choosing a luxurious marble tank, you should familiarize yourself with the important disadvantages:

A marble bowl is installed only on the first floor of a private house, and sometimes requires a separate foundation.

The use of new technologies has made it possible to improve individual properties of some products, while maintaining their advantages, therefore, a "marble" bath can be chosen at a lower cost. An excellent alternative is a cast artificial stone bathtub. It not only costs less, but is also three times stronger, while its appearance is practically not inferior to a product made of natural material.

Copper

Bathing tanks so unusual today first appeared in the 19th century, and later they were replaced by cheaper products made of cast iron and steel. The inner surface of the copper bowl is coated with a layer of nickel.The most popular models are oval, but with a high budget, you can choose the original round or angular.

The bowl installed in the center of the bathroom looks especially luxurious. This option is suitable for people who value high-level comfort.

Copper bathtubs are not easy to maintain, as the metal can darken and lose its luster. Do not use abrasives, and after bathing it is advisable to wipe the bowl dry.

Wooden

Such bathtubs are made of noble wood species, impervious to moisture: larch, oak, teak. Structures are solid (from a piece of wood) or prefabricated. When ordering, it is better to choose the first option, since prefabricated structures are susceptible to moisture, despite impregnation with moisture-repellent substances.

Expensive wood products are rarely used for their intended purpose: for washing, you will have to choose a shower cabin for the bathroom.

When exposed to hot water on a wooden bowl, a pleasant aroma of essential oils appears, and the procedure has a healing effect.

What additional options are better to choose?

Each additional function makes the product more expensive and also increases the consumption of water and electricity. Therefore, it is worth choosing only those options that justify the costs of utilities, repairs and maintenance.

To make it easier to make your choice, we will consider the most popular functions. Hydromassage. It contains various modes that have a tonic effect or help to relax. The water in such a bath is circulated by a pump and creates a pressure that is regulated using a remote control. Water massage improves blood circulation and tones the body. Aeromassage supplies oxygen to the water, saturating the skin with it. You can choose a product with a turbo massage system that combines both of these functions. They are often equipped with water level sensorwhich controls how full the bowl is.

Chromotherapy has a therapeutic effect on the body: the various colors of the lamps built into the design help to invigorate, calm down, relax or numb the muscles.

Auto disinfection helps to take care of the product by supplying a disinfectant to the inner walls and automatically rinsing it off.

In the photo there is a corner bath with hydro and air massage.

Choosing a manufacturer and prices

In order to correctly choose a bath, you should learn more about Russian and foreign firms that have established themselves as reliable manufacturers of plumbing fixtures.

• Manufacturers of cast iron bathtubs: "Universal" (Russia), Jacob Delafon (France), Roca (Spain), Goldman (China).
• Companies for the production of high quality steel baths: Lipetsk Pipe Plant (Russia), Bette and Kaldewei (Germany), Estap (Slovakia).
• When buying an acrylic bathtub, it is recommended to choose one of these firms: Aquanet (Russia), Pool Spa (Spain), Ravak (Czech Republic), Cersanit (Poland).
• Quaril products are manufactured by the German company Villeroy & Boch.
• When ordering a ceramic bowl, you should give preference to TM Colombo and Santek (Russia), Globo and Flaminia (Italy).

Cast iron baths, in comparison with other popular models, are the most durable, therefore they are more expensive. The cheapest models are made from steel. Acrylic is an intermediate option.

Usually, the bathtub is chosen for many years and is used every day, therefore, you should purchase a tank that has optimal characteristics and meets the needs of all family members. It is not easy to choose a high-quality design, but a correctly selected product will not only perfectly fit into the room, but will also become one of the most pleasant places in the house.