Expert advice: how to choose the best acrylic bathtub?

The main object of the bathroom is the bath itself. Until recently, no questions arose when choosing this hygiene item. Heavyweight cast iron bathtubs dominated the market. Now plumbing stores and supermarkets offer a choice of products made from traditional cast iron, steel, copper and acrylic. Moreover, the latter are gaining increasing popularity. How to choose the right acrylic bathtub and what should you pay attention to when purchasing?

Design Features

The material for the manufacture of acrylic bathtubs is a thermoplastic polymer based on polymethyl acrylate. It softens when heated, which allows it to be used to produce products of complex shapes that are inaccessible to equipment made of cast iron or steel.

Commercially available products can be divided into two types according to their manufacturing technology:

• Multilayer
  . Models of this type have a composite structure that includes a layer of fiberglass, ABS plastic and, in fact, a top acrylic coating. Such products are characterized by a low price, but due to the small thickness of the acrylic layer they are short-lived. Therefore, they are not certified on the European market and are produced mainly by Russian companies for domestic consumption.
• Monolithic
  . These bathtubs are made entirely from acrylic by casting or extruding molten plastic. Due to the absence of additional layers, they have high wear resistance and durability, although they cost more accordingly.

When acrylic hardens, it forms a fairly stable, durable, rigid structure, but in these parameters it is still inferior to metal models. Therefore, to strengthen products, manufacturers apply a reinforcing layer made from the following materials to their outer surface:

• Fiberglass
  . Mixed with polyester resin, it has high adhesive ability and firmly adheres to acrylic, effectively strengthening the bathtub. The disadvantages of fiberglass reinforcement are the rough surface and the presence of volatile toxic components in the mineral-polymer mixture. To avoid their impact on human health, manufacturers dry the product, but its quality is not always at a high level.
• Polyurethane
  . A cheaper reinforcement option, characterized by lower strength. Polyurethane adheres less well to acrylic, so when using plumbing fixtures it can peel off, reducing mechanical stability and causing squeaks. Its advantages are a smooth surface without a fibrous texture, and the absence of toxic components.

In addition to the reinforcing layer, to strengthen the structure of acrylic bathtubs, chipboard is used, sealed between layers of plastic in the bottom and allowing it to withstand the weight of an adult. To obtain certification in Europe, this is a prerequisite, and the slab must be moisture resistant. However, there are cheap models in which such bottom reinforcement is not provided at all or they use low-quality chipboard, which swells from moisture and over time leads to deformation of the equipment, squeaks, etc.

What strength is suitable?

Acrylic bowls have low strength because they are made of flexible and pliable plastic. To strengthen, a reinforcing layer with epoxy is applied to the outside. The more layers of reinforcement, the stronger the acrylic bathtub becomes.

Polyester resins strengthen the acrylic sheet. In order to make the structure even more durable, it is appropriate to use a reinforcing metal frame and bottom or reinforced chipboard. Due to its light weight, this plumbing fixture allows for simplified transportation, installation and dismantling during repairs. The weight of the bath is thirty kilograms, and the cast iron product weighs 80-150 kg.

Advantages of acrylic bathtubs

Before delving into the question of choosing this plumbing fixture, determine for yourself whether it exactly matches your ideas about comfort and practicality? Bathtubs made of acrylic have several advantages over analogues made from other materials:

• light weight, simplifying transportation and installation of equipment;
• relatively low price due to the availability of raw materials and technological simplicity of production;
• a wide variety of shapes due to the plasticity of acrylic;
• resistance to the corrosive effects of water and household cleaning products;
• low noise when filling with water, which is especially convenient when washing in the dark, when other family members are sleeping;
• low thermal conductivity, which keeps the water heated longer and, therefore, comfortable during long-term bathing;
• hygienic due to the low-porosity surface that does not absorb moisture and dirt;
• repairability - scratches, cracks, and other defects on the surface of an acrylic bathtub can be eliminated by polishing or using a repair kit available at any plumbing store.

However, this equipment has its disadvantages - in some cases they may even outweigh the advantages:

• Acrylic is inferior in strength to metal and is often damaged when heavy objects fall on it;
• Polymethyl acrylate wears out quite quickly when using cleaning products with abrasive particles, and also deteriorates when interacting with certain chemicals;
• Acrylic plumbing fixtures can become deformed at high water temperatures or under the weight of a large person.

These shortcomings are further aggravated by the fact that there are many low-quality products on the market, outright fakes made of cheap plastic. Due to bad experiences with them, many people consider all acrylic bathtubs to be short-lived and fragile.

Differences from other materials

Acrylic is a relatively new material. It appeared on the construction market only ten to fifteen years ago and is not yet as widespread as other, more familiar materials. It is a strong plastic that can be given any color, any shape, or faked to resemble any other material.

Acrylic bathtub can be any color

Do you want a marble bath, but stone is too expensive and heavy? Acrylic is definitely the answer to this problem.

It has a number of specific advantages:

Low thermal conductivity

This is very important for a bath, since lying in quickly cooling water is not very pleasant. Acrylic keeps the temperature constant for about half an hour, and it also has a special heater. Plastic

Plastic

Acrylic can be given any, most bizarre, shape. It can go in waves, it can have unexpected angles. There are even companies that make custom-made structures from acrylic.

Easy to care for. Acrylic is not susceptible to the formation of a layer of dirt on it; pathogenic microorganisms do not linger on it. Simply rinse it with warm water after each use.

Light weight. It is easy to lift an acrylic bathtub to the desired floor, and it does not have much impact on the floors.

No noise. Falling water produces a dull, weak sound.

Reliability. Acrylic will last longer than two decades if you buy the structure at a reasonable price and then use it carefully.

Special coating. Unlike cast iron, whose coating is usually slippery, acrylic is covered with a special plastic, which, despite its external smoothness, is very difficult to slip and fall on. Very useful for a home where an elderly person lives.

Acrylic is a relatively new material

But there are also disadvantages:

• Special care. Acrylic is easy to wash, but if it does get dirty, you will have to use specialized soft products that will not harm it.
• Sensitivity to temperature. Like any plastic, acrylic will melt if the temperature gets too high. Models with a small price can even become deformed if too hot water is poured into them. In any case, it is usually recommended to pour the cool one first, and only then turn on the hot one.
• Sensitivity to mechanical influences. Acrylic can be scratched, and impact resistance varies from product to product. If something heavy is dropped into a low-priced model, there is a high chance that it will crack.

The material is not prone to the formation of a layer of dirt on it

If you compare acrylic with cast iron and steel - traditional materials for manufacturing - you get the following result.

Steel characteristics:

• strength - low, sensitive to chips, cracks, scratches;
• thermal insulation is low, water quickly changes temperature and cools;
• weight is relatively small, it is easier to bring a steel structure into a house than a cast iron one;
• the noise is loud, when the stream hits the bottom, it can be heard throughout the entire apartment;
• shape - clearly defined, rectangular or slightly rounded corners;
• the price is low, which is the main advantage of a steel structure.

Has low thermal conductivity

Characteristics of cast iron:

• strength is the highest, it is difficult to break a cast iron bathtub, even if you decide to do it on purpose and use construction tools;
• thermal insulation is high, but half the temperature will be spent heating the cast iron itself, as a result of which the water will still cool down;
• the weight is huge, it’s not easy to bring cast iron into the house, plus it puts pressure on the ceilings;
• noise is average, you can hear water, but if you close the door, the sound will be muffled;
• shape - strictly defined, either rectangular or slightly rounded;
• the price is high, which is justified due to the high reliability of cast iron, which can last for several decades and only peel off slightly.

Acrylic will last longer than two decades

Acrylic characteristics:

• strength is low, you should not drop heavy objects into the bathtub;
• thermal insulation - high, enough to keep the temperature for half an hour;
• weight - light, like any plastic, easy to bring into the house, the ceiling does not press;
• noise - absent, since plastic muffles sound;
• any form, up to the one invented by a specific buyer;
• the price is high, which is justified due to the quality of the product.

Advice It’s worth buying acrylic if you need an intricate shape or high thermal insulation. It will also fit best into any modern interior.

Falling water makes a dull, weak sound

Types of acrylic bathtubs

The classification of this plumbing fixtures according to the type of materials used in its production has already been discussed above, but it also differs in other ways.

Configuration

. The plasticity of acrylic allows you to make plumbing fixtures of various shapes from it. Due to this, manufacturers produce models adapted to different layouts:

• rectangular - a classic shape for wall-mounted and free-standing bathtubs;
• corner - models with a sectoral configuration, designed for installation in a corner in small rooms;
• round - free-standing bathtubs without sharp corners, reducing the risk of injury, allowing you to create an unusual layout in the room, but suitable only for spacious rooms.

There are also different varieties of basic shapes - rectangular with rounded corners, oval, semicircular, asymmetrical, figured. In some models, the configuration is dictated not so much by their functionality as by the design intent, and has a purely aesthetic meaning.

Dimensions

. The size range of acrylic bathtubs is very diverse. The standard size of this sanitary ware is length 150-180 cm, width 70-85 cm, height 50-65 cm. It allows most people, including children and the elderly, to use them comfortably. At the same time, there are more and smaller sized products. The main criteria for choosing a size are the layout of the room and the height of the users. The bath should provide (if possible) a comfortable position for the person and not interfere with free movement around the room.

Thickness

. This parameter determines the strength of the equipment. The greater the thickness of the acrylic layer, the more resistant the plumbing fixtures are to mechanical stress. The most durable are models with a 5-6 mm acrylic sheet, but bathtubs with a 2-4 mm thickness are in greatest demand among people. When choosing equipment with a multilayer structure, the optimal thickness of the acrylic coating is considered to be 1-2 mm - this ensures its resistance to abrasion.

Additional functions

. Manufacturers often provide their products with built-in or optional features. Most of them are aimed at improving the usability of plumbing fixtures - for example:

• side handles for support while getting into or out of the bath;
• headrests and armrests that provide a comfortable position for the head and arms while bathing;
• anti-slip coating that prevents falls on a water-slippery bottom;
• hydromassage nozzles that act with water or air jets on the soft tissues of the body;
• opening side flaps or seats designed for comfortable use of the bathtub by children or people with limited mobility.

Some models of acrylic bathtubs also provide purely entertainment functions, such as a built-in radio, music or video player, TV, etc. However, you must remember that additional options significantly increase the cost of such plumbing. For example, for 20,000 rubles you can order a model without a body kit, but made of high-quality plastic that will last up to 12 years, or order a “sophisticated” bathtub made of low-grade plastic, which will have to be replaced after 2-3 years.

Additional functions

Some models of modern bathtubs are designed not only for water procedures. They have built-in functions that enhance comfort and positive health effects:

• Hydromassage - models with nozzles on the sides and bottom of the bowl, through which streams of water are supplied under pressure. This design is usually called a “jacuzzi”. Acupressure has a relaxing effect and improves blood flow.
• Aeromassage - this option is reminiscent of hydromassage, but the effect on the body is exerted by air bubbles. They cover the whole body and promote relaxation.
• Chromotherapy – LED lighting in the bathroom allows you to create the right mood. The ability to choose the color of the water enhances the effect of the hydromassage. Depending on the shade, the nervous system is stimulated or relaxed.
• There are also models with a laptop stand , a built-in television panel and a Wi-Fi , and automatic disinfection .

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Options make plumbing fixtures significantly more expensive. If the buyer is satisfied with this option, it is necessary to purchase products only from well-known brands. Chinese and Turkish companies use low-quality materials, so the product will not last long.

How to choose an acrylic bathtub (expert advice)

If, after analyzing all the advantages and disadvantages of this plumbing fixture, you still decide to equip your home with it, use the following recommendations when choosing it in the store:

• Shine a regular hand-held flashlight onto the side wall of the bathtub - a well-made product should not show through. If the material transmits light, then this indicates either its small thickness, or a completely different type of plastic, which is passed off as acrylic.
• Tap the walls and bottom - a booming sound indicates good quality equipment. Press firmly with your hand on the bottom: it should not sag, otherwise it may simply not withstand the weight of an adult, especially an overweight or tall one.
• Please note that the dimensions of the entire body do not correspond to the length of the bowl, which is approximately 10 cm smaller. When choosing suitable dimensions, be guided by the existing characteristics of the room and your personal convenience - it is advisable that a compromise be maintained between these two criteria.
• Inspect the cut of the side edge - ideally, only two layers (acrylic and reinforcing) should be visible. If there are more of them, then you have a cheap plastic bathtub. This is not necessarily a bad thing - such a model can be installed in a country house, where it will be used from time to time. However, to equip a bathroom in a residential building or apartment, it is better to acquire a product made of monolithic acrylic.
• Inspect the surface of the bowl - it should be uniformly white, smooth and glossy. The presence of roughness, stains, and foreign inclusions indicates low quality of the product.
• Smell the surface of the product: if there is no strong odor coming from it, this is a sign of a high-quality product. A strong “odor” means that the plastic contains volatile compounds that are often toxic. However, even products from well-known brands emit a smell immediately after production, but they remove it quite quickly - even before the moment of purchase.
• If you have a limited amount of money, be guided by the basic functionality of the bathtub. First of all, it must be reliable, convenient, easy to maintain and safe. Only then can you think about additional
• functions (hydromassage, color therapy, etc.), which seriously increase the cost of the equipment, often to the detriment of its durability and quality.
• Often the roughness of its bottom is given as an advantage of a bathtub - supposedly it provides an anti-slip effect. In reality, everything is exactly the opposite: the most effective way to prevent slipping is a smooth surface to which the palm or sole of the foot sticks a little.
• When buying a cheap thin-walled model, be sure to choose a metal frame for it - this will prevent it from being deformed or damaged under the influence of the weight of an adult.

In the age of the Internet, purchasing plumbing fixtures is often carried out over the Internet - this means that it is not possible to check the product before purchasing it. However, by ordering an acrylic bathtub online, you have the right to verify its quality immediately after delivery before signing the acceptance certificate.

What about brands?

According to experts, it is recommended not to save money when purchasing an acrylic bathtub and to give preference to proven brands that can last for many years.

The market presents a large number of models of different quality levels and price categories. Manufacturers offer plumbing fixtures made of acrylic in any color of the rainbow. A win-win and universal solution is a glossy snow-white bathtub. When choosing a non-standard colored bowl, a harmonious combination with other plumbing fixtures and the interior is important.

German and Italian designs are considered expensive and high quality. These foreign manufacturers prioritize quality. There are plumbing products from the company GNT (Germany), Sunranz (Germany), Artcheram (Italy) or Novellini Elysium (Italy). Acrylic bathtubs are very durable with an average price from 55,000 to 200,000 thousand rubles.

Simplified and cheap acrylic products are produced by Turkish or Chinese companies. Of course, there is also functional plumbing from the company EAGO (Eago) from Hong Kong, but if we are talking about ordinary market models, then it is possible to purchase an acrylic bathtub at a price of 6,000 to 30,000 thousand rubles.

How to assemble and install an acrylic bathtub?

Ideally, when purchasing plumbing fixtures, you should also order its installation and connection to communications from the manufacturer or official dealer of the selected brand. However, in order to save money, you can install this equipment yourself at home. There are several ways to do this:

• On your feet
  . Suitable for thick-walled rectangular models that do not require structural reinforcement. To do this, the kit must include fasteners - mounting strips, legs, side fastenings, screws, etc. They can also be purchased separately, taking into account the characteristics of the purchased model, but this option is less preferable. To prevent the bathtub from swaying, its legs are height-adjustable after installation. For stabilization, side pads are also provided on the wall edges, which are fixed in the wall with screws.
• On a metal frame
  . This installation option is used for thin-walled products that require additional structural reinforcement. The metal frame is often made by the manufacturer itself, and it is supplied directly with the product or sold separately. You can do it yourself, but it requires certain skills in working with metal and tools.
• To the podium
  . This method is suitable for bathtubs of any configuration and wall thickness. It consists of constructing a stand made of brick and/or concrete, on which leveling strips and the product itself are installed. To ensure a stable position of the bowl on the podium, the space between them is filled with polyurethane foam.

Installation of an acrylic bathtub includes, in addition to the installation itself, the following types of work:

• connection to the sewerage system
  - for this, a siphon is assembled from the parts supplied in the kit, which is connected to the drain and overflow holes, as well as to the sewerage system pipe;
• sealing
  - places where the body comes into contact with the walls are strengthened with sealant, film or a decorative strip supplied;
• insulation
  - carried out when installing models with thin walls to reduce heat transfer and consists of applying mounting or heat-insulating foam to the outer surface of the sides and bottom;
• installation of the front screen
  - at the final stage of work, a removable plastic panel is installed on the open sides using special fasteners, covering the space underneath the bowl along with the frame, legs, podium, siphon, etc.

The specific installation plan for an acrylic bathtub depends on its model. For example, there are thick-walled products on sale that do not require the construction of a metal frame or insulation. Most models come with instructions that detail the installation work. In any case, if funds allow, entrust their implementation to specialists from the manufacturer, dealer store or certified service center - this will ensure reliable, comfortable and long-term service of the equipment.

Dimensions

When choosing dimensions, the size of the room should also be taken into account; the bathroom should be comfortable for all people living in the apartment.

Important characteristics of baths:

• height of the side - the optimal parameter is 60-70 cm from the floor surface; people of any size and weight can easily accommodate in such a bathroom;
• bath depth - 50-60 cm, water should cover the entire body, the head should not be submerged under water;
• width - the optimal option is 75-80 cm; wider models are available for sale;
• length - varies between 120-180, the optimal length is 150-170 cm.

If necessary, you can buy large bathtubs designed to accommodate several people at the same time. This option will not be cheap; a large bathroom is suitable for installation in a large cottage or country house.

Caring for an acrylic bathtub

Similar to other types of plumbing fixtures, this equipment requires regular maintenance to maintain high performance and extend its service life. This is where an acrylic bathtub has its advantages. However, you need to know a few important points in order not to damage it or wear it out prematurely:

• The smooth surface of the bowl becomes covered with small scratches over time. They do not cause serious damage to equipment, but make it difficult to clean and retain contamination. They can be eliminated by treating the surface in this area with fine-grained sandpaper or abrasive paste, and then with a specialized wax polish for plumbing.
• Clean plastic plumbing fixtures from dirt using gel chemicals designed specifically for this type of equipment. Do not use abrasive powders or aggressive household chemicals containing alcohol, acetone or solvents - they damage the surface structure of acrylic.
• You can remove limescale or rust from the bowl using a soft napkin or cloth soaked in weakly concentrated lemon vinegar or an anti-lime cleaner for plastic plumbing.
• If a deep scratch, chip or crack appears on the surface of the bowl, it can be repaired using a repair kit that includes a restorer, hardener, sandpaper, polish and cleaning wipes. To repair a through hole, use a special repair kit that contains liquid polyurethane or a fiberglass-based mixture.

Obviously, the choice of an acrylic bathtub, its installation and operation require care. Knowledge about their advantages and disadvantages, varieties, installation and operation features will ensure comfortable bathing, and also eliminate the risk of rapid breakdown. If you have any additional questions or difficulties with choosing this equipment, our store employees will help you sort out the difficult issues and find the right model.

Nice additions

Modern acrylic containers can be equipped with various additional features.

• The most common and popular is hydromassage or jacuzzi. This function is possible thanks to the nozzles built into the sides of the bathtub, through which air enters the water, forming many bubbles. The result is a very pleasant and useful procedure.

• No less useful is the chromotherapy function. This procedure is based on the effect of UV rays on the skin, which come from chrome-plated nozzles built into the walls of the container. Before purchasing an acrylic product with this option, it would be useful to inquire about what power the lamps have and whether reflectors are available.
• For people who cannot part with a laptop and TV even in the bathroom, manufacturers offer designs equipped with a shelf for a gadget or a built-in plasma panel.

Its price ultimately depends on what options are installed in the acrylic container. Such add-ons certainly cannot be cheap, and only serious ones can guarantee their high-quality and uninterrupted operation.

Choosing a high-quality acrylic bathtub is not an easy task. Therefore, before you go to the store to make a purchase, it is a good idea to arm yourself with at least a minimum set of information about this product. Read articles about plumbing, reviews from its owners, advice from masters and experts in this matter. They will help you make the right choice. Properly selected plumbing fixtures will delight their owners for many years and will become a favorite of the whole family.