In this article, you will get acquainted with the five best steel enameled bathtubs, which are most often purchased in 2014. When studying the opinions of buyers, it turned out that the choice is mainly on Russian and European-made bathtubs. Many bathtub owners note that Russian factories produce good quality products and prefer to support domestic manufacturers. Moreover, such baths are much cheaper. So that you can form your own opinion, we will briefly tell you about them all.
Steel bathtub pros
For a long time, steel bathtubs were the only alternative to cast iron plumbing. Due to the enamel coating, both types are very similar in appearance. But unlike their analogues, steel bathtubs are a more budget-friendly option, which is not inferior in terms of operational parameters.
Steel bathtubs are still popular among consumers today.
You can visually determine whether the bathtub in front of you is steel or cast iron by examining the thickness of the wall in the area where the drain is placed in the bathtub. In a cast iron container the wall thickness is much higher than in a steel one.
Strength and durability are one of the main advantages of steel plumbing, which are directly related to the material used for their manufacture.
Among the undeniable advantages of steel plumbing it is worth highlighting:
- Light weight. A full-size bathtub weighs on average 35-40 kg, which is 3 times less than its cast iron counterpart. The low weight of the structure greatly simplifies its transportation and installation.
- High thermal conductivity of the material. Steel plumbing heats up quickly. This option is especially relevant for families with small children.
- Resistant to temperature changes. Both the steel itself and the enamel coating are not afraid of temperature changes, maintaining performance characteristics in a heated and cooled state.
A steel bathtub is more resistant to damage than an acrylic one - Hygienic coating. The enamel coating has virtually no pores in which fungus can accumulate. Regular cleaning using mild detergents and soft sponges helps to quickly and effectively get rid of any kind of dirt deposits.
- Low price. Of the types of bathtubs on the market, steel sanitary ware has the lowest price. The price range for steel tanks is quite wide and is determined mainly by the wall thickness and design features. It varies between $150-300.
- Long service life. Such a bathtub will serve its owner for about 15 years.
- Rich assortment. If you are looking for a bathtub with an unusual shape, then feel free to choose steel sanitary ware. Products of various shapes, sizes, colors and configurations are available for sale.
In stores you can choose steel bathtubs of both traditional and non-standard shapes
On sale you can find rectangular, corner and round designs that have a symmetrical and asymmetrical shape. Their height varies in the range of 30-50 cm with a width of 60-110 cm and a length of up to 2 m.
A variety of additional elements in the form of headrests and handles make steel bathtubs as comfortable as possible and close to the anatomical shape of a person.
Plastic material inspires designers to implement bold and unexpected solutions. And therefore, modern steel bathtubs today are one of the most popular plumbing options for creating stylish and functional “bathroom” interiors.
Popular domestic manufacturers
Among domestic manufacturers, the following brands have proven themselves well:
- OJSC VIZ (Verkh-Isetsky Metallurgical Plant) - produces products under the Donna Vanna and Antika trademarks;
- Novokuznetsk - since 2005 it has been working on new German equipment, producing only built models;
- Kirov plant - has an updated German production line. The developers' know-how is the creation of enamel with the addition of silver ions.
The products of these factories can compete with the product line from leading European manufacturers in terms of the durability of the products and the diversity of the range of sanitary ware.
Thick walls, durable top coating, increased mounting area for legs - all this makes domestic plumbing fixtures as convenient and reliable to use as possible.
Thanks to the affordable pricing policy of domestic companies, even the most luxurious bathtub will not be ruinous for the buyer’s wallet. Steel bathtubs with full equipment from these manufacturers cost between 4-15 thousand rubles.
The choice of model depends on your preferences, the main thing is to trust only large and well-known manufacturers. Leading companies value their reputation, and therefore the risk of purchasing a low-quality or defective product is minimal.
Steel bath cons
Steel, like any other type of material, has its pros and cons. The main disadvantages of steel plumbing are:
- Instability to deformation. If the thickness of the walls of the structure does not reach 2.5-3 mm, be prepared for the fact that when the container is filled with water and the body is immersed, it may bend. During the operation of a thin-walled structure, under the influence of loads, cracks and chips may appear on the enamel.
- The need to install the harness. When installing a bathtub, to make the structure stronger, it is necessary to build a base or perform special piping.
Installation of a steel bath - Rust formation. Low-quality thin steel, used by some manufacturers for the manufacture of plumbing fixtures, is often covered with a layer of rust during operation, which significantly reduces the service life of the product.
- Low sound absorption. The ringing loud sound from the water filling the bathtub spreads beyond the structure. So the sound of the jet beating against the bottom of the container will be heard not only by the bathtubs, but also by all the inhabitants of the apartment or house. This problem can be solved by gluing technical cork to the outside or applying polyurethane foam.
To make the sound muffled, foreign manufacturers use rubber noise-absorbing pads.
The high thermal conductivity of the material also has disadvantages, since the water in such a bath cools catastrophically quickly. Therefore, if you want to soak in warm water, you will have to open the hot water tap from time to time to maintain its temperature. Some craftsmen eliminate this drawback by using polyurethane foam during installation.
Steel bathtub lined with tiles Attention! When installing steel baths, it is necessary to provide grounding. If this condition is not met, there is a high risk of receiving an electric shock.
Accessories and extras
Photo: wergin.ru
Many companies that manufacture steel bathtubs strive to increase the convenience and comfort of using their products by adding various accessories and additional amenities. These are wide ergonomic sides on which you can sit, chrome-plated comfortable handles, armrests, towel rails surrounding the bathtub, seats - all this is designed to provide maximum comfort to users. Basically, bathtubs are produced in standard sizes, but those interested can select models of non-standard sizes, for example, 1700x900, 2000x1000, 1900x900 millimeters, etc. The standard depth of bathtubs varies from 450 to 470 millimeters. Manufacturers also care about the safety of their consumers. That is why special “Anti-slip” anti-slip systems are produced for bathtubs. For people with disabilities and the elderly, bathtubs with an anti-slip system covering the entire bottom are recommended.
Owner reviews
As reviews from customers who have already installed steel plumbing fixtures show, some models are unstable. For the most part, this is due to the use of uncomfortable feet included in the kit. To correct the situation, manufacturers recommend strengthening the frame and using rubber gaskets during installation.
Installation of a support for a steel bathtub
Some of them note that when taking water procedures they experience some discomfort, feeling how the bottom of the structure bends slightly when changing body position. But, as noted above, this phenomenon can only be observed in thin-walled products. The situation can be corrected by installing a non-sagging base under the bathtub.
The enamel coating on steel plumbing becomes dull over time. The reason for this is too hard tap water, which leaves limescale and rusty stains. In order to preserve the original appearance of the coating for as long as possible, it must be cleaned regularly using special bleaches. But some housewives make do with regular baking soda, ammonia and vinegar.
Soundproofing plates at the bottom of the steel bath
But still, according to user observations, the biggest disadvantage of steel plumbing is the sound “special effects”. You can still come to terms with the “waterfall” effect when filling the bathtub. But a sharp ringing sound, which occurs when an empty steel container is accidentally touched and spreads with a ringing echo throughout the entire area, can wake up all the inhabitants of the house.
Review of leading European manufacturers
The main suppliers of steel bathtubs on the global plumbing market are European manufacturers. The cost of their products depends on the thickness of the stamping sheet, the complexity of the shape and design.
German company Kaldewei
The company produces plumbing fixtures in accordance with the latest innovative methods. A distinctive feature of the products of this manufacturer is the combination of steel with enameled cladding, which acquires a strong chemical bond during firing in ovens.
The impeccable quality of the brand is confirmed by the thirty-year guarantee that the manufacturer provides to customers for the entire line of products.
German bathtubs are almost impossible to scratch. They do not lose their brightness when exposed to the sun, and do not deteriorate when accidentally exposed to the ember of a cigarette or burned by a candle flame.
Most Kaldewei models have an anti-dirt coating “Perl-Effekt” , thanks to which moisture itself rolls off the enamel, taking with it limescale and dirt accumulations. For safe use of plumbing fixtures, anti-slip enamel lining “Antislip” .
Italian company Guzzini
The company, founded about half a century ago, today produces a huge amount of ergonomic and functional plumbing fixtures.
The manufacturer's assortment includes standard products and comfort class models, thanks to which you can get maximum relaxation while enjoying the water element
Safety, comfort and beauty are the main characteristics of the Italian brand’s products.
During its activity, the company never ceases to improve technology in order to introduce innovations into mass production. Its developers are especially proud of the creation of the “Hydrosilence” and “Hydrosonic” , as well as the “Hydroline” , which after installation do not protrude above the surface of the bowl.
Even the simplest models from this manufacturer have more than thirty color options.
Spanish holding Roca
The company, founded in 1917 by the Roca brothers, has expanded so much in a hundred years that today it has representative offices in 135 countries.
The range of steel bathtubs presented to her on the market is quite wide: starting with “Contesa” , which has the usual standard dimensions, and ending with “Princess”, equipped with wavy protrusions on the bottom and having a concave shape of the walls. The most popular models are “Akira” , “Haiti” , “Malibu” , “Continental” .
The manufacturer produces each model in several sizes, so you can comfortably splash around in a filled container.
In the process of manufacturing its products, the manufacturer uses pigmented enamel to cover the external and internal surfaces of plumbing fixtures. The durable coating is highly resistant to impact and corrosion.
If we consider lesser-known brands, then the following have also proven themselves well in the plumbing market: Slovakian, which produces up to 80 models of steel bathtubs, Portuguese, French.
Steel bath: photo
The best models with lengths of 200 and 180 cm
1
KALDEWEI CONODUO 735 Easy-clean
Rating:5.0
- rectangular shape
- 200x100x45 cm, volume 260 l
Average price: RUB 121,409
An ideal high-quality steel bathtub retains heat well and is resistant to deformation. Easy Clean coating for easy cleaning. The bathtub has a hidden drain covered with enamel. The weight is 66 kg, which means good wall thickness.
The disadvantages include the design of the legs - additional reinforcement is required for stability. And also the need for frequent hygienic treatment, as the anti-slip coating collects dirt.
This model is available in different sizes, from 200 cm in length to 170 cm.
Rating of the TOP 15 best cast iron bathtubs of 2021
| Place | Name | Price |
| TOP 3 best cast iron bathtubs by price/quality for 2022 | ||
| 1 | Castalia Venera | Find out the price |
| 2 | Jacob Delafon Repos E2918 | Find out the price |
| 3 | Byon B13 | Find out the price |
| TOP 3 best cast iron bathtubs 170x70 | ||
| 1 | Station wagon Optima | Find out the price |
| 2 | Station Wagon Elegy | Find out the price |
| 3 | Jacob Delafon Parallel | Find out the price |
| TOP 3 best cast iron bathtubs 150x70 | ||
| 1 | Station wagon Classic | Find out the price |
| 2 | Wotte Start | Find out the price |
| 3 | Station wagon Nostalgia | Find out the price |
| TOP 2 best built-in cast iron bathtubs | ||
| 1 | Roca Continental | Find out the price |
| 2 | Castalia Prime | Find out the price |
| TOP 2 best freestanding cast iron bathtubs | ||
| 1 | Wotte Start 170x75 | Find out the price |
| 2 | Station wagon Optima 160x70 | Find out the price |
| TOP 2 best budget cast iron bathtubs | ||
| 1 | Station wagon Classic 150×70 | Find out the price |
| 2 | Station wagon Caprice 120×70 | Find out the price |
Which company should you choose?
Another important criterion for choosing a cast iron bathtub is its manufacturer. Only trusted brands use real cast iron for manufacturing, which has all the necessary characteristics for long-term operation.
It should be remembered that a high-quality cast-iron bathtub cannot be light . Otherwise, it is a fake that has nothing to do with strong and durable cast iron plumbing.
In 2022, the brands Castalia, Jacob, Byon, Universal, Wotte and Roca were recognized as the best manufacturers of cast iron bathtubs.
The most successful models from these manufacturers were included in the rating.
