Which bath to choose? Detailed guide and selection tips.

Criterias of choice

To correctly choose a bowl, it is important to consider:

• Sizes. Dimensions of the design 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 ease of use.
• The presence of additional options. Hydromassage, chromotherapy and other built-in functions that you can choose to increase comfort while swimming.
• Price. The cost of the bath is affected by the combination of all these factors.
• Manufacturer. Plumbing from trusted companies is much more reliable and has all the quality certificates.

Let's consider each parameter in more detail.

Determine the size of the bath

Before shopping, you should measure the dimensions of the bathroom. Massive bowls, which 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. In typical apartments, where the bathroom is 3–6 m, 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 affected by the height and weight of the person. The length of 160–180 cm and the width of 70–80 cm are optimal for the holder of medium height (about 175–180 cm). The most suitable bowl depth 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 become unusable faster.

In the photo there is a bathroom, where the bowl is reserved for a relaxing bath. For hygiene procedures designed shower.

Which form is better to choose?

The most popular shape is a rectangle or oval, but there are many other varieties of bathtubs that will suit this or that room. The main factor influencing the choice is the area of ​​the bathroom. It is also necessary 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 - up to 550.

Asymmetric tanks (up to 400 liters) are less capacious. 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, is suitable. For a cramped bathroom, it is better to choose a rectangular or asymmetric corner.

What you need to know about the material of the bath when selecting?

Consider the pros and cons of various plumbing fixtures to easily understand many of the nuances and accurately select the appropriate option.

Cast iron bathtubs

Cast iron consists of iron and carbon. Enamel, covering the surface with several layers, gives a particular 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 carefully, do not throw heavy objects into it. Before you finally choose a bowl in the store, you need to check the purchase for chips. During operation, it is better to use an anti-slip mat.

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

Cast-iron bathtubs are often found in apartments of Soviet-era construction, which indicates both the long service life of these products and the complexity of dismantling it. Such heavy structures must not be installed in frame houses and apartments with wooden ceilings. The safest option is the first floor of the cottage.

Steel bathtubs

Steel is an inexpensive alloy, so the bowls from it are the most budgetary. The steel bath is relatively light (approximately 30 kg), which simplifies its installation. Wall thickness - from 1.5 to 3.6 mm, including a layer of acrylic coating that protects against scratches. But, in addition to the pros, there are also disadvantages to a steel bath.

Owners of steel baths are often worried by the rumble that occurs when filling the tank with water. To reduce the noise, the outside of the bowl is glued with penofol or doused with polyurethane foam. You can also choose special soundproof pads.

Today you can choose a steel bath, internally treated with quartz enamel, which reliably protects from scratches. Also on sale there are bowls made of thin stainless steel, but they are unpopular due to the high cost.

Acrylic bathtubs

Acrylic is a relatively new but sought-after material. Designs are made of durable plastic and fiberglass. The design is diverse: for some products, you can additionally choose handles, seats, head restraints and shelves.

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

If the inside of the acrylic bath is still scratched, the damage can be repaired with sandpaper.

The photo shows an elegant trapezoidal acrylic bathtub.

Kvarilny baths

Quaril expensive material - a modern development, which is difficult to call publicly available. Such bowls are made from acrylic and quartz. The manufacturing technology was patented by Villeroy & Boch (Germany), and before choosing a product from Quaril, you should find out information about the manufacturer, so as not to buy a fake.

The wall thickness of quiril structures reaches 10 cm. You can also choose a structure for which a reinforcing metal frame is not needed. According to the reviews of the owners, the baths from Quaril do not bend during bathing, it is much more reliable and therefore much more preferable than acrylic.

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

Glass

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

A transparent glass bath does not visually conceal the space. Custom-made designer models include various inserts: you can choose a stone or a tree to make the final result look truly exclusive. Also, the design may consist of frosted glass or have any shade.

In the photo there is a luxurious tinted glass bowl, which is equipped with comfortable head restraints.

Earthenware

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

Ceramic baths should be handled carefully: despite the fact that the walls are covered with a 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

Consider the features of a bowl made of a single block of natural stone and coated with a special protective composition. Before choosing a luxurious marble tank, you should familiarize yourself with the important minuses:

A bowl of marble 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 the individual properties of some products, preserving their advantages, therefore, a "marble" bath can be chosen at a lower cost. A great alternative is an injection-molded artificial stone bathtub. It is not only cheaper, but also three times more durable, while its appearance is practically not inferior to a product made of natural material.

Copper

Such unusual tanks for bathing 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 covered with a layer of nickel. The most popular models are oval, but having a high budget, you can choose the original round or corner.

The bowl mounted 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 take care of: metal can darken and lose its luster. You can not use abrasives, and after bathing it is advisable to wipe the bowl dry.

Wooden

Such bathtubs are made of noble wood species that are immune to moisture: larch, oak, teak. Designs 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 being impregnated 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 gives 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, you should choose only those options that justify the cost of utilities, repairs and maintenance.

To make it easier to make a choice, consider the most popular functions. Hydromassage. It contains various modes that have a tonic effect or help to relax. Water in such a bath is circulated by the pump and creates a pressure that is controlled by the remote control. Water massage improves blood circulation and tones the body. Air massage provides 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 water level sensorwhich regulates the fullness of the bowl.

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

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

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

We choose the manufacturer and prices

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

• 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 bath, it is recommended to choose one of these companies: Aquanet (Russia), Pool Spa (Spain), Ravak (Czech Republic), Cersanit (Poland).
• Kvarilny products are made by the German company Villeroy & Boch.
• When ordering a ceramic bowl, TM Colombo and Santek (Russia), Globo and Flaminia (Italy) should be preferred.

Cast iron bathtubs, in comparison with other popular models, are the most durable, therefore they cost more. The cheapest models are made of steel. An intermediate option is acrylic.

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