Cast-iron bathtub: graceful durability (24 photos)

Bathtubs made of cast iron can be considered classic, since they were used long before steel and acrylic products appeared. Modern materials greatly supplanted cast iron in the market of sanitary equipment. Their main advantages are light weight and variety of shapes. Despite this, the cast-iron bath still does not lose its relevance. With proper installation and proper care, the products have an almost unlimited period of use.

Advantages and disadvantages

People who decide to purchase a cast iron bathtub for their home should get acquainted with the features of this material in detail. Products are quite expensive and are not purchased for one year, so their characteristics are of great importance. Advantages of the cast-iron bath:

• Durability and reliability. These advantages have long been known and time-tested in practice. Products are not afraid of sudden temperature changes.
• Heat retention. If you pour hot water into such a bath, it will cool much more slowly compared to acrylic analogues.
• Strength. Thick stable walls of products do not bend and do not lose shape during operation. Change of position or subsidence is not peculiar to cast iron. Bathtubs do not need additional support.
• Whiteness and attractive shine. Achieved by a special coating resistant to corrosion. The initial appearance remains unchanged for a long time. The inner surface, enameled, is smooth and even, does not scratch and does not lose its luster.
• Ease of care. The coating does not have to be monitored constantly, since it repels dirt and tolerates cleaning with any detergents.
• High rates of sound insulation. If someone takes a shower or draws water, almost no sound is heard.
• The service life of the products is not limited. Proper care is the key to their longevity.
• Many modern models are equipped with practical additions: handles, hydromassage, armrests, etc.

Along with the advantages, it is worth considering the disadvantages of the cast-iron bath:

• Great weight. It is at least 120 kg. Delivery from the store, as well as installation is not complete without the use of physical force. To complete the work, it is necessary to hire movers, and this will require extra financial expenses.
• High price. An enameled cast-iron bathtub from a well-known manufacturer, included in the popularity rating, will be much more expensive compared to other models. You can choose the cheaper option, but in this case, the quality of the goods will be in question.
• Only standard types of products are made from cast iron. Fans of modern styles and original forms, most likely, such a solution will not work. The assortment gravitates to classic solutions.
• A cast-iron bathtub in an apartment can be installed only in the presence of concrete floors, since the mass of such a bathtub filled with water, together with a person is about 700 kg.

The pros and cons should definitely be considered before making a purchase. The disadvantages are much fewer advantages, and the former can not be called serious.

Specifications

Experts give useful recommendations on how to choose a cast-iron bathtub. Firstly, it is worth trusting only trusted brands included in the rating of manufacturers of cast-iron bathtubs. Secondly, the product you like must be closely examined.

Enamel quality

A good product should not have the following defects:

• cracks;
• exfoliation;
• chips;
• uneven coating thickness;
• smudges;
• areas that differ in color.

Enamel with shockproof properties is used to produce high quality products. Acceptable coating thickness is from 1 to 1.2 mm. If at least one of the listed defects is detected, it is better to refuse the acquisition.

They began to enamel plumbing so that the equipment adequately tolerates cleaning with chemicals. Defective areas during operation will increase. Chips and cracks darken and grow over time, reducing the life of the product. A sign of a good bath will be a shiny, evenly applied enamel. Due to the complexity of processing the material, a slight undulation of the coating is permissible.

Beautiful bathtubs made of cast iron always have a standard color on the inner surface - these are beige and white tones, as well as a bluish tint.

Material quality

The optimal wall thickness is 5 mm. Visually evaluate cast iron can be on the outside of the product. It should not have tubercles, chips, potholes, or excessive surface roughness. If the walls are covered with powder paints, this serves as additional protection against negative factors. Coloring compounds give the models an attractive appearance.

The choice of a cast-iron bathtub also depends on the depth of the product, which is especially important for comfort lovers. The standard is considered an indicator of 32 cm, but often a depth of 40-46 cm is found. It is especially convenient to engage in water procedures in a deep bath.

The cost of the product and the quality of additional elements for installation is of great importance. For installation work, low-grade components are not suitable. Low price - an occasion to think about whether the purchase is so good, whether it will meet all consumer requirements.

Varieties of models

Cast-iron bathtubs in the interior look unusual and original. It is much easier to select equipment for an already created room design than to customize it for an installed product. This rule will be useful to consumers.

In the question of which cast-iron bath to choose, a lot depends on the preferences of the buyer. Different types of models have their advantages.

Freestanding cast iron bathtub

Bribe with their attractive appearance. In the bathtub, standing on elegant decorative legs, one wants to swim. Most organically they look in spacious rooms with lots of free space.

Built-in bathtubs

They are more familiar model, have their advantages. The walls of the product and all communications are hidden behind a special screen or decorative plaster.

The forms of the models are not very diverse, but among them you can choose the best option. Standard rectangular or oval bathtubs are well combined with other sanitary equipment, therefore they are included in the rating of the most popular forms. Round and bean-shaped options, as well as square cast-iron bathtubs, are an interesting solution for the interior.

The colors of the products can be absolutely any. If modern bathroom design requires black plumbing, you will find one. If you want brightness and cheerful colors, it will not be difficult to choose the right equipment.

A wall or corner cast-iron bathtub is selected depending on the installation location.

Convenient Extras

Modern manufacturers are constantly improving their products, complementing them with practical innovations.Cast-iron bathtubs with a headrest will surely appeal to people who like to wallow in warm water. The presence of special panels, recesses, armrests, a cast-iron bathtub with handles and recesses for soap and care products - all this is designed for maximum comfort. Of course, the availability of these amenities will affect the cost of the model.

Popular manufacturers

After studying the merits and cost of products, figuring out which cast-iron bathtub is best to buy for a home, you should choose a well-known brand. Consider the rating, which includes the best manufacturers of cast-iron bathtubs:

• Jacob Defalon. The French company occupies a leading position in the market because it offers high-quality products made from environmentally friendly materials. Comfort and original appearance are the main properties of products.
• Roca. Spanish brand that specializes in the production of sanitary equipment. Whatever products you purchase, they will always have high performance.
• "Universal" and the Kirov factory. Domestic manufacturers offer more cost-effective products.

Which bath is better to choose? It all depends on the preferences and material capabilities of the consumer. Models made of cast iron have many advantages, last a long time and look presentable. It is important that the buyer selects the product, focusing on the recommendations of specialists, then the purchase will not disappoint him.