Cast marble baths: varieties, tips for choosing and care

Cast marble baths look spectacular and unusual, giving the interior of the room luxury and respectability. But how practical is such a choice, and is it worth changing more familiar solutions to design ones? The pros and cons of marble baths in products made of composite materials are partially compensated for, but still the artificial analog is inferior to the natural mineral in a variety of decorative ornaments, which is absolutely unique in each layer of natural stone.

Modern production technology makes it possible to obtain products of any shape and size, while the manufacturing process turns out to be much less expensive and laborious. Corner baths made of artificial marble and other models look no worse than their expensive stone counterparts, weigh less, and are more amenable to restoration.

What are the features of cast marble bathtubs? How difficult is it to care for, what sizes can you find on sale? Which manufacturer is considered the leader in this area? An overview of the products presented on the Russian market and customer reviews will help to understand all these issues.

Cast marble bathtubs are unlike any other models on the market. They absorb sound well, are suitable for installation directly on the base, and come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. A marble bathtub made of artificial material is a product made of cast polymer mixed with natural stone chips. The composition of the composite also contains a coloring composition, protective and decorative components.The marble is presented here in the form of fine-grained sand, and its volume reaches 80%.

The technology for producing products is similar to concrete casting: The filler is mixed with a liquid base based on polyester or epoxy resins and placed in a mold. In a fluid state, the material is capable of forming almost any geometry options, combining thickened areas with thin ones, if required by the final appearance of the product. The mixture, prepared for polymerization, hardens, compaction in the process by means of vibration. Finished products undergo grinding, technological holes are cut out in them for the installation of plumbing fixtures.

Cast marble baths have the following advantages.

1. Excellent strength characteristics... A polymer bath, subject to the volume of stone aggregate at 80%, is quite strong and durable.
2. Abrasion resistant... If abrasive cleaning is avoided, the decorative coating can be guaranteed for 15 to 20 years, and for the bowl itself up to 50 years.
3. High sound absorption. Artificial cast marble dampens the sound of water well. These baths are one of the quietest, they are not inferior to their counterparts made from natural stone. In addition, they provide effective vibration dampening, which is important when using hydromassage technology.
4. No pores due to gelcoat coating... The surface does not accumulate bacterial microflora, therefore, it is completely safe for wet rooms. The material excludes the formation of mold and mildew.
5. Warm material texture... The surface retains heat for a long time, ensures the maintenance of the optimal water temperature. It is pleasant to touch it even with bare feet.
6. Non-slip texture... Cast marble is much safer than acrylic or metal; it is almost impossible to slip in the bowl of such a bath.
7. Wide range of shapes and sizes. You can find a solution for any area of ​​the room and even make a custom product to order.
8. Variety of color palette... You can find monochromatic or multi-colored solutions, choose a product with painting or engraving, mosaic coating, exact imitation of natural stone
9. An effective design solution. Products made of cast marble look no less respectable than their solid stone counterparts, but they are several times cheaper.
10. Convenient creation of technological holes... You can increase the diameter of the drain hole or perform other manipulations using a common household tool.

Cast marble also has obvious drawbacks. It is almost as heavy as natural stone, requires a careful attitude to the surface, chips and cracks easily form on it. In low-quality products, a fracture can form even as a result of thermal expansion of the material. In addition, highly pigmented dyes can leave marks on the surface of the white bath.

According to their configuration, cast marble baths can be of several types.

• Rectangular. This option implies the traditional method of installation - with the abutment of the sides to 2 walls. The shape of the bowl also has a classic appearance, which implies installation on legs.

• Corner. Models with equal length of adjoining sides and rounded or shaped frontal board. The mixer in these models is mounted on the edge of a fence or suspended from the wall.

• Asymmetrical. They are intended to be installed with a decorative flange facing left or right.Most often, these models have 1 rounded or oval corner.

• Oval and round. Freestanding bathtubs that can be installed on the floor, on a podium, on legs and in combination with an additional protective screen. Curly solutions are popular, the top board of which is made in the form of a shoe or the outlines of an ocean liner.

• Trapezoidal. Custom models with a widened headrest and tapering to the footrest. Quite a popular design option. It can be combined with other shapes - for example, the sides can be oval.

• Triangular. Found in a few manufacturers, available with rounded corners.

• Square. Such bathtubs are produced in a wall-mounted, angular, freestanding version; the inside of the bowl can have a round, oval, figured appearance.

• With headrest. Shaped products that provide the anatomical shape of one of the sides of the bowl. In some cases, a headrest is offered as an option. It is formed with an acrylic insert of the corresponding color.

The standard dimensions of cast marble bathtubs depend on their shape. The most commonly used rectangular bowls in the following size range:

• 180 × 80 cm;
• 170 × 80 cm;
• 160 × 74 cm;
• 150 x 85 cm (double) or 150 x 70 cm.

Oval bowls are most often made in sizes 170 × 70 or 160 × 70 cm, 175 × 75 cm is also popular. In a freestanding floor version, there may be a variant with a length of 190 cm and a width of 90 cm. On average, the width in such models is 100 cm less than the length. Corner ones have different sizes, you can find options 114 × 169 cm or equilateral 140 × 140 cm, 135 × 135 cm.For round, the standard diameter is 150 or 160 cm.

Cast marble baths are quite varied in their design. Thanks to the application of gelcoat, it is possible to give the surface of the walls outside and inside almost any external appearance. Bulk dyeing is also popular and produces uniform, repairable colored items. The style of performance can also be varied:

• English provides for brevity of forms;

• Italian Baroque means luxury and chic;

• high-tech goes well with round and square black bathtubs;

• the Japanese style provides for minimalism and perfection of geometry;

• ecodesign allows you to use painting with floral motives;

• the Venetian style calls for a mosaic decoration of the bowl;

• Art Deco allows the use of white oval bathtubs and asymmetric models.

The production of cast marble bathtubs has been established in Russia and abroad, but not all firms producing this product use natural stone as a filler. For example, Willeroy & Boch under this name it manufactures products from quaril, which includes 60% quartz sand and 35% acrylic resins. Victoria + Albert uses quarikast, based on volcanic stone and acrylic. Russian manufacturers are more honest with their customers - Astra Form uses a mixture of marble chips and polyester resin, Esse uses Marmoril with acrylic core.

The list of the best manufacturers of cast marble bathtubs today looks like this.

• Astra-Form. The undisputed leader in the Russian market, the company operates in Mytishchi, Moscow region, offers a standard range of models and custom-made, specializes in working with artificial marble. Products are sold only through their own dealer network, the brand offers a wide range of options for its bathtubs - from lighting and headrests to ozonation, hydromassage, air massage.

• "Esthete". A domestic company with production in Kostroma, has existed since 2012, a regular participant in international exhibitions. The company produces exclusively products from artificial stone, but it is difficult to call it marble - it consists of polyester resin and quartz sand. The product itself is painted, a gelcoat is applied on top. The brand is known for making designer bathtubs with engraving or hand-painting.

• Esse. A manufacturer of cast marble bathtubs from Tyumen, offering a wide range of products in different styles - from vintage and classic models to minimalist and high-tech solutions. The coloring of the material is carried out in bulk, according to an individual order, tinting, adding sparkles, imitation of the texture of a natural stone is possible. The company has its own patent for the Marmoril material. In the product line, you can find design solutions that give the bathtub the appearance of being hewn from a single piece of marble.

• Marmo Bagno. Russian manufacturer from Lytkarino near Moscow, using Italian production technologies. In addition to marble chips, crushed quartz, onyx, dolomite are used as filler. The bowls are created according to individual orders, they allow you to mount hydromassage systems, you can choose tinting or imitation of the texture of natural stone. The brand offers quality products, but does not have a large selection of models.

• "Fama style". A Russian company that does not use the technology of dyeing the material in bulk, the necessary resemblance to a stone is given to it only due to the gelcoat. The brand offers a fairly wide range of options, from perimeter lighting and Jacuzzi to chromotherapy.

Among foreign brands, the highest praise is given to elite products from France from Jacob Delafon, which makes "sandwiches" from acrylic and a composite on a mineral basis inside it. The shape is limited by rectangular wall-mounted baths. Baths are no less popular British brand Victoria + Albert, produced in free-standing format, with podiums or special "lion" legs.

When choosing a cast marble bathtub, it is important to consider the following points.

• Correspondence of sizes... Ideal if the bowl can fit in full length lying down. Comfortable depth is 50-60 cm, it is inconvenient to step over a higher side. In a small room, it is better to choose wall-mounted bathtubs in a corner or rectangular design.

• Color and stylistic solution... It should match the design of the bathroom. For Baroque, Rococo, Renaissance styles, bowls with decorative legs are suitable. Minimalism requires the use of a screen behind which the installation method will not be visible. Colored baths are always 30-50% more expensive than white ones.

• Workmanship... It is necessary to clarify the thickness of the walls - at least 2 cm, check the surface for the presence of rough areas, uniformity of color, the presence of seams and voids. It is better to choose products from collections of famous brands, without trying to save on quality.

Caring for cast marble bathtubs is not that difficult. If you avoid the use of highly coloring shampoos, gels, bath foams, it will be enough to wash the surface weekly with liquid soap with neutral acidity. After use, the bowl should be rinsed with clean water each time, wipe dry with a soft cloth. Shock loads are contraindicated for the product, especially those associated with contact with sharp and heavy objects.

Reviews about cast marble bathtubs are no less controversial than about products made of natural stone. Almost all owners note their modern geometry - perfectly correct and comfortable, convenience for people of different heights and builds. The long-term preservation of the temperature of the water in them in comparison with metal or acrylic sanitary fixtures is also not ignored.

Of the features of the operation of cast marble baths, the instability of the material to mechanical stress can be noted. With careless use, the coating will have to be restored often. Besides, washing with soapy water is clearly not enough to maintain the cleanliness of the surface, and special chemically neutral products are expensive... The sides of such products are rather thin, it is not very convenient to put your hands on the edge, but this drawback is redeemed by the depth of the bowl and the full use of the entire area of ​​its internal space.

Luxurious cast marble bathtub. The oval bowl is in harmony with the natural stone pattern, installed on the podium.

Stylish gray cast marble bathtub on exquisite lion paws in the form of coasters. The freestanding bowl is complemented by plumbing fixtures in gold.

The luxurious freestanding shoe-shaped cast marble bathtub looks light and sophisticated.

An overview of the bathtub made of cast marble "Brim", see below.