Which bath is better: acrylic, steel or cast iron?

Many modern specialists and ordinary consumers still cannot agree on which of the materials is optimal for the manufacture of bathroom fixtures. Our article will help you finally figure out which bath is better: acrylic, steel or cast iron.

Bathroom fonts are usually made from just 3 materials: cast iron, steel and acrylic. Each of them has its own fans and has individual characteristics of operation.

Cast iron was the first material that began to be widely used in the manufacture of bathtubs. In fact, this material is a tough alloy of iron and carbon. The first cast iron baths were made back in 1925 by the Spanish brothers Roca, who decided to expand their range of cast iron products and came up with the idea of ​​creating durable cast iron baths. To this day, the Roca brand remains one of the world leaders in the production of high-quality and durable cast iron bathtubs.

The strength of cast iron can vary greatly depending on the amount of elements such as silicon, manganese and sulfur in the alloy. A high-quality cast-iron bath should have walls with a thickness of at least 0.5 cm, as well as a thick enamel coating, which is applied in two stages at the factory.

Steel is considered a more affordable material than cast iron - the price for high-quality steel products can be several times less than for the simplest cast-iron models.One of the key features of steel and metal fonts is a huge variety of shapes and sizes - there are a lot of round, corner, asymmetric and polygonal models among steel tubs.

A good steel bath should consist of steel sheets with a thickness of 2.3 mm (for thin-walled models) to 3.5 mm (standard thickness models). Any steel bathtub is additionally covered with a layer of enamel, which is usually thinner than cast iron fonts.

Plumbing and bathtubs made of acrylic and quaril (a more durable version of acrylic) are still considered new. Acrylic is a synthetic polymer that is made from acrylic acid - the result is a material with high resistance to wear, UV rays and oxygen exposure. Acrylic is appreciated by many consumers precisely for a glossy, smooth and quickly heated surface.

An acrylic bathtub is manufactured under specific conditions using two technologies.

• In a special vacuum chamber, acrylic sheets are bent into the desired shape. The product obtained in this way will not be particularly strong - the walls of such a bathroom will bend at the slightest pressure and can deform even from cold water. To strengthen such a bath, the surface of the product is treated with epoxy resin and fiberglass in several layers.
• On the fiberglass frame itself, made in a certain shape, a layer of acrylic is applied. This technology for making acrylic bathtubs is considered more reliable.

To understand which of the elements is the best for creating bathtubs, a comparative characteristic should be made with the visual differences of one or another material. Below are the factors that will help determine the difference between steel, cast iron and acrylic bathtubs.

From the point of view of installation and fastening, the most problems will be caused by cast-iron baths - it will not work alone to bring such a font into the apartment and install it in the bathroom. In addition, such containers require good support in the form of additional side mounts or special legs. And the cast-iron bath should stand on a flat and hard surface that will not deform under the weight of the structure.

The acrylic hot tub can only be installed on a supporting frame that will prevent it from deforming. It is necessary to install the frame in advance, together with the planning of the installation of communications for the supply and drainage of water.

Taking care of your bathtubs involves regularly wiping off dirt to maintain a pleasant appearance.

Cast iron in the case of leaving is the most picky - it is processed with a thick layer of enamel, which does not wear off for decades even with not particularly careful use and perfectly tolerates the effects of cleaning chemical elements.

Steel fonts also have a layer of enamel, which makes the surface of the fonts more pleasant and smoother, but it is usually slightly thinner than cast iron tubs. That's why when caring for such products, you need to be careful and, if possible, do not use aggressive cleaning agents.

Acrylic bathtubs are not as stable: they do not have an enamel and protective layer that will protect them from scratches and mechanical damage. When caring for an acrylic product, do not use abrasive agents and aggressive chemical cleaning elements.

It is cast iron products that are considered the most durable today - their long service life is explained by the tough and incredibly strong structure of cast iron and the high density of the enamel coating. Average cast iron baths can last up to 50 years or more.

Steel products are not as tough, but still reliable - they are usually used successfully for up to 30 years.

As for acrylic fonts, according to experts, they can last a maximum of 10-15 years with careful care..

One of the most important buying factors for consumers looking for a bathtub in a particular design or style is the variety of shapes.

If we talk about cast iron, then here you have not so much choice - most brands offer only rectangular or oval cast iron baths. Unfortunately, the strong, but fragile structure of cast iron does not allow the creation of products of more modern and varied shapes from this material.

As for steel and acrylic, there is just a huge selection of options in front of buyers. With the help of these materials, you can embody the most unusual and sophisticated forms. It is the ideal material for making custom made fonts.

This factor can be important for consumers who choose a hot tub, focusing on the strict dimensions of the bathroom.

The few brands that exclusively make cast-iron bathtubs create fonts of strictly defined and standardized sizes. If we talk about domestic models of cast-iron bathtubs, then here you will most often find models with a length from 120 to 150 cm and a width of up to 70 cm.Considering the European options, here you can find large-sized cast-iron fonts up to 180 cm.

When it comes to steel and acrylic, dimensions have no clear boundaries. Many European brands produce acrylic and steel products with a length of up to 190 cm and more, a width of up to 90 cm and a depth of 81 cm. In this case, everything is determined only by the wishes of the customer.

Typically, fonts are installed in two places - along one of the bathroom walls or directly in the center of the room. In some styles, the placement of the font can greatly affect the entire interior design of the bathroom.

It is preferable to install cast iron along one of the walls. - this is due to the weight and peculiarity of fastening such structures. In the corner, a cast-iron font will also be difficult to install. If you want to install such a model in the center of the room, it will need strong supporting legs.

Due to their low weight and variety of shapes, steel and acrylic bathtubs can be installed in absolutely any place - in the corner, near the wall or in the center of the room.

The comfort of using any bathtub depends on several factors.

• Heat saving. Cast iron heats up slowly, but retains heat for a long time. Acrylic heats up quickly and also stays warm for quite a long time. As for steel, it heats up quickly, but cools down almost instantly.
• Noise level. Acrylic and thick-walled cast iron surfaces do not make noise when exposed to water. Steel, on the other hand, is very noisy and needs soundproofing with polyurethane foam.
• Deformation. If thin steel and acrylic are subject to deformation during temperature fluctuations, then high-quality cast-iron fonts are distinguished by complete absorption of vibrations and sounds.

As a result, we can conclude that the most comfortable and convenient are the cast-iron models, then there are acrylic fonts, but in the last place - steel. This conditional rating will be shaken when it comes to additional functions in modern bathtubs - handles, armrests and hydromassage can only be installed on steel and acrylic fonts.

The mass of the bath depends on the thickness of the material of which it is composed. So, cast iron options are real heavyweights - up to 130 kg. The middle position is occupied by steel models - they usually weigh no more than 30 kg. The lightest are acrylic fonts, which weigh no more than 20 kg.

When comparing the weight of bath models made of different materials, you need to navigate for equal indicators of their dimensions.

Families with a small budget primarily pay attention to the price of individual models.

High-quality cast-iron bathtubs are considered the most expensive today. If we talk about domestic models with the simplest design and decoration, then they can be bought for 60-70 dollars, but if it comes to elite options, then the bar increases here - from 500 to 700 dollars.

Prices for steel hot tubs are much more democratic - for the simplest steel fonts, you will pay no more than $ 50. If we talk about higher quality European models, then the price for the latter will start at $ 100.

The modern market boasts a huge variety of prices for acrylic models. Among the most budgetary options, you can find models from $ 60, European fonts are more expensive - from $ 150 and more. Here you need to take into account that much depends on the configuration and functionality - many of these products are equipped with additional functions in the form of a hydromassage system.

Each material that is used in the manufacture of baths and fonts has its own advantages and disadvantages. The key pros and cons of cast iron, steel and acrylic bathtubs will be discussed below.

It is not for nothing that today cast iron is considered the most durable and reliable element in the creation of bathroom fixtures - this material has a lot of individual advantages.

Let's start with the pros.

• Longer service life - up to 5-6 decades. No other material can boast such durability.
• Cast iron is characterized by high resistance to mechanical and chemical stress - he is not afraid of deformations, impacts and care with the help of aggressive cleaning agents. In the case of cast iron, you only need to worry about the integrity of the enamel coating.
• Cast iron can be easily distinguished if possible keep warm for a long time - in such hot tubs you can bask in hot water for several hours.
• The enamel coating excludes the presence of pores in the surface of the cast iron, which means that such products do not clog and are easily cleaned of dirt.
• Water falling into a cast-iron font will not make a lot of noise (however, it all depends on the thickness of the walls of the bath).
• Cast iron resistant to sudden changes in temperature and will not deform from prolonged use.

But there are also disadvantages.

• If we compare the weight of different baths, then cast iron ones are the undoubted leader - due to the large dimensions and large mass, cast-iron bathtubs will need high-quality fastening, and can also cause problems when transporting to an apartment (it will be impossible to lift such a structure by an elevator due to its size, and 3-4 men will need help to get to the upper floor ).
• The cast iron structure allows the manufacture of hot tubs only in standard shapes and sizes. - usually cast iron baths have an oval, rectangular or round shape. Among the multifaceted and asymmetric bathtub models, you will not find a single cast iron one.
• Cast iron products and plumbing are often more expensive than the highest quality acrylic products.
• After prolonged use, the enamel layer of cast iron bathtubs gradually becomes thinner. - cracks, chips and roughness may appear, which cannot be eliminated at home.

Steel is a cheaper but relatively reliable material for making a font. Therefore, it has a lot of advantages.

• Relatively light weight in comparison with cast iron products - usually from 15 to 50 kg, which is half the weight of cast iron products.
• Possibility of creating steel baths in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and designs.
• Steel resistant to mechanical stress and reacts calmly to chemical elements in cleaning products.
• The lowest and most affordable price in comparison with acrylic and cast iron products.
• Steel baths are usually covered with a layer of enamel, thanks to which such structures are easy to care for.
• The special design of steel baths allows you to supply such hot tubs additional functions and elements, which makes using the bathroom even more comfortable. Among the most popular additions are the hydromassage function, additional handles, holders and headrests.

Such products are not devoid of disadvantages.

• Steel baths are considered the noisiest, however, a lot here depends on the thickness of the steel sheet from which the font is made. To reduce the noise from steel bathrooms, some owners treat their outer surface with polyurethane foam.
• Steel heats up quickly from water, but cools down just as quickly - in such baths you will not be able to soak up more than half an hour.
• Thin-walled steel baths can deform from sudden temperature changes. The same goes for deformations from physical impact.
• Steel without additional coating and enamel layer corroded, and therefore cheap steel products very quickly lose their appearance and lose their integrity.

Today, acrylic is considered by many to be the optimal material for making bathtubs, but it also has its pros and cons.

There are quite a few pluses.

• Acrylic heats up quickly from running water and keeps warm for a long time.
• Acrylic products have light weight. This greatly simplifies their transportation and installation in the bathroom.
• With acrylic, you can create bathtubs a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
• The acrylic structure allows you to equip hot tubs additional functions - hydromassage, handles and other comfort elements.
• If an acrylic bathtub breaks down, you can always contact a specialist who can in a short time restore the product.
• Acrylic possesses smooth, glossy and pleasant to the touch surfacewhich is pleasant to stand or lean on.
• This material does not lose its attractive appearance can be used for a very long time for many years and with careful care.
• The water that gets into the bathtub from acrylic does not make annoying noises.
• Acrylic not affected by corrosion.

It is necessary to talk about the cons.

• Poor quality acrylic models may deform from high temperatures and under mechanical stress.
• Acrylic needs in special care without the use of chemical, abrasive and powder products. When cleaning acrylic products, do not use hard brushes - this material is easily scratched.
• Acrylic bathtubs not recommended for people with large pets... The latter, during washing, can cause significant damage to the surface of the product with their claws.
• The strength and rigidity of acrylic is negligible in comparison with steel and cast iron, and therefore, when using such a font, you need to be extremely careful and avoid mechanical shock on the surface of the product.
• Quality acrylic products can't be called cheap - baths made of this material cost less than cast iron ones, but can also affect the consumer's budget.
• Acrylic font needs additional mount or frame, which will distribute the pressure from the water and fix the shape of the bath.

The hot tub can be considered the main element of any bathroom, and therefore the choice of such plumbing should always be treated very carefully.

• Forms. Bathtubs in standard oval or rectangular shapes are made of absolutely any materials, but asymmetric, multifaceted bathtubs and fonts of unusual shapes can only be made of acrylic or steel.
• Dimensions. On the plumbing market, it is common to find dimensional bathtubs made of acrylic; bathtubs of standard sizes are made of steel and cast iron.
• Style and design. The most modern bathtubs with unique designs are usually made from acrylic - this is the most flexible material for creating unusual designs.
• Price. When assessing a budget, there is no more practical choice than a steel font. You simply will not find high-quality and cheap cast iron and acrylic bathtubs, or they will last no more than 2-3 years.
• The presence of animals in the house. Scratches and chips that may remain after bathing animals are best seen on acrylic, but the enamel layer in cast iron and steel models is more loyal to this.

The recommendations below will help you decide on the right version of the bath directly during the purchase of the model in the store.

• Take a close look at the geometry of the bath - its sides should be even, and there should be no bends and bulges on the surface of the product. If the hollow of acrylic bathtubs can still be supported with special corners during installation, then with steel and cast iron products this technique will not be possible.
• Pay attention to the weight of the product. A quality cast iron bathtub cannot be too light. The same applies to acrylic products - the light weight of the latter can be explained by a cunning move by the manufacturer, who uses plastic disguised as acrylic when creating fonts.
• Check the integrity of the product coating - scratches should not be visible on acrylic, but on steel and cast-iron models there should be no roughness and darkening.

Experts advise you to choose a bath exclusively according to your own needs and capabilities. There is no consensus among experts about which of the above materials is better for creating fonts. Each of the elements is adapted to specific conditions of use and can show itself in different ways in a particular situation.

Many experts have the following practical opinion regarding the choice between acrylic, steel and cast iron bathtubs: in 20 years the consumer will change 4 acrylic baths, 2 steel and maximum one cast iron - the choice is obvious.

For information on which bath to choose, see the video below.