Corner acrylic bathtubs: varieties, sizes and tips for choosing

Acrylic bathtubs appeared on the plumbing market relatively recently (12-15 years ago) and immediately became popular. Today, an acrylic bathroom of a standard rectangular shape is no longer a surprise. Non-standard corner models are becoming more and more popular.

A corner bath is a type of asymmetric model. Its feature is the placement of such a bowl in the corner of the room, which makes it possible to more efficiently use the area of ​​the bathroom. Corner models are characterized by compactness, their installation allows you to optimize the space, arrange all the necessary things in the bathroom without cluttering the room. Typically, this is a sink, washing machine, and small cupboard.

Acrylic products are the most common in the modern plumbing market, which is due to the optimal ratio of price and quality in such products. The material itself is quite lightweight, which excludes special difficulties with delivery and installation of the bowl.

In addition, acrylic is a fairly strong and resistant material to mechanical stress. It does not have an enamel coating, and therefore the appearance of chips and cracks on the surface of the bowl is excluded. The average lifespan of acrylic products is 25-30 years.

Acrylic bowls have low thermal conductivity, and therefore in such a bathroom, the water remains warm for a long time. The temperature is reduced by an average of 1 degree per hour.

The products look attractive, have a pleasant shine. The acrylic surface is considered self-cleaning. It has no pores, so dirt remains on the surface, and does not eat into the material. Finally, acrylic is a flexible and plastic option; asymmetric bathtubs of the most incredible shapes are made of it.

Depending on the characteristics of placement in the room, corner structures are right and left-handed. The first are located in the corner on the right side of the bathroom, the second, respectively, on the left.

Corner bathtubs in the shape of the bowl itself for collecting water are triangular, oval, trapezoidal. The sides of the bath can form an isosceles or irregular triangle. In the first case, we are talking about a symmetrical corner bath.

Depending on the type of acrylic used, one can distinguish bathtubs produced by casting and made by extrusion technology. Cast baths are more homogeneous in molecular composition, and therefore better withstand impacts and damage, do not deform, and turn out to be more durable.

There are also bathtubs made of combined acrylic, you can recognize them by the ABS + PMMA marking. Such products are moisture-resistant plastic reinforced in a special way, the inner part of which is covered with a layer of acrylic. Despite the presence of reinforcement, such baths do not withstand heavy loads, their service life is 10–12 years. Such products are often purchased for summer cottages, but only on condition that there will be no sudden temperature changes in the house. Otherwise, the bowl may burst.

There is also another modern material - kvaril. Its development is carried out according to the patented formula of the renowned sanitary ware manufacturer Villeroy & Boch. Kvaril is the same acrylic, which contains an additional element - quartz sand. This ensures greater strength of the product, resistance to mechanical damage, and a longer life. Visually, such a bowl is no different from a standard acrylic bowl.

Such bowls can be designed for one or several (usually two) users. Equipped with ledges, handles, headrests. Depending on the availability of additional options, corner baths can be with hydromassage (equipped with small siphons, from which water jets are poured under pressure, which provides a massage effect), air massage (a similar device, except that the massage is performed with air bubbles), chromotherapy (multicolored water illumination).

Acrylic corner baths can be an isosceles triangle, that is, each of the sides of the bath adjacent to the wall has the same length. Such products are called symmetrical corner baths.

The most common options are 90x90, 100x100, 110x110, 120x120, see Bowls with a side length of 90-100 cm are usually suitable even for small bathrooms, including rooms in Khrushchevs. Larger symmetrical bathtubs - 130x130, 140x140, 150x150 cm (this range can be found in the Ravak brand line).

It is possible to produce symmetrical corner bowls in the sizes 120x120, 135x135, 140x140, 147x147, 148x148, 156x156 cm (this size range is presented by the manufacturer Teiko). Bowls 125x125, 130x130, 135x135, 140x140, 145x145, 150x150 cm (produced by the Kolo brand) are considered convenient and therefore popular.

If we talk about products that have different lengths of the sides adjacent to the bathroom wall, then usually one of them is equal to 120-180 cm. This is the longest side of the product, therefore it is customary to call it the length. The second side, respectively called the width, can be 70-165 cm.

The length of the corner bowl is 120–150 cm - this is a small-sized bathtub. It is designed for small spaces.An adult of standard height in such a bath will not be very comfortable; he can only take water procedures while sitting. The advantage of such products is compactness, the ability to install even in a small bathroom, and affordability.

If the bathtub has a length of 150–170 cm, then it is considered standard (the most famous model is 150x100 cm). The bathtub with a length of 160–170 cm is suitable for most adults and can be comfortably reclining in it.

The most popular standard models are 150x100, 160x105, 150x105, 1700x110, 150x75, 160x75 cm (the size range of asymmetric corner baths of the Ravak brand, it is noteworthy that the manufacturer does not produce such products with a length of less than 1500 mm).

Finally, there are also large-sized corner baths. Although they are less popular than the varieties described above. This is due to the fact that such a bath will take up too much space in the room. If it is small, then the installation of such a bowl loses all meaning (it will clutter up the bathroom). If we are talking about a large area, then instead of a large corner version, many prefer a trapezoid or free-standing round or oval fonts.

Speaking about the size of the bath, such parameter as the depth of the bowl should be mentioned. It varies between 42-50 cm, as a rule, many European bathtubs have a shallow depth - from 37 to 45 cm. Most of the domestic options are bowls with a depth of 47-50 cm. should be at least 45–47 cm. However, if the product will be used by elderly people, preference should be given to less deep products.

First of all, you should decide on the size of the bowl before buying. They are selected based on the dimensions of the bathroom. The second important point to consider is on which wall (right or left) the bath will be located. Depending on this, a left-side or right-side bowl is selected.

Then you need to pay attention to the thickness of the walls of the bath. It should be 5–8 mm. The optimal thickness in terms of the balance between price and quality is 5–6 mm. If the volume of the bath is large or an oversized person will use it, then you need to strive to choose a bowl with the thickest walls.

Another purchase criterion is the number of reinforcing layers. There should be at least 3 of them, ideally 5. If such layers are insufficient, the bowl may deform. You can determine the number of layers by looking at the edge of the sides. Just as on the cut of a tree its annual rings are noticeable, so along the very edge of the bathtub, you can count the number of reinforcing layers.

You can additionally illuminate the walls of the bathtub with a conventional pocket torch. If you attach the switched on flashlight to the outer wall of the bath, you see how the light appears from the inside (or vice versa), this indicates the subtlety of the walls of the bowl. You should refuse to purchase such a product.

Run your hand over the inside of the bowl - there should be no irregularities, bumps, rough areas... The same applies to a shade with shine - the presence of white and gray spots, dark blotches is unacceptable. The color must be uniform over the entire surface.

Smell the product - the smell should be neutral. The presence of any chemical "amber" indicates the low quality of the product. Knock on the sides of the bathtub, you should hear a dull sound.

Pay attention to the shape of the bowl. Ideally, in that part of the font where the head of the bathing person will be located, there will be a special anatomical protrusion or a rubberized headrest.

Companies from Italy and Germany are considered to be the manufacturers of the best sanitary ware. It is worth noting that considerable sums have to be paid for the appropriate quality and durability. You need to purchase expensive branded products in specialized stores and first make sure that you have an original product in front of you. It is the famous Italian, German and Czech baths that are most often forged.

The most durable and popular corner baths in Russia are produced by the company Ravak. Most affordable - bowls of the Polish brand Cersanit, however, they have a significant disadvantage - the bowl walls are too thin. The most environmentally friendly product belongs to a German company Kaldewei.

Let's take a closer look at the most popular manufacturers of acrylic corner baths.

• Ravak. A Czech brand that is popular not only in Russia, but also in Europe. It is due to the high quality of products (walls 6 mm thick, using only cast acrylic). Corner models are presented as symmetrical and asymmetrical bowls, many baths with air massage, hydromassage, lighting.

• Roca. The products of this Italian brand are considered elite, characterized by high quality and stylish design. Particularly impressive are the corner models with large transparent inserts - such a bathtub looks stylish, resembles a pool, visually expands the bathroom.

• Cersanit. The brand loved by many buyers for its affordability. However, bathtubs have thin walls, so people with a lot of weight should definitely refuse to buy. It is recommended to purchase baths manufactured by Polish factories. Since those that are produced by domestic and Ukrainian (under the Cersanit brand) are also often defective.

• Riho. A brand that produces symmetric (145 x 145, 150 x 150) and asymmetric (160 x 70, 160 x 90) corner baths with 8 mm walls, double reinforced bottom and antibacterial surface coating. The only drawback is a strong price difference between standard-shaped products and corner models. The latter are much more expensive.

An example of a compact arrangement of a corner bowl in a small bathroom. Pay attention to the outer part of the bath - it is rounded, which gives the whole interior a soft, classic sound.

Another option for installing an asymmetric corner bath in a small room. The sink hangs slightly over the bowl, which does not in the least interfere with water procedures, because in this part the legs of a person relaxing in the bath are located. The bowl itself has a convenient teardrop shape. The space above the drain is very cleverly used - a part of the sink rises above it, which is a shelf for cosmetics.

A comfortable and cozy space, which is more correctly called a SPA corner. Such a symmetrical corner model will fit equally well both into a small-sized bathroom and a more spacious room. The space above the sinks are niches in which it is convenient to store bath accessories.

Option of a combined bathroom using an asymmetric corner bath. This arrangement (bath and toilet on one side) is standard. Visually expanding the room allows the use of the classic white shade of plumbing. And to avoid monotony - interspersed with a pleasant green shade.

For the advantages and disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs, see the following video.