The question of how to choose an acrylic bath arises immediately, as soon as the repair in the dwelling is nearing its end and it comes to installing sanitary ware. The decision to purchase a traditional cast iron or steel product under modern conditions is becoming less frequent. Now buyers stop on more modern materials, which includes acrylic.
Advantages of Acrylic Bathtubs
Everyone knows acrylic - a composite environmentally friendly polymer, characterized by ease of processing, high strength, resistance to thermal stress, light weight. It has excellent ecological and hygienic properties. Before choosing an acrylic bath, it is important to know its advantages:
- small weight - convenient for transportation;
- low thermal conductivity - the temperature of the collected water is long;
- plasticity of the material - the product is resistant to damage, the object falling into the bowl will not damage the enamel;
- simplicity of care - bathing is easy to clean;
- biological inertness - the coating is not covered by fungi and mold ;
- strength - the bowl easily withstands the great weight of water and the human body;
- decorative - glossy shine, the ability to tint in different shades.
Many manufacturers produce acrylic baths, how among them to choose high-quality?
- dents, scratches, bumps on a good surface should not be, quality plastic smooth;
- heterogeneous color distribution, divorce - a sign of marriage. It is better to choose a product with a uniform color;
- consider carefully cutting a material - a triple structure indicates a fake;
- The bottom of the bath should be smooth, without irregularities;
- check the product by bringing to its wall a normal flashlight. If the light of the device is visible on the back of the bowl - the material is thin and substandard;
- you can determine a strong copy by tapping the body. Thick walls produce a dull sound;
- a sign of poor quality - an obvious chemical smell, quality products do not have such a defect.
How to choose a good acrylic bath?
The stores offer different acrylic bathtubs, find out which ones are better to take, if you understand what the qualitative polymer consists of, what is its optimal thickness, which brand to give preference to. The material is of two types - sheet and extruded. In the home it is better to choose the first option - this product is stronger. Extruded acrylic is prone to cracking, it can be used in dachas, in places of non-permanent use.
Acrylic bath - the composition of the material
In a good acrylic bath, the material is a sheet 6-8 mm thick, processed by pressing. At the same time, its thickness decreases to 5-6 mm. The outer layer is reinforcement of polyester resins with fillers or polyurethane. Therefore, before choosing a quality acrylic bath, you need to make sure that two layers are visible on its cut, and not more. For example, some manufacturers go in a fraudulent way - they make a product from ABS plastic, top it with extruded acrylic, then with a reinforcing compound. The service life of such models is small.
What should be the thickness of the acrylic bath?
The answer to the question of how much weight an acrylic bath can withstand is given on certification tests - from 500 kg, set it on a special frame. The main issue is how to choose a durable acrylic bath, the life span depends on the strength of its walls. To determine the parameter, you need to carefully measure the edges on the body - there are layers on the cut. In the store there are models with a thickness of 2 mm to 6.5 mm. The average trend is this:
- if the acrylic layer is 2-3 mm, the product will last 3-4 years;
- at a thickness of 4 mm - 7 years;
- Acrylic layer 5-6.5 mm - 10-12 years.
What are the sizes of acrylic bathtubs?
It is important to know what acrylic bathtubs are in size, which makes the convenience of their use dependent. On sale you can find small, medium, large models. For a modest room, an ergonomic bowl of 120x70 cm is suitable, for a more impressive space it is easy to choose a larger size - 190x120 cm. The width and length of the product is selected in accordance with the dimensions of the room and convenience for users. How to choose an acrylic bath so that it is comfortable for all family members:
- the height of the installation from the floor level is 65-70 cm, it is convenient for adults and children to enter such a bathroom;
- the depth of the bowl is 40-60 cm, in it an adult man can easily keep his head above the water and do not have trouble coming out. In a smaller bowl, the body does not dive completely, but in a shallower bowl the body will settle in an uncomfortable upright position;
- length - 150-180 cm, the choice depends on the growth of the owner, so that he lay, comfortably stretched, his head resting on the edge;
- width - the optimal 65-80 cm, but is selected according to the owner's complexion. On sale it is easy to find a product with a width of 100-120 cm.
Acrylic bath - which manufacturer is better?
Before choosing an acrylic bath, it is interesting to get acquainted with popular manufacturers, whose products are proven and will last for many years. Buying a well-known brand will not run into a defective product. What kind of acrylic bath is better to choose:
- VAGNEPLAST - Czech brand, produces products of various sizes, with hydromassage and without. The product uses 100% acrylic from the UK, the company guarantees a 10-year life of the bath.
- RAVAK - also a Czech manufacturer, the brand is considered the most purchased due to the high quality of products and a wide range;
- ALPEN - Austrian company, produces inexpensive, but quality products from real acrylic, meeting all the requirements;
- RIHO is a Dutch company, the products are characterized by an unusual design that does not reduce their performance;
- POOL SPA - the Italian manufacturer, is famous for its wide assortment, high quality, a wide choice of accessories for baths;
- AQUANET - a domestic brand, attracts a combination of excellent quality with reasonable price. The assortment of products is wide, calculated for any prosperity, different sizes of premises;
- TEIKO - Chinese manufacturer, is popular due to a good combination of quality products and their low price.
What are acrylic bathtubs?
One of the main advantages of polymer products is the widest choice of options, different design solutions that can satisfy the needs of the most exquisite buyers. Types of acrylic baths are different:
- longitudinal forms - the usual rectangular, round, oval, installed in a niche, anywhere in the partition, in the middle of the room;
- Angular, located between two perpendicular walls;
- non-standard, asymmetrical forms.
Choose certain outlines of the product better according to the size and layout of the bathroom. The bowl is often supplemented with a hydro massage system and ultraviolet rays (jacuzzi), handles, headrests, rugs, front or end curtains. The color of the material can vary - from white to dark or with transparent facade inserts.
Round acrylic bathtubs
Deciding which acrylic bathroom to choose for a large room, you can stay on an extravagant round shape. Designers use such models to create non-standard interiors. But the circle needs space, more effectively this cup looks in the middle of the room. Products are comfortable, comfortable and can not be tight by definition. In them you can enjoy bathing and two people, the minimum diameter of the bath is one and a half meters.
The design is amazing - manufacturers often use combinations of acrylic with wood or glass. In addition to the snow-white base positions, there are baths of the brightest colors. In addition to the perfect form, round models attract high technology - the products are often complemented by hydro massage systems, all sorts of convenient options.
Acrylic baths of oval shape
Determined with the choice of which acrylic bathtub is best, many buyers stop in an oval form. The elegance of smooth lines allows using the product in different interiors - from classics to minimalism . You can install it anywhere in the wall, but especially effectively the oval looks in the center of the room. Installed on ornate "paws", it becomes a real decoration of design. It is interesting to see an oval bath in the podium or a built-in baptismal floor. Products besides the graceful form are attracted and by an impressive volume.
Rectangular acrylic bathtubs
Rectangular models are the most popular, as choosing the right acrylic bath for a standard room is better than this form. At first glance they look simple, but they are roomy and provide a high level of comfort. You can install the product anywhere, it does not take up unnecessary space. The sizes of rectangular bowls are different - you can find both an ergonomic budget model, and a luxurious option with additional options, a Jacuzzi.
Acrylic corner bath
Elegant corner baths are acceptable for small rooms, relevant if necessary to save space in the room. They have only three sides, unlike other models. What are the acrylic bathtubs corner:
- left- or right-hand. Different options help to rationally enter the product into the interior;
- free from the sides of the products can give a straight, convex or concave shape;
- often angular models are purchased complete with plastic curtains, they are convenient to equip shower cabins.
Acrylic baths in the form of a drop
There are also non-standard types of acrylic bathtubs, for example, teardrops. This unusual option is often used for a model located in the corner of the room. The cup in it has smooth shapes, a wider top and a narrower bottom. In the convenience of the drops are not inferior to their symmetrical counterparts. This form helps to save space in the room for installing a washing machine or under a chest of drawers. Thanks to a large number of colors and models, you can choose an option for any interior.
Acrylic bath of non-standard form
Deciding which acrylic bath to choose, the most exquisite buyers stop at non-standard options that amaze the imagination. They are indispensable if you need to write the technique in the most complex configuration or create an original interior. For this, polygonal models are proposed, designed for several people. Interesting asymmetric angular variants with a bowl of non-standard multi-sectional form, comfortable "wings" - stands, lighting, massage. Such creative products become a highlight of the interior.