Which bathtub is better - acrylic or cast iron?

The bathroom is the place where you want to relax after a hard day at work. Currently, we offer a large selection of bathtubs from different materials, all kinds of shapes, sizes, and colors. This is an item that is purchased for many years, so you need to approach the purchase seriously, having studied all the pros and cons of each variety. The main “competitors” for a long time remain cast iron and acrylic products. Let's look at the pros and cons of each.

Features of cast iron baths

When choosing any product, the brand plays an important role. A well-known company will not risk its name and reputation by producing low-quality products.

Reference! The first cast iron models began to be manufactured in 1925 in Spain by the Roca brothers, and since then ROCA has been considered the world leader in this market segment.

Cast iron is a hard metal and difficult to shape, so bowls made from it generally have a classic shape. However, European brands, unlike Russian ones, offer different shapes and styles.

Bathtubs made of this metal are durable and last longer than all other types. The wall thickness of products from Russian manufacturers reaches 10 mm, while European brands make it up to 5 mm.

Because of this, their weight is less, but in strength they are not inferior to Russian models. This difference in thickness is due to the different composition of the enamel.If something heavy falls into such a bathtub, the maximum damage will be a chip of the enamel - this defect can be corrected.

Due to its heavy weight - 120-150 kg - the cast iron model must be installed on legs. It is most reliable to place the product on a concrete surface.

This type takes a long time to heat up, but retains heat well. When water gets on the surface, no noise is heard, the material is not afraid of corrosion. To ensure the longevity of your bathtub, you should avoid using abrasive cleaners and wipe it down after each use. With proper use, cast iron will last more than 50 years without restoration or repair.

A high-quality cast iron model should differ:

• uniform coverage;
• no chips;
• absolutely smooth surface.

Characteristics of acrylic bathtubs

Acrylic for making bowls began to be used not so long ago, but has already gained great popularity. Products made from this material come in two types:

• injection molding;
• made of two-layer plastic.

Casting varieties have significant advantages. In terms of cost, they are not much different from cast iron.

A big advantage is the ability to choose the shape, color, additional functions - lighting, hydromassage. Depending on the design, such a product can be installed in any part of the room. The color range of acrylic models is very diverse, and thanks to a special coating technology, the surface does not fade even after prolonged use.

In terms of strength and service life, acrylic bathtubs are inferior to cast iron ones. The service life of products made from cast acrylic is more than 15 years, provided that the walls are thicker than 4-5 mm. You can check the thickness at the water drainage point.

Acrylic structures are lightweight, so one person can install the product.A special feature of the product is the frame. Particular attention should be paid to the bottom - manufacturers increase its thickness. If necessary, acrylic structures are additionally strengthened from below, because they are capable of bending under heavy weight.

Due to its characteristics, acrylic retains heat well, does not produce noise during operation, and bacteria do not multiply on it. The surface is perfectly smooth and does not require strong chemicals for maintenance. To maintain cleanliness, it is enough to wipe it with a sponge or rinse with a stream of hot water after each use. However, this material is quite fragile and the fall of a heavy object can damage the product.

A high-quality acrylic model should be:

• durable;
• with a smooth surface;
• of sufficient thickness.

Which is better - acrylic or cast iron bathtub?

It is impossible to say unequivocally what is better or worse. Everyone who is going to make a purchase must decide for themselves what is paramount to them: durability, design, functions, weight, shape, color.

Each model has its own pros and cons. In addition, they all must meet general quality requirements:

1. Wall thickness. In cast iron models this is not as important as in acrylic ones, but when choosing the latter it is worth paying attention to. It is better to give preference to thick-walled ones.
2. Coating thickness. This is important for both materials. In addition to the fact that the coating should be perfectly smooth, it should also be quite thick - this contributes to resistance to scratches and chips.
3. Equipment. In acrylic models, you need to pay attention to a reliable frame, and in cast iron, you need to pay attention to the strength of the legs.

These recommendations will help you make the right choice.