The best manufacturers of cast iron baths: Russian, Chinese, Spanish, French

Cast iron bath has long been a common occurrence in our apartments. Moreover, just a couple of decades ago, this was the only option for bathroom equipment, as other bathtubs were simply not manufactured. Only relatively recently, cast iron began to surrender, giving way to a more light and aesthetic acrylic. However, recently there has been a new surge in the popularity of cast iron baths. This is due to the fact that modern cast-iron baths are spared from most of the shortcomings that were peculiar to products made in the USSR.

Cast-iron baths produce plumbing companies all over the world, so today you have the opportunity to purchase a product not only from domestic production, but also brought from Europe or from Asia. Let's start our review with European companies.

The Spanish company Roca has been known in the plumbing market for almost 100 years. The small company, which originated not far from Barcelona, ​​began its activity with the production of radiators and boilers. Gradually expanding the range and opening new stores, this company was able to win the hearts of customers around the world. Now the company has stores in 135 countries. In Russia, Roca has its own plant.

Cast-iron baths by Roca attract with their design - simple, elegant shapes and glossy gloss enamel pleases the eye. The relief bottom protects against sliding. The manufacturer provides for its products a 10-year warranty, which says a lot about the quality of products.

The cheapest bath of this company costs about 20,000 rubles, its length is 120 cm, width is 70 cm. The most expensive models cost about 100,000 rubles, in this case you pay for a unique, unusual design. Usual cast-iron bath of standard length 170 cm, will cost approximately 26,000 rubles.

The company "Jacob Delafon" has an even richer history, since it appeared in the 19th century. Founded in France, the company has gradually grown around the world and today has 27 branches in different countries, including Russia and the United States. She specializes not only in bathroom plumbing, but also in the production of furniture, the organization of hotel business and maintenance of power systems, although she does it all as a part of Kohler, which merged at the end of the 20th century.

The cast-iron products of Kohler are characterized by great variety. You can choose from a variety of options, among which there are built-in baths, baths with holes for mortice mixers, wide and deep baths, whirlpool baths and much more. The company provides its products with a 25-year guarantee. The standard, rectangular cast-iron bath from "Jacob Delafon" will cost approximately 28,000 rubles. The most expensive models - design, with bright prints or on an unusual frame cost about 300-400 thousand rubles.

Another French company "Oxame" specializes in the production of cast-iron bathtubs and has a century of experience in this field. The factories of the company are located directly in France, therefore the traditional European quality is preserved in everything. At the stage of making cast-iron baths, special attention is paid to enamel. It turns out completely snow-white and even shines a little. Enamel protects the bath from corrosion and the appearance of mold. Oxame cast-iron baths serve a long time, thanks to decades of production technology and the use of high-quality materials.

Prices for baths made of cast iron from this manufacturer range from 18,000 rubles per usual one-and-a-half-meter bath to 48,000 rubles for a spacious bath, 180 cm in length and 83 cm in width. Vintage baths on decorative legs are somewhat more expensive.

Among the Asian manufacturers of cast iron baths, the Chinese company "Artex" is most popular. The peculiarity of this company's products lies in the fact that Italian technologists and designers participate in its creation. The development of the design and appearance of products is made by the European side, and direct manufacturing takes place in China. This approach significantly reduces the cost of the final product, while maintaining its quality at the proper level.

Cast-iron baths produced by Artex are well known to the Russian buyer. For a relatively small amount of money, you get a high-quality product. The equipment is very diverse. So, many models are equipped with handrails and headrests. In the enamel, which covers the bath, added silver oxide, which has an antibacterial effect and extends the life. The smallest, only 120 cm, a bath of cast iron from the company "Artex" will cost you about 12,000 rubles, and the largest, two-meter - in 70,000rubles. The most popular model, 170 cm long, costs about 20,000 rubles.

Despite the presence of competition, in Russia the production of cast iron baths is also in full swing. Companies that are engaged in this, a lot, but we will tell only about the most famous.

The Russian plant "Universal" is located in the city of Novokuznetsk and has been producing cast-iron baths since the Soviet times, namely, since 1961.Do not think that the quality of products has not changed in such a long time. Not so long ago, the plant was modernized and new German equipment was purchased, so we can safely say that its products meet the most modern European standards. In the assortment there are about ten kinds of cast-iron baths of different dimensions, some of which are equipped with metal handles. All products look very aesthetically pleasing and, besides, they are pleased with the "price-quality" ratio.

The prices for the products of the plant "Universal" have a very small spread: from 10 to 17 thousand rubles, so even with a limited budget, you can afford a normal full-size bath.

Another popular domestic producer of cast iron baths is the Kirov plant. About 10 years ago the plant launched a production line using the method developed in Germany. All products manufactured here are in compliance with sanitary standards, it is environmentally friendly and safe. Kirov's cast-iron baths are covered with a special, patented enamel with silver content, which cleans the surface and disinfects water for the entire service life. In addition, water, enriched with silver ions, has a beneficial effect on human health.

Kirov Works offers cast-iron bathtubs at the lowest prices. The cheapest bath, "Baby", costs less than 10,000 rubles, and the most expensive models are 170 cm long. They cost about 12,000 rubles.

For sure, many of you remember the monstrous cracks and scratches that covered the inside surface of Soviet cast iron baths. The production used enamel of low quality, so to maintain a more or less decent appearance, the bath had to be repainted almost every year. Today the quality of enamel has grown several times, so the cast-iron bath will not lose its original appearance even after many years of operation.

Another drawback of baths made of cast iron, it is considered to be a lot of weight and huge dimensions, which make the bath virtually impossible. All this made it very difficult to transport and install this kind of sanitary equipment. Modern production technologies allow producing lightweight cast-iron bathtubs with a wall thickness of only a few millimeters, which do not lose their original strength and stability.

The main advantages of cast-iron baths have been preserved since Soviet times, but new ones have also been added. Cast-iron baths, produced today, are still the most durable, offered on the market. They are not afraid of blows or falls from a small height during the installation. In addition, such a bath does not need additional reinforcement, since it is stable in itself. She calmly withstands a lot of weight and does without support. All this, firstly, facilitates installation, and secondly, adds aesthetics. Agree, the bath, installed only on the legs, looks much more elegant than the bath on a frame basis.

Another undoubted advantage of cast-iron baths is the ability to keep heat. The water in such a container cools down very slowly, so you can soak up a longer warm bath. Among other things, a cast-iron bath is not at all capricious in nursing. A thick layer of wear-resistant enamel is very difficult to damage, so you can clean such a bath by any means, without fear of damaging the surface.

Of course, we can not fail to mention such advantages of cast iron baths:

• long service life. Some manufacturers promise that their baths will serve you 50 years;
• beautiful soundproofing. The sound of a jet of water dripping against the bottom of the bath will not reach the ears of your neighbors;
• price availability. From the available options on the market this is the most budgetary one.

Of course, a cast-iron bath, like everything in this world, besides advantages, is also endowed with a number of shortcomings, however, there are not so many of them.

The most significant drawback of baths made of cast iron is as follows: despite the fact that they compared to their Soviet counterparts they decently "threw off weight", such baths are still rather cumbersome. It's almost impossible to install such a bath alone, so find an assistant in advance. Another disadvantage is the monotony of shapes and sizes. There are only a few varieties of cast-iron baths. For a non-standard bathroom to pick up a bath of this material will not be easy.

Modern cast iron bath has an almost unlimited lifespan, so it does not need a particularly careful treatment - it is very difficult to damage it. However, like any other plumbing product, without elementary care, it will eventually lose its radiant whiteness. Avoiding this is very easy!

Just follow our recommendations: ·

• Despite the fact that the cast-iron baths are covered with a protective layer of high-quality enamel, not prone to scratches, try not to use hard brushes and aggressive cleaners to wash the tub.
• If possible, purchase a detergent from the bath manufacturer. Also, the surface is well cleaned with ordinary household soap or dishwashing detergent.
• After completing all hygiene procedures, it is better to wipe the bath dry with soft cloth. Try to do this at least once a day and then your bath will shine like new.
• The spots that appear on the enamel should be removed immediately after the appearance. For these purposes, acetic and citric acid are excellent.