Which cast-iron bathtub is best: how to choose a cast-iron bath

Cast-iron baths can be called classic. They began to serve for the sanitary person of man long before the production of steel and, especially, acrylic baths. Of course, steel and acrylic significantly pushed cast iron in the plumbing market. Their main advantages in the production of bathtubs are the low weight of the finished product and the variety of shapes. However, cast-iron baths are early to retire. Their application is still relevant.

Baths made of cast iron have a wall thickness of 6-8 mm. Of course, because of this, the bath adds significantly to weight, but this thickness is the guarantor of a number of advantages over acrylic or steel sanitary ware.

The undoubted advantage of cast iron baths is their strength. Due to the properties of cast iron and the impressive thickness of the walls, the cast iron baths are not deformed, they are not afraid of blows and accidental falling of heavy objects. Such a bath with competent care for enamel can serve literally centuries.

Cast iron has a high heat capacity. Due to this property, the water in a cast iron bath retains the temperature for a long time. In addition, the cast-iron bath is quiet enough when pouring water and does not ring like steel. By the properties of heat conservation and sound absorption with a bath of cast iron, only acrylic models can be compared.

Stability of the .If properly installed on a quality foundation, due to its large mass, the cast iron baths are extremely stable and do not require the installation of additional supports, as is the case with steel bathrooms.

It should be said a few words about the disadvantages of baths made of cast iron. First, due to the refractory properties of the material, cast-iron baths are not distinguished by a variety of shapes and sizes. Secondly, cast-iron baths have a high weight( from 120 kg), which significantly complicates the process of bath delivery to the apartment and its installation.

Immediately make a reservation that it is quite problematic to find a small-sized cast-iron bath in sanitary warehouses. Small called baths of cast iron with a length of 120 or 130 cm and a width of 70 cm. Such products are purchased for small bathrooms and installed along a short wall in order to save usable space.

Medium size cast iron baths are standard and most common. Dimensions of such baths are as follows: length 140-150 cm and width 70 cm. The installation of a medium-sized bathtub is ideal for those who do not have a spacious bathroom, but love to soak in a warm bath.

The photo shows a Spanish bath made by Roca Haiti of medium size 150x70 cm.

Cast iron baths 170, 180 and 185 cm long and 70 or 85 cm wide are considered to be large. A large cast-iron bath is an expensive purchase, and is more suitable for installation in private houses with a spacious bathroom. First, to deliver such a bath in the apartment of a multi-storey building is extremely difficult because of its large weight. Secondly, a large bath of cast iron will look better in a spacious room, being a central element of the interior.

A large cast iron bath is not just a big, heavy plumbing. Installed in the bathroom, it will emphasize a sense of stability and self-confidence. And, of course, the usual water procedures in such a bath become incredibly comfortable and pleasant.

In the photo you can see the model of the cast-iron bath Atlantida, the dimensions of which are 208x100 cm and the depth of 66 cm to the overflow hole.

When choosing a cast iron bath, there are a number of important aspects that you should pay attention to regardless of the size of the product.

Quality of enamel .Be sure to make a thorough inspection of the enamel surface inside the cast iron bath before buying. Are not allowed:

• Chips
• Cracks
• Adhesions
• Subdresses
• Uneven thickness of enamel
• Presence of areas differing in color

Ideally, enamel must be shock-resistant with a coating thickness of 1 - 1.2 mm. If any of the listed defects are found, it is better to refuse to purchase a defective bath. Plumbing, enameled, easy to clean, not afraid of using special cleaning products. But any marriage coating during operation will only increase. Cracks and chips will grow and darken, shortening the life of the bath. Even shiny enamel is a sign of high quality of the product. However, due to the difficulties in processing cast iron, slight waviness of the coating is allowed.

The second important parameter is the quality of cast iron. The thickness of the walls of the bath must be at least 5 mm. The quality of the casting can be assessed from the outer surface of the walls. It should not have ruts, chips, excessive roughness, hillocks.

Best if the outside is powder coated. This bath gets additional protection, easier to care for and gets an exceptional aesthetic appearance.

Connoisseurs of comfort water procedures can also pay attention to the depth of the bath. The depth is from the bottom to the overflow hole. The standard distance is about 32 cm. But often cast-iron baths have a depth of 40-46 cm before overflow. Of course, it is very pleasant to take a bath in such a deep font, when the body is completely immersed in water.

Another couple of nuances that deserve attention when choosing a bath of cast iron is its price and the quality of the components. When installing a cast iron font, the use of low-level support elements or the drainage system is not allowed. And no matter how attractive the low price tag is, seriously think about the quality of the product and the problems that can result in buying a bath that does not meet the reliability requirements.

Unusually looks like a bath of cast iron on legs.

Cast-iron bath on legs is perfect for you if you want to make a bathroom in a classic style.

There is a stereotype that the best are cast-iron baths of imported production, but to date, domestic manufacturers can offer decent models that are not inferior to European ones in quality.

So, the most available at a price among cast-iron baths of good quality is produced in Ulyanovsk at the plant of JSC "Plant Versatile" .The history of the enterprise begins in 1961.Since that time equipment and technologies have been changing at the plant, since, since 2005, the baths in the plant have been produced by Japanese vacuum molding technology. But the quality of products remains consistently high for more than 50 years. The company is a three-layer application of enamel , which allows producing baths with durable and reliable coating. The "Nostalgie" series won the greatest love among ordinary buyers for excellent quality and democratic prices. For example, the cost of the "Universal" model of standard sizes 150 * 70 cm and depth 46 cm is within 12000 rubles.

Another Russian enterprise producing cast iron baths is OAO Kirovsky Zavod. It was created by the decree of the Empress Elizabeth in the distant 1745( !) And is rightly considered to be the oldest. But the plant follows modern technologies. So, in the Kirov enterprise of a bath cast on a German line that provides 25 guaranteed years of service of products .Another advantage of the Kirov baths is a special enamel with silver ions, which contribute to the disinfection of water. Today, in the mass production there are 9 models of cast iron baths, among them a compact bathtub "Malyutka" with a length of 1.2 m.

Among the European manufacturers the most popular are the cast-iron baths of the Spanish company Roca. Baths under the brand Roca are produced more than 100 years, and today the company unites about 50 factories located all over the world. Despite the fact that this is a premium bath, their price is relatively low. For example, the cost of a bath of Roca Continental is in the range of 17-18 thousand rubles. Also popular are the baths of models Roca Haiti and Roca Malibu. Although in the assortment range, which includes about 40 models, there are also expensive baths, the cost of which starts from 40 and can exceed 100 thousand rubles.

Another Spanish manufacturer of cast iron baths - Novial .The production was founded in 1967, and since then, the technologies of casting and molding of cast iron and coating of enamel products are constantly being improved. Exceptional strength of the coating is achieved by roasting the baths in an infrared oven. Novial bathtubs are quite widely represented in price categories: the Susan bathtub will cost around 10,000r, but for the luxury Susan Delux model with a length of 180 cm, equipped with an aero- and hydro massage system. Have to lay out at least 60 thousand rubles.

In addition to the above listed companies, you can find in the shops baths made of cast iron produced by Italy( Artex), Finland( Timo) and China( Goldman).

We would like to draw your attention to the fact that, regardless of the manufacturer's brand, the choice of a cast-iron bathtub should be taken seriously. Be sure to carefully inspect the condition of the coatings in the store and check the availability of all components. The bath can get defects, both because of production rejection( no manufacturer is able to provide 100% for non-emergency situations), and during transportation.

All prices are given as of the end of 2014.

On a variety of shapes, cast iron baths are not the best competitors in acrylic plumbing. But cast iron baths are still appreciated for their durability and ease of maintenance and the constant sense of comfort and stability that they provide.