Which cast-iron bathtub is better to choose: an overview of popular models

The bathtub can rightfully be considered the heart of the shower room. Comfort when taking water procedures will largely depend on its practical and aesthetic characteristics. Known to everyone since Soviet times, the cast iron bath today not only satisfies consumers in terms of durability, but also pleases with interesting designs, thought out to the smallest detail by well-known domestic and foreign manufacturers.

Recently, the modern market for bathroom products has significantly expanded the concept of such a necessary thing in the everyday life of every city dweller as a bath. Cast iron, steel, acrylic, innovative quaril, ceramics or natural stone - all these materials are successfully used in production and find their consumer. It is interesting, but even in such a variety, the cast-iron bath does not give up its positions and is in constant demand.

The secret of the success of the cast iron bath lies in the material itself and the method of its production. Cast iron is an alloy of iron, carbon and other impurities such as manganese, sulfur and silicon. It is the presence of carbon that gives the product strength and increased hardness, at the same time, making it more fragile in comparison with steel counterparts.

Another feature of this household item is the technology of its production. Pig iron is produced in 98% of cases in blast furnaces, which is not only costly, but also polluting the atmosphere. With this in mind, experts and marketers predict the disappearance of cast iron baths from mass production in a decade. However, despite a similar situation, and given the duration of the product's operation, it is safe to say that a cast iron bath will be found in almost every house and apartment for more than a dozen years.

Cast-iron baths have their supporters and opponents, because, like any type of plumbing, they have certain advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:

• absolute superiority in the duration of operation;
• strength;
• the ability to retain and retain the heat of water;
• lack of noise;
• ease of care;
• relatively inexpensive cost.

So, cast iron has been leading the rating among materials for plumbing equipment in terms of durability for more than a decade. Its average service life is 50 years, and sometimes even more, subject to proper care or restoration of the enamel, if necessary. By the way, steel equipment can last up to 30 years, and acrylic no more than 10.

Durability is considered the second significant advantage. Such plumbing does not bend or vibrate even with a large weight of its owner; it is not afraid of accidental blows, for example, when a shampoo falls from a shelf. The only thing that can damage its appearance is sharp metal objects that have fallen from a sufficient height.

Low thermal conductivity is another advantage in the piggy bank of a cast iron bath. Long-term preservation of heat inside allows you to arrange long water procedures for yourself and your children with pleasure, without adding hot water. For some, this fact is a good argument in favor of savings.

A pleasant bonus for housewives is simple surface care. The cast iron product can be washed by almost any means, avoiding the use of metal sponges and brushes.

Despite, as mentioned earlier, a rather expensive manufacturing method, cast-iron baths from a domestic manufacturer are inexpensive. So, products from a similar alloy take the third place in the rating of products at low cost. The cheapest steel bathtubs top the list, while acrylic bathtubs continue. Nevertheless, in terms of quality, cast iron sanitary ware is noticeably superior to its competitors.

Disadvantages:

• heavy weight;
• slippery coating;
• restraint in design decisions.

Each minus of such plumbing should not be evaluated in monosyllables and negatively. So, the large weight, namely about 120 kg, really complicates the transportation and installation of the structure, but at the same time ensures the absence of vibrations and strength.

Slippery enamel coating plays an essential role when choosing a bathtub for children or the elderly. In this case, safety must be observed, and therefore in addition to new plumbing, it is worth purchasing silicone or rubber mats, which not only do not spoil the appearance, but sometimes complement it.

Cast iron is a rather difficult alloy to work with, and therefore it is not an easy task to create from it, creating intricate bends.

A cast iron font can be:

• attached;
• freestanding;
• built-in.

Domestic manufacturers, wishing to maintain a low cost, massively produce rectangular and corner baths, which are attached to one of the walls. Freestanding cast-iron plumbing from Russian manufacturers rarely differs in subtle bends, and therefore seems to be a boring and rather ordinary solution.

When choosing a bath, each consumer focuses on various characteristics, be it color or shape, however, size is considered the main selection criterion. Designers advise not to occupy more than 1/3 of the bathroom. At the same time, do not forget that the full size of the bathtub is 10-15 cm larger than the size of the font bowl.

Popular dimensions, cm:

• 170x70;
• 150x70;
• 160x70;
• 100x70;
• 120x70;
• 185x85;
• 200x85.

Bath sizes vary greatly. The small seated model can take up to 100 cm in length and can be equipped with an additional seat. The last detail is especially convenient for the elderly and disabled. This model, as a rule, is complemented by a side door for a comfortable entry into the bath.

They hold such tiny models from 145 to 155 liters, and weigh no more than 90 kg, which is the minimum weight for a material such as cast iron. The cost of models is low, however, their mass production is difficult to meet, and therefore most of them are made to order, which leaves a certain imprint on the price of finished products.

Much more often a model with dimensions of 150x70 cm is performed and purchased. It also belongs to the category of small products with the ability to take a full sitting position. The volume of the bath is on average 160 liters, which ensures a fairly economical water consumption. In addition, as parents note, it is most convenient to bathe children in such bathtubs.

Experts consider models with dimensions 170x70 cm and above to be large bathtubs. Their capacity on average reaches 190 liters of water, and their weight is around 120 kg. Such specimens are convenient for taking water procedures in a horizontal position. The disadvantages of spacious models include the impossibility of finding them in a small room.

However, the owners of houses and apartments of new layouts do not have to think about the size, and therefore a cast-iron bath can be chosen comfortable and wide. Their lengths start from 180 cm, reach 200 cm and more. Fonts of this type can comfortably accommodate several people. The cost of such products is very high.

Another important criterion is the depth of the plumbing. The lion's share of products for the mass consumer has a distance between the bottom and the overflow hole of 40 cm. According to experts, this depth is the most successful, it allows you to be completely in the water, despite the owner's sitting or horizontal position. Deep fonts are up to 60 cm.

The recommended building code is 60 cm above floor level. It is worth noting that this indicator also includes the required distance from the bottom of the bath to the floor for installing a siphon, equal to 10-15 cm. In reality, the height of the bath varies from 50 to 70 cm, depending on the age, height and physical capabilities of its owner.

The shape of the plumbing is key to the overall design of the bathroom.

Popular forms:

• rectangular, suitable for small spaces;
• oval, organically complemented by a decorative camera, or a free-standing model;
• round;
• asymmetrical, including angular;
• non-standard version: with curves, semicircular, bob-shaped, triangles with rounded corners and other designers' ideas.

The colors of the decoration can be even more varied than the shape of the products. So, the most common and often chosen are white models. They do not hide the useful area, however, according to the designers, they look a little boring and "like a hospital".

Today they prefer light and soft shades of blue, pink, light green and beige. However, not all color models are held in high esteem today. So, it is advised to refuse black products in connection with:

• with a visual decrease in space;
• psychologically depressing effect;
• the complexity of the care and maintenance of a presentable appearance of the bath.

In its original form, a cast-iron bathtub is a font with smooth, rounded edges. However, bath designers today are actively introducing additional functions aimed at convenience, comfort and getting the maximum pleasure from taking water procedures.

So, one of the most popular models in Italy, France and Russia is a bathtub with side-mounted handles. In this case, there can be either one or two supporting parts lying on a support or mounted directly into the font.

Another fashionable function, inspired by beauty salons, is hydromassage or massage using air-water currents. Large baths from beauty parlors smoothly moved into a home environment and made relaxation more accessible. It is worth noting that such equipment significantly increases the cost of the hot tub, and therefore it is important to understand not only all the advantages, but also the disadvantages of innovation.

Advantages of plumbing with hydromassage:

• health-improving effect;
• help in the fight against excess weight;
• multifunctionality and combination in some models of chromotherapy and air massage;
• prevention of varicose veins;
• pronounced relaxing effect from exposure to water.

There are also several disadvantages related directly to the equipment.

Cons of a hot tub with hydromassage:

• high cost of equipment;
• significant energy costs;
• special care of equipment in the form of regular flushing of pipes.

The anti-slip bathtub is one of the innovations aimed at comfort and safety. The bottom of such a product is complemented with stripes, flowers or other decorative details with a rough coating of micropores. At the same time, the surface of a slippery cast-iron bath becomes several times safer, which means that when using it, you do not need special devices in the form of silicone and rubber mats.

For many of its owners, the cleanliness of the bath is often one of the most important indicators of neatness. Inserts often come to the rescue in this matter, which can be purchased from the same manufacturer as the font itself. The liner is an acrylic or vinyl bathtub cover that accurately repeats all the curves of the cast-iron original. Later, during installation, the pad is placed in the font with a specially applied adhesive and becomes an integral part of it.

Liner advantages:

• perfect whiteness of the bath;
• resistance to scratches and dirt;
• democratic cost.

The stand has become a decorative and practical detail for the freestanding bathtub. It can represent:

• graceful forged construction with a smooth transition to forged legs;
• a wooden frame framing the bath around the entire circumference;
• comfortable model, complemented by a small step.

Starting the search for decent plumbing, you can see that cast-iron bathtubs are made not only by domestic manufacturers, but also by foreign companies. Models from the second group, as a rule, turn out to be an order of magnitude higher in the price category. And it's not just about brands. Russian-made bathtubs are distinguished by a greater thickness of the cast iron layer and a thin layer of enamel, which inevitably affects the impressive weight of the structure and the possible early appearance of microcracks. Foreign firms, on the other hand, make the cast iron layer thinner and lighter, paying particular attention to a sufficient thickness of the enamel layer.

Roca is rightfully considered the leader of the foreign market. The origin of the manufacturer was Spain, where the first bathtub was made back in 1929. It is worth noting that the products immediately began to enjoy great success, however, they entered the international market only in 1990. Since this period, the company has experienced a new stage in its development, having opened more than 135 offices around the world.

To date, the company's catalog contains seven collections of cast iron plumbing fixtures:

• Akira;
• Continental;
• Haiti;
• Malibu;
• Ming;
• Newcast;
• Tampa.

Model Akira 170x85 cm is a striking example of a product with high Spanish quality. With a permissible enamel thickness of 1-1.2 mm, the same indicator for this model is 1.5 mm. Cast iron sheet 5-7 mm also meets all standards. The bathtub is equipped with comfortable recesses around the perimeter, which allows you to install handles, and has an anti-slip coating.

Continental line - the embodiment of the classic form in a variety of sizes. So, here you can find a rectangular sitting bath with dimensions of 100x70 cm.The Continental bathtub 170x70 cm can be considered the most spacious model.

Haiti collection differs in the anatomical shape of the bath. Thanks to the gentle curves in each of the models, you can achieve maximum muscle relaxation. The dimensions of the products in the line vary from 140 to 170 cm.

Rectangular plumbing Malibu like Haiti, it is characterized by soft shapes and smooth curves. The line includes both simple models and products with recesses for convenient and safe positioning of the handles.

The highlight of all products can be considered a freestanding model Newcast with spacious dimensions 170x85 cm. Stylized to resemble a luxurious royal font, it can be supplemented with various legs, as well as a towel holder located around the entire perimeter of the bathroom.

Reviews of Russian consumers of products for each of the models boil down to the main advantages:

• a sufficiently thick layer of cast iron;
• acceptable cost, regular promotions and discounts on products;
• the breadth of the size range presented.

Cons also did not pass by the company's model. Users point to the flaws of the anti-slip coating, namely the difficulty of cleaning it, as well as the inconvenience of removing rust at the junction between the handle and the recess in which it is mounted. People who have chosen Spanish Roca products without additional details in the simplicity and quality of high-quality cast iron call themselves the owners of technology without flaws.

It should be noted that not only Spanish plumbing is popular in Russia. So, the French company Jacob Delafon conquers with the breadth and variety of collections, sophistication of details and unsurpassed quality. The cast iron sanitary ware is guaranteed for 25 years.

Bath from the line Adagio with dimensions of 170x80 cm, it is supplemented with a built-in headrest and armrests. Also, the model with soft curves has a supportive back and special recesses for the handles. However, simple models are also presented in sufficient numbers. Models Soissons, Catherine - rectangular classic shapes with no recesses.

The most memorable are the spectacular freestanding fonts, which reflect all the beauty of France with its grace and nobility.

• Spacious model Cleo tellieur characterized by a smooth oval shape, neatly bordered by a solid beech wood frame.
• The design acts as stable legs, which makes the bath comfortable and safe. Collection font Circe also distinguished by exquisite shapes.

Modern freestanding sanitary ware looks worthy in the Jacob Delafon collections. Model Reve a rectangular shape without legs looks stylish and organic in styles such as hi-tech and minimalism.

A separate category is made up of models of special equipment. These include a compact cast-iron baby bath with dimensions 79.5x44.5. The difference here is not only the size, but also the oval shape, completely devoid of protrusions and recesses for the child's safe stay in it.

Reviews about the various lines of the Jacob Delafon brand are positive, and the flaws are minimal. So, in some models there are absolutely smooth and even sides, which causes a certain inconvenience when cleaning them.

Italy is represented by renowned brands such as Maroni and Castalia. A popular font of the latest brand is the Prime model, which is loved by its simplicity and spacious dimensions. It should be noted that, according to the owners of Castalia products, the thickness of the cast iron sheet is excessive. This drawback is especially noticeable in the Venera model with dimensions of 170x70 cm, in which it is difficult not only to accept water procedures, but also simply to fit into it.

Timo occupies a high place in the rating of popular manufacturers.The products of this Finnish company, like many other products of this country, are of high quality, which is given much more attention than design. A clear confirmation of this are the Timo Tarmo and Timo Standard models with simplicity of shapes and reliable materials. So, the fonts of this company are covered with four layers of enamel, which prevents them from possible scratches. The service life of cast iron products is 25 years, the warranty is 5 years.

Among the technical characteristics of almost every Timo model, you can find a convenient slope of the bottom towards the outlet to ensure complete drainage of the water. In addition, the overwhelming majority of products are completed not only with stable legs, but also with chrome-plated handles. Unfortunately, the bathrooms do not have recesses for the handles, and therefore it would be controversial to consider the latter configuration useful.

The reviews about the baths of the Finnish company are mostly positive. People note the convenience and simplicity, the ability to buy goods for shares. Other users, on the contrary, consider Timo to be an unscrupulous seller, however, the reasons for this may lie in dubious dealers, openly indicated on the official website of the company.

And if Finland is ready to offer simplicity and brevity of plumbing, then German companies are happy to surprise with their design. Elegansa focuses on incredibly beautiful vintage pieces with modern touches. Freestanding fonts are painted in various shades of rich tones and are made in a luxurious design.

The main location of all Elegansa facilities is Germany, and therefore, at each stage of production, the company conducts careful control. It is not surprising that the cost of the models is high, however, here you can also find promotional price reductions for certain items.

A striking example of the products of the German company is the font Dianamade in soft, flowing lines. Snow-white, with soft sides, it has no legs, limited to a stable platform widened downwards. However, classic models with legs are also found. Font Gretta with a glossy white finish, it has a retro theme and is complemented by four "lion" feet in pure brass.

The highlight of the collections is the Sabine bathtub with polished stainless steel outsidethat has a specular reflection. Such a product surprisingly begins to combine with any interior, beautifully reflecting the floor covering.

The Swedish company Byon deserves to be on the list of well-known and trusted manufacturers. It combines timeless classics of forms, a variety of sizes, multi-layer enamel application and a very democratic cost among analogues of other foreign brands. The size range of bathtubs starts from 120 cm, which makes it possible to install such products even in a small room.

Surprisingly, no matter how widely they criticized China for its low quality, today it also offers products that can enter into fair competition with many brands. Hong Kong-based Goldman offers a wide range of cast iron bathtubs with a snow-white glossy finish.

The number of Goldman models is huge. Among them, you can find simple rectangular models such as the ZYA-24C and anatomically shaped products with curves and recesses, such as the Donni built-in hot tub. Many models have anti-slip notches on the bottom and chrome-plated handles included.

Reviews of the baths of this Chinese company are positive. Consumers are pleased with the wide assortment and budget prices of products, for example, a classic hot tub can be purchased for only 7,000 rubles. In addition, the owners note an even coverage and a one-year warranty.

Among the objective disadvantages stand out:

• very slippery bottom in the absence of anti-slip notches;
• inconvenient arrangement of handles;
• a problem with installing the bath on the legs, namely, their movable state, which is easily corrected when purchasing additional bolts.

Since Soviet times, Russia has continued to successfully produce cast iron baths, which are popular. Outstanding manufacturers of worthy products are the enterprises of JSC "Universal" and JSC "Kirovsky Zavod". The products of each of them meet all the requirements and standards, the companies use advanced German and Japanese technologies.

Factory "Universal" offers stylish bathtubs of classic shapes with and without recesses with multi-layer titanium enamel. Models "Classic", "Nostalgie", "Elegy" please with their simplicity and laconism, while "Sibiryachka" surprises with European smoothness, and "Nega" - outlined lines of sides.

Reviews of the products of the Universal plant are different, however, many years of experience wins over new consumers.

Among the advantages are:

• affordability of prices;
• a wide selection presented in all major sanitary ware hypermarkets;
• customer-oriented service center and quick problem solving.

The disadvantage for the majority is innovative titanium enamel, which, if applied poorly, can show small scratches and dots on itself. Housewives note the complexity and delicacy of cleaning.

The products of the Kirovsky plant are represented by simple models without bends, reminiscent of Soviet fonts. Dimensions here vary from 120 to 170 cm with a width of 70-75 cm. Opinions about the models are different, however, the largest number of flaws are expressed about the Silver Ress font:

• the inability to adjust the legs in some configurations;
• cast iron with free cavities;
• roughness of the enamel.

Nevertheless, positive reviews account for more than 50 percent of the total number of opinions, and therefore the plant's products remain relevant among Russian consumers.

Sometimes, even a well-known manufacturer's plumbing may not meet the consumer's expectations. And the point here is not marriage, but in the inaccurate definition of the desired model and design.

• Before placing an order or purchase, the width of the product should be visually evaluated... The same dimensions are completely different in the oval classic bathtub, bean or rectangular model. It is most spacious to be in a product devoid of bends, since depressions and smooth lines occupy a significant proportion of the usable area. The same rule applies to the length of the font. Sometimes, beautiful wide sides deprive users of the opportunity to sit comfortably without bending their knees.
• The second important condition for a successful purchase is sober assessment of your own budget... Of course, every person wants to have a designer model in their home, however, buying it will entail the purchase of the same expensive components in the form of legs and other things. With a small budget, it is wiser to take a closer look at democratic, but high-quality models, of which there are a sufficient number on the market today.

• However, not only components should be purchased from one manufacturer... Having decided to start a major overhaul in the bathroom, it is easy not to guess with the shade of the sink, toilet bowl and bathtub. Even the white tone of each manufacturer is different and inaccurate hitting it threatens dissonance throughout the interior.
• Any device, regardless of the price category, worth buying from trusted sellershaving a good reputation in the market for goods and services. Only in this case, you can count on a guarantee, service and trouble-free use of plumbing for many years. When choosing a product in a store, you should carefully examine the enamel and cast iron. The surface should be perfectly flat and smooth without any depressions or hills.
• Another important condition and selection criterion is plum location... Today, it can be located on the left, right and even in the center, because plumbing has to be installed in a variety of rooms with a standard and atypical layout.

When the purchase of a bathtub is complete, it is time to install. Installation can be carried out with the help of specialists or with your own hands, which is a more budgetary and sometimes more reliable way.

Installation is carried out after leveling the floor and finishing. It is more reasonable to carry out finishing work on the walls with the bathroom already installed in its place, thereby avoiding the gap between the plumbing and the wall. The ingress of moisture is minimal, which means there is little likelihood of rust and fungus, which distort the appearance of even the most stylish plumbing.

Consider the algorithm of actions for self-assembly of the bath.

• Shutting off the water supply and draining the remaining water from the pipes.
• Skidding the font and laying it on its side with the bottom to the wall at a distance of 70 cm.
• Fixing the legs with wedges and screws.
• Before the bath is on its legs, it is necessary to connect a siphon with an overflow. Rubber seals will help to avoid leaks.
• Universal, semi-automatic or automatic strapping at the stage of installing and connecting the siphon.
• The hot tub is put in place. If there is a gap between the bathroom and the wall, use a silicone sealant or a plastic corner to match the font or wall decoration.

• Preparation of free bath space for the mixer. As a rule, the structure is installed at the end or at the corner. Sometimes a bezel may be needed to hide part of the communications. When installing hydromassage equipment, the mixer is installed not on the pipes, but on the hydromassage tanks themselves.
• Drill the enamel for the mixer with a diamond drill, and cast iron with a metal drill.
• Checking the levelness of the installation. Recall that the issue with the drain hole and its necessary slope has already been thought out by the manufacturer, and therefore you should not try to fulfill it yourself.
• If the hardness and density of the flooring materials is insufficient, metal plates can be installed under the legs for a more even load.
• The connection of the whirlpool bath to the network is possible only by a professional with a preliminary de-energization of the house.

A new well-installed hot tub is a pleasant purchase in every home, and you want to keep its presentable appearance for as long as possible. Installing a water softener filter on the riser is a good solution. At the same time, the risk of limescale deposits is reduced significantly.

And while limescale can be prevented, only special cleaning agents can deal with rust and grease.

Popular ways to clean your font:

• using a whiteness solution;
• the use of detergents from well-known manufacturers containing various active substances, for example, oxalic acid;
• hydrogen peroxide and ammonia in equal proportions to remove rust only on damaged areas;
• a mixture made from vinegar and salt, left on yellow smudges for several hours.

• A luxurious freestanding font in retro style with legs harmoniously complemented by a carved mirror. The combination of gold and silver shades emphasizes the style and chic of the decoration.
• The classic red freestanding bathtub is a bright accent that does not require additional details and paints. Modern bathroom finishes in white tones complement and soothe the interior.

• An Italian bath with a mirror finish looks harmonious and dignified in black and white interior shades with scarlet touches.
• A classic bathtub with a podium frame looks incredibly elegant.

For information on how to choose a bath, see the next video.