Acrylic bathtub: pros and cons, reviews, selection tips
A beautiful and comfortable bathroom is a source of pride for many housewives.Creating an ideal symphony from simple plumbing fixtures costs a lot - not every person feels like a born designer.
To update the interior, it is not at all necessary to undertake a full-scale renovation - you can replace some of the plumbing. Thus, an acrylic bathtub has proven itself well, the pros and cons of which are discussed below.
The content of the article:
What could a bath be like?
Products made from polymers have gained popularity among a large number of consumers. It is not surprising that this material is used in the production of bathroom furniture - its lightness, elaborate shapes and affordable price captivate users.
And additional functions allow you to create a real relaxation zone even in a combined bathroom - just add the desired equipment to the basic package. In addition, acrylic bathtubs have an original design that can instantly transform a room.
The bathtub has ceased to be just a container for bathing - now it is an exquisite and expensive piece of furniture, the highlight of the room.
Depending on the installation location, manufacturers offer the following products:
- free-standing;
- corner;
- wall-mounted
The first version of the bathtubs is distinguished by its appearance - these are proud and self-sufficient containers that can decorate the bathroom with their presence alone. Their significant drawback is that not every room can accommodate such beauty.
For a free-standing bowl, you will need a large room in which the floor has been previously prepared for its installation. Most often, the weight and dimensions of the structure require the presence of reliable floors that can withstand the load. You can read more about installing acrylic bathtubs in this material.
Corner and wall products allow you to implement any design idea not only in a large, but also in a very modest room. Moreover, due to their ease, installation is possible even in old houses with wooden floors.
As for the size and shape, you can get lost here - the variety will amaze the imagination of the most daring consumer. The only thing stopping us is the price. But it does not always indicate the quality of the bath. Often, unscrupulous traders can recommend a very dubious product.
To buy an excellent bathtub that will meet your expectations, you have to understand the features of acrylic products, their positive and negative sides. And also the main complaints of dissatisfied users.
Only with a responsible approach will the choice be correct and there will be no regrets about wasted funds.
Pros and cons of products
Thanks to the variety of models, each user can choose an acrylic bathtub suitable dimensions. Options are sold even for very miniature bathrooms. But such products are endowed with both positive and negative qualities.
Advantages of acrylic plumbing fixtures
The tendency to replace an old bathtub made of cast iron or steel with an acrylic analogue is fully justified by the performance properties of the polymer. A high-quality product can compete with its relatives made from other materials.
Among the advantages of acrylic bathing containers are:
- wide range of models;
- durability of operation;
- material safety;
- comfort when using;
- little weight;
- maintainability.
The wealth of choice in all price segments is explained by the attractiveness of the acrylic coating, which attracts with its glossy shine and snow-white purity. Although one can argue with the latter - some buyers like color options.
As for the service life of plumbing fixtures made of polymers, there is no single figure. Each company provides a guarantee for its product based on the quality of raw materials and equipment used in production.
You may notice that the duration of the warranty depends on the cost of the product - the more expensive the bathtub, the longer the service life the manufacturer guarantees. So, for Chinese counterfeits it is 1-3 years, for new companies - 5-10 years, for famous European and American companies - 15-25 or more years.
Some manufacturers provide a lifetime guarantee on their products - which once again proves the impeccable quality of acrylic bathtubs. True, the cost is beyond the reach of the average buyer.
The safety of the acrylic product for the user is guaranteed by the characteristics of the material.Thus, for production they use a cast sheet of technical acrylic with the addition of various antibacterial substances.
Even products made from ABS plastic with a 2 mm layer of acrylic are quite safe for swimming.
Disadvantages of polymer baths
Acrylic bathing containers have their disadvantages, which should be taken into account at the selection stage. The biggest one is a huge number of fakes that have nothing to do with real acrylic.
This problem has caused negative opinions and reviews from deceived users who paid good money and were disappointed instead of a first-class acrylic bathtub.
The second disadvantage is the plasticity of the material.Despite the reinforcing layer, the walls of the bowl may be slightly deformed during use. This is especially felt when bathing a large person.
The need for careful operation is a significant drawback. But it is inherent in all plumbing items - even steel will not withstand if a dismantled toilet or sink is dropped on it.
As for maintenance, it is important to buy products that are designed to care for this material. Preference should be given only to liquid and soft suspensions that do not contain solid particles.
It is better to take a soft sponge or cotton cloth and perform all cleaning operations with it.
Common customer reviews
Owners of acrylic bathtubs often leave reviews online on various resources and share their impressions with their acquaintances and friends. Moreover, among them there are both satisfied and disappointed with the purchase.
The first category of users is of interest to potential buyers precisely because of the mention of a model that has proven itself worthy during operation. It’s especially gratifying when several people spoke positively about the option they liked.
The second category is more interesting - it is negative reviews that allow you to get to know more closely the problem areas of a particular manufacturer’s bathtub. Thus, users targeting cheap products are interested in the stability of the front layer. More precisely, the speed of its abrasion.
It is no longer a secret that cheaper versions of acrylic bowls are made from plastic, which is covered with a reinforcing layer on the bottom and a 2 or 3 mm layer of acrylic on top. Moreover, in some Chinese products its thickness can be 0.5 mm.
When studying reviews, you need to be careful - often competitors pay for negativity towards bona fide companies.
Therefore, if on a thematic forum someone furiously argues that all acrylic bathtubs are bad, except for products from an unknown company, then such interlocutors cannot be trusted.
Some owners say that bathing in a polymer container is akin to bathing in a plastic basin. This feeling occurs when the frame is insufficiently rigid or improperly installed.
Tips for choosing a product
When thinking about buying an acrylic bathing container, potential buyers try to find out as much as possible about it. What is not surprising is that a new product is quite expensive, so you should frivolously take the first model you come across.
You can often come across this advice: you should choose a bathtub only from top manufacturers. This statement justifies itself, but not all consumers are ready to shell out 5-12 thousand dollars for an acrylic bathtub. Even if it's just excellent quality.
Therefore, when choosing, you should first of all focus on your budget - even among inexpensive offers you can choose a decent option.
To choose the optimal model, you need to use the following tips:
- smell;
- touch;
- look.
The sense of smell will help to identify a fake - if the product smells sharp and unpleasant, then it is better to refuse to buy it. It is quite possible that during production the hardworking Chinese used toxic substances that will be actively released during operation.
The result is allergic rashes and a constant stench in the bathroom. After two to three months, the aroma from such a bowl will decrease, but the pseudo-acrylic coating may disappear along with it.
When choosing a bathing container, don’t be shy about using your fingers – tactile sensations will help determine the quality of the product being offered. So, good acrylic will be smooth over the entire surface of the product.
Another piece of advice is to carefully inspect your intended purchase. If you purchase through an online store, upon delivery you should carefully inspect the product, paying attention to the number of layers on the cut.
In a situation where a bowl was ordered from a two-layer material, and upon inspection, 3 layers were discovered, there is a deception. This option is cheaper than a quality product. One or three layers are ABS plastic with a thin layer of acrylic, which can wear out in places after a couple of years.
It would also be a good idea to hold the product up to the light - it should be uniform and not show through.
The appearance of the bath is important - its color should be uniform and the same over the entire surface. Stains and stains indicate a fake.It is better to refuse such a purchase, even if the seller offers a good discount - it is unlikely that you will be able to get rid of the stains.
Having made a decision to purchase, you should not forget about the documents - you should ask the seller if he has not provided them himself. Conscientious companies complete their products with instructions for installation, operation and care.
We also recommend that you familiarize yourself with the tips for caring for an acrylic bathtub, which we discussed in separate article.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The pros and cons of acrylic bathtubs are discussed in the video:
When choosing a quality product, you should be extremely careful. The video will tell you what points to pay attention to before purchasing acrylic plumbing fixtures:
About the rules for choosing an acrylic bathtub in the video:
Having studied the main advantages and disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs, you can decide whether it is advisable to purchase such a product for yourself. You should also look at owner reviews. To choose the best option, you need to use basic tips for choosing an acrylic bathing container.
If you have been using an acrylic bathtub for a long time, please share your experience using this sanitary ware. Perhaps you know some secrets of caring for her that we did not mention in our article? Or you can give your own recommendations for choosing acrylic sanitary ware. Leave your comments and ask questions in the block below.
Acrylic bathtubs are good. Inexpensive, light, warm - they have quite a lot of advantages. To this we can also add that acrylic bathtubs are easier to repair and have an antibacterial effect.We had a cast iron bathtub for a long time, but during the renovation we decided to replace it and did not regret it at all. When purchasing, you should pay attention to the quality of acrylic - cast products are considered more practical and wear-resistant. The bath itself can be produced in any country.
Acrylic bathtubs benefit from their low weight and relatively low price. In my experience, cast iron ones are better in performance, but they cost a lot, and installing them in a typical apartment is a real headache.
Now I have a cast-iron one, and I’m happy with it, but if I have to change it, I’ll choose an acrylic one, because I simply can’t handle a new cast-iron one, just going up one floor will cost a pretty penny.
Hello. It is not necessary to change the entire bathtub, just buy an acrylic liner of suitable sizes and you will thereby update the surface on a relatively budget.
Now I'm also confused about what to choose. Cast iron is three times more expensive, but it will last much longer, in my opinion. I don’t want to have to deal with replacing my bathtub every five years. On the other hand, they say that it’s more pleasant to wash in acrylic, and it’s easier to clean. Plus a bunch of different shapes, you can buy them with hydromassage.
What’s also scary about the replacement is that you’ve lived with a cast-iron bathtub all your life. But apparently it's time to give progress a chance.
Where did you get the idea that you will have to change your acrylic bathtub every five years, where did you get this information from? Firstly, the manufacturers of acrylic bathtubs themselves provide an official guarantee of eight to ten years! Secondly, most manufacturers provide a ten-year warranty on acrylic bathtubs.
As for the strength of such bathtubs relative to cast iron ones, the latter, of course, will be better in this regard. But cast iron bathtubs have one unpleasant feature - they need to be repainted every three to four years. This is a property of the material itself (cast iron), no matter what paint you use, the bathtub will still give off a yellowish tint over the years.
Acrylic bathtubs do not have this problem; if the installation is carried out correctly and the bottom is strengthened (if you plan to shower while standing in the bathroom), the product will last for decades. Do not forget to firmly fix the position of the bathtub legs.
Or maybe tell me from your experience where to buy a good acrylic bathtub. Proven option? Thank you in advance