How to choose a cast iron bathtub: valuable tips for choosing cast iron plumbing fixtures

Cast iron plumbing is associated with a reliable and timeless product. But despite everything, you can run into a container from which all the enamel will be washed off in a couple of months.To avoid becoming a victim of unscrupulous sellers, you should clearly know how to choose a cast iron bathtub of excellent quality. Do you agree?

You will learn everything about choosing impeccable cast iron plumbing by reading the article we presented. We have analyzed in detail all the criteria on the basis of which you can make an informed purchase. A properly selected product will last about 30 years without losing its original attractiveness and performance properties.

Cast iron bathtubs: shape, size, weight

The desire to make your bathroom more comfortable by filling it with useful and functional items forces you to carefully work on the design. But in addition to developing a stylish interior, you still have to choose a reliable cast iron bathtub.

It is a product made from this material that can become a reliable companion for many years.

A few words about forms

The bathtub is the most important attribute of the bathroom. Its shape depends only on the flight of fancy of the designer of a particular plumbing manufacturer. These are smooth curves that form something abstract, alien, as well as clear and strict lines that take the form of a classic product.

When a bathtub requires functionality, a guarantee of a long term of impeccable service and a presentable appearance, then we are talking about a cast iron product.

A cast iron bathtub will fit perfectly into a retro-style interior. Modern materials and a touch of time will create a delightful duet

The high cost of cast iron does not encourage plumbing manufacturers to frequently change the bowl configuration, since the experiment may not be in high demand.Usually these are simple and concise products.

The high carbon content in the material, usually 2.14% or more, ensures the strength of the products. At the same time, the alloy is quite fragile - if you hit the side of the container hard with a hammer, it can break.

It is a cast iron container that can remain attractive for many years and not lose its performance qualities.

Manufacturers of plumbing fixtures, both domestic and foreign, offer a wide range of cast iron bathtubs. Models differ in shape, size, functionality, appearance, quality and, of course, price.

Moreover, European products are much more expensive. Sometimes this cost is due to the fame and good reputation of the manufacturer.

Would you like to talk about how you chose a cast-iron bathtub for installation in an apartment or country house? Or maybe you have arguments according to which you prefer plumbing fixtures made of a different material? Please write comments in the block below, share useful recommendations and photos on the topic of the article.

If you are planning to buy a cast iron bathtub from the Novokuznetsk Universal plant, then you should be more careful in choosing a store. There is always a risk of falling into the hands of an unscrupulous manufacturer who sells the 2nd grade under the guise of the first, painting over any chips that have arisen in order to sell the product anyway.

Elite Italian sanitary ware contains a fancy painting on the outer side - this is a sophisticated and sophisticated technique

On the plumbing market you can find cast iron bathtubs of the following shapes:

• rectangular;
• oval;
• round;
• corner;
• asymmetrical.

A round container is a chic piece of furniture that speaks of the wealth and good taste of its owner.Such bathtubs are placed in large rooms, because they take up a lot of space.

Oval and rectangular models can be placed in a wide variety of rooms - it all depends on the size and design

Asymmetrical models come in right- and left-handed versions. Their unusual shape allows you to save useful room space and place more functional furniture, for example, a washing machine or a beautiful cabinet under the sink. This is typical for small bathrooms.

Corner baths are not always large. There are models whose size range starts with parameters 115x72 cm

Cast iron bathtubs, depending on the installation method, are:

• free-standing;
• built-in

Oval and round models are free-standing. To install them, special legs are used, sometimes included in the kit. They are not only strong and stable, but also serve as a kind of decoration. Most often, the legs of oval bathtubs are made in the shape of animal paws.

The edges of rectangular and asymmetrical models are mounted into adjacent walls, or the bathtub is built into a pedestal designed specifically for it.

The option with a pedestal looks very impressive in a large room. On the outside, it is lined with tiles of a natural texture in a contrasting color

Although plumbing fixtures with outlandish curves are rarely cast from cast iron, the shape of the products does not look boring and faceless. Many models are equipped with additional functions - anti-slip coating on the bottom, handles on the sides or hydromassage equipment. There are models without any accessories - they are simple, made in a classic form.

A little about size and weight

To make the right choice and buy a good cast iron bathtub, you need to consider some features.Firstly, the common belief that a good cast iron product must have thick walls is erroneous.

This is an outdated concept. Modern equipment and production technologies, improving every year, make it possible to cast bathtubs with a wall thickness of 5-8 mm. But they are as reliable as products produced in distant Soviet times.

Secondly, a cast iron bathtub cannot be light. Despite all the tricks of manufacturers and technologists, the weight of the container cannot be less than 70 kg. Some models reach 220-250 kg.

Depending on the size, the weight of the product itself will fluctuate. In this regard, it is dangerous to install large containers on the 2-3 floor of an old house with wooden floors. A round cast-iron bathtub with hydromassage would be perfect on the 1st floor of a country house.

If, according to the designer’s idea, a heavy bathtub is to be installed on the top floor of a modern new building, then before purchasing it, you need to calculate whether the floors will withstand such a load.

In addition to the weight of the cast iron whirlpool bath, you need to add the weight of water - 200-300 liters. Also, add the weight of people who can be in it at the same time - 2-3 people

Thirdly, the statement that lightweight European bathtubs made of cast iron are worse than domestic ones is very controversial. They are not much lighter. The weight of the lightest European cast iron bathtubs, depending on the size and model range, starts at 70 kg.

As for the quality of cast iron products from famous Italian, German and Spanish manufacturers, it is at the highest level. For example, cast iron bathtubs from the German brand Kaldewei have a 30-year warranty.

The enamel coating of some manufacturers includes titanium, which allows you to obtain incredibly strong and wear-resistant enamel after baking in a special oven at a temperature of about 1200 degrees.

Manufacturers offer compact models of cast iron hydromassage bathtubs. If the depth of the bowl of such a product is 60 cm or more, then even a large person will fit here

When choosing the optimal size of a bathing container, you need to take into account its dimensions, because not all high-rise buildings have a freight elevator. It is necessary that the bathtub not only fits into the elevator, but also into the doorway. If there is only a staircase in the house, then it should be possible to turn around on the landing.

Choose the right one bath size costs based on the individual parameters of all family members. After all, a narrow and small bathtub will be extremely uncomfortable for large people.

Room size and bath

You should select the optimal plumbing fixtures for the bathroom based on its area - the more space, the more varied options you can look at. Unfortunately, most city dwellers have standard apartments with small bathrooms. Therefore, no matter how much you want, you have to take this into account.

For large rooms, round and oval free-standing models of any size are suitable - the main thing is that the owners are comfortable

In a small bathroom up to 10 m2² a built-in rectangular bathtub up to 180 cm long or a corner bathtub of medium dimensions is suitable. If you install a free-standing model against the wall, it will not look great in a cramped room. The central location will allow you to focus attention on it, but then there will simply be no room left for other important pieces of furniture.

An important point in choosing the size is the location of plumbing equipment and permanently installed furniture in the bathroom. They can make it very difficult installation of a cast iron bathtub, if its size and shape do not leave enough free space.

Therefore, when choosing plumbing fixtures, you need to think about not only its location itself, but also transportation to the apartment, movement to the installation site within the apartment, as well as connection steps.

A free-standing bathtub, its sides resting against opposing walls, creates a pressing sensation - as if the walls are stepping on the bather

About manufacturers of cast iron plumbing fixtures

Many manufacturers of plumbing fixtures, along with cast iron, use other materials, obeying customer demand and fashion trends. Thus, in the manufacture of bathtubs, acrylic, steel, and less often - wood, artificial stone from marble or granite chips are most often used.

All manufacturers can be divided into 2 large groups:

• conscientious;
• hacks.

The first group includes European, domestic and Chinese manufacturers who provide a guarantee for their plumbing equipment. Representatives of manufacturing plants have a good reputation, improving technology and excellent raw materials.

The popularity of hot tubs is prompting many plumbing companies to add options to their lineups to meet customer demand.

High-quality cast iron bathtubs are cast using molds that match the specific model. Then a good layer of anti-corrosion substance is applied, a special composition to form a high-quality coating and placed in an oven for baking.

High temperatures of 120 degrees allow the applied enamel and the bathtub material to firmly adhere to each other. Crooks produce fakes that pass off as expensive branded products. This is usually the fault of Chinese manufacturers.

Here it is possible to cheat with the thickness of the product, which can be determined by weight - the minimum weight of a cast iron bathtub made using modern European technologies is 70 kg. If the plumbing fixtures weigh significantly less, this is a reason to doubt its quality.

Another feature is not baking, but painting the cast iron workpiece with enamel. This is exactly what you should be wary of - after a while, the enamel coating of such a product begins to peel off and peel off, sometimes it is simply washed off without a trace.

Knowing about such pseudo-manufacturers, you should be careful when purchasing a bathtub. It is important to carefully inspect the surface for scratches and irregularities - a high-quality product will have a shiny and smooth finish.

Having chosen a container with a suspiciously low price, you need to ask for accompanying documentation and a company guarantee. If the seller refuses, you should leave him immediately.

High-quality enamel covering a cast-iron bathtub has a uniform tone, shine and an impeccably smooth surface along the side walls and bottom of the product.

Among the most popular manufacturers in our market that supply high-quality cast iron plumbing fixtures are the following:

• Portuguese RECOR;
• French Jacob Delafon;
• German Kaldewei;
• Spanish Roca;
• Italian Castalia, BelBagno, Gruppo Treesse;
• Russian - Universal plant from Novokuznetsk, Kirov plant;
• Chinese
• Goldman,

If we compare the price availability of products, then the most affordable prices are for Russian and Chinese cast iron bathtubs.The leader in sales among European brands is the Spanish company Roca.

When deciding which cast-iron bathtub to choose: domestic or European, it is better to give preference to the French Jacob Delafon. This company has very affordable prices, and the quality is much higher.

All of the listed factories provide a guarantee for the use of their plumbing equipment - from 1.5 (domestic) to 30 years (German). The main thing is to buy a quality product, the origin of which is documented.

If you are embarrassed to ask for the relevant documents, you may end up with a fake. As a result, the money will be spent, and the bath will not live up to the expectations placed on it.

Cast iron bath: how to choose the right one

The choice of a bath should be taken no less seriously than the selection of tiles and other interior items. If you choose a quality cast iron product, you can safely expect it to last 20 years or more.

To choose the right plumbing fixtures, you must firstly clearly determine where it will be installed. In addition to space, you should immediately decide what size product is needed. Here you have to take into account the measurements of the allocated space for installation and the dimensions of all family members. After all, bathing in a bathtub that is too shallow or cramped is a dubious pleasure.

If a large hydromassage bathtub is firmly established in your dreams, and the house has wooden floors, you should abandon the idea. This is dangerous for the life and health of family members and neighbors below

Secondly, you need to decide on a budget. Based on the allocated amount for the purchase of a bathtub, you can choose the appropriate option from a specific manufacturer. Here you have to decide what additional components will be needed - headrests, handles on the sides, decorative legs and fastenings.Not all models are immediately equipped with these parts.

Thirdly, if the budget is not minimal, you can consider the option hydromassage baths. Indeed, in addition to huge containers for several people, manufacturers offer nice and compact options.

Fourthly, you should decide on the desired color - not all factories can offer an abundance of colors and shades for a cast iron bathtub. If white color is required or it is planned that all plumbing fixtures will be in the same color scheme, then it is better to buy all products from one manufacturer.

Otherwise, there may be dissonance in color design, which will lead to unpleasant sensations while in the bathroom.

Harmoniously combined colors make the interior feel light and airy. It’s nice to be in such a room and easy to breathe

Fifthly, you have to decide where exactly the drain and overflow holes should be located. There are models in which the drain is located in the center of the bowl. Sometimes this is exactly what you need.

Sixth, you need to buy a product from a well-known factory. Be sure to ask the seller to provide documents confirming quality. Here you need to immediately check the equipment. If the desired parts are missing, you can immediately purchase them, for example, bath siphon or headrest.

Seventh, having chosen the appropriate option, you need to carefully examine the bathtub from all sides. The coating should be perfectly smooth and shiny. There should be no depressions or hills on the surface of a quality product. You may see cracks, chips or damaged enamel - this is an unusable product.

If the damage to the coating is minor, then you should negotiate with the seller to provide a significant discount and restore enamel using self-leveling acrylic or epoxy composition.

After the purchase, it will be difficult to prove anything to the seller if cracks or chipped enamel are found in the house

You also need to immediately estimate the weight of the product - the bathtub should be almost impossible to lift. The average cast iron bathtub weighs, on average, about 100-120 kg.

Having chosen the most suitable and high-quality cast iron plumbing fixtures for yourself, you can deal with issues of delivery and proper installation.

Mistakes when choosing a bath

To ensure that purchasing a cast iron bathtub does not disappoint, you should pay attention to the main mistakes made in this case:

• lack of warranty and accompanying documents from the manufacturer;
• the buyer forgets to conduct a visual inspection of the enamel surface and the reverse side for the uniformity of the coating and the presence of scratches, chips and cracks;
• Before the purchase, measurements of the bathroom, doorways, landing and freight elevator were not taken.

Before paying, you should check the package to ensure that everything listed by the manufacturer is in stock. These can be handles on the sides, headrests, legs, fastenings and other parts.

If the selected model is not equipped, for example, with legs or a headrest, and the availability of this part is a priority, you will have to take care of their purchase in a timely manner

Useful care tips

The service life of a good cast iron bathtub can significantly exceed the period specified in the warranty card. This will happen if the rules for care and use are followed.

When buying an elite Italian bathtub, covered with enamel that has excellent performance characteristics, you can count on a 20-30-year friendship with it

Firstly, do not overload the bath. The instructions for each product indicate the maximum permissible load - the weight of a person + the weight of water. Overloading is fraught with unpleasant consequences when the legs or fastenings that hold them may not hold up and break.

Secondly, cleaning agents for cast iron bathtubs should be chosen without acids, chlorine, or abrasive particles. It is better to use fluids recommended by the manufacturer, if possible.

Separately, it is worth noting the care of the anti-slip coating. It requires careful washing after each use. Otherwise, tiny particles of dirt will accumulate, causing it to quickly darken.

Thirdly, after using the container, it must be rinsed and wiped dry. If a faucet is leaking, it should be repaired as quickly as possible - a constant leak will form an indelible yellow coating on the enamel.

Convenient handles on the sides, making it easier to get out of the bath, also require careful care. They need to be wiped off so that there are no streaks left.

Fourthly, do not drop heavy or angular objects into the bathtub - a hammer, sink or toilet. These impacts can crack the cast iron bottom, rendering the product unusable.

If the enamel coating is damaged, there is no need to be upset and prepare to buy a new one. It is for cast iron bathtubs that you can choose the most convenient way to restore enamel. These products respond well to this type of repair work.

The fastest restoration method is to install an acrylic liner. This type of work can be done independently or with the involvement of specialists from a good company.

Another option is to pour liquid acrylic onto the prepared surface.It is also possible to cope here on your own, but it will require some skill.

For the pouring method, the shape and size of the cast iron bathtub does not matter. Acrylic inserts are produced in only 10 of the most common models.

The third method is to coat the surface with enamel paint. This method is more labor-intensive. Without experience and sufficient patience, it will be difficult to cope. After all, to achieve an excellent result you will need to apply 2, 3 or more layers of enamel.

The service life of the restored surface is from 5 to 20 years - everything will depend on proper care and careful treatment of the new coating.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Video review of popular cast iron bathtubs in an affordable price segment:

A detailed video explaining the rules for installing a cast iron bathtub:

Useful video about one of the options for restoring a cast iron bathtub:

Having familiarized yourself with the features of cast iron bathtubs, you can safely begin choosing the ideal model suitable for a specific room. Do not forget that this plumbing product will last about 20 years. It should be attractive in appearance and comfortable. If the owner wishes, the bathtub can be equipped with additional functions that make its use more comfortable.