How to choose a steel bathtub: what to look for when choosing + review of manufacturers

The modern plumbing market offers three main types of bathtubs: acrylic, cast iron and steel.Steel bathtubs occupy an intermediate place between classic cast iron products and bold design solutions for acrylic sanitary ware.

We’ll look at how to choose a steel bathtub and which manufacturers’ products you should trust in this article.

What are steel plumbing fixtures made of?

High-quality steel bathtubs are in great demand. They are chosen by those who do not want to install heavy cast-iron plumbing fixtures at home, but at the same time have a mistrust of the now popular acrylic.

When making bathtubs, manufacturers use two types of steel:

1. Stainless. Stainless steel bathtubs are not very popular due to the high cost of the special alloy. Food-grade steel is absolutely safe for human health and resistant to corrosion.
2. Structural. Models made of ordinary steel are popular and affordable. The presence of an enamel coating on the body makes the product easier to maintain and maintain.

Bowls made of stainless steel can lose their presentable appearance over time.To prevent dried drops and stains from being visible on the metal surface, after each washing of the bowl they must be rubbed until shiny.

Steel bathtubs can be safely installed in old houses, where the load on the floors is often limited

Models coated with enamel are not affected by this. But they are vulnerable to corrosion.

The quality of products depends on the thickness of the steel sheet used for their production. Thanks to the use of modern technology based on the stamping method using special forms, the thickness of the sheet does not change due to the presence of bends.

The enamel covering a steel bowl can become thinner over time and become covered with a scattering of tiny cracks, which leads to rust.

Advantages and disadvantages of products

The secret of the popularity of steel plumbing lies in a number of undeniable advantages that it has:

• Affordable price. The cost of steel products is relatively low, so even thrifty owners can afford their purchase and installation.
• Light weight structure. Thanks to its light weight, which in most cases does not exceed 50 kg, transporting and installing the bathtub does not take much time and effort.
• Strength and durability. These qualities are related to the characteristics of the steel itself. Durable and lightweight material has significantly less porosity than cast iron. With careful use, metal plumbing fixtures can last more than 30 years.

Steel baths are not afraid of high temperatures, as well as temperature changes. Due to the high thermal conductivity of the metal, the bowl heats up quickly and cools down just as quickly. So you can only soak in a bath filled with warm water for a short time.Water in steel bathtubs cools much faster than in cast iron and especially acrylic ones.

Due to the low porosity of steel, the enamel coating of bowls is less durable than that applied to a cast iron container, which is recognized as a significant disadvantage of steel plumbing

An important point: one of the prerequisites for installing a Jacuzzi with a steel bowl is the presence of grounding.

Steel baths are not without their drawbacks. Bowls with thin walls can become deformed over time under water pressure and the weight of the person in them. As a result, cracks and chips form on the enamel. They require restoration or replacement of the product completely.

The enamel of the bowls, made of steel, has a smooth surface. It is very vulnerable to abrasive detergents and aggressive compounds.

When caring for such a coating, you should avoid using products based on alcohol, formaldehyde and acids, including citric, sulfamic and formic

Some users who have already installed steel bathtubs note that the bowls make too much noise as they fill with water. This is due to the fact that a metal surface, when hit by a directed water jet, acts as an excellent resonator.

But this defect can be easily eliminated by applying rubber gaskets. The problem can also be successfully solved by applying a layer of polyurethane foam to the walls of the bowl body and covering the structure with a decorative panel.

Variety of plumbing products

The ductile properties of steel allow manufacturers to create bathtubs in a wide variety of shapes.

Bowl shape options

Thanks to the wide variety of shapes of steel plumbing, you can always choose a compromise option that will fit perfectly in limited space. The shape of the bathtub body can be any.

In addition to rectangular bathtubs of standard sizes, the so-called seated models with dimensions from 120/75/80 cm.

By purchasing steel sanitary ware, you get durability comparable to cast iron products and the modern design inherent in acrylic bathtubs

For more demanding consumers, manufacturers produce:

• round;
• oval;
• corner models.

When choosing the shape of the body, you should focus on the style of the bathroom interior. A bathtub with a rectangular body with rounded ribs is chosen for small bathrooms. They fit perfectly into an interior decorated in a minimalist style.

Bathtubs with an exclusive round bowl shape are chosen for furnishing rooms with sufficient space. They are often equipped with hydromassage nozzles. Therefore, they are perceived more as an element of luxury rather than a plumbing accessory. Depending on the size of the bowl, they can be one-, two-, or even multi-seat.

If there are arched openings, domed or spherical elements and the interior, you can safely choose a bathtub with a round bowl

Bowls with an oval shape fit well into the classic style, which is characterized by laconic design, soft shapes and the absence of corners. For spacious bathrooms, large models that can accommodate two people at once are often chosen. Read more about how to choose a bath for two Further.

Corner models are a win-win option for small bathrooms. When buying corner models, it is worth considering that they come in: left and right, symmetrical and asymmetrical.

The market offers both corner bathtubs of smooth classical shapes and asymmetrical models that stand out for their uniqueness.

When choosing such models, it should be taken into account that the lag in step is about 200 mm. So, in a bowl 1.7 meters long, the length of the lying space leaves only 1.5 meters.

White and colored plumbing fixtures

A well-chosen bowl shape in combination with the enamel color dictates the overall style of the bathroom.

Can be used to cover steel baths enamel any shades. To obtain the desired shades, manufacturers add dyes to the enamel that do not fade in sunlight and do not lose color saturation when exposed to temperature.

The main advantage of colored plumbing is its non-standard nature.

If we consider the psychological side of the issue, then the water element, which predominates in the bathroom, has an invigorating effect on a person, feeding him with the energy so necessary for a full life.

When water comes into contact with the color palette, it has a beneficial effect on the psycho-emotional state of a person on a subconscious level.

Each color has a different effect:

• Green - the color of the natural world. It helps get rid of anxiety and excitement, providing a calming effect and promoting relaxation during water procedures.
• Yellow - the color of the sun. This color is also calming and relaxing, but at the same time gives energy and optimism. The only thing is that it has a bad effect on self-restraint, and therefore should not be used for insomnia.
• Red - the color of the mother's womb. Helps to gain a feeling of security. It stimulates the cardiovascular system and improves metabolism. After bathing in a red bath, you feel a surge of strength and increased tone.
• Blue – the color of the water element. It gives peace and serenity, filling you with determination and confidence. The blue tint derived from it helps to cope with high blood pressure and get rid of fatigue.

A bright bathtub can compensate for the lack of expressive shades in a familiar interior, giving it some zest.

Pink bathtubs are chosen by active people who are not afraid of dramatic changes; the color itself gives strength and self-confidence

If you have any doubts about choosing a color, stick to the classic white option. White sanitary ware is universal. It can harmoniously fit into any interior. And it doesn’t matter what style the bathroom is equipped in or what color is chosen as the background.

Criteria for choosing wisely

Since it is impossible to determine the suitability of steel plumbing at one glance, when choosing a bathtub, we recommend focusing on the criteria below.

Optimal design dimensions

Before choosing a steel bathtub, you should decide on the dimensions of the structure so that it fits freely into the bathroom space. If we talk about the standard series of rectangular bowls, the width of the products is traditionally 700 mm, and the length varies between 1.4-2 meters in increments of 0.1 meter.

Standard rules for choosing plumbing fixtures suggest that the bathtub body should occupy no more than 30% of the total space of the bathroom.

For bathrooms with an area of ​​4-5 square meters, bowls with a rectangular body are most often chosen. If the bathroom space is limited, they opt for the option of installing corner models or short baths.

On sale you can find models with a bowl length of two meters. But for people of average build, using such baths is not entirely convenient. Many people note that they experience discomfort when they are in a filled bowl if they do not feel its “shores.”

Product wall thickness

The main thing you should pay attention to when choosing is the wall thickness of steel plumbing fixtures.High-quality products are produced with wall thicknesses ranging from 2.5-4 mm. For people with average weight, a bowl with a wall thickness of 2.5-3 mm is suitable, but if the weight is above average, bathtubs with a thickness of 3.5 mm and higher are suitable.

Choose products whose wall thickness is at least 3.5 millimeters - this is an indicator of the strength of the structure and its ability to retain heat

It is hardly possible to measure the thickness of metal using a caliper inside the walls of a store. In this situation, you can do this. Since steel is almost four times lighter than cast iron, its approximate weight can be determined.

To do this, try lifting the model with one hand and slightly moving it from its place. If it took a minimum of effort to complete a task, this is a reason to think about it. After all, a full-size bowl can weigh 20-25 kg only if an unscrupulous manufacturer has skimped on the thickness of the metal.

If the wall thickness is less than 1.5 mm, and the enamel layer does not exceed 0.6 mm, there is a high probability that during operation, under the weight of a person, the structure will simply deform

The “sound” test will help determine the thickness of the walls and the integrity of the structure. When lightly tapped on the body, the metal surface should produce a uniform, rattling-free sound.

Keep in mind that the thickness of the walls determines the ability of the metal to retain heat. The difference in the thickness of the metal used to make the bowl, within one and a half centimeters, reduces the water temperature during one hour of swimming by 3-5 °C.

Front surface quality

One of the key parameters of steel plumbing is the quality of the working coating.

When inspecting the enameled surface of a product, pay attention to two parameters:

• evenness of stamping;
• presence of defects.

The bowl should have smooth curves, free from any irregularities. The presence of sagging and drips, cracks and chips indicates a violation of the product’s manufacturing technology, which can negatively affect its service life.

The enamel coating can be of any color; the main thing is that the paint is evenly applied and has a glossy smooth surface

On the shelves you can often find models with a self-cleaning function. When choosing such products, special attention should be paid to the quality of enamel. After all, even a small coating defect can reduce the self-cleaning properties to “zero”.

When visually inspecting the product, also pay attention to the geometry of the structure. She must be perfect. The use of modern technologies allows you to achieve this without problems.

Additional design elements

Modern bathtubs often have built-in underwater massage systems.

Depending on the type of impact, they are of three types:

• Hydromassage - a system consisting of a pump, hoses and nozzles that supplies jets of water under pressure.
• Aeromassage – differs from hydromassage in that the main element of the effect on the body is air bubbles mixed with the water stream.
• Turbo massage – combining two systems through exposure to air and water jets.

The compressor power and the number of nozzles depend on the bowl size.

The nozzles are mainly placed along the walls and bottom so as to affect the back, legs and buttocks; if you want more, choose a model with an increased number of nozzles

Radio, ionization, water heating, and backlight can be offered as additional functions.

The bath package may also include:

• drain-overflow systems;
• headrests;
• adjustable legs;
• noise-absorbing stands;
• recesses for bath accessories.

Bath rails are made of metal or polyurethane. They can be made in different colors: white, blue, gold, chrome.

Handrails made of polished stainless steel will not lose their presentability after ten years of service in humid environments.

Adjustable legs of the structure are often equipped with rubber gaskets, which, absorbing noise and splashes of water, act as an anti-resonator.

Review of leading European manufacturers

The main suppliers of steel bathtubs on the global plumbing market are European manufacturers. The cost of their products depends on the thickness of the stamping sheet, the complexity of the shape and design.

German company Kaldewei

The company produces plumbing fixtures in accordance with the latest innovative methods.A distinctive feature of the products of this manufacturer is the combination of steel with enameled cladding, which acquires a strong chemical bond during firing in ovens.

The impeccable quality of the brand is confirmed by the thirty-year guarantee that the manufacturer provides to customers for the entire line of products.

German bathtubs are almost impossible to scratch. They do not lose their brightness when exposed to the sun, and do not deteriorate when accidentally exposed to the ember of a cigarette or burned by a candle flame.

Most Kaldewei models have an anti-dirt coating "Perl-Effect", thanks to which moisture itself rolls off the enamel, taking with it limescale and dirt accumulations. For safe use of plumbing fixtures, anti-slip enamel lining is provided "Antislip".

Italian company Guzzini

The company, founded about half a century ago, today produces a huge amount of ergonomic and functional plumbing fixtures.

The manufacturer's range includes standard products and comfort class models, thanks to which you can get maximum relaxation while enjoying the water element

Safety, comfort and beauty are the main characteristics of the Italian brand’s products.

During its activity, the company never ceases to improve technology in order to introduce innovations into mass production. The special pride of its developers is the creation of systems "Hydrosilence" And "Hydrosonic", as well as hydromassage nozzles "Hydroline", which after installation do not protrude above the surface of the bowl.

Even the simplest models from this manufacturer have more than thirty color options.

Spanish holding Roca

The company, founded in 1917 by the Roca brothers, has expanded so much in a hundred years that today it has representative offices in 135 countries.

The range of steel bathtubs presented to her on the market is quite wide: starting from "Contesa", having the usual standard dimensions, and ending with “Princess”, equipped with wavy protrusions on the bottom and having a concave shape of the walls. The most popular models are "Akira", "Haiti", "Malibu", "Continental".

The manufacturer produces each model in several sizes, so you can comfortably splash around in a filled container.

In the process of manufacturing its products, the manufacturer uses pigmented enamel to cover the external and internal surfaces of plumbing fixtures. The durable coating is highly resistant to impact and corrosion.

If we consider lesser-known brands, then the following have also proven themselves well in the plumbing market: Slovak company "Estap", producing up to 80 models of steel bathtubs, a Portuguese company "BLB", French manufacturer "Jacob Delafon".

Popular domestic manufacturers

Among domestic manufacturers, the following brands have proven themselves well:

• OJSC VIZ (Verkh-Isetsky Metallurgical Plant) - produces products under the Donna Vanna and Antika trademarks;
• Novokuznetsk plant "Universal" - since 2005 it has been working on new German equipment, producing only built models;
• Kirov plant - has an updated German production line. The developers' know-how is the creation of enamel with the addition of silver ions.

The products of these factories can compete with the product line from leading European manufacturers in terms of the durability of the products and the diversity of the range of sanitary ware.

Thick walls, durable top coating, increased mounting area for legs - all this makes domestic plumbing fixtures as convenient and reliable to use as possible.

Thanks to the affordable pricing policy of domestic companies, even the most luxurious bathtub will not be ruinous for the buyer’s wallet. Steel bathtubs with full equipment from these manufacturers cost between 4-15 thousand rubles.

The choice of model depends on your preferences, the main thing is to trust only large and well-known manufacturers. Leading companies value their reputation, and therefore the risk of purchasing a low-quality or defective product is minimal.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Tips for choosing a steel bathing bowl model:

Video selection of steel bathtubs in the interior of bathrooms:

A simple way to soundproof steel plumbing:

In general, steel bathtubs are no worse cast iron analogues and are quite capable of competing with acrylic models. By adhering to the recommendations given, you can easily choose plumbing fixtures that will serve you well for decades.

If you have any questions while reading the information or you can give valuable advice to our readers on choosing steel bathtubs, please leave your comments in the block below.