How to choose a bath: suitable plumbing is a guarantee of comfort

The difficult question of how to choose a bathtub arises acutely during renovations, since the design of the bathroom and future comfort depend on it. Restrictions when choosing such plumbing may arise if there is already completed water supply and sewerage wiring, from which it will be necessary to adjust its connection. If there is no wiring, there are no restrictions.

Conventionally, the process of choosing a bathroom is divided into the following stages:

1. determining the required size;
2. choice of form;
3. determination of the desired material;
4. selection of functions (handrails, hydromassage, water lighting, built-in radio).

Selecting bath sizes and configurations

Determining bath dimensions

Standard dimensions for a bathtub: height – 0.65 m, width – 0.7, 0.8, 0.5 m, length – 1.5, 1.7, 1.8 m. The choice of sizes depends on the area of ​​the room and the quantity other placed equipment. When deciding what size bathtub to choose, you need to really evaluate your own physical dimensions - it should be comfortable.

General recommendations for choosing sizes:

• Length. The bath should allow you to take a reclining position with your legs extended.
• Width. On the sides, taking into account your build, there should be 5 cm left.
• Depth. Usually 50-60 cm - this allows the head to be above the water when immersed in the bath and makes it possible to get out of it without difficulty.

Shape selection

In a spacious room, you can install a wall-mounted or free-standing model of any configuration. When saving space, the best option is a corner bathtub, triangular or rounded. The traditional option is rectangular, but you need to pay attention to the length. Usually 150-160 cm is enough for comfortable placement in the bathroom.

Choosing bathroom material

Cast iron baths

The advantages of such plumbing include resistance to corrosion and long-term maintenance of the same water temperature.

[note] Cast iron bathtubs are extremely heavy, which must be taken into account to prevent damage to the floor when installing it in the bathroom. [/note]

Recommendations on how to choose the right cast iron bathtub:

• The dimensions of the plumbing fixtures should allow it to fit through your doorways.
• For older people, it is advisable to choose a bathtub with a durable coating, without a sliding effect, and with handrails.
• The enamel coating must be uniform and free of chips and scratches.
• If the floor is uneven, adjustable feet are required.
• When knocking, the sound should be uniform and not too loud.
• If you want to have plumbing fixtures of a non-standard design, pay attention to imported samples - domestic ones, as a rule, have the shape of a trough.

Steel baths

The modern plumbing market offers a huge number of steel bathtubs, the advantages and disadvantages of which are discussed in more than one forum. The advantages of this type of plumbing include its light weight and variety of designs. However, it practically does not retain heat and water is drawn into it with a roar and roar.

[note] If you have chosen a steel bathtub, it is easy to recognize it - by knocking on the edge, you can hear a characteristic tin sound. If you want to have a good steel bathtub, you need to remember that the minimum thickness of its metal is 3.5 mm. [/note]

Acrylic bathtubs

Acrylic is a synthetic polymer that is resistant to light, chemicals and light. Such plumbing fixtures are extremely popular today and reviews about them are mostly positive.

Advantages of acrylic bathtubs:

• High resistance to mechanical stress.
• Possibility of restoration after chips and cracks occur.
• High noise and heat insulation.
• Variety of colors and shapes.

What to look for when purchasing a high-quality acrylic bathtub:

1. It is better to give preference to products from a well-known brand that has existed on the market for several years.
2. The minimum thickness of the acrylic layer is 5-6 mm.
3. High-quality acrylic of snow-white color with a glossy shine and a perfectly smooth surface.
4. There should be no more than two layers (polyurethane and acrylic) - this can be seen when examining the side.
5. Strength is checked by pressing on the bottom of the bath - it should not sag.
6. The outside of the bathtub should be covered with polyurethane (appears to be a smooth, dark surface).
7. The edge of the side should not be visible, since acrylic is an opaque polymer.
8. The installation frame of a quality bathtub has adjustable legs and is made individually.
9. You need to be especially careful when choosing plumbing fixtures of unusual shapes, since complex configurations are easier to make from thin acrylic.

[note] Many different additional features can be misleading, masking the poor quality of the bathroom itself. [/note]

10. The screen separating the outer covering and legs should be made of the same material as the bathtub.
11. The overflow and drain system typically includes a brass siphon with a semi-automatic valve for closing and opening.

Other possible bath materials

Recently, they began to produce sanitary ware from quaril, a mixture of acrylic and quartz. This material has all the positive qualities of acrylic, but bathtubs are made from it by casting. Such products do not require reinforcement. It is almost impossible to damage a quaril bathtub. The hardness of the material makes it possible to design in clear lines, without the roundness characteristic of conventional bent plastic.

When deciding which bathtub is best to choose, connoisseurs of modern design and luxury will definitely pay attention to the visually weightless and transparent sanitary ware made of tempered glass. There are also bathtubs made of stone or marble, but their cost is appropriate. An alternative to natural stone is cast marble, a composite material that contains marble chips.

Hot tubs

These plumbing devices, which are popular today, must be selected according to three main criteria:

1. Pump power – 1 kW per 250 liters. If there are back jets, more power is desirable.
2. The number of nozzles is optimally 12-30 pieces.
3. Control system (electronic or pneumatic). Electronic allows for additional massage adjustment.

The process of choosing a bathroom is clearly shown in the video.

It is important to collect information in advance about the manufacturer whose product you intend to purchase. When buying a bathtub, you must inspect it in the store for defects and read the product certificates and documentary guarantees that the seller must present.