How to choose a steel bath: secrets and subtleties

Steel bathtubs have gained popularity largely due to their affordable price, service life not inferior to acrylic and cast iron sanitary ware, as well as a number of advantages over it. If steel bathtubs are preferable for you, you can learn how to choose the right product from our article.

Pros and cons of steel plumbing

Advantages of steel baths:

• Prices start at $100.
• Higher strength compared to acrylic sanitary ware.
• Easy to install.
• Light weight, compared to cast iron products.
• Possibility of care using any detergents.
• A large selection of models, a variety of their designs and coating shades.

The main disadvantages of steel baths:

• The speed of heat transfer, however, can be eliminated.
• There is a lot of noise when drawing water, but there are methods to combat it.

Choosing the size of plumbing fixtures

A standard steel bathtub has a length of 150 to 180 cm, a width of 70-85 cm and a depth of 65 cm. When choosing a product, it is important to take into account the dimensions of the household members who will use it.

Nuances of choosing bath sizes:

• You must first take measurements of the room itself. Perhaps, if there is a shortage of space, it would be advisable to opt for a seated option. The most comfortable size of such a bathtub is 120x110 cm.

[note]From the point of view of convenience and safety, seating products are an important technical solution, since they are a significant aid to people with musculoskeletal disorders, giving them the opportunity to use the bathroom independently. [/note]

• In addition to dimensions, the volume of the product is affected by the slope of the walls.
• With the same length and width of the bathtub, they can have different volumes due to different depths. One model can be produced in dimensions from 100x186 cm to 170x152 cm, including wide options 160x142 cm.
• The length of the bathtub should correspond to the height of the person who will take it - the optimal position is considered to be a reclining position with straightened legs. So, a 170x70 steel bathtub is more suitable for fairly tall people. A product with a length of 140 cm will be enough for a person of short stature.
• The width of the bathtub should be such that on both sides of the person receiving it, taking into account the build of the person, there is at least 5 cm left to the sides.
• The malleability of the material makes it possible to create a product of such a bizarre shape that a steel bathtub can have such dimensions that it is difficult to clearly determine them.

Choosing the shape of steel plumbing fixtures

Manufacturers, taking into account the wishes of consumers, are currently producing rectangular, square, oval, round bathtubs of extraordinary design shapes. Every year the range of products expands, while their height remains almost unchanged.

A modern 150x70 steel bathtub can be placed anywhere: in the middle of the room, it can be attached to the walls, recessed into the floor, built into the podium. Corner plumbing fixtures of various configurations are gaining popularity, which allows you to free up a lot of space.

Secrets of choosing a steel bathtub

Having studied the pros and cons of the products, you also need to know which steel bathtub to choose so that it lasts a long time and is comfortable to use.

Wall thickness is the main selection criterion

This indicator determines the heat and sound insulation of the bathroom and does not allow its sides to deform when filled with water. The enamel of plumbing fixtures with insufficient steel thickness may develop chips and cracks, which are almost impossible to deal with. The thickness of the steel from which the product is made must be at least 3.5-4 mm.

Since it is difficult to measure it with a caliper in a store, to determine which steel bathtub is better, you can simply try to move or lift the model you like with one hand. If this happened easily, most likely the manufacturer used metal with a thickness less than required.

 

It is worth noting that the weight of a steel product depends on the dimensions and thickness of the walls of the bathroom. The smallest product should weigh about 20 kg. The weight of full-size models (about 200x80cm), as a rule, is 35-40 kg. Such a mass of the bathroom not only serves as an indicator of its quality, but also helps in solving the problem of insufficient stability of steel products.

Determination of enamel quality

Steel makes it possible to obtain perfectly smooth surfaces, but due to the peculiarities of bathtub manufacturing technology, the coatings may have defects:

• When purchasing, you need to run your hand over all surfaces to check them for the absence of bulges, chips, cracks, drips, and small grains of sand under the enamel layer.
• An enameled steel bathtub can have a shade from snow-white to cream, but the color of the coating must be uniform over the entire surface of the product.

 

[note]Models with self-cleaning coating have recently appeared on the market. Inspection of such products must be carried out especially carefully, since even a small defect in the coating completely eliminates this function. [/note]

Evaluating the bathtub by ear is also extremely important. When tapped, steel plumbing fixtures should produce an even sound, without rattling or extraneous noise. You need to pay attention to the quality of the external rubber linings - they serve for additional sound insulation.

Manufacturer of steel sanitary ware

The more famous the brand, the more reliable and expensive its products. German manufacturers of steel bathtubs GALATEA, HOESCH and DUSCHOLUX, Italian TEUCO, JACUZZI, GUZZINI, TEUCO and ALBATROS, Russian POOL-SPA and DOCTOR JET have a good reputation in the market.

Ways to get rid of the shortcomings of a steel bathtub

At the same time, you can get rid of the two main disadvantages of steel plumbing by performing heat and sound insulation.

The most common methods:

1. Insulation with polyurethane foam. The bathtub is turned over, the legs are attached to it, and the places where the drain is attached are covered with construction tape. The entire surface of the product is degreased with acetone and a special adhesive composition is applied to it. Then foam is applied from the edge to the center. As a rule, such sound insulation is performed in several layers, allowing each layer to dry before applying the next one.

2. Technical cork is also used for soundproofing steel plumbing. Cork in rolls is best suited for this. The product must be pasted according to the instructions on the packaging. This is an environmentally friendly, fireproof and moisture resistant material. The problem of the low presentability of the appearance of cork, as well as polyurethane foam, is solved by installing a decorative screen.
3. Insulation with a 3-4 cm layer of polyethylene. It also protects the product from moisture. The insulation of the bathtub is made of mats or rolled polyethylene with an adhesive base. This material retains heat excellently, which is important for a steel bathtub in which the water cools very quickly.

[note]Steel bathtubs equipped with special styrofoam stands also receive positive reviews. Styrofoam is a material resembling polystyrene foam. It perfectly dampens noise and does not require complex work when gluing plumbing fixtures. [/note]

Modern industry offers a variety of steel baths. Taking into account all the features of choosing this type of plumbing, it is easy to choose a product that will harmoniously fit into the interior and will serve you for at least 15 years.