Manufacturers of steel baths: selection criteria

Among the variety of plumbing fixtures, many prefer steel products. This is due to the fact that a Kaldewei steel bathtub or a model of another brand is much cheaper than its cast iron or acrylic counterparts and has less weight. In addition, they have many more advantages, thanks to which they are popular among buyers. When choosing a steel bathtub, it is necessary to navigate both by the consumer characteristics of the products and by the names of the manufacturers.

Criteria for choosing steel baths

The main parameters on which the service life of a steel bath depends are the thickness of the stamping sheet and the enamel layer, as well as the technology for applying the enamel coating. However, before choosing a specific model, you should familiarize yourself with the characteristics of this type of plumbing. By comparing the parameters of bathtubs made from different materials, you can decide which ones are the best for a particular case.

Features of steel baths

In addition to low cost and light weight, the advantages of sheet steel plumbing fixtures include simple installation and the ability to eliminate emerging defects. This does not require significant funds or complex technical devices.

The most significant disadvantages of steel baths include the following:

• loud noise when drawing water;
• high thermal conductivity, due to which the water quickly cools;
• tendency to deformation of products made of thin sheet steel;
• instability and the need to provide additional points of support.

[note] To reduce the heat transfer of the bathtub, you can use polyurethane foam, which forms an insulating layer and ensures that the desired water temperature is maintained for a longer period of time. [/note]

How to choose a steel bath

When looking for a sanitary ware that will fit perfectly into the interior of the bathroom, you need to pay attention not only to its design, but also to its technical parameters. These include:

• Wall thickness . A high-quality model is made from a stamped sheet, which cannot be thinner than 3.5-4 mm. Otherwise, it is impossible to provide the necessary strength and resistance to deformation. Since it is quite difficult to measure the thickness of steel under sales conditions, you should rely on the weight of the bath or the parameters specified in the accompanying documents. You can also select by manufacturer name. Products such as a steel dew bathtub are made only from thick sheet steel.
• Bath size . When assessing the dimensions of the product, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of everyone who will use it and the area of ​​the bathroom. The Swing model from Roca is suitable for lovers of space and can easily fit into a large room. For a small bathtub, it is advisable to choose a smaller option.

• Features of geometry. The plasticity of steel makes it possible to achieve an almost perfectly flat and smooth surface during production. The presence of uneven walls or bottom confirms the low quality of the product. The complexity of the bathtub shape depends on its price category, so inexpensive models with elaborate configurations are most often made of thin steel and do not have the necessary strength.

When looking for a convenient model, you should also pay attention to the geometry of the product. For example, the Kaldewei Saniform Plus bathtub made of steel provides comfortable use thanks to its ergonomic configuration and ample back support.

• Design. In addition, the design of the room should be taken into account. For an interior in soothing colors, a classic steel bathtub is suitable, and for a room in the modern or high-tech style, you can choose more avant-garde products.

• Enamel color. The color of the bathtub can vary from white to various shades of beige and blue, depending on the manufacturer and the characteristics of the product. For example, the antique model of the Russian manufacturer VIZ, due to the use of Italian technology, is distinguished by its exceptional whiteness, and among the products of other manufacturers you can choose from a colored coating. The main thing is that the coloring should be uniform over the entire surface.
• Quality of the enamel layer. It should be uniform and smooth, without sagging, chips or cracks. Products with a self-cleaning coating should be especially carefully inspected, since the presence of defects in this case reduces the cleaning efficiency.
• Noise insulation. Typically, when drawing water, unprotected steel bathtubs make quite a lot of noise. Plumbing manufacturers use various techniques to eliminate it, from special stands that complement Donna Vanna steel bathtubs to the polymer coating of more expensive models.

[note] To reduce noise when water is drawn into the bathtub, it is built into a podium, which is built with bricks and tiled. This also ensures the necessary stability of the plumbing [/note]

• Availability of additional functions . Equipping a bathtub with various equipment increases the cost of the product; in addition, you will need to check the functionality of each element. It is advisable to decide on the necessary equipment to avoid unnecessary costs.

[note] To make the bathtub last longer, it is better to give preference to a classic-shaped model with thick walls. In this case, the enamel layer should not be too large, otherwise it may deform faster during operation.[/note]

Characteristics of plumbing fixtures from different manufacturers

The trendsetters in the design and technical equipment of steel bathtubs are mainly European companies. They offer a wide range that can satisfy the most demanding and capricious buyer. These include Roca steel bathtubs, which belong to the class of elite products, and models that are more affordable. Russia cannot yet compete with Western manufacturers on equal terms, but products from domestic companies are gradually becoming popular.

Foreign manufacturers include:

• Kaldewei

The most diverse range of steel bathtubs of the highest quality is offered by the German company Kaldewei, which supplies the market with both standard models for a wide range of customers and products with improved consumer qualities. To manufacture products, this company uses thicker stamping sheets, resulting in a case thickness of at least 3.5 mm. Thanks to the production technology, Kaldeway products, even in the mid-price category, are characterized by low thermal conductivity and good sound insulation properties.

Another advantage that steel bathtubs from this company have is the strength and durability of the enamel. The use of a special composition for manufacturing and application of the protective layer under strict control of the technological process allows us to ensure a consistently smooth surface for 30 years.

When purchasing a Eurowa “Kaldwei” steel bathtub or another model from this company, you can additionally purchase a special stand made of styrofoam, which reduces noise when drawing water and heat transfer, and also provides additional stability. You can do without a frame; then the product is mounted on the legs, setting them to the required height.

Along with standard models, such as the Kaldewei Saniform steel bathtub, products are also produced in a more expensive price category. In its manufacture, a special polymer film is used, which replaces the enamel layer and significantly reduces noise during water collection.

• Estap

A special feature of the plumbing equipment of the Slovak company “Estap” is the use of special technology to obtain a layer of enamel in a steel bathtub. The enamel composition is applied to the surface of the product dry in an electrostatic field, resulting in a strong and durable coating.

The company's products are represented by models from 120 cm to 170 cm in length, which are available in 6 basic shades and about 80 modifications. The Estap steel bathtub can be in a standard design or in a complex configuration with additional equipment with various hydromassage systems.

• Emalia

Economy class products are produced by the Polish company Emalia. Its main products do not have significant sound insulation, but are resistant to corrosion, durable and not damaged by mechanical stress. The advantages that characterize the Emalia steel bath include an affordable price, which is significantly lower than analogues from more well-known companies.

• Roca

Steel bathtubs from Roca, which produces a wide range of sanitary ware, are quite popular. Spain, where the factories of this company are located, has always occupied one of the leading places in this field of activity. Thanks to production traditions and new developments, the necessary strength and durability of the products are ensured, and their design allows you to find products for bathrooms of various styles and colors.

Therefore, despite the significant cost, the steel dew bathtub is in demand among buyers. Additional advantages are provided by the variety of modifications. For lovers of volumetric products, the Roca “SWING” model is intended, and a more compact option is represented by the Contesa bathtub, which can easily be placed in small rooms.

When using plumbing equipment, safety is also of great importance. This is especially important for people with disabilities. Chrome-plated handles and anti-slip coating distinguish the Princess model bathtub and allow it to be used without any difficulty.

• BLB

Portugal is represented in the production of steel bathtubs by the company BLB, which mainly specializes in the manufacture of products accessible to a wide range of consumers. The products of this company represent the optimal combination of price and quality, which is ensured by the use of innovative technologies. Among the variety of models you can find both standard Blb steel bathtubs and products with a narrower specialization. However, all of them are distinguished by the high strength of the enamel coating and the reliability of the design. The Europa series is especially popular, among its models there are also small-sized sitz baths.

• Jika

The Czech company Jika produces a wide range of various sanitary ware, including steel bathtubs. The products of this company belong to the mid-price category. One of the popular models is the Jika Riga steel bathtub, which is available in several sizes.

Domestic products

The segment of Russian manufacturers of steel bathtubs is represented by the following manufacturers:

• Verkh-Isetsky Metallurgical Plant;
• Lipetsk Pipe Plant, part of OJSC Santo Holding.

The most popular are VIZ products, which are produced using special technology. Glass ceramics are used for the coating, and its application is carried out with pinpoint precision. Thanks to the double layer of enamel, a smooth and durable surface is obtained, resistant to mechanical stress.

Steel bathtubs produced by VIZ LLC are produced under two brands:

1. The Donna bathtub is distinguished by the presence of a special plate that serves to reduce vibration when drawing water. As a result of its use, the noise level is significantly reduced, and the geometry of the bath remains unchanged. Among the products in this series there are models with an anti-slip effect and comfortable handles, which provide additional comfort during use.
2. The Antika steel bathtub is distinguished by its snow-white color, which is obtained through the use of a special technology for applying enamel. A double layer of coating and firing allows you to obtain a smooth and durable surface.

Manufacturers of steel bathtubs offer a wide range of products in different price categories and with different consumer properties. Compliance with some of them can be determined by certificates and external inspection of products, and customer reviews will help you find out the rest of the information. By comparing models by price and quality, you can choose a steel bathtub that will last a long time without changing its consumer properties.