What a cast-iron bath is better to choose: an overview of popular models

Bath can rightly be considered the heart of the shower room. From its practical and aesthetic characteristics will largely depend on comfort when making water treatments. The cast-iron bath known to everyone from Soviet times today not only satisfies consumers in terms of durability, but also pleases with interesting designs, thought out to the smallest detail by well-known domestic and foreign manufacturers.

Recently, the modern market of bathroom products has significantly expanded the idea of ​​such a necessary thing in everyday life of every city dweller, like a bath.Cast iron, steel, acrylic, innovative quarries, ceramics or natural stone - all these materials are successfully used in production and find their consumers. It is interesting, but even in such a variety, the cast-iron bath does not give up its positions and is in constant demand.

The secret of success of a bath of cast iron lies in the material itself and the method of its production. Cast iron is an alloy of iron, carbon and other impurities, such as manganese, sulfur and silicon. It is the presence of carbon that gives the product durability and increased hardness, at the same time, making it more fragile compared to steel equivalents.

Another feature of this item is its production technology. Cast iron is produced in 98% of cases in blast furnaces, which is not only expensive but also polluting the atmosphere. Given this, experts and marketers predict the disappearance of cast-iron baths from mass production in a decade. However, despite this situation, and taking into account the duration of product operation, it can be said with confidence that a bath of cast iron will be found in almost every house and apartment for more than a decade.

Cast iron baths have their supporters and opponents, because, like any kind of plumbing, have certain advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits:

• absolute primacy in the duration of operation;
• strength;
• ability to retain and retain heat of water;
• lack of noise;
• ease of care;
• relatively inexpensive cost.

So, the rating among materials for sanitary equipment in terms of durability has been headed by cast iron for decades. The average term of its operation is 50 years, and sometimes even more, provided proper maintenance or restoration of enamel, if necessary. By the way, steel equipment can last up to 30 years, and acrylic is not more than 10.

The second significant advantage is considered strength. Such plumbing does not bend and does not vibrate even with a large weight of its owner, she is not afraid of occasional blows, for example, when falling from the shampoo shelf. The only thing that can damage its appearance is sharp metal objects that fall from a sufficient height.

Low thermal conductivity is another advantage in the pig-iron piggy bank.Long-term preservation of heat inside makes it possible with pleasure to arrange long water procedures for children and themselves, without adding hot water. For some, this fact is a good argument for saving.

A nice bonus for housewives is simple surface maintenance. Cast iron product can be washed by almost any means, avoiding the use of metal sponges and brushes.

Despite, as mentioned earlier, a rather costly method of manufacture, cast iron baths from a domestic manufacturer are inexpensive. Thus, products from a similar alloy in the ranking of products at low cost ranks third. The cheapest steel baths top the list, and acrylics continue it.Nevertheless, the quality of plumbing from cast iron is significantly superior to its competitors.

Disadvantages:

• big weight;
• slippery coating;
• restraint in design decisions.

Every minus of such plumbing to assess monosyllabic and negative is not worth it. Thus, a large weight, namely about 120 kg, really complicates the transportation and installation of the structure, but at the same time provides the absence of vibrations and strength.

Slippery coating of enamel plays a significant role in choosing baths for children or the elderly. In this case, security must be respected, and therefore In addition to the new plumbing equipment, it is worth buying silicone or rubber mats, which not only do not spoil the appearance, but sometimes complement it.

Cast iron is a rather difficult alloy in work, and therefore to create from it, creating intricate bends, is not an easy task.

The cast-iron font can be:

• added;
• detached;
• embedded

Domestic manufacturers, wanting to keep the low cost, massively produce rectangular and angular baths, which are attached to one of the walls. Freestanding cast-iron plumbing from Russian manufacturers are rarely distinguished by thin bends, and therefore it seems to be a boring and rather ordinary decision.

Choosing a bath, each consumer focuses on different characteristics, whether color or shape, however, the main criterion for selection is considered the size. Designers advise not to occupy more than 1/3 of the bathroom. At the same time, you should not forget that the full size of the bath is 10-15 cm larger than the dimensions of the bowl.

Popular dimensions, cm:

• 170x70;
• 150x70;
• 160x70;
• 100x70;
• 120x70;
• 185x85;
• 200x85

Bath sizes vary considerably. A small sitting model in length can take from 100 cm and be equipped with an additional seat. The latter detail is especially convenient for the elderly and disabled. Such a model, as a rule, is supplemented with a side door for a comfortable entry into the bath.

These tiny models range from 145 to 155 liters, and weigh no more than 90 kg, which for a material like cast iron is the minimum weight. The cost of models is low, however, their mass production is difficult to meet, and therefore most of them are custom-made, which imposes a certain imprint on the price of finished products.

A model with dimensions of 150x70 cm is often executed and acquired. It also belongs to the category of products of small size with the ability to take a full sitting position. Bath volume averages 160 liters, which provides a fairly economical water consumption. In addition, as noted by parents, in such baths it is most convenient to bathe children.

Experts believe that large baths are models with dimensions of 170x70 cm and above. Their capacity reaches an average of 190 liters of water, and their weight is around 120 kg. Such specimens are convenient for taking water procedures in a horizontal position. The disadvantages of the spacious models include the impossibility of finding them in a small room.

However, the owners of houses and apartments of new layouts do not have to think about the size, but because the cast-iron bath, you can choose a comfortable and wide. Their lengths start from 180 cm, reach 200 cm and more. In the fonts of this type can accommodate several people with comfort. The cost of such products is very high.

Another important criterion is considered the depth of plumbing. The lion's share of products for the mass consumer has a distance between the bottom and the overflow hole of 40 cm.According to experts, this depth is most successful, it allows you to be completely in the water, despite the sitting or horizontal position occupied by the owner. Deep model fonts reach a mark of 60 cm.

The recommended building code is about 60 cm above floor level. It is worth noting that this indicator includes the required distance from the bottom of the bath to the floor to install a siphon, equal to 10-15 cm. In fact, the height of the bath varies from 50 to 70 cm depending on the age, height and physical abilities of its owner.

The shape of the plumbing is key to the overall design of the bathroom.

Popular forms:

• rectangular, suitable for small premises;
• oval, organically supplemented with a decorative camera, or a freestanding model;
• round;
• asymmetrical, including angular;
• non-standard option: with bends, semicircular, in the form of a bean, a triangle with rounded corners and other designs of designers.

Colors can be even more diverse than the shape of products. So, the most common and often chosen are white models.They do not hide the useful area, however, according to the designers, they look a bit dull and “hospital-like”.

Today prefer light and soft shades of blue, pink, light green and beige. However, not all color models today are held in high esteem. So, it is advised to refuse black products in connection with:

• with a visual reduction of space;
• psychologically depressing effects;
• the complexity of the care and maintenance of the presentable appearance of the bath.

In its original form, the cast-iron bath is a font with smooth rounded edges. However, bath designers today are actively introducing additional functions aimed at convenience, comfort and getting the maximum pleasure from taking water treatments.

So, One of the most popular models in Italy, France and Russia is a bath with handles attached to the sides. In this case, both one and two supporting parts can be present, lying on a support or mounted directly in the font.

Another fashionable feature, inspired by beauty salons, was hydro-massage or massage with the help of air-water flows. Large baths from beauty cabinets smoothly moved into the home environment and made relaxation more accessible. It should be noted that such equipment at times increases the cost of the font, and therefore it is important to understand not only all the advantages, but also the disadvantages of innovation.

The advantages of plumbing with hydromassage:

• wellness effect;
• help in the fight against overweight;
• multifunctionality and combination in some models of chromotherapy and aero massage;
• prevention of varicose veins;
• pronounced relaxing effect of water.

There are also several drawbacks related directly to the equipment.

Cons of hot tubs:

• high cost of equipment;
• substantial energy costs;
• special care equipment in the form of regular flushing pipes.

Bath with anti-slip coating refers to innovations aimed at comfort and safety. The bottom of such a product is complemented by stripes, flowers or other decorative items with a rough micropore coating. The surface of the slippery cast-iron bath at the same time becomes much safer, and therefore, when using it, no special tools in the form of silicone and rubber mats are needed.

Clean bath for many of its owners is often one of the most important indicators of accuracy. To help in this matter often come liners, which can be purchased from the same manufacturer as the font itself. The liner is an acrylic or vinyl pad on the bath, exactly repeating all the bends of the cast-iron original. Later, when installed, the pad is placed in the font with a specially applied adhesive composition and becomes its inseparable part.

The advantages of the liner:

• perfect whiteness;
• resistance to scratches and dirt;
• democratic value.

A stand became a decorative and practical part for a free-standing bath. It can be:

• an elegant forged design with a smooth transition to the legs with forging;
• wooden frame framing the bath around the entire circumference;
• comfortable model, complemented by a small step.

Starting the search for decent plumbing, you can see that the cast-iron baths are made not only domestic manufacturers, but also foreign companies. Models from the second group, as a rule, are much higher in the price category. And it's not just brands. Russian-made baths are distinguished by a greater thickness of the cast iron layer and a thin layer of enamel, which inevitably affects the impressive weight of the structure and the possible early appearance of microcracks.Foreign firms, on the contrary, make the cast iron layer thinner and lighter, paying particular attention to the sufficient thickness of the enamel layer.

The leader of the foreign market is rightly considered the company Roca. The origin of the manufacturer was Spain, in which, back in 1929, the first bath was made. It is worth noting that the products immediately began to enjoy great success, however, it entered the international market only in 1990. From this period, the company experienced a new stage in its development, having opened today more than 135 representative offices around the world.

To date, seven collections of cast-iron sanitary ware are represented in the company's catalog:

• Akira;
• Continental;
• Haiti;
• Malibu;
• Ming;
• Newcast;
• Tampa

Model Akira 170x85 cm is a bright sample of a product with high Spanish quality. With an allowable enamel thickness of 1-1.2 mm, the same indicator of this model is 1.5 mm. Cast iron sheet in 5-7 mm also meets all standards. The bath is equipped with comfortable grooves around the perimeter, which allows you to install handles, has an anti-slip coating.

Continental line - the embodiment of the classical form in a variety of sizes.So, here you can find a rectangular sitz bath with dimensions of 100x70 cm. The most spacious model is the Continental bath 170x70 cm.

Haiti collection different anatomical shape of the bath. Thanks to the soft curves in each of the models, you can achieve maximum muscle relaxation. Dimensions of products in the range range from 140 to 170 cm.

Rectangular Plumbing Malibu Like Haiti, it is distinguished by its soft forms and smooth curves. The lineup includes both simple models and products with recesses for convenient and safe positioning of the handles.

The highlight of all products can be considered as a stand-alone model. Newcast with spacious dimensions of 170x85 cm. Stylized as a luxurious royal font, it can be complemented by various legs, as well as a towel holder, which is located around the entire perimeter of the bathroom.

Reviews of Russian consumers of products for each of the models boil down to the main advantages:

• rather thick layer of cast iron;
• acceptable prices, regular promotions and product discounts;
• the breadth of the presented size range.

Cons also did not pass by the model of the company. Users point out the flaws in the anti-slip coating, namely the difficulty of cleaning it,and the inconvenience of removing rust at the junction between the handle and the recess in which it is mounted. Owners of technology without flaws call themselves people who chose Spanish Roca products without additional details in the simplicity and good quality of high-quality cast iron.

It is worth noting that not only Spanish plumbing is a success in Russia. Thus, the French company Jacob Delafon conquers the breadth and variety of collections, refinement of details and unsurpassed quality. The warranty for cast iron plumbing is 25 years.

Bath line Adagio with dimensions of 170x80 cm supplemented by a built-in headrest and armrests. Also, the model with soft curves has a supporting back and special grooves for pens. However, simple models are also presented in sufficient quantities. Models Soissons, catherine - rectangular classical forms with no recesses.

The most memorable can be considered spectacular freestanding fonts, which reflect all the beauty of France with its grace and nobility.

• Spacious model Cleo Tellieur it is notable for its smooth oval shape, neatly fringed with a wooden frame made of solid beech.
• The design plays the role of stable legs, which makes the stay in the bathtub comfortable and safe. Collection bath Circe also distinguished by exquisite shapes.

Modern detached plumbing looks well in Jacob Delafon collections. Model Reve rectangular shape without legs looks stylish and organic in styles such as high-tech and minimalism.

A separate category consists of models of special equipment. These include a compact cast-iron bath for babies with dimensions of 79.5x44.5. The difference here is not only the size, but also the oval shape, completely devoid of protrusions and recesses for the child to safely stay in it.

Reviews of various product lines of the brand Jacob Delafon are positive, and the flaws are minimal. So, in some models there are absolutely smooth and even sides, which gives a certain inconvenience when cleaning them.

Italy is represented by such famous brands as Maroni and Castalia. Popular model of the latest brand is Prime, which is loved by its simplicity and spacious dimensions. It should be noted that, in the opinion of owners of Castalia products, the thickness of the iron sheet is excessive.This disadvantage is especially noticeable in the Venera model with dimensions of 170x70 cm, in which it is difficult not only to take water procedures, but also just fit into it.

Timo ranks high in the ranking of popular manufacturers. Products of this Finnish company, like many other products of this country, are of high quality, which is paid much more attention than design. A striking confirmation of this are the models Timo Tarmo and Timo Standard with simplicity of shape and reliability of materials. Thus, the company’s fonts are covered with four layers of enamel, which warns them against possible scratches. The lifetime of cast iron products is 25 years, 5 years warranty.

Among the technical characteristics of almost every Timo model, you can find a convenient slope of the bottom towards the outlet to ensure complete drainage. In addition, the overwhelming number of products is completed not only with stable legs, but also with chrome handles. Unfortunately, the bathrooms do not provide recesses for handles, and therefore it would be debatable to consider the latest bundling.

Reviews of the baths of the Finnish company are positive in their majority.People celebrate the convenience and simplicity, the ability to buy goods on shares. Other users, on the contrary, consider Timo to be an unscrupulous seller, however, the reasons for this may lie in the questionable dealers that are publicly stated on the company's official website.

And if Finland is ready to offer the simplicity and conciseness of plumbing, then German companies are happy to surprise and design. Elegansa company focuses on the incredible beauty of vintage products with elements of modern motifs. Freestanding fonts are painted in various shades of rich colors and are performed in a luxurious design.

The main location for all Elegansa facilities is Germany, and therefore, at every stage of production, the company conducts close monitoring. It is not surprising that the cost of the models is high, however, here you can also see a share price reduction for certain positions.

A clear example of the products of the German company is the font Dianamade in soft, smooth lines. Snow-white, with soft sides, it has no legs, being limited to the platform, steady and extended from top to bottom. However, the classic models on the legs are also found. Font Gretta with a white glossy finish, it is made in a retro theme and is complemented by four “lion” legs of pure brass.

The highlight of the collections can rightly be considered the Sabine bath with the outside of polished stainless steelhaving a mirror image. Such a product surprisingly begins to be combined with any interior, beautifully reflecting the floor covering.

The Swedish company Byon deserved to be in the list of well-known and trusted manufacturers. It combines timeless classics of forms, the variety of sizes, multi-layered enamel and very affordable cost among analogues of other foreign brands. The size range of baths starts from 120 cm, which allows you to install such products even in a small room.

Surprisingly, no matter how widely China was scolded for its poor quality, today it also offers products that can enter into fair competition with many brands. The company from Hong Kong Goldman offers a large selection of bathtubs made of cast iron with a snow-white glossy finish.

The number of Goldman models is huge. Among them are rectangular simple models, such as ZYA-24C and anatomically shaped products with bends and depressions, such as, for example, Donni embedded font.Many models have anti-slip notches on the bottom, as well as chrome handles included.

Reviews of the baths of this Chinese company are positive. Consumers are pleased with the wide range and budget prices of products, for example, the classic font can be purchased for only 7,000 rubles. In addition, the owners note the smooth coverage and the availability of a one-year warranty.

Among the objective disadvantages stand out:

• very slippery bottom in the absence of anti-slip notches;
• inconvenient arrangement of handles;
• problem with installing the bath on the legs, namely their mobile state, which is easily corrected when purchasing additional bolts.

Russia since the Soviet times continues to successfully produce cast-iron baths, which are popular. Bright producers of worthy products are the enterprises of JSC Universal and JSC Kirovsky Zavod. The products of each of them meet all the requirements and standards, companies use advanced German and Japanese technologies.

The Universal plant offers stylish bathtubs of classical forms with cavities and without them with multi-layer titanium enamel. Models “Classic”, “Nostalgia”, “Elegy” delight with their simplicity and brevity, while “Siberian” surprises with European smoothness, and “Nega” with outlined lines of the sides.

Product reviews of the Universal plant are different, however, many years of experience captivates new consumers.

Among the advantages distinguish:

• availability of prices;
• wide selection, presented in all major plumbing hypermarkets;
• customer service center and quick problem solving.

The downside for the majority is the innovative titanium enamel, which, if it is applied poorly, can produce small scratches and dots. Housewives note the complexity and delicacy of cleaning.

Production of the Kirov plant is represented by simple models without bends, reminiscent of the Soviet font. Dimensions here vary from 120 to 170 cm with a width of 70-75 cm. Opinions about the models are different, however, the largest number of defects is expressed about the Silver Ress font:

• the inability to adjust the legs in some trim levels;
• cast iron with the presence of free cavities;
• enamel roughness.

Nevertheless, positive reviews account for more than 50 percent of the total number of opinions, and therefore the products of the plant are still relevant for Russian consumers.

Sometimes, even the plumbing of a famous manufacturer may not meet the expectations of the consumer. And the point is not in marriage, but in an inaccurate definition of the desired model and design.

• Before ordering or purchasing, It should visually assess the width of the product. The same dimensions are completely different in an oval classic bath, a model in the shape of a bean or a rectangle. The most spacious is to be in the product, devoid of bends, as the grooves and smooth lines occupy a significant proportion of the usable area. The same rule applies to the length of the font. Sometimes, beautiful wide sides make it impossible for users to sit comfortably without bending their knees.
• The second important condition for a successful purchase is sober assessment of their own budget. Of course, every person wants to have a designer model in their home, however, buying it will entail acquiring the same expensive components in the form of legs and other things.With a small budget, it is wiser to look at democratic, but high-quality models, which are in the market today in sufficient quantity.

• However, not only components should be purchased from one manufacturer. Having decided to start a major overhaul in the bathroom, it is easy not to guess with a touch of the sink, toilet and bathtub. Even the white tone of each manufacturer has its own and inaccurate hit into it threatens to be a discord throughout the interior.
• Any device, despite the price range, worth buying from verified vendorshaving a good reputation in the market for goods and services. Only in this case, you can count on a warranty, service and trouble-free use of plumbing for many years. When choosing a product in the store, you should carefully examine the enamel and cast iron. The surface should be perfectly flat and smooth without any depressions or hills.
• Another important condition and selection criteria - plum position. Today it can be on the left, on the right and even in the center, because plumbing has to be installed in a wide variety of premises with a standard and atypical layout.

When the purchase of the bath is completed, it is time to install. Installation can be done with the help of specialists or with their own hands, which is more budgetary, and sometimes more reliable way.

Installation is performed after leveling the floor and finishing it. It is more reasonable to carry out the finishing work of the walls with the bathroom already installed in its place, thereby avoiding the gap between the plumbing fixtures and the wall. At the same time, the ingress of moisture is minimal, which means that the likelihood of rust and fungus, distorting the look of even the most stylish plumbing, is low.

Consider the action algorithm for self-assembly bath.

• The overlap of water supply and discharge of residual water from pipes.
• Carrying the font and laying it side-down to the wall at a distance of 70 cm.
• Fixing the legs with wedges and screws.
• Before the bath is on the legs, you must connect the siphon with overflow.Rubber seals can help prevent leaks.
• Universal, semi-automatic or automatic strapping at the stage of installation and connection of the siphon.
• Font set in place. If there is a gap between the bathroom and the wall, use silicone sealant or a corner of plastic to match the font or wall finish.

• Preparation of free bath space under the mixer. As a rule, the structure is installed at the end or at the corner. Sometimes to conceal some communications you may need a false panel. When mounting the hydromassage equipment, the mixer is installed not on the pipes, but on the hydromassage tanks themselves.
• Drill enamel for the mixer should be a diamond drill, and cast iron - a drill for metal.
• Checking the flatness of the installation level. Recall that the issue with the drain hole and its necessary bias is already thought out by the manufacturer, and therefore trying to fulfill it yourself is not worth it.
• With insufficient hardness and density of floor finishing materials, metal plates can be installed under the legs for a more uniform load.
• Connecting the hot tub to the network is only possible by a professional with a preliminary blackout at home.

A new well-established font is a pleasant purchase in every home, the presentable look of which you want to keep as long as possible. A good solution here is to install a water softener on the riser. The risk of lime deposits is reduced by several times.

And if limescale can be prevented, only special cleaning agents can cope with rust and fatty deposits.

Popular ways to clean the font:

• using whiteness solution;
• the use of cleaning products of well-known manufacturers, which contain various active substances, for example oxalic acid;
• hydrogen peroxide and ammonia in equal proportions to remove rust only on the damaged areas;
• a mixture of vinegar and salt left on yellow streaks for several hours.

• Luxurious freestanding retro-style font on legs harmoniously complemented by a carved mirror. The combination of gold and silver shades emphasizes the style and chic of decoration.
• The classic-shaped red free-standing bath is a bright accent that does not require additional details and colors. The modern white bathroom trim complements and soothes the interior.

• The Italian bath with a mirror coating looks harmonious and dignified in black and white shades of the interior with scarlet touches.
• A classic bath with a framed podium looks incredibly elegant.

How to choose a cast-iron bath, see the next video.