How to choose a cast-iron bathtub?

Cast-iron bathtubs have been on sale since the 19th century. At first it was not an essential accessory, but rather a luxury item. Gradually bathtubs made of cast iron became more widespread. Today, despite the abundance of manufacturing materials, they do not lose their relevance and are popular with buyers.

This article is a complete answer to the question: how to choose a cast-iron bathtub. Expert advice will help you with this. Consider the various options, their pros and cons, which will make the right choice.

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Advantages of cast iron plumbing:

• Strength.
• Durability.
• Resistance to temperature differences.
• The ability to maintain water temperature for a relatively long time.
• The bath well retains its original configuration, does not deform.
• Cast iron is resistant to rust.
• The product does not need additional supports. The product comes with stable, sturdy legs.
• Long-lasting beautiful enamel coating.
• Convenience and ease of care.
• Cast iron has good soundproofing properties. It is almost not noticeable how water is dripping or gaining.
• Compared to other materials, cast iron is one of the most durable. Theoretically, a product can last 100 years or more.
• Possibility of equipping with additional modern accessories (hydromassage device, handles, etc.).

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Minuses

There are also disadvantages, but there are significantly fewer than advantages:

• The big mass. The average weight of such a bath is 120 kg. Due to the large size and weight, the bath requires at least 2 people to deliver.
• Standard form.
• Relatively high cost. Cast iron products are not cheap, but they are worth the money.

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Shape and size

The choice of forms cannot be called rich. There are 2 options for cast iron bathtubs: rectangular and oval. Of course, these are the most popular varieties, but if you want to buy a square-shaped bathing bowl or acquire a corner bath, you will have to give preference to another material.

Important! Like other types of similar products, the cast iron bathtub can be built-in or freestanding.

Now - about the dimensions. There are options that you need to consider before choosing a cast-iron bathtub of a suitable model:

• Widths are 700, 750 and 800 mm.
• The length of the sitz baths is 1200-1400 mm, standard products - 1500-1800 mm.
• The most common depth is 400-460 mm.

Important! Available slight deviations depend on the manufacturer.

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How to choose a cast-iron bathtub by manufacturers?

Market leaders, of course, are European companies. Here are the top three leaders:

• ROCA (Italy). The company produces about 30 different models with different prices: from the economy class to the premium class. Having been in the market for over a hundred years, the company specializes in producing various types of sanitary ware for the bathroom.
• Jacob Delafon (France). The company offers a large number of sanitary products in different price segments. It is one of the world leaders in the production of sanitary products. In addition to standard dimensions, there are bathtubs with a width of 900 mm.
• Novial (Spain). Compared with the two previous companies, the market is a bit less.The company uses infrared technology for firing products, which guarantees high-quality enameled coating. Products manufactured by this company belong to different price segments. Elite models are equipped with air and hydromassage functions, as well as a number of other modern devices for convenience and comfort.

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Criterias of choice

Here are some tips on how to choose a cast-iron bath, what factors to consider when doing this:

• Pay attention to certified products from global manufacturers. With cheap products from China, you need to be careful. A certificate is required, although this does not save from the purchase of low-quality goods.
• When buying a bath, make preliminary measurements of the room. Better, let the gap remain than to buy a product that is longer in length than necessary.

Important! The bath, which is 10-20 cm longer than necessary, can still be cut into the walls, but no longer.

• Consider the available communications if you do not want to lay new ones. The easiest option is to buy a bath the same size as before.
• The width of the doorway. If you do not take this into account and the opening is too narrow, it will be difficult to bring the bath into the room.
• Before you finally buy a product, pay attention to the absence of chips and other defects. Examine the condition of the enamel especially carefully.
• The completeness of the bath.
• Enamel Thickness. It is desirable that it be not less than 1.0-1.2 mm.
• If the family has children and (or) elderly people, it is necessary that there is an anti-slip coating, a headboard and special handles.

Additional devices:

• Legs.
• Pens.
• Armrests.
• Rollers for the head.
• Anti-slip coating.
• Aero and hydromassage.

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The best baths

If the question of how to choose a cast-iron bathtub is still relevant for you, check out our rating. When compiling a rating of the best cast iron products, the following were taken into account:

• User reviews.
• Product prices.
• Equipped with additional features.
• Dimensions
• Shape and construction.
• The complexity of the installation.
• Ergonomics, safety of use.
• The quality of the bath.

Rectangular

Rectangle-shaped bathtubs are not an interior decoration, but a convenient, functional and extremely simple product that has a relatively low price. The cost of products is comparable to steel and acrylic bathtubs. The variability of sizes is very wide, which allows you to choose a bath for a person of any height and any premises.

According to consumers, the leader in this segment was the Roca Continental 170x70 bathtub - a single, rather roomy structure.

Benefits:

• The presence of anti-slip coating at the bottom.
• The ability to adjust the height of the legs.
• Large dimensions, allowing comfortable bath for full people.
• Enamel is smooth and beautiful.
• Side, comfortable for the back.

Minuses:

• Enamel is sensitive to damage.
• In the area of ​​anti-slip coating, the enamel darkens.
• Low height.

Important! Of the complaints made by customers, insufficiently high-quality legs. The bath is very difficult to set perfectly evenly. Due to the low height, it is problematic to place all the pipes available.

Value for money

In this regard, Timo Tarmo 180 won the championship - a spacious freestanding bathtub with handles, dimensions 1800x800 mm.

Benefits:

• Enamel of good quality.
• The presence of pens.
• Flat non-slip bottom.
• The bath keeps water temperature well.
• Large capacity.

Disadvantages:

• The big mass.
• The headrest is too large, which “eats” usable space.

Important! According to consumers, this model is very ergonomic. It is convenient to use handles both when washing a bath, and when bathing. It is safe to use the design, even if there is no anti-slip coating.

The best oval bathtub

Built-in oval models made of cast iron are not common. Most of the models are freestanding.This means that the bath can be used not only as an accessory for swimming, but also as an interior decoration. Design models boast such details as massive, beautifully made legs, bizarre-shaped sides, a shower stand, head restraint, etc. The cost of such products is much higher than rectangular ones.

The most sought-after model in this group was the Elegansa Nadia bath - a snow-white roomy single bath.

Benefits:

• Dimensions 1800x800 mm, which allows you to comfortably accommodate even a complete person.
• High-quality performance of all structural elements.
• Beautiful design.
• The wall design is convenient for bathing in the supine position.

This product has only one drawback: high cost.

Important! Despite its large size, the bath does not visually appear bulky. Graceful legs and white color make it as if airy and soaring. The price, of course, is not very pleasing, but it is fully justified by the excellent quality and aesthetic design of the bowl.

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So, we make the final choice

Finally, we can decide how to choose a cast-iron bathtub, and useful tips will help you:

• If the bathroom is not too spacious, then it makes no sense to buy a large, rounded, fanciful bathtub, since in a small area it will look too bulky and ridiculous. The same if the bath is used in shower mode. In both cases, a simple rectangular model is suitable.

Important! A rectangular bathtub will be the only solution even if you decide to integrate massage functions into it. It cannot be embedded in other models.

• In a spacious bathroom, a freestanding oval or non-standard product will look great. Near the bathroom you can place flowerpots with flowers, a table for cosmetics.
• A spacious double bath is recommended for couples who like to take water treatments together. A large capacity bowl is also suitable for families with children.

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Care

Enameled coating requires careful handling. In this case, the bath will last a long time:

• Be careful with sharp and massive objects. Even a small enamel chip or crack can turn into a significant problem.
• For washing cast-iron baths, it is best to use special detergents or soap suds.
• Do not use hard brushes or cleaning products with aggressive particles.
• After washing, wipe the clean bowl dry.

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Stock footage

We hope our review was useful for you, and you were able to decide which cast-iron bathtub to choose for your home. So - now swimming will be pleasant, safe, delivering only good emotions.