Which bathtub is better - cast iron or steel?

Sooner or later, everyone is faced with the need to replace plumbing. And despite the fact that shower stalls are becoming more popular, many prefer bathtubs. After all, they are not only a place for washing. Basking in the warm fragrant water, we can relax, distract from daily problems.

The choice of plumbing should be approached with all responsibility, because this is a rather expensive purchase that you will use for a long time.

How not to make a mistake and make the right choice? Indeed, now for the manufacture of plumbing, a wide variety of materials are used: steel, cast iron, stone, acrylic, copper, wood.

Cast Iron Bathtub - Pros and Cons

The first plumbing fixtures made of cast iron appeared in everyday life as far back as the 17th century. Despite such a long history and the emergence of new materials for manufacturing, cast-iron bathtubs do not lose popularity. This is explained by the indisputable advantages of cast iron products. These include:

  1. Heat retention. Due to the properties of the material itself and the thick walls, cast iron bathtubs are able to perfectly retain heat. This will allow you to enjoy water procedures for a long time. Of course, this indicator is affected not only by plumbing, but also by the temperature in the room, and the quality of ventilation.
  2. Soundproofing. Filling the bath, you will not hear the characteristic “ringing” of water when it gets to the bottom of the tank.
  3. Durability. No bath can compare with this characteristic with a cast iron. Their average life is 50 years. But with careful handling, using recommended cleaning products, the product will serve more than one generation of your family.
  4. Sustainability. The large mass of the product ensures that it does not roll over even if a heavy person sits on the edge.
  5. Coating strength. Enamel is used as a coating. It is a substance resistant to external influences. Over time, the enamel does not wear out and does not become thinner. But to extend the life of the product, use products that do not contain coarse abrasive particles: gels, creams, pastes, to clean the bathroom.
  6. Easy to care. To clean the surface you do not need to purchase special tools. It is enough to rinse it regularly with soapy water.

Attention! To prevent damage to the surface while bathing, put a rubber mat on the bottom of the bathtub. Wipe the surface of the bathtub dry after each use - this will prevent rust and limescale.

Disadvantages of the cast iron bath:

  1. Big mass. This makes it difficult to transport and install the product.
  2. Low variety of shapes. Cast iron cannot boast of flexibility. Therefore, baths can only be rectangular, oval, triangular.
  3. The complexity of the repair. If defects have formed on the surface, it is difficult to eliminate them on their own; the services of specialists will be required.

Advantages and disadvantages of a steel bath

A steel bath can become a worthy competitor to a bathtub made of cast iron, because it costs less, and with proper operation it can last more than 30 years.

In addition to low cost, the advantages of steel plumbing include:

  1. Weight. Such products have a small mass. This facilitates installation and transportation.
  2. Design. Make bowls by stamping. This allows you to create a wide variety of forms, which allows you to choose a tank that fits into any design.
  3. Care. Caring for such a product is very simple. The tank is coated with enamel, and then baked in an oven at high temperatures. Thanks to this production method, cracks do not appear on the enamel, in which rust can form, and limescale and dirt do not accumulate. In addition, the surface does not slip, so it is safe to wash in such a bath.
  4. Additional functions. On sale are models equipped with hydromassage, a soft headrest.

Not without flaws, but many of them can be dealt with on their own. So, the minuses include:

  1. High thermal conductivity. The water in the steel bowl cools quickly. But such baths quickly heat up, this will allow you to take a shower while standing on a warm surface.
  2. Low stability. Due to its light weight, the product is prone to tipping over. Additional fixation will help to cope with this, for example, the installation of strong supports.
  3. Deformation. The walls and bottom bend when pressed, so the enamelled coating of the tank may crack.
  4. Poor noise reduction. The walls will "ring" when you draw water. But if you apply polyurethane foam on the outer surface, you can improve this figure.
  5. Rust formation. Steel quickly oxidizes. Because of this, rust quickly forms at the places of formation of cracks, chips and other defects.

Which bath is better

It is impossible to unequivocally answer this question, because each product has its pros and cons. They must be considered when choosing a bath. So you can purchase a product that will meet your requirements.

Watch the video: Bathroom Tub Selection Options. .Steel, Cast Iron, Fiberglass, Acrylic (March 2024).

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