The content of the article
- What is acrylic
- Benefits of Acrylic Bath
- Cast two-layer (PMMA)
- Plastic Acrylic Coated (ABS / PMMA)
- Kvarilova
- disadvantages
- PMMA
- ABS / PMMA
- Quaryl
- How to choose an acrylic bathtub
- Comparison of cast iron, acrylic and steel bathtubs
In recent decades, plumbing is made of new materials that are not inferior to traditional ones – stone, cast iron, iron and steel. Knowing the pros and cons of acrylic bathtubs makes it easier to choose a reliable product. This will protect against unscrupulous sellers..
What is acrylic
The material is a polymer plastic, which is often called “organic glass.” For baths use special material – plumbing, without harmful additives and odor.
Types of acrylic by production technology:
- Injection acrylic. For its manufacture, a sheet of material is heated to the required temperature. Then the press squeezes the desired shape of the bowl. The service life of a quality molded product is 20-25 years, and they are expensive. In terms of hardness and strength, these bathtubs are comparable to cast-iron, but lighter in weight..
- Extrusion. Fiber is added to the heated acrylic, which is coated with an epoxy resin. They make such bathtubs faster, they are cheaper, but not at the expense of quality. The shapes of the products are not very diverse. The service life of such bathtubs is 5-10 years.
Varieties of acrylic materials for the manufacture of bathtubs:
- PMMA – In another way it is called plexiglass. Cast sheet, clean, covered with a reinforcing layer below.
- ABS / PMMA – one-piece plastic, coated on both sides, like a sandwich. Acrylic reinforced with a metal mesh, fiberglass, epoxy resin. The more layers, the more reliable the product..
- Cooked – German composite of cementitious resin (35%) and quartz sand (65%), the rest – improving mineral additives (5%). In fact, it is an artificial stone. The compound of resin and quartz is poured into the mold to obtain a bath bowl. This is the difference from pure acrylic..
Benefits of Acrylic Bath
- Light weight – A standard bath weighs 30 kg. It is easy to transport, install alone.
- Simple mounting on an adjustable frame. It is included.
- Large selection of models. Acrylic is a plastic material, it takes the desired shape: corner bath, oval, any other.
- Easy repair and maintenance. For washing use liquid soap and special products. When a scratch appears, it is removed with sandpaper. Cracks are covered with liquid acrylic.
- Ability to keep temperature. Water cools slowly and walls remain warm.
- Acrylic bathtub coating does not slip.
- Hygiene. The material is protected from rot, fungus, not rust.
- Soundproofing. The noise of the jet and the pressure of the water is almost inaudible.
- Low porosity. Dirt and grease do not penetrate the surface and do not form a persistent coating.
- Additional devices. The owner can purchase different nozzles, hydromassage.
Cast two-layer (PMMA)
The main advantages:
- The thickness of the acrylic bath is more than 2 mm.
- Light weight – easy to transport, install alone.
- Many colors. Variety of textures.
- Homogeneity – the material does not delaminate.
- Easy to repair.
- The kit has a frame, so there is no risk of tipping over. The product is attached to the wall for stability..
- Strength – maintains the weight of the owner, does not bend.
- The cost is slightly more than iron casting and steel bowls.
Plastic Acrylic Coated (ABS / PMMA)
Main advantages:
- Budget plumbing option.
- Increased strength – a fragile sheet of acrylic reinforced with a lower layer of plastic.
- Cheap repair.
- Reliability and stability due to the frame, which is included in the kit.
Kvarilova
Main advantages:
- Easy to repair.
- No structural reinforcement required.
- Tiled.
- Coating does not wear off, permanent gloss on the surface.
- Isolates noise.
- The design is relatively light and stable, mounted on legs.
- The material is durable, it can not be scratched, cracked with a blow.
- The drain hole is cut in the right place, the mixer is placed where the owner wishes.
disadvantages
- Relative fragility – damaged by a strong blow.
- Frame need – for sustainability.
- Ban on boiling water – case deformation is possible.
- Cleansing Problems – does not tolerate powders, alcohol-containing detergents.
- High price.
PMMA
Cons of the material:
- Fragility – a heavy object is capable of breaking through the bowl.
- Inhomogeneous layer – scratches are cleaned, but this has to be done constantly.
- For installation, you need a frame and fixing to the wall – capsizing, the bath can flood the neighbors, break through the sewer.
- Boiling water restrictions.
- Rapid loss of appearance.
ABS / PMMA
Material disadvantages:
- Acrylic peels off plastic.
- Bath leaking at the side of the drain.
- Repair is difficult.
- Need to mount the board to the wall.
- Small resource – 10-15 years.
- Is deformed.
- Loses decorativeness.
- Restoration is expensive.
Quaryl
Cons of the material:
- High cost – at least 25 thousand rubles.
- Little choice – the only Villeroy & Boch brand.
- Not suitable for bathrooms of a budget interior.
- Expensive restoration of the decoration layer.
How to choose an acrylic bathtub
When buying a product, look at the density of its walls by lighting them with a flashlight. Good material does not shine through. If not, the product is poor quality.
Comparative table of bath properties from different materials:
Characteristics | Acrylic | PMMA + ABS | Cooked |
Weight | low | average | average |
Cost | average | low | high |
Design | any, rounded corners | any, with sharp corners | |
Colour | wide choose | limited choice | |
Noise isolation | high | ||
Possible functions | hydromassage jacuzzi | ||
Board stiffness | average | low | high |
Wall stiffness | high | average | absolute |
Range | straight, angular | angular, straight |
|
Installation | on frame | on legs | |
Sustainability | high | average | high |
Wall mount | necessarily | not necessary | |
Maintainability | high | low | high |
Decorative layer thickness | 2–4 mm | 1 mm | 10 mm |
Guarantee | 10-15 years | 5-10 years | 15–20 years old |
Strength | low | average | high |
Loss of properties | dark web | missing |
Comparison of cast iron, acrylic and steel bathtubs
Characteristic | Cast iron bathtub | Steel bath | Acrylic bath |
Weight | very heavy | heavy | light |
Soundproofing | noisy | very noisy | almost silent |
Design solution | variety of models | unattractive appearance | a large assortment |
Cost | average | low | average |
Enamel reliability | small | high | average |
Thermal insulation | average | low | high |
What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using an acrylic bathtub? How durable is it compared to other materials? Is it prone to scratches or fading? Can it withstand high temperatures? And how easy is it to clean and maintain?