Which bathtub is better, cast iron or acrylic: comparison, pros and cons

To determine which bathtub is better - acrylic or cast iron, you will need to compare plumbing equipment, identify the pros and cons of each model, and read reviews. The bathing tank is not changed very often, so you need to choose it carefully.

What is the difference?

If you compare a cast iron bathtub with an acrylic or steel one, the obvious difference between them will be the composition of the material from which the product is made. Cast iron bowls are the most massive, as this metal is heavy. The walls of acrylic and steel bathtubs are thinner, and the products themselves have less weight compared to cast iron ones. The lightest product will be acrylic.

The composition of the material affects the appearance and shape of the bathtub and determines its care. Plumbing prices also vary. Pricing is influenced not only by the composition and quality of the material. The cost largely depends on the brand and the availability of additional accessories (handles, hydromassage). The main competition in the market is between acrylic and cast iron bathtubs.A comparative analysis of these models will help you finally decide on the choice of one option or another.

Comparison of cast iron and acrylic bathtubs

When arranging a bathroom, the first thing to do is choose the basic equipment, the list of which includes a bathtub. Before making a purchase, the buyer evaluates the characteristics of the product, its advantages and disadvantages, and pays attention to the price. The table shows these indicators for models made of cast iron and acrylic.

The table provides a comparison of standard products sold in retail stores. The characteristics and price of custom-made bathtubs may vary significantly.

Pros and cons of cast iron baths

If we consider the pros and cons of cast iron bathtubs, the conclusion arises that cast iron products have many more advantages than disadvantages. Among the positive properties are:

1. High strength, which makes such a bathtub practically “indestructible”. Cast iron is characterized by increased rigidity and resistance to deformation. You can not be afraid to dive into such a bowl together; the product will remain intact and unharmed. Such a tank does not require additional supports and fastenings. Stability is provided by four standard legs.
2. Low heat loss. Cast iron has a low thermal conductivity coefficient, so the water in the bowl does not cool down for a long time. Every 10 minutes, the temperature of the water in the tank drops by just 1° C. You can enjoy a long bath without adding hot water.
3. Attractive appearance. A cast iron bowl coated with high-quality enamel does not lose its decorative qualities for many years. During production, products are coated with an anti-corrosion compound, which prevents the appearance of rust.
4. Ability to absorb noise. Water is drawn into such a bath almost silently, which is important if the tank is installed next to the bedroom. If desired, you can take water procedures at any time of the day without disturbing anyone.
5. Resistance of enamel to temperature fluctuations. Special substances are added to the enamel coating to give it strength.You can fill such a bathtub with hot water immediately after rinsing with cold water. There will be no cracks in the enamel.

The tank can be additionally equipped with handrails, a head cushion, armrests, and hydromassage. This provides additional convenience, but increases the cost of the product.

The disadvantages of cast iron bowls are mainly associated with their considerable weight. It is sometimes difficult to deliver such a product to an apartment, especially if the building does not have an elevator or does not work. For the same reason, installation is also difficult. One person definitely can’t handle this, which means the cost of installing plumbing increases. High quality cast iron bathtubs are expensive. At the same time, it is better not to save money by choosing models from an unknown manufacturer. A cheap product may be made from less high-quality materials and with violations of technology.

To keep the bathtub in its original form longer, it must be rinsed with hot water or washed after each use. If this is not done, a hard-to-remove coating will form on the surface, which will be much more difficult to clean. Wash the bowl with a soft sponge soaked in a solution of liquid detergent.

Pros and cons of acrylic bathtubs

Acrylic bathtubs are made in two ways. In the first case, sheets are first obtained by polymerizing raw materials. Then the acrylic is heated and, using a vacuum unit, stretched and given the required shape. Cast acrylic is highly durable; its walls are 8 mm thick.

Double-layer bowls are made from acrylic combined with plastic, mixing both materials in a molten state. After hardening, the product acquires a two-layer structure. A glossy acrylic coating is formed on top, and an ABS base is formed below, giving the bathtub strength.

The advantages of acrylic bathtubs include:

1. Light weight. Tanks of this type weigh no more than 40 kg, which makes them easy to carry and install. When installing in a private house, it is important that the bathtub will not create a load on the floors if installed on the second floor. Installation can be carried out by one person.
2. High strength. Although acrylic is inferior to cast iron in this indicator, the products still have sufficient strength to avoid problems during the operation of the bathtub. The most durable are products made from cast acrylic, the walls of which are thicker.
3. Possibility of choice for any design. The technology for manufacturing acrylic products is such that it allows you to create tanks of the most bizarre shapes and absolutely any color. This is important for those who want to create a stylistically coordinated bathroom interior.
4. Low thermal conductivity of the material. In an acrylic bathtub, the water cools more slowly than in a cast iron bathtub. It will take half an hour for the water temperature to drop by 1° C. This property allows you to take a bath without necessarily adding hot water.
5. Anti-slip properties. Despite the glossy surface, acrylic is not at all slippery, so it is safe to take water procedures in such a bath.
6. Ability to dampen sound. When filling with water, the acrylic bathtub does not make an unpleasant loud noise. Polymer material perfectly absorbs sounds.

The possibility of equipping with additional accessories for acrylic bathtubs is even wider than for cast iron products. In addition to handles and hydromassage, they can be equipped with lighting, a radio and even a game console.

One of the disadvantages of the material is fragility. At the same time, small scratches and chips can be easily repaired.An acrylic bowl is not very suitable for people with large weights; the material may bend under their weight. The high price of high-quality injection molded products can also be considered a disadvantage.

Abrasive compounds are not suitable for caring for acrylic bowls. You will need to buy special cleansers or use mild universal formulations. Never use cleaning products that contain chlorine. Alcohol and solvent should not come into contact with the surface of the bath.

Which is better to choose?

Before buying a bathtub, you should evaluate your financial capabilities. The size of the plumbing room and the need for additional functions and accessories are also taken into account. When choosing any product, you need to inspect it from both sides to make sure there are no uneven coatings, chips, scratches, or cracks.

Before buying plumbing equipment, you need to consider the width of doorways, stairs, and the presence of a freight elevator. The bathtub must have accompanying documents stating the warranty obligations.

When is a cast iron bath suitable?

A cast iron bathtub is suitable for standard bathroom dimensions in a house with reinforced concrete floors. Reliability and long-term use speak in its favor, if, of course, you purchase a product from a manufacturer with a good reputation. The rating is topped by:

• "Roca" - Spain;
• "Jacob Delafo" - France;
• "Universal" - Russia;
• "Artex" - Italy;
• "Kirov Plant" - Russia;
• "Castalia" - Italy;
• "Goldman" - China;
• "Maroni" - Italy;
• "Byon" - Sweden;
• "Aqualux" - Italy.

You should choose a model that is suitable for use by all family members, so that the bathtub does not turn out to be too shallow or narrow for one of them.Cast iron bowls will be appreciated by lovers of discreet classics who do not need an elaborate shape or color of the product.

When purchasing, you need to consider the location of the drain hole; sometimes this also plays a role. If, after a certain period of use, the bathtub requires restoration, this issue can be resolved using an acrylic liner or an enameling procedure.

Reviews for the cast iron bathtub “Roca Malibu” (170x75):

Marina, Novosibirsk:

— We have been using this model of bathtub for 14 years. During this time, it has not lost any of its original attractiveness and serves just as reliably. At one time we chose this particular model, relying on reviews on the Internet. The inside of the bowl has streamlined corners. Conveniently sized handles are built into the sides. There are anti-slip protruding strips on the bottom. Anti-slip handrails and ridges are especially important if there are elderly people or small children in the home. I have a 4 year old daughter.

Elena, Samara:

— We installed a bathtub of this model 2 years ago during renovation. Initially, we chose a product made of cast iron. This material is strong and durable. Before purchasing, I was confused by the handles; I was afraid of difficulties in caring for them or the appearance of rust. In fact, there were no problems with this, everything is washed perfectly. We rinse the bathtub itself after each use and wipe it with detergent once a week. The enamel remains the same snow-white as when purchased.

In what cases is it better to choose an acrylic bathtub?

Those who value an exclusive bathroom design or an unusual bowl color should choose an acrylic model. A bathtub made of cast acrylic will last up to 15 years, after which it will require replacement. Acrylic products weigh little, so there will be no problems with delivery and installation.

One person can install the tank, which will make it possible to save on installation work. An acrylic bathtub is the choice of those who live in a house with wooden floors. The tree may not be able to withstand the weight of a cast iron product filled with water. Buying an acrylic bowl is worth it for those who care about the design of the tank and additional functions. Plastic is easy to shape and you can cut holes in it without any problems.

Acrylic bathtubs are:

• corner;
• round;
• square;
• oval;
• asymmetrical.

During production, the bowls are equipped with a custom-made metal frame for reliable installation.

Popular brands:

• "Roca" - Spain;
• "Ravak" - Czech Republic;
• “Cersanit” – Poland-Romania;
• "Riho" - Czech Republic;
• "Aquatek" - Russia;
• "Abber" - China;
• "Aquanet" - Russia;
• "Villeroy & Boch" - Germany;
• "Vagnerplast" - Czech Republic;
• "Kolo" - Poland.

Popular additional options in acrylic products: hydromassage, aeromassage, color lighting. Modern models almost always include stands and headrests for added comfort.

Reviews of the acrylic bathtub "Aquatek"

Sergey, Tolyatti:

— My choice fell on the Helios model. I live in a private house, the bathroom area is 12 square meters. m, so we looked for a large bathtub, it fit perfectly. For the first 3-4 days there was a slight chemical smell, but it later dissipated. Under my weight, the bottom bends a little, but it doesn’t bother me, my wife doesn’t complain because it weighs less. The coating is perfectly smooth and easy to clean. The bathtub can be wiped clean in 2 minutes. I consider this model to be successful in terms of price-quality ratio.

Natalya, Yuryev-Polsky:

— We used to have a cast-iron bathtub. I wanted to try something new, and the design of acrylic products is much more varied.Our plumbing room is small, we chose the “Mia” model with dimensions of 165x70 cm. The walls of the bathtub are high, so the volume turned out to be spacious. The bathtub warms up quickly and retains heat well; being in it is much more comfortable than in a cast iron one. We had a limited budget, so the price of 9,500 rubles was very pleasing. The purchase did not disappoint.

Before deciding on the choice of a bathtub for your home, you need to evaluate not only the characteristics of the model you like, but also the features of the living space - its area, the quality of the floors. It is necessary to think in advance about the method of transportation and decide who will carry out the installation. Whatever material the bathtub is made of, regular and proper care is important, then the product will last longer.