Acrylic is a synthetic material made from polymer resins with a certain percentage of various additives that give the material certain properties. Acrylic is an environmentally friendly, lightweight, plastic and very durable material that allows you to achieve a huge number of options for shapes and sizes.

• Light weight (only 20-45 kg depending on the size), which greatly facilitates transportation.
• A dull sound when filling, because Acrylic is a sound absorbing material.
• Bacteria do not grow well on acrylic, which is important for a product that is constantly in contact with water.
• The surface of the acrylic bath is warm to the touch, the reason for this is simple - the material has a low thermal conductivity.
• Acrylic has good thermal insulation properties, the water in such a bath cools much more slowly than in a cast-iron or, especially in a steel bath.
• Due to its plasticity, acrylic is sufficiently resistant to damage: you don’t have to worry that an object that has fallen into the bath will damage the enamel.
• Scratches and stains that inevitably appear over time on the surface can be easily removed.
• Acrylic bathtubs are easy to clean, in most cases it is enough to rinse them with warm water from the shower and wipe dry. With more serious pollution, special detergents for acrylic will help to cope - they must be used so as not to damage the inner coating of the bath.
• Variety of designs - due to the plasticity and viscosity of the material, acrylic bathtubs are produced in a wide variety of shapes.
• The glossy surface of acrylic always retains its original luster and color (white bathtubs do not turn yellow). color pigments are distributed evenly throughout the thickness.
• Smooth but non-slip surface.
• Guaranteed service life with preservation of color and gloss up to 25 years.

Unfortunately, acrylic also has negative properties:

• In such a bath, you can’t soak clothes, you have to rely on a washing machine.
• Its surface is easily scratched, and a fallen lit cigarette can melt the surface.
• During operation, a crack may occur along the body of the bath, this is rare, but it happens due to pressure during overflow of water.
• It is strictly forbidden to pour boiling water into an acrylic bathtub, the temperature of the poured water should not exceed 70⁰С.
• Any acrylic bath after manufacturing within 2-3 months has a natural smell of acrylic, like any other freshly made plastic product.

Steel bath

Steel is an alloy of iron with carbon and other elements. Carbon (up to 2%) gives strength and hardness to iron alloys, reducing ductility and toughness. Alloying elements can be added to steel to improve the chemical properties of the base material. Due to its low weight, a steel bath can be safely installed even in an apartment with very thin ceilings.

• The low weight of steel baths - 25-30 kg - facilitates the transportation and delivery of the bath to the apartment, and also ensures ease of installation.
• Service life - more than 30 years.
• >High hygiene is achieved by a small number of pores in the enamel coating, which prevents the formation of strong contamination.
• High performance properties - resistance to scratches and abrasion.
• Chemical resistance to household acids and alkalis (the appearance of the bath will remain perfect even after taking herbal baths or coloring your hair).
• Heat resistance - does not leave stains from cigarettes and other heat sources.
• High thermal conductivity allows the bath to heat up very quickly (even those parts of the bath that are above the water level retain heat and release it gradually, like an acrylic bath).

Disadvantages of a steel bath:

• When installing baths made of steel, it is imperative to ground them, since steel is an excellent conductor of electricity.
• The formation of significant noise when filling the bath with water - the thickness of the walls of the steel bath affects the soundproofing characteristics of the product.
• Low heat capacity (water cools very quickly at room temperature, and in winter - within 10-15 minutes).
• It is very difficult to restore the damaged surface of the bathtub enamel if you accidentally drop a heavy thing.

Cast iron bath

Cast iron is an alloy of iron with carbon (from 2.14 to 6.67%), which also contains permanent impurities (silicon, manganese, phosphorus and sulfur), and sometimes alloying elements. Cast iron bathtub is characterized by strength, durability and classic design. The cast-iron bathtub is quite heavy, but it perfectly retains heat, is resistant to mechanical damage and is durable.

• Cast iron has excellent thermal conductivity, strength, rigidity, so cast iron baths are strong, durable, and resistant to temperature fluctuations.
• It retains heat for a long time, as a result, the water cools more slowly.
• The walls usually have a large cross section: about 6 or 8 mm. Having an impressive weight, the cast-iron bathtub is securely held by supports, it does not require auxiliary fasteners during installation. It stands firm, without changing position, without sagging during operation.
• An anti-corrosion coating is applied to the inside of the cast-iron bathtub, which allows it to retain its original appearance for a long time.
• The enamel has a shine, it does not leave scratches when using cleaning products.
• Ease of cleaning from pollution - such baths are neutral to the action of various chemicals on them, they are well cleaned with plumbing care products.
• Baths made of cast iron do not have pores on their surface, dirt does not collect in them.
• A cast iron bath does not delaminate and does not crack over time.
• Cast iron bathtubs are valued for their long, almost limitless service life, which is much higher than the service life of bathtubs made of other materials.
• The lowest degree of noise when collecting water.

Disadvantages of a cast iron bath:

• The bulkiness and massiveness of the cast-iron bath - it weighs about 120 kg, which leads to some problems during delivery and installation.
• Due to the non-ductile properties of the material, only rectangular and oval bathtubs are made from cast iron.
• It is very difficult to restore the damaged enamel surface of a cast-iron bath if you accidentally drop a heavy thing.

Cast stone bath

Cast stone is an artificial stone, which consists of quartz sand, marble chips and polyester resin, as well as gelcoat. Gelcoat is a special composition, similar to varnish, which is applied to the surface of the bath, giving it a shine and a pleasant smoothness. Gelcoat has not only decorative and aesthetic qualities, but also protective. For example, it perfectly protects the surface of the bathtub from moisture and ultraviolet radiation.

Cast marble bathtubs perfectly combine the natural properties and beauty of natural marble, and the freedom of ideas for modeling bathtubs is not limited.

Baths made of cast stone can be made in various colors, which, along with the original shape, allows you to approach the choice of a bath purely individually. Among the advantages of such products, it is worth highlighting high strength and durability.

• Low thermal conductivity.
• Heavy load resistance, high impact resistance, high wear resistance (abrasion resistance).
• Execution in various colors, a variety of decorations and a variety of shapes and sizes.
• The ability to repair, trim and eliminate various scratches at home, the cast stone does not form cracks and chips.
• High level of noise absorption when taking in water.
• High antibacterial characteristics.
• There is no radioactive background inherent in natural stone/marble.
• High frost and heat resistance (from - 500 Cº to + 900 Cº).
• Does not fade, its surface does not lose its gloss.
• Service life more than 10 years.

Disadvantages of cast stone bath:

• The surface is easily scratched and should be handled with care (e.g. do not bathe dogs).
• Relatively large weight (about 100 kg).
• In order to avoid unwanted chips on the bath, you should be extremely careful when transporting it (until final installation in the bathroom).
• Cast stone bathtubs should only be cleaned with soapy solutions and a soft sponge, excluding the use of abrasive or powder cleaners.

Other types of baths

Natural stone bath

The natural stone used in the manufacture of bathtubs includes: marble, granite, onyx, etc. Bathtubs made of natural stone are very heavy, but their sophistication and unique beauty can transform any bathroom.

• Natural stone has a special energy that has a beneficial effect on a person, has high tactile qualities, and creates psychological comfort.
• The bath is hygienic and environmentally friendly, has bactericidal properties.
• Unlimited service life.
• Natural stone breathes and is pleasant to the touch.
• Heats up easily and retains heat.
• A bathtub made of natural stone is a unique style, convenience, uniqueness of work and exclusivity in the interior - since it is impossible to repeat the pattern and color scheme created by nature.
• Possesses strength and durability.
• Natural material is resistant to temperature changes and moisture.
• Easy to care for, counteracts the appearance of fungus.
• High noise insulation qualities - no sounds are heard when water is collected.

Disadvantages of natural stone baths:

• Big weight.
• High price.
• Colored marble or gray marble is durable, while white material may begin to yellow over time, which will lead to discoloration or dark spots.

Ceramic bath

Ceramics is a material from inorganic non-metallic materials (clay) and their mixtures with mineral additives, which is formed under the influence of high temperature (roasting).

Advantages of a ceramic bath:

• The ceramic bathtub is silent when water is filled.
• It keeps heat well, since the walls of the bathroom are quite thick, and the inner layer of ceramics has a low-porous structure, it warms up evenly.
• Does not scratch - you can bathe your pet, and does not rust, to the touch - smooth, will not suffer from smoking (getting a cigarette on the surface of the bath will not affect its properties).
• The service life of such a bath is practically unlimited and can be commensurate with the time of operation of the building in which it is installed. Even the poor quality of tap water does not affect its color and the radiant smoothness of the inner surface for decades.
• The ceramic-metal structure gives the bath the highest durability: even repeated cleanings with any cleaning pastes or aggressive chemical solutions cannot damage its glaze.
• There are practically no pores and even the smallest cracks on the surface, which means that dirt particles cannot accumulate and there is no place for microbes to multiply.
• Environmentally safe for human health.

Disadvantages of a ceramic bath:

• High price: a ceramic bath is a rather expensive product, but it can become an element that determines the direction of the style of the bathroom, emphasizing the status and respectability of the owner of the house.
• Transportation and installation of a ceramic bath requires professionalism and increased accuracy.
• The product is heavy and highly fragile, so careless handling can lead to cracks or complete destruction.

Quaryl bath

A material called quaryl is a modern form of acrylic, a mixture of quartz and acrylic. Quartz increases the strength of acrylic, so additional reinforcement (strengthening the material or structure with another material) is not required, and bathtubs made from it become stable and reliable. Bathtubs made from this material are heavier than acrylic, but still lighter than cast iron. Due to their hardness, quartz baths allow the use of clear lines in the design, without the roundness characteristic of conventional bent plastic. In addition, the addition of quartz chips increases the scratch resistance of acrylic.

Benefits of a quaryl bath:

• Relatively light weight (lighter than cast iron tubs) and less slippery surface.
• Smooth, warm, less porous, but very durable material (transportation and installation of products from this material do not present any problem at all, it is very difficult to damage the product).
• Excellent visual performance and long service life with proper care.
• The kvaril bath is homogeneous, more resistant to damage and deformation, the surface can be easily restored.
• Various colors and shapes are available.
• Extremely low thermal conductivity, due to which kvaril always turns out to be warm and pleasant when touched, and keeps the water temperature for the longest possible period of time.

Disadvantages of a varil bath:

• Higher price than acrylic bathtubs.
• If a scratch or crack does appear on the bath, then it will be much more difficult to restore it than in the case of the usual acrylic.

Acrylic or cast iron, quartz or cast marble - what is the best material? When buying a bath, all buyers have the same question - and today I propose to consider in detail the properties of each material, compare the pros and cons in order to make the right choice.

First hand information: this article presents conclusions based on many years of personal experience - and not copying disparate information scattered in the vastness of the network.

Expert staff when creating the material, they are represented by the company's specialists HydroMAS who know firsthand what each bathtub looks like and what it consists of from the inside – over many years of work, we have drilled and installed thousands of bathtubs.

Your new bath: what's inside?

It is no secret that modern technologies and industrial design possibilities allow you to create a bathtub from almost any material. From steel, whose only advantage, as you all know, is low cost, to exotic ones such as glass, stone, and even wood. In most cases, the choice is presented from acrylic bathtubs, classic cast iron, cast marble and a relatively new material - quartz. We will consider them in the article.

Acrylic: versatile and popular

So, let's start with some of the most popular - acrylic bathtubs . When choosing, pay attention to two key characteristics: the type of acrylic sheet and its thickness.

Of course, you already know about the variety of shapes and sizes that acrylic allows you to create, but I would like to highlight a lesser known fact. So, did you know that the acrylic sheet from which the bathtub is made can be of 3 types: cast, extruded, and combined. Depending on which acrylic is used in production, the final cost of the bath is added up.

cast acrylic - the most durable, reliable, but at the same time the most expensive material. Its feature is in a specific manufacturing technology by casting. Due to this, cast acrylic has a longer molecular chain, which means that your bath becomes much stronger and more reliable.

Extruded Acrylic Sheet manufactured by rolling molten acrylic granules between rollers. The molecular chain in such a material is shorter and directed towards rolling - accordingly, it is less durable than cast acrylic, but still reliable enough for use in standard conditions. There is also a definite plus - the price of a bathtub made of extruded acrylic will be less due to the low cost of production of the material itself.

Combined sheet consists of two layers glued together - ABS plastic at the bottom and acrylic extruded sheet at the top. The percentage of layers can be different, depending on this, the price also changes - as you might guess, the thinner the layer of acrylic, the cheaper. Such material is quite reliable, affordable and very popular among manufacturers of economy segment baths.

Acrylic: what you need to know about the thickness of your bathtub?

Speaking of thickness, it is necessary to divide into two concepts: the thickness of the bathtub wall and the thickness of the acrylic sheet. By itself, acrylic is a very plastic material, which in its pure form will not withstand even the weight of a person, not to mention the weight of water in the bathroom. For strength, acrylic is reinforced (reinforced) with a layer of fiberglass with epoxy resin and embedded elements (as a rule, these are plywood inserts) are installed in the bottom and upper sides of the bath.

When we talk about the thickness of the bathtub wall, we mean the total thickness of the acrylic sheet and the reinforcing layer. The thicker the reinforcing layer, the stronger, and the thicker the acrylic sheet, the longer the bath will serve you. The normal thickness of an acrylic sheet is 4 - 5 mm, but it is worth remembering that this is the thickness of the initial material and during the molding process the sheet is stretched and in some places it can be 2 times thinner, which is absolutely normal.

It is interesting: the thickness and number of layers can be clearly seen on the cut of the tub or on the overflow hole.

Acrylic bathtubs: a few more nuances

What else can affect the longevity of your acrylic bathtub? I also recommend paying attention choice of frame (frame). It must be strong and must have support posts that rest against the upper sides of the bath and prevent them from bending. It is better if the frame is solid (welded), and not twisted from longitudinal and transverse parts with bolts. The monolithic structure is more stable and will not loosen over time.

Another tip for those who buy bathtub with hydromassage . Acrylic would be a good choice for bowl material as it is the easiest material to use and does not require expensive tools to install. It is worth knowing that 95% of these baths are equipped with hydromassage systems already in Russia, even if the bath itself is made in Europe. This is due to the fact that a hot tub brought (already assembled) from another country costs several times more than a bathtub assembled from us - while the same European components are used in the assembly.

Cast iron bathtubs - an ageless classic of the genre

Cast iron- the next most popular material after acrylic. The reliability and harmlessness of this material is known, probably, to everyone. Indeed, from a professional point of view, cast iron is the safest material, it does not emit any toxins, and all possible bacteria were killed when enamel was applied at 900 degrees Celsius. In turn, the large weight of the material makes the bathtub resistant to tipping over.

At the same time, weight may seem like a certain disadvantage - the buyer is often afraid of the difficulties in delivery and installation. In our opinion, this minus is very conditional, since you encounter delivery once in 20 years, and even today all stores have a delivery service that will take care of all the worries.

Also, the limitations of the design can be attributed to the disadvantages. - if you choose an angular or asymmetric shape, then you can not look for cast-iron bathtubs, they do not exist. But the hydromassage is installed on cast iron without any problems - you can easily buy it in our salon.

Categories of cast iron bathtubs: what determines the cost?

• Category 1 - "Euro" - European standard "CE"
• Category 2 - "Standard" - first grade
• Category 3 - "Commercial" - second grade

Depending on what grade the bath belongs to, its quality and cost depend. The difficulty is that when buying it can be difficult to find out the category of a cast-iron bath - you have to determine this yourself.

How to determine the category and quality of a cast-iron bath? Here are some professional tips:

On my own behalf, I can advise manufacturers for whom I will not be ashamed:

• cast iron baths (Spain)
• cast iron bathtubs (France)
• cast-iron bathtubs Recor (Germany)

The quality of bathtubs of these brands has been pleasing our customers for many years and does not make sellers blush.

Cast marble bathtubs

Such baths as soon as they are not called. On the Internet and in the markets they can be found under the names: marble, stone, artificial stone, stone mass. But their production process is the same.

Making artificial stone bathtubs can be compared to building a foundation for a building, only instead of crushed stone and sand, the composition includes ground natural marble or quartz sand, and polyester resin instead of cement. The surface of the bath is covered with a layer of gelcoat, which, like armor, protects the bath from various kinds of damage. To understand the strength, I can say that yachts and boats, as well as billiard balls, are covered with a layer of gelcoat, and they usually get great.

What are the main advantages of an artificial stone bath?

High coating strength - about which I spoke above.

• Great stability to tipping - on average, the wall thickness in a marble bath is 2 - 3 cm, while the weight is not much inferior to a cast-iron bath.
• Long-term preservation of water temperature.
• Simple and inexpensive restoration. Even if you dropped a hammer into the bathtub and a chip formed, this trouble can be easily fixed at home using a repair kit for 100 rubles.
• Design variety. Marble bathtubs can be absolutely any color - from classic white to imitating the structure of any natural stone.

Note: the cost is usually indicated for a bathtub in white, and for the color version, manufacturers ask to pay about 25% of the price. Colored bathtubs are made exclusively for the customer's order, and this may increase the delivery time.

And of course, as a specialist in hydromassage systems, I cannot but add: they are suitable for hydromassage equipment. This is made to order, the installation time of the hydromassage system is 5 working days.

Kvaril bathtubs - a new word in the world of plumbing

Kvaril- This is a relatively new material in the production of bathtubs. The process of its manufacture is quite interesting: particles of quartz sand are enclosed in an acrylic granule, due to which the latter becomes much stronger.

Then these granules
heated to a certain temperature and pour the resulting mass into special forms. This method allows you to make bathtubs of any shape and any size.

In my opinion, this is exactly what the main nuances that you need to consider when choosing a bath material look like. If you still have questions - feel free to write in the comments or through the form on this site, I will try to answer in detail.

Novikov Alexander Evgenievich, a specialist in the installation of hydromassage systems.

Work experience - 9 years.

Sanitary ware made of marble of natural or artificial origin has appeared on the market recently, but has already managed to gain the trust of customers. Increasingly, cast-iron bathtubs are being installed instead of cast-iron ones. What is the technological process of their production and what is their advantage?

In the manufacture of a bathtub from natural cast marble, a large block is used. Processing the stone is easy, but the process is nevertheless time consuming. The bowl is cut out of a block not by hand, but with the help of special equipment. This technology makes it possible to give the bath any shape. On the surface of the product there is a pattern that is individual for each bathroom. Divorces and specks of different colors give it a unique decorative look.

marble blanks for the manufacture of cast bathtubs

A bathtub made of cast marble of natural breed is quite expensive. The cost may increase depending on its color. The marble itself can be white, green, blue and so on. The color depends on the impurities that make up the lump. The rarer a color is found in nature, the more expensive it is, and, accordingly, the price of the product rises. For example, blue marble is less common than others. It contains blue diopside. He gives color. After grinding and polishing, the material becomes even more beautiful, more pleasant to the touch. A blue cast marble bath will be one of the most expensive.

After treatment, all bathtubs do not absorb water, they are easily cleaned of dirt. Manufacturers cover them with a special coating that improves the performance of sanitary ware.

The production process itself consists of the following steps:

The finished font is left for some more time so that the material finally hardens.

Pros and cons of cast bathtubs

Cast marble bathtubs have both pros and cons.

Advantages

• a marble bathtub has reliable qualities;
• The surface is impact resistant. There are no scratches or chips on it.
• various additives are added to marble, thanks to which plumbers can have any color and imitation of any stone of natural origin.
• the shape of the product can be any: from classic to angular or round;
• bathtub made of artificial marble is absolutely silent;
• marble is a composite material. It keeps the heat of the water in the bath for a long time.
• cast marble bathtubs are easy to restore.

Flaws

• marble bathtubs require special care. They can not be cleaned with solid and detergents, which include abrasive particles. Do not use aggressive household products.
• Among the shortcomings can be identified and long contact with water. If the liquid is left for a long time, the salts contained in it will settle on the surface. It is almost impossible to remove such stains. Therefore, after each bath, it should be thoroughly wiped.
• high cost of the product.

Analyzing the pros and cons of a cast marble bathroom, we can conclude that there are more of the former, and, in principle, the price corresponds to the quality.

Russian and foreign manufacturers

A bathtub made of cast marble can be found both from domestic and foreign manufacturers.

Russian brands

1. LLC "Astra-Form" is a leading brand of high quality sanitary ware in Russia and abroad. It has been on the market for 20 years. Bathtubs made of artificial marble and natural stone are multifunctional. The company represents a wide range of sanitary ware of different shapes, sizes and colors.
2. ESSE LLC appeared on the market recently, but has already managed to establish itself on the positive side. The company produces sanitary ware according to French technology, which gives a guarantee for the product for 10 years. The company works mainly with individual sketches of buyers.
3. Estet LLC has been producing luxury sanitary ware since 2012. The company specializes in products manufactured according to European standards. The range of sanitary ware is varied.

Foreign companies

1. Vispool, country of origin - Latvia. The company is not the first year in the plumbing market and has only positive reviews. The manufacturer specializes in equipment made using a special technology that repeatedly increases the density of marble. Bathtubs are easy to clean, not afraid of high loads. With proper operation, they can last up to 50 years, while not losing their external gloss.
2. Marmite is a Swedish-Polish company. Products comply with European standards. The manufacturer produces plumbing for every taste and budget. At the same time, budget options are of high quality: they do not have seams, are well dyed, and have a shiny surface.
3. The Czech company Riho produces modern models of European quality that are suitable for individual bathroom interiors. Plumbing has different shapes, sizes, colors.

Cast marble for the bathroom today is the most stylish and durable material.

Almost no one doubted that the era of the dominance of cast-iron and steel bathtubs would one day end. The only question arose about a worthy successor who would be able to pick up the falling crown of the former greatness of metal bathtubs and continue the glorious path on their own. For some time it seemed that they could become such a candidate. Indeed, they have many advantages and enjoy the well-deserved love of the consumer, but ... The fact is that another candidate claims the place of honor - this cast marble bathtubs, which, in fact, today will be discussed in our article.

Cast marble bathtubs: convenient, reliable, high quality.

Cast baths have appeared on the market relatively recently. Naturally, the same ubiquitous progress, constantly pleasing us with new and new inventions, became the reason for everything. Cast baths are made by combining marble chips and polyester resins. Natural marble is boring and monotonous. Cast bathtubs can have different colors and copy any type of stone. Naturally, such baths have both fairly objective advantages over acrylic baths, as well as obvious disadvantages. It is about them that we will now talk.

Benefits of cast marble bathtubs

They are very durable and are not inferior in strength to natural granite. The only problem is that today on the market there is a huge number of low-quality molding bathtubs made in violation of technology. It is to these products that we owe the appearance of stories about bathtubs that cracked in half or lost their original color after just a week of use. To avoid such incidents, buy bathtubs only in trusted stores and under well-known, trustworthy brands.

Marble bathtubs keep the temperature very well and do not let the water cool down. They are very "warm" to the touch, unlike natural stone. In addition, such products do a good job of maximizing effective noise absorption. Acrylic bathtubs also retain heat quite well, but still lose to cast counterparts in this regard.

Cast baths perfectly contain vibration, which is quite an obvious advantage when using hydromassage. Acrylic bathtubs are much worse in this regard, quite often they vibrate powerfully and deliver a certain amount of discomfort.

Acrylic cannot boast of such a variety of colors that are available for polymer concrete products.

Disadvantages of cast marble bathtubs

If acrylic baths are easy enough to transport and install, then with molded baths everything is much more complicated. They are very heavy and require certain skills during installation.

Acrylic bathtubs "behave" much better during operation. Firstly, acrylic practically does not change color even if the bathtub has been actively used for several decades. Secondly, chipped bathtubs are more dangerous than acrylic products.

Casting bathtubs must be rinsed after washing, as the dye can be absorbed into the product and leave a completely unaesthetic stain.

Bathtubs made of marble chips usually cost more than acrylic ones.

Operation and repair of cast marble bathtubs

It is quite natural that care is necessary for any product, regardless of its quality. Bathtubs made of cast omarble in this case are no exception. As we have already said, today you can find 2 types of such products: natural bathrooms from reputable brands and cheap counterfeit products. It is simply pointless to say something about cheap analogues, because no matter how you follow them, disappointments are inevitable: very soon such bathtubs lose their color, and numerous scratches appear on the surface. We recommend that you double-check the manufacturer and be extremely careful when buying a bathtub.

Caring for a high-quality polymer concrete product is a simple and not too troublesome business. The main thing to remember is that, like all polymers, the bathtub coating is sensitive to abrasives. Therefore, cleaning products must have a special safe composition.
If there are still small chips or scratches on the cast marble bathtub, then you can get by with a special repair kit without dismantling the bathtub. Everything is repaired quite simply and you do not need to have special special skills. If the scratch or chips are large enough, then you will have to call a specialist. You are unlikely to cope with such a problem yourself.

Generally, casting baths- an excellent solution for those who appreciate comfort and convenience. Under such baths, you can easily pick up any furniture and plumbing. In addition, cast marble baths look very solid and emphasize the "status" of its owner.

Today's cast marble is a type of artificial stone. Variants of this material have been known since ancient times. In the manufacture of any artificial stone, production waste is used. In our case - marble chips, ground to a fine state.

The composition of the initial mass for casting contains up to 95% of ground marble chips. It is mixed with polyester resins, i.e. with synthetic binders. Pigments and hardeners are added. The resulting creamy mass is applied to specially made molds for casting. After drying and grinding, the last technological operation takes place - gelcoat treatment, which is sometimes called liquid glass. This is a protective coating that protects the surface from the action of aggressive environments and gives the product a shine of natural stone.

Cast marble bathtub painting process

Injection molding allows the creation of products of arbitrary shapes, sizes, colors and textures.

Warning:

Some manufacturers reduce the cost and use quartz sand instead of ground stone chips. Outwardly, these bathtubs are no different. But quartz sand grains are heterogeneous and contain internal cavities. Porosity reduces the strength and durability of the bath, leads to difficulties in installing fittings in the bath bowl.

If the dye is added to the molding mass before mixing the components, the product is stained evenly to the full depth. When scratches appear on the bath bowl, they are not visible. If an unpainted mass is used during the molding of the product, and then only the surface layer of the product is stained, then scratches appear in this case.

Therefore, when choosing a bathtub made by injection molding, ask the seller who and how the bathtub was made.

Comparison of the characteristics of natural and cast marble

Natural marble is composed of the minerals dolomite and calcite with a crystalline structure in which individual crystalline grains adhere. Such a stone has a high density and at the same time porosity.

Cast marble bathtubs are highly durable

Cast marble is created on the basis of natural stone. From a comparison of their characteristics, the advantages of cast marble are visible. Due to the compacted microcrystalline structure and the presence of polymer resins, it has a lower density and no porosity. This leads to an increase in the strength of products cast from artificial marble.

Characteristics of natural and cast marble:

Characteristics	Natural stone	casting stone
Density	2,6 — 2,8	less than 2.4
Porosity	0,6 – 3,5	almost absent
Water absorption	0,23 – 0,4%	0,03%
Frost resistance (in cycles)	50	150
Internal transparency	present	No
Reaction with acids and hygroscopicity	When interacting with acids, it breaks down, releasing carbon dioxide, and absorbs water through micropores.	Not affected by acids and does not absorb water due to additional external coating with gelcoat.

From a comparison of the above characteristics, it becomes clear that modern man-made stone is a reliable material for creating bathtubs. It is easily processed, and if damaged, it is easy to restore.

Pros and cons: advantages of cast marble bathtubs

Bathtubs made of cast marble have significant advantages compared to products made from other materials:

1. Injection molding technology imitates the texture of natural stone without limiting colors and shades.
2. The bathtub is molded with the desired spatial shape and withstands increased loads: the strength of cast marble is comparable to the strength of natural granite.
3. These are heavy and therefore stable bathtubs. Optionally, they are installed without fasteners and legs.
4. Due to the low coefficient of thermal conductivity (as a result of the use of polyester resins and gelcoat), the surface of the product is warm to the touch. The bath retains heat and the water stays hot for a long time.
5. Polyester resins dampen the vibration that occurs when using hydromassage; thanks to the increased sound absorption coefficient, cast marble bathtubs reduce the level of water noise.
6. Cast marble is resistant to chemical compounds.
7. There are no micropores in cast marble. This provides antibacterial properties: microbes have nowhere to accumulate.
8. Cast marble bathtubs require the most minimal maintenance. Professionals estimate the service life of such a product at 45 years.

Pros and cons: product surface stability

Surface stability is another advantage of injection molding. If the technological process was observed when creating such a bath, then the surface of the product is not damaged by chemicals.

A fact is known: once, to check the quality of the surface of cast marble, staining and aggressive substances were applied to the bath, which were removed after 10 hours by wiping the surface.

There are no traces of caustic and coloring substances left on the surface: vinegar and ketchup, tea and milk, beet juice and lipstick, ink, oil and dye powders. To a small extent, traces of lemon juice, acetone and liquid deodorant remained in the form of a faint spot or a whitish circle.

Cast bathtubs require careful handling and constant care.

Disadvantages of using cast marble

There are also negative aspects associated with the operation of cast marble baths:

1. Stone baths are more expensive than baths made from other materials.
2. These bathtubs are 95% natural stone and weigh a lot. This complicates transportation and installation.
3. Sometimes during operation, chips and scratches appear on the surface of the bowl due to increased impact loads or the use of aggressive chemicals and cleaners, including abrasives.
4. Rinsing of the bathtub surface is required after each wash or wash.

Methods for the restoration of stone bathtubs made by injection molding

With careful handling of such a bath, only a soap solution and a soft sponge are required to maintain cleanliness. No other funds are needed. But even with careful handling over time, traces of operation appear on the surface of cast marble: scratches, chips or individual spots.

If the bathtub is painted over to the full depth, then small scratches on the bowl can be easily removed by grinding.

Possible chips are repaired using a three-component repair kit consisting of gelcoat, hardener and accelerator. First, the cleavage site is degreased with acetone, then, according to the instructions, the putty mass is prepared and applied to the cleavage site. After 2 hours, the putty dries. The putty is cleaned with a waterproof sandpaper and sanded using a grinder.

When choosing a bath, give preference to trusted manufacturers

Separate stains are eliminated by combining both methods.

If, as a result of improper installation of a stone bath, deformations of the bath bowl have occurred, do not try to fix the defect yourself. In this case, it is better to contact a professional.