Advantages and disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs

It’s understandable why acrylic bathtubs have grown in popularity and are now found in many homes. They provide a sleek, contemporary appearance that instantly refreshes the atmosphere of any bathroom. Because acrylic tubs come in so many sizes and shapes, they can be incorporated into practically any bathroom design, making them a practical choice for both small and large areas.

The fact that acrylic bathtubs are lightweight is one of their main benefits. Installing and handling acrylic tubs is significantly simpler than with traditional cast iron tubs. This can lower labor costs in addition to saving time during installation. Acrylic bathtubs also have a warm, smooth surface that makes for a comfortable and enjoyable bathing experience.

Acrylic bathtubs do have some disadvantages, though. Compared to certain other materials, they are more easily scratched even though they are chip and crack resistant. To keep their glossy finish, it’s crucial to refrain from using harsh cleaning agents or scrubbing pads. Acrylic is also susceptible to discoloration over time from exposure to strong chemicals or direct sunlight.

Acrylic bathtubs continue to be a popular option for many homeowners despite these possible drawbacks because of their low cost, simplicity of installation, and visual appeal. You can decide whether an acrylic bathtub is the best option for your bathroom renovation project by being aware of the benefits and drawbacks.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Lightweight and easy to install	Can scratch easily
Good heat retention	Less durable than cast iron
Available in various shapes and sizes	May require additional support
Resistant to mold and mildew	Can discolor over time

Features of acrylic bathtubs

The DuPont company acquired acrylic as a separate kind of polymer in the United States in the early 1940s. The new substance was initially known as "orlon." utilized to create synthetic textiles, which pose a serious threat to the widely used nylon. The term "acrylic," which is how the current generation knows this type, was changed following the advancement of technology for coloring transparent orlon.

Three technologies are used in the creation of baths:

• cast acrylic;
• composite;
• kvarila.

Cast acrylic

Only a few plants in China, France, and England use polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) to make cast acrylic. They sell sheets to bathtub manufacturers, who then shape them into bathtub bowls. The actual technological process looks something like this:

• a sheet of acrylic is placed on top of the casting mold (there can be up to several dozen of them at an enterprise) and heated to 200 o C (acrylic becomes as plastic as possible);
• air is removed from under the laid acrylic through small nozzles. Under the influence of vacuum, the sheet takes on the appearance intended by the designers;
• fans cool the bowl;
• the bath is removed from the mold and turned upside down;
• fiberglass dissolves in epoxy resin;
• the robot applies a layer of epoxy resin to the bathtub, which strengthens the body;
• workers manually roll the resin solution onto the body with a brush and roller to remove air bubbles;
• After the resin has hardened, the edges of the font are cut off with a milling cutter.

Composite

A lot of customers cannot afford the high cost of cast acrylic bathtubs. The thermoplastic polymer ABS was used by sanitary acrylic manufacturers in place of some acrylates to lower the product’s cost. Consequently, the interior of an acrylic bath and a molten thermoplastic polymer substrate were combined to create a composite. The hard glossy acrylate surface and the impact-resistant plastic base of this sandwich have taken cues from each other. These sheets are made at the Senolast company in Austria.

The same technology used to make bowls from cast acrylic is also used to produce them.

Kvaril

The German company Villeroy&Boch makes Quaryl by combining acrylic resin and quartz sand. There is a patent on the name. As a result, quaril made by other manufacturers is untrue. However, no one prohibited other producers from creating baths under their own brands by combining ingredients in different ratios.

Let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks of acrylic bathtubs in order to better understand what kind of material it is.

Advantages

Every kind of acrylic bathtub has advantages and disadvantages of its own. They can also be both specific and general. As a result, we start by listing benefits that apply to all acrylic bathtubs:

• very low heat transfer coefficient, which, firstly, allows you to quickly warm up the bowl – after collecting water, you can immediately take water procedures, and secondly, the water cools down very slowly – by 1 o C in half an hour – you can bask without thinking about adding hot water water;
• light weight – 15-30 kg acrylic and up to 45 kg – quarryl. This allows one person to transport, lift to the floor and install plastic plumbing fixtures;
• excellent sound absorption, as a result of which not only neighbors, but also household members do not hear the noise of the collected water;
• variability of shapes, sizes and colors, which makes it possible to bring any design ideas to life;
• the ability of the material to retain its original color and shine, with proper care (how to do this, you can see here) until the end of its service life;
• high level of functionality, starting from the side position of the mixer and ending with hydromassage;
• maintainability – damaged areas can be restored independently, and for budget money (cheap);
• the anti-slip properties of acrylic even when wet, despite the fact that the material is perfectly smooth – it’s not scary to leave children alone in such bathtubs and there is no need for constant monitoring of elderly family members;
• a minimum number of pores, which does not allow dirt to accumulate on the surface of the font, which does not negate daily care and regular cleaning;
• environmentally friendly – the material does not rot and does not cause allergic reactions.

Easy upkeep and straightforward installation are two benefits that many experts list. The editors of StroyGuru.Com claim that there are more drawbacks than benefits. For example, bathtubs can be finicky, and if even one of the roughly twenty care guidelines is broken, the surface may become damaged and necessitate repair or replacement. Additionally, only quaril bowls require simple installation; the remaining bowls must be tied to the wall.

Bowls’ specific benefits and drawbacks vary depending on the material and manufacturing process. Though they are few in number, they do exist.

Pour acrylic. Among cast acrylic’s benefits are:

• the ability to grind without fear – the thickness is enough;
• no material delamination.

Acrylic (PMMA) and ABS plastic combined. PMMA/ABS co-extruded baths have the following benefits:

• reasonable price;
• higher strength;
• higher hardness than cast acrylic.

Kvaril. Comparing quarryl bathtubs to the traditional acrylic bathtubs reveals a number of additional benefits:

• high hardness – the material is difficult to damage from falling objects;
• abrasion resistance;
• easy installation – installed on legs without frame. Many models do not have legs at all – they are installed on the bottom of the bowl;
• high stability under mechanical load on board, which does not require fastening to the wall;
• does not require additional reinforcement or reinforcement with a frame;
• the highest level of anti-slip compared to commercially available hot tubs;
• Possibility to restore surface shine by sanding.

Many homeowners choose acrylic bathtubs because of their accessibility, lightweight construction, and simplicity of installation. Their diverse shapes and sizes allow for greater design flexibility when designing bathrooms. They also have a warm-to-the-touch, smooth surface that improves comfort. Acrylic bathtubs, however, might be more prone to scratches and need more upkeep to maintain their luster. Notwithstanding these shortcomings, their general affordability and adaptability frequently surpass the drawbacks, making them a sensible choice for contemporary bathrooms.

Flaws

Every kind of acrylate plumbing fixture has specific as well as general drawbacks. Among the drawbacks that come with every acrylic bathtub, the following must be mentioned:

• low surface hardness – it is easy to leave scratches even with brushes with medium-hard hair;
• difficult care – you need special equipment and specialized detergents (more details can be found here);
• fear of hot water – acrylic softens and can float down from the sides.

Every kind of bowl also has drawbacks of its own.

Pour acrylic. The drawbacks of cast acrylic that customers find most disagreeable are:

• fragility – a small glass perfume bottle falling from a height of 1-1.5 m can pierce through;
• heterogeneity in the thickness of the walls and bottom of the bowl;
• the need for rigid fixation of the bathtub using a frame;
• lack of rigidity – the bowl “breathes” during water procedures;
• high price, which is unaffordable for most of the Russian population.

Combined. Cast acrylic bowl options lack many of the same advantages as composite bowl options. However, there are drawbacks specific to each person:

• during the stamping process, the acrylic layer can be reduced to 0.2 mm, which subsequently will lead to very rapid wear of the protective coating;
• the acrylic layer begins to peel off from the ABS during operation;
• Over time, a leak appears at the siphon insertion site;
• short service life (about 10 years) – the font quickly loses its shape and surface shine;
• the walls may bend during water procedures, which sows anxiety on a subconscious level;
• low maintainability;
• the need for additional fastening of the side to the wall;
• difficulties in installing blind screens (many experts generally claim that such work is impossible).

Kvaril. When examining the drawbacks of quaril bathtubs, we must first take note of their cost, which ranges from 25.0 thousand rubles to between 200.0 and 240.0 thousand rubles. (Models for 850.0 thousand rubles are available.) Furthermore, the drawbacks consist of:

• limited assortment – it is difficult to obtain original forms;
• unsuitable for standard bathrooms – they look pretentious;
• expensive restoration of the decorative layer.

Classification

Acrylic bathtubs can be categorized based on multiple factors:

• manufacturing method;
• bowl shape;
• installation location;
• depth;
• length.

Through the manufacturing process. Three varieties of bathtubs are available:

• from cast acrylic;
• composite (acrylic + ABS plastic layer);
• artificial stone – kvarila.

Bowl-like form. You can create a typeface that looks like this by simply pressing any shape out of a heated sheet of cast acrylic or composite.

• the well-known rectangle;

• rectangular bowl with rounded corners;

• drops;
• asymmetrical drop;

• "compressed ring".

Site of installation. You can install an acrylic font anywhere in the bathroom. Manufacturers provide:

• free-standing bathtubs (installed without contact with the walls);
• corner (support on the wall is made by two sides);
• wall-mounted (one side completely touches the wall).

Depth. Depending on the owners’ preferences and build (weight and height), you can purchase:

• shallow font (depth 38-47 cm);
• deep – 48-57 cm;
• very deep – 58-65 cm.

By length. Acrylic bowls come in a wider variety of sizes than cast iron plumbing fixtures. Three groups were formed by their experts:

• small – from 100 to 160 cm;
• standard – 170-180 cm;
• overall – 190-200 cm.

Occasionally, a classification based on the kind of floor support—bowls with legs and bowls with frames—can be found. Does not come from a separate species, t.To. With the exception of the quarry, the bathtub is entirely supported by legs and loses shape; a portion of the body must rest against the wall.

Performance characteristics

Steel and cast iron bathtubs are manufactured in compliance with state regulations. GOST 18297 applies to cast iron and GOST 23695 to steel. For other kinds of materials, like glass, acrylic, natural stone, quarry, etc., manufacturers create STOs (Organization Standard) or TUs (Technical Conditions).

This means that, as long as the business stays within the bounds of the law (i.e., if legislative acts contain explicit instructions or references), it can autonomously set any operational parameters of the manufactured product, including dimensions (depth, length, and width), configuration, and the kind of external and internal coating. As a result, the hot tub’s operating characteristics vary amongst manufacturers:

• product weight – 15-30 kg acrylic, 35-45 kg – quarry;
• depth – from 40 cm (shallow) to 60 cm (very deep). The norm is 50 cm (deep);
• the length has four main sizes (you can also find non-standard ones, for example, 100 or 200 cm):

1. 120 cm – for taking water procedures in a sitting position;
2. 150 cm – you can only be in the font with your legs bent at an angle of 90 o;
3. 170 cm – the classic size, which comes from cast iron baths, where the legs are slightly bent;
4. 180 cm – for tall people. For owners of average height, this size allows them to be in the water in a comfortable state. There is only one problem: often the bathroom dimensions are designed for a bowl length of 170 cm, which does not allow installing longer sanitary ware.

• the width is more conservative: only three sizes – 70, 75 and 80 cm;

Observation: People are frequently inquiring about the sizes of acrylic bathtubs that are available on the forums. 100–200 cm in length, 70–110 cm in width, and 38–65 cm in depth.

• the standard height of an acrylic bathtub above the floor is 60±2 cm (for bathtubs up to 50 cm deep);
• bearing weight. Need details here.

Purchasing a lightweight bathtub raises questions about its dependability, particularly for obese individuals. Naturally, the question comes up: how much weight is supported by an acrylic bathtub? Can someone weighing between 100 and 120 kg swim in it?

According to laboratory tests, cast acrylic can support 500 kg of weight. The composite bathtub is larger still. But theoretically only. In actuality, the amount will be 400 kg. This represents both the bather’s weight and the weight of the gathered water. We will reassure our readers right away so they won’t have to perform difficult calculations.

Because of these qualities of acrylic, manufacturers are able to create hot tubs that hold up to 290 liters. This indicates that the width, length, and depth are computed so that the volume indicator does not go above the specified value when multiplied. Given the weight of the human body, the swimmer’s weight and the water’s weight cannot be more than 310–320 kg in this situation.

There are some subtleties, though.

• People weighing more than 60 kg are not recommended, and people weighing more than 80 kg are prohibited from sitting on the side of the bowl.
• You need to enter the bathtub carefully and with your full foot, distributing your weight evenly. It is advisable to use additional support points (wall or side).
• We do not recommend doing squats and jumping.
• The strength figures given were calculated at a water temperature of 38-40 o C. Hotter water softens acrylic, reducing its strength characteristics. This should be taken into account when taking a bath that is too hot.
• Larger baths are additionally reinforced from the outside.

Popular manufacturers and prices

Regardless of where the production is located—in Russia or abroad—high-quality cast acrylic baths can only be purchased from European manufacturers, based on the reviews posted on forums. However, high-quality composite versions of bowls made of acrylic and ABC plastic are also offered by Russian producers.

Let’s address a few points straight away.

1. There are only two factories in Europe that produce cast acrylic sheets, which are used to make high-quality bowls:

• "Lucite MB" (Great Britain);
• Altuglas Arkema (France).

This indicates that, to put it mildly, some manufacturers’ (Russian enterprises’) claims that they produce all of the acrylic used in their sanitary ware production are not accurate.

2. Use of Lucite sheets

• "Ravak" (Czech Republic);
• "Kolpa-San" (Slovenia);
• "Riho" (Czech Republic and Holland);
• "Alpen" (Czech Republic and Poland);
• "Excellent" (Poland);
• Pool Spa (Spain).

French cast acrylic is used to create typefaces:

• Jacob Delafon (France);
• "Aquatek" (Russia) (possibly t.To. There is no exact information on the official website).

3. Senolast (Austria) composite acrylic, marketed as Senosan, is used to make all other plumbing fixtures. This is a cost-effective choice for bowls composed of suitable-quality acrylates.

There’s a reason why this information is provided.To be honest, some businesses claim on their official websites that they use sheets made in Austria, but… They state that this is pure, 100% acrylic, naturally, and that the price tag reflects that.

The consumer is capable of distinguishing between reality and fiction on their own. Here’s how to do it; see below.

4. Consumers are unaware of yet another potential hazard. Certain Russian manufacturers advertise a 15–20 year guarantee, but they include a disclaimer that nobody reads: the guarantee does not apply to baths that use Russian water.

The reason is straightforward: Austrian acrylic sheets were created with the chemical makeup of the region’s water resources in mind. Consequently, in the event that local manufacturers are selected, thoroughly read the instructions and all attached documents, including the contract, and make use of the advice provided below.

The article "How to choose an acrylic bathtub" provides comprehensive details about the top producers of acrylic bowls. The most well-known brands in the nation are listed here, along with the costs of their goods.

• "Roca"(Spain and Russia) supply the construction market with good quality bathtubs in a wide price range: 8.0-100.0 thousand. rubles.
• "Ravak» (Czech Republic) – 10,000-140,000 rubles.
• "Bath Acrylic System"(Russia), brand BAS, sells bowls at prices starting from 6.0 thousand. rub. up to 45.0 thousand. rub.

We can also list the Chinese companies "Eago," "Gemy," and "Victoria," as well as "Riho" (Czech Republic and the Netherlands), "Aquanet" (Russian Federation), "Pool SPA" (Spain), "Villeroy&Boch" (Germany and France), and "Kolo" (Poland).

Practical tips for choosing an acrylic bathtub

You may "run into" a fake or a low-cost option posing as a high-end model when purchasing an acrylic hot tub. To stop this from occurring, you must be aware of the primary factors considered when making a decision:

• manufacturing technology. Acrylic bathtubs are produced using several technologies. The highest quality plumbing fixtures made of cast acrylic and quarry. The slice of the bath will help to figure it out. Cheap products made by extrusion always have 3 clearly visible layers (actual acrylic up to 0.5 mm thick, ABC plastic, reinforcement), cast acrylic – 2 (pure acrylic 3-5 mm thick and fiberglass), quarry – 1;

Attention: you need to examine the cut with a flashlight, t.To. The acrylic layer in composite products is very thin and difficult to see – it merges with a similar layer of ABC plastic. At the same time, some “smart guys” deliberately hide the third layer (acrylic), sanding it along the edge at an angle of 45 o . Such a cut can only be recognized by a trained buyer. Second point: the cut is sometimes done in such a way (without sanding) that traces of “burr” hide the border between acrylic and plastic. In this case, a knife will help to distinguish the composite from the cast acrylic – scratch it a little in an inconspicuous place.

• Wall thickness. The normal thickness of an acrylic bathtub ranges from 3-7 mm. Fonts with walls of 2-3 mm will last about 5 years, more than 7 mm cause suspicion as material (not a single bona fide manufacturer will allow themselves such a luxury in the form of an overspending of materials);
• strength. The quality of workmanship can be checked in several ways:

1. place the switched-on LED flashlight close to the wall and look from the back – a quality product should not be visible;
2. tap the surface with your knuckles. A dull sound indicates sufficient strength of the product;
3. When you press the wall of the font with your hand, it should not bend.

• the surface should be shiny and glossy, and its color should be uniform and clean. Matte motifs indicate the replacement of acrylic with plastic;
• an acrylic bathtub with legs will last less than one with a frame. The option with legs is used if the bottom and far side are reinforced with brick or other similar materials;
• a large number of legs on the frame most likely indicates not the manufacturer’s concern for the stability of the plumbing fixtures, but the inability of the font to keep its shape;
• Pay attention to what an acrylic bathtub looks like – it is more difficult to make cups with spectacular bends from cast acrylic. Therefore, the likelihood that poor quality material was used is very high;
• less headaches later if the plumbing kit includes fasteners, a drain with overflow, and decorative panels.

The article "How to choose an acrylic bathtub" goes into further detail about the issue.

Acrylic bathtubs are a popular option for many homeowners because they combine contemporary design with useful features. There’s an option for every bathroom layout thanks to their wide range of shapes and sizes and lightweight construction, which also makes installation simple. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, the smooth, non-porous surface is also easy to clean, which minimizes the growth of mold and mildew.

Acrylic bathtubs have a number of benefits, but they also have some disadvantages. Compared to other materials like cast iron or steel, they might not be as resilient to severe impacts and be more prone to scratches. Moreover, acrylic bathtubs may not keep water warm for as long as more insulating options like stone or enamel-coated steel, even though they retain heat better than some alternatives.

All things considered, acrylic bathtubs offer a decent mix of low cost, low maintenance, and customizable design. For those looking for an affordable, stylish, and functional bathtub, these are a great option. But it’s crucial to balance these advantages with any possible drawbacks, particularly if heat retention and durability are important considerations for your bathroom.

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