Taking a bath is not only hygiene, but also a great way to relax after a busy day. A decade ago, almost every Russian apartment had impersonal plumbing fixtures of the same size and shape. Today's market is just bursting with an abundance of bathtubs and delighting consumers with its diversity.
Unlike heavy cast iron products, steel baths are easier to install and operate in general. In addition, for designers, such material is much more interesting, because it allows you to properly work on the appearance and ergonomics of the model.
We will try to understand this issue and determine which steel baths are better. Consumer reviews, advantages and disadvantages of models, as well as the feasibility of buying a particular product will be discussed in our article.
Producers
In the world market in this segment, only three brands occupy leading positions (list below). For other companies, steel baths are just a small offshoot of the main sanitary ware industry. Yes, the latter also have more than high-quality options, but exactly what “the dog was eaten” in this case is only three.
This is whatconcerns the global market. Domestic manufacturers are not going through the best of times, because they have to adapt to all these newfangled trends and make fundamental changes to conveyor products in order to make them at least somehow competitive. Recently, the situation with them has more or less stabilized, so it would be useful to pay attention to our products, especially if you want to save money on your purchase. So we'll take a look at those as well.
Best steel tub manufacturers:
- Kaldewei.
- BLB.
- Roca.
- Verkh-Isetsky Metallurgical Plant (Sverdlovsk Region).
- Santekhprom LLP (Karaganda).
Kaldewei steel bathtubs enjoy enviable popularity all over the world. The German brand produces products of the highest quality and in a huge assortment. Moreover, the company has its own developments and patents in the sanitary field. Among her inventions are her own enamels, which are distinguished by extremely effective basic and reliable protection for the entire structure.
Consumers leave entirely positive feedback about the steel baths of the German brand. They are good in everything, and a chic variety of models allows you to choose exactly what you need. The only drawback that consumers, especially domestic ones, complain about is the cost. Excellent German quality has never been cheap, and the best steel tubs are no exception.
BLB
The Portuguese company BLB has been operating in this market for a very long time and hasreputation as a supplier of reliable and high-quality plumbing products. One of the most notable features of the BLB steel tubs is the addition of innovative polymer elements that virtually eliminate noise during filling.
The enamel itself is baked on a metal base at a temperature of 180 degrees, which allows positioning the coating of products as the most resistant. Reviews for good steel bathtubs from the Portuguese brand are also completely positive. The manufacturer offers a chic range of products, and for consumers of different categories, ranging from budget models to the elite class.
Roca
Roca steel bathtubs are products of the Spanish brand. The company has the widest distribution network and is also known all over the world. The manufacturer pays great attention not only to the quality of the product, but also to its appearance. The brand offers a wide range of models for all occasions, from classic options to some exotics like tandem bathtubs with built-in multimedia system.
Consumers leave mostly positive feedback on the products of the Spanish brand. Everything is in order with the quality of the products from the manufacturer, but a good half of the buyers come to the company's windows precisely because of the original exterior, beautiful handles and other newfangled "chips" that make a real holiday of the soul out of an ordinary washing procedure.
Russian manufacturers and CIS countries
Amongdomestic manufacturers of steel bathtubs can be noted Verkh-Isetsky plant (Sverdlovsk region) and Karaganda in Kazakhstan. Both have a long history and know how to make steel products. The products of these companies are of good quality, but most importantly, they have a more than affordable price tag, which is far from the last argument for the domestic consumer at the time of purchase.
Reviews about products are mostly positive, and you can turn a blind eye to any minor flaws just by looking at the cost of plumbing.
Next, let's look at specific models of baths, which are very popular in Russia, and also distinguished by a well-balanced price-quality ratio.
Kaldewei Form Plus 310-1 (150x70x41 cm)
This is one of the most inexpensive options among other brand assortment, as they say, at least for an apartment. The product is designed for an ordinary room with a distance between the walls of at least 150 cm. 70 cm of the width of the bath is enough for consumers of average build. The depth of the product at 41 cm implies a complete immersion of the body without knees freezing outside.
Designers have worked hard on the ergonomic performance of the bathroom. It is really comfortable and you can lie with proper comfort even for hours on end. There are absolutely no complaints about the quality of products, as well as for installation. The manufacturer has provided several installation options, so there should be no problems with this.
Model benefits:
- excellent German quality forrelatively low cost;
- light design;
- max weight 90kg upright;
- bath cover dampens water noise.
Flaws:
legs are rather weak at the maximum weight of the user (you need to strengthen or buy others)
Estimated cost is about 7,000 rubles (without pens).
Roca Swing (180x80x44 cm)
The bath is perfect for people with a large complexion, well, or lovers of splashing together. Chrome-plated handles are already included in the kit, which will greatly facilitate the process of taking a bath.
The height of the product is easily adjustable with legs, and the inside of the product is coated with a special coating that provides additional grip on the surface of the feet. So slipping in it is almost impossible.
Pros of the model:
- universal dimensions;
- comfortable and secure handles included;
- no noise when filling water;
- excellent enamel quality;
- anti-slip surface;
- generally excellent quality plumbing.
Cons:
legs should be changed or strengthened immediately for users weighing more than 100 kg
Estimated price is about 9,000 rubles.
BLB Universal HG B70H (170 x 70 x 39 cm)
A rather simple model from the Portuguese brand enjoys good popularity among domestic consumers. The design turned out to be simple and, as the name implies, universal, so it is suitable formost bathrooms. The only technical point that you need to pay special attention to is the need to focus on at least two walls. Otherwise, plumbing may begin to "walk" when immersed in or out of the bath.
Wide sides and large corners allow you to place all the necessary hygiene products with due comfort and not reach for them to the shelves. The model is not as deep as the above-mentioned analogues, but, judging by the feedback from consumers, they do not experience any serious discomfort from this.
Model benefits:
- very high quality enamel finish;
- operating period over 10 years;
- materials and additional components keep the water temperature stable for up to half an hour;
- no noise when setting the bathroom;
- easy installation.
Flaws:
- slippery surface;
- depth less than standard.
Estimated cost is about 9,000 rubles.
Antika 170 (170x70x40 cm)
This is a domestic model from the Verkh-Isetsky plant in the Sverdlovsk region. The bath has standard dimensions and quite adequate cost for the available characteristics. The reserve hole instead of the drain is in the usual place, and the design itself allows you to install plumbing on any wall in the room.
The wall thickness of the bathroom is 1.8 mm, which is noticeably larger and better than Chinese counterparts, whose indicator does not rise above 1,3 mm. The bath makes noise like an old basin and does not differ in any original design. Nevertheless, plumbing has shown itself well in Russian realities and will faithfully serve the entire declared operational period (with proper care). There are no chrome trims or other noble components here, and experts in this field call the model the best of the worst. That is, in the budget segment, Antika is the best choice.
Features of plumbing
The owners leave mostly positive feedback about the model. Of course, plumbing has flaws, but nothing critical. In any case, you do not pay attention to some minor problems, looking at the price tag.
Pros of the model:
- non-slip inner surface of bathtub;
- perfect white gamma without any cream or other shades;
- standard sizes and easy installation;
- more than affordable cost.
Cons:
- bath makes noise for any reason;
- no chrome trim;
- not the most pleasing leg mount.
Estimated price is about 4000 rubles.
