Published on December 1st, 2022

Last updated on February 3rd, 2023

Check Out The Best Bathtub Options Before Buying A New One!

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
white bathtubs style

The bathtubs’ stylistics always support the style of the house or apartment. So it is impossible to perceive the bathroom separately from the house style. Probably, you want to create a timeless interior with the best type of bath from all of the possible bathtub styles. You are sure that it will be relevant and fresh until the next renovation. In bathroom decoration, designers prefer to work with stone. They will never go out of fashion. Stone can sound both modern and classic. It depends on the surface treatment, the size of the elements and added accessories. A lot of decorations such as:

  • furniture;
  • front fixtures;
  • spotlighting;
  • mirrors;
  • textiles;
  • cabinets of all kinds;
  • mosaic and stone panels;
  • works of art.

And their form will support the stylistic solution.  

But many people are still asking questions: “How to choose a bathtub?”. “What should I prefer: classic or modern?”. “How to realize what I have in mind?” Our article will help you to make the right choice.

What Options for Bathtubs Are There?

bathtub with wood decor

Everyone wants a spacious, bright bathroom, arrange a vast. And a modern bath where you can comfortably relax is also good. Relax under the smell of incense using the hydro-massage system. But there are also options for a small room. First, you should decide on the location of the plumbing system. You should pay attention to the location of the pipes. The space allocated for their placement is also worth noticing. It is necessary to make each joint safe. And also you can cut the unpleasant artificial smells.

To decide among different types of bathtubs, you need to know three parameters:

  1. The size and the shape of the bathtubs:
  2. The material used for production;
  3. The presence or absence of hydro massage.

The material and manufacturing technology depend on how long the bath will serve you. Also, how well it will keep warm water. Whether it is easy or difficult to install it, seal the joint between the design and the wall.

What Are the Bathtub Styles According to the Shape of the Bowl?

bathroom with toilet and bath

There are many different proportions of bath shapes:

  • classic rectangular;
  • the most creative;
  • custom-made. 

You can choose any style. The main types remain the following:

  • round bathtub;
  • oval;
  • rectangular;
  • square;
  • сorner.

It is common to make a variety of rectangular bathtubs in small apartments. The range of baths is extensive, as they come in different sizes. You can choose such a bathtub and install it in a room of almost any dimension by the wall. The joint will be invisible. Let’s see closer to different types of them.

  • In recent years, corner baths are gaining popularity and have become one of the best types of baths. They are much more compact and taller than small rectangular ones. They can quickly solve the problem of lack of space. These baths of any size are no less roomy and comfortable. 
  • Oval or round baths are suitable for those with a large bathroom. As such, a bathtub bowl must be freestanding and long. As a rule, oval baths have a decorative function. They are not installed on the wall, as is customary. You can apply them higher in the centre of the room. So you will complete a spacious bathroom’s rich and sophisticated style. It allows you to renew the space. 
  • Also, you can find a bathtub of asymmetric shape. There is even a square bathtub. Such non-standard bathtub options have become very popular. And many people choose them to decorate their bathrooms.

What Materials Do Manufacturers Use to Make Baths?

For each type of bathtub, there is an optimal artificial material of manufacture. But, there is no clear-established framework. If you choose, you need to guide by the capabilities of the bathroom. Manufacturers use a wide variety of materials to make bathtub bowls. It includes injection molded ones:

  • cast iron;
  • steel;
  • acrylic;
  • quarryl;
  • wood, marble, concrete, and others.

Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. If you decide on the option you need, there is a solution in each category depending on the material. Whether it is a marble or cast iron bathtub. Many things play an important role when selecting different types of bathtubs. 

Metal

metal bathtub option

Cast iron. For a long time, this type of bath had only one competitor. So it often won the battle. But even today, despite the emergence of worthy opponents, it does not lose its position. And even though the variety of forms of this bathtub style is not different. You can find only as oval and rectangular shapes on the market. The strength of the cast-iron construction characterizes the long cast-iron bathtub: 

  • they hold the enamel perfectly;
  • keep heat;
  • they do not get scratches. 
  • they are reliable and durable;
  • have low thermal conductivity;
  •  the water temperature drops by 5-10 °C per hour, which makes taking a bath in them quite comfortable. 

The main disadvantage of the bathtub option is its heavy weight. It is up to 130 kilograms. Also, it’s limited design possibilities. Cast iron baths are traditionally small and large. Less common metal bath looks more aesthetically oval. 

Steel is much lighter than cast iron, so among steel baths, the choice is more diverse. Steel baths have both classic shapes and asymmetric, non-standard shapes. In such a bath, you can make:

  • hydromassage system;
  • armrests;
  • seats;
  • renovate it, if necessary. 

Oval baths are available in steel. They are no less durable than cast iron and protected from chemical damage. do not emit an unpleasant odour. Their main disadvantage is that steel baths do not keep heat. 

Acrylic 

acrylic bathtub style

Acrylic bathtub style is the best type of bath for installation in a standard bathroom. Unlike cast iron, it is an artificial plastic bowl made of polymer. which is applied to a fibreglass or steel frame and then hardened, giving it shape. Manufactures make bathtubs using two technologies:

  1. The first option – the producer pours a “shell” of acrylic polymer on a fibreglass frame. It acts as a reinforcing frame;
  2. The second option involves the use of two-layered extruded sheet material.

The positive characteristics of these bathtub options significantly prevail over the negative ones. So it helps them to hold the first positions in sales. So they are:

  • lightweight modern acrylic baths are easy to install;
  • it is easy to repair and calk;
  • they have low thermal conductivity;
  • it keeps heat well;
  • it has a beautiful aesthetic appearance;
  • the joint can be easily closed.

You also need to consider the minuses, trying to understand how to choose the best bathtub styles. So they are:

  • high mechanical brittleness of the material;
  • the surface of the acrylic bath is susceptible to high temperatures. You should always remember that acrylic melts at only 160 °C;
  • deformation and scratches even with a slight impact. 

Quarryl 

quarryl bathtub style

You can see quarryl baths of modern and innovative material. It is a mixture of practical acrylic and durable quartz. This ensures their high performance and aesthetic characteristics. The bathtub styles are:

  • shockproof;
  • they keep water temperatures well;
  • hygienic;
  • can have a variety of forms;
  • they are heavier than acrylic due to the presence of quartz sand in the material. But they are much lighter than cast iron. 

Besides their appearance and characteristics, the main distinguishing feature of quarryl baths is their functionality. Different high-tech options may be in many models:

  • built-in whirlpool;
  • aero massage;
  • availability of armrests and headrests;
  • radio.

However, the acrylic component does not allow it to pour water at high temperatures because even such a rather massive structure of this bathtub option can become deformed.

The primary color gamut is pastel colors. But there are exceptions. You can see such as baths in black, burgundy, green, and other designs.

Other Interesting Materials

glass bathtub style

There are also different non-standard types of bathtubs  made of:

  • wood;
  • glass;
  • marble;
  • concrete. 

Bathtubs made of wood or stone can become exotic. If you choose such designs, they will look taller, practical, and stylish and speak of status. For example, the most luxurious looks are round bathtub options made of natural marble. Creating a bowl requires a solid piece of marble stone. You can use a mirror to increase the luxury effect. Such products are good but differ:

  • high price;
  • high weight;
  • frailty;

You should carry out transportation and installation carefully. That’s why these are primarily exclusive products that can be made to order for a particular interior. Such interior articles are often installed in the bathrooms of country houses, where the designers specially developed the author’s projects for interiors.

Bottom Line

The bathroom should be a small room for relaxation in the apartment. Therefore, it is essential to consider how to choose a bathtub, its style, and all the nuances. Steel baths, cast iron, and acrylic are the most popular and affordable. These are the best options regarding value for money, quality, and size, so many people prefer them when deciding what path to choose. In such bathtub options, you can easily install massage units, they are durable, and a wide range of stores allows you to pick up a model that meets the design or non-standard idea.

FAQ

What is the best type of bath to buy?

As a rule, it is a cast bath, but everything depends on your preferences. According to the degree of comfort, the first place will be given to a cast-iron bath because it will keep the water warm the longest. Acrylic also has low thermal conductivity, so buyers sometimes wonder which bath is better for buying acrylic or cast iron. But in the steel bath, the temperature will drop most quickly.

What bathtub should I choose for a hydromassage?

For these systems, it is better to select an acrylic bathtub. Plastic construction keeps heat better than steel while mitigating vibration. Also, a recessed metal model is suitable for moulded format. The recommended water temperature for whirlpool sessions is 35 °C.

How do artificial stone bathtub options are made?

In the production of artificial stone bathtubs, a liquid mixture of resins and crumbs pour into a prepared mold and left in it for about a day until it hardens. Then the formed tub is taken out of the mold and placed in a special oven, where it dries and gains strength.

How wide should I select a bathtub?

The width of the bath should be such that there is a distance of 5 – 8 cm between the human body and its edges. The standard width is 70 cm. But you can choose from 75, 80, and 85 cm in width. As for the depth of the bowl, of course, the knees of the bather should be completely covered with water.