On bathtubs - part 1.

When early people moved indoors they initially created the forebear of modern bathtubs in their caves. They picked a suitable looking piece of tree trunk and started carving it with their primitive tools until it came to be like a trough. Water was warmed in the sun and changed after a while…

Much later, when the cultivation of grape became widespread barrels came to be as well. Wealthier farmers had barrels the size of grown men created and obviously these were ideal for bathing. We know for a fact that the Romans had a very well developed bath-culture: hot water was circulating in their houses under the flooring, and the smaller and larger pools were used for much more than just bathing.

Todays’ middle aged or more elderly people must still remember the cast-iron propped bathtubs that, being more than 100 kg in weight, once placed were never moved again. Later, when people got bored with the space between the legs being difficult to clean, these tubs were surrounded with brick walls and later tiles. Once this was done, however, the now hidden (and frequently clogged) drains started causing problems. The 50s saw the appearance of angular or rectangular bathtubs made from the then modern plate steel that was more efficient when it came to weight and material. The side walls were also made from enamelled steel plates making them easier to open.

With the fast development the chemical industry the plastic bathtubs came into existence; they were even lighter and stronger. Generally made by strengthening the polyester synthetic resin by the use of glass fibre, with special sanitary-ware gel-coating applied to the wearing surface – their resistance to damage, acids, and alkali, made them absolutely suitable for soaking and washing laundry. The ever fashionable marble effect was imitated by adding quartz flour or quartz sand to the unique kind of cast epoxy.

Extrusion is done from special sanitary-ware acrylic plate with glass fibre reinforced epoxy, while the manufacturing of cast iron tub has virtually stopped. Builders and rebuilders today have the option to choose from several different colours and shapes.

Cast iron tubs

They are heavy; their surface in not completely even, their heat set enamel coating is very strong but at the same time rigid.  Even dropping smaller object in them may cause often unrepairable damage. Some manufacturers, due to a respect for tradition and reconstruction requirements, are still holding onto this technique.

Plate steel tubs

They are lighter, their surfaces are also heat-set enamel with slightly better quality, and are generally available in size 140-170 cm, in rectangular shape with mediocre choice of colours. Their heat retaining characteristics are the worst of all the types but can be improved using PUR foam bedding.

Cast synthetic marble tubs

They are robust, with a very meagre choice of shape and colour, but their heat retaining characteristics are the best of them all and are relatively easy to mend.

Glass-fibre reinforced, plastic tubs

Acrylic tubs

They are light, extremely durable, keeping their surface qualities when using the appropriate cleaning agents. It is advisable to install them using a PUR foam bedding, and they offer ample choice of shape and colour. The wearing surface is easy to mend even on site. Their life-cycles, usability and appearance make them the most ideal choice for buyers.

Extruded plate acrylic tubs

They have a mirror finish, but depending on the technology used during manufacturing is often uneven. They offer mediocre choice of shape and colour. In this case a 2 mm wide layer of acrylic is applied on a plate plastic. Please note! Before making the purchase, please ascertain all details regarding the terms and period of the warranty, the width and homogeneity of the wearing surface, the strength of the carrier, and the reparability of the tub!