carronite baths - are they worth it?

mutley74

Looking for some baths. We need a 1700 x 700mm with 2 handles.

Narrowed search to Carron baths swallow range.

A normal 5mm bath is £196
Carronite type is £351


Looking for any feedback is it worth paying extra money for a reinforced bath? certainly the Carronite feels much stronger and better build than a 5mm type. Heard from plumber that he come across a few problems before with 5mm types cracking due to people falling over or dropping heavy things in the bath.

any views welcome

TomsMom

My present bath is a reinforced one, not Carronite but same thing by a different manufacturer (can't remember now, it's been in that long!). It's as good now as the day it was put in about 12 years ago. It has never creaked, flexed or cracked.

Having had flimsier baths in places we've stayed in over the years, and in a previous house where I managed to crack the bath panel whilst leaning over to clean the bath, we have chosen a Carronite bath for the house we're renovating and ordered it this week. Yes, it was more expensive, but we're not moving again and are confident it will be money well spent and the bath will probably outlast us!

If you're not the sort to refurbish your bathroom at the drop of a hat/because tastes change/get fed up of the colour etc., then it should last many, many years. Here is Carron's advice about cleaning/bathcare. I actually use Ecover cream cleaner (it's non abrasive) if necessary to remove any scum/grime but usually just a little bit of washing up liquid on a sponge or a quick squirt with a bleach free bathroom cleaner is OK.

By the way, hope you don't mind, but the Swallow is cheaper here. Also contact this place where we bought ours from - they will price match and deliver free anywhere in UK.

cardinal79

Had a Carronite bath installed and am very impressed. They are very strong and rigid and you can't feel the bath under any strain when you get in. Recommended alternative to steel. can be purchased online from Eastbrook UK

andyhop

Other known brands that i like to fit are ideal standards idealform baths, again super strong

Bette baths are also known for there high strength,durability and excellent finish hence the price

David_Dundas

We have had a Caronite bath for 8 years and it still looks new, although it is not used much as we prefer showers. Yes they are very strong and don't move with your weight, but we had a problem with the first delivered where the long edge was not straight, important for us as the tiles below are flush. The italian drain fittings were not particularly good although that may have changed. I will probably soon buy another Caronite bath for a new en-suite that we are building.

Penny_Farthing_2

Had ours fitted in 2001 and it's steady as a rock. Ours is just a bath but I'd be even more keen to have one if I was using the bath as a shower tray. I definitely think it would move less and not need re-sealing every few months like other baths we have used as a shower tray.

Jimmy_St

We bought our carronite bath after being recommended by a friend and we're really glad we did. It feels a lot firmer than a standard bath and the water definately stays hotter for longer. We bought ours from a company called Serene Bathrooms and found them very helpful and also the best price.

stattman

I'm currently looking at remodelling the bathroom, I'm interested in the various ranges they have, but was there anything which you considered when you purchased yours? Can you tell me which model you went with in the end?
Thanks!

Regards
Mark

jevonxx

i had the carron wirlpool bath fitted a year ago, had the whole house decorated at the same time new bathroom new kitchen , the only thing i have had a problem with is the bath the jets have leaked water twice into the kitchen ceiling costing hundreds of pounds in damage, the on off button stopped working and to get to the button i had to get a plumber to take apart the flooring and panels, costing hundreds again. so be warned i dont know what the normal bath are like but do not bother with the wirlpool systems i had the top of the range they do costing just under £3000 what a waste of money.