Acrylic or steel bath?

Flamingo_2

Hello
We are in the process of choosing a new bathroom suite and i'd like some advice please as this is our 1st bit of major home improvements!
Our plumber has factored into his quote a steel bath. He tolds us to look for a suit we like, email him the deatails and he will source it from his suppliers for cheaper than on the highstreet. We found a very reasonably priced suite that we like in Focus (haven't seen similar elsewhere) but it only comes in acrylic.
It's this one: http://www.focusdiy.co.uk/Bathroom-Suites/Oxford-Suite/invt/229371
The bath will be used as a shower/bath and i'm wondering if acrylic will be robust enough - have heard that after a while they can "sag" at the shower end where all the usage/standing takes place, and therefore start to move and creek. Is this correct?
Would an acrylic bath be suitable for our needs?
Thanks in advance.

looby-loo_2

I changed to steel and it just looks so much better but it doesn't keep the water as hot so I have lagged with fibreglass left over from the loft and it is much better. I have a ceramic shower base too so one didn't show up the other IYSWIM.

No idea if it would sag but I know they come in diferent thicknesses so the thicker the better perhaps

Edinburghlass_2

The basin and toilet look similar to the "To Go" range in B&Q which are pretty reasonable and they do what they call a "trade" steel bath in white for around £70 without taps. You could perhaps tart the basin up with better taps and get matching ones for the bath. Have a look at what taps you like then check out Ebay. I decided on the kitchen tap I wanted and found it half the price on Ebay, I think the seller was something like Grandtaps.

MrsE_2

Steel every time, plastic baths are horrible.

andyhop

Price comes into it

I can supply IdealForm plastic baths that are as stong as steel, Up to 10mm thick on the sides and are as heavy as a cheaper low end steel bath.These cost around £300 after Trade discount

Steel baths range in price from £60 for a Twyfords Celtic to £600+ for a Bette bath

You need to be paying approx £150 for a decent acrylic bath after trade discount

Canucklehead

Flamingo wrote: »

Hello
We are in the process of choosing a new bathroom suite and i'd like some advice please as this is our 1st bit of major home improvements!
Our plumber has factored into his quote a steel bath. He tolds us to look for a suit we like, email him the deatails and he will source it from his suppliers for cheaper than on the highstreet. We found a very reasonably priced suite that we like in Focus (haven't seen similar elsewhere) but it only comes in acrylic.
It's this one: http://www.focusdiy.co.uk/Bathroom-Suites/Oxford-Suite/invt/229371
The bath will be used as a shower/bath and i'm wondering if acrylic will be robust enough - have heard that after a while they can "sag" at the shower end where all the usage/standing takes place, and therefore start to move and creek. Is this correct?
Would an acrylic bath be suitable for our needs?
Thanks in advance.

Good morning: Excellent advice from the Bathroom Manufacturers Association is available here

We have had, and the OH fits, both types.

HTH

Canucklehead

iamana1ias

I hate steel baths. The water loses temperature really quickly. Much prefer a cosy acrylic one that stays warm for ages. Nothing worse than sitting in a bath of cold water waiting for the water boiler to heat up again

Norma_Desmond

We bought a beautiful repro roll top bath in acrylic - and it looks fabulous.
It's deep and luxurious and keeps the water hot for ages.
I'd look into the weight of a steel bath too and make sure that your floorboards wouldn't have to be reinforced.

IM

Steel all the way- plastic is just so....plastic.

We did our bathroom a couple of months back and I was determined to have the biggest tub I could fit in. Got a 1900 x 800 Bette.

Wasn't cheap, even off eBay, but I figured it's going to be there a while - and there's nothing better as a 6' 2"-er to actually be able to lie down and soak.

27col

Plastic all the way- steel is just so....steel.
If we are having a vote I go for a better quality plastic. If only because of the heat loss from a steel bath.

IM

27col wrote: »

Plastic all the way- steel is just so....steel.
If we are having a vote I go for a better quality plastic. If only because of the heat loss from a steel bath.

LOL...

This business about heat loss... How long do you folks spend in the bath, for it to be an issue?