Acrylic or steel bath?

Edinburghlass_2

I'm sure I was told many, many years ago that for a steel bath you should run the cold water first? true or false?

Meepster

A 5mm Acrylic bath is strong enough to hold 1200kg, as long as the cradle is fitted correctly and has at least an 18mm baseboard. Make sure it confirms to the British Standard (I think it is BS4305 or it could be BS4503, it's been a while since I dealt with baths). I saw an experiment, carried out by a manufacturer a few years ago, which had two acrylic baths, one fitted correctly, one fitted so the cradle was uneven and the baseboard was cracked. They then added equal amounts of weight to each one. (They used four stands to hold the weight, with each having the same surface area as human feet, on average, have) The one which had been fitted incorrectly eventually gave up the ghost at something like 200kg. (which, to be fair is still the weight of two big men). They stopped adding the weight at 800kg (something about health and safety) and the other bath was fine...

So to add again, making sure it is installed correctly, will have the greatest impact on how strong and robust they are...

never_enough

I have only ever heard of people removing plastic baths & replacing with metal, not the other way around.
We always have metal at home & water cooling has never been an issue. My oh loves a bath & is often in for more than an hour without the water becoming too cold.

MrsE_2

R&C wrote: »

We are currently trying to decide between a steel and acrylic bath. Our problem is that we are going for a very small 1400 bath so our options are limited.

I can get a 2.3mm steel kaldewei bath for under £100 but it has no handles and we have a young daughter. Alternatively I can get a Carron Delta 5mm acrylic bath with antislip base and handles for more than double the price.

Both have their pros and cons. if I bought the steel one, is it possible to add handles to the bath? and re the acrylic, is the 5mm thickness enough to make it fall into that 'good quality' acrylic bath bracket?

Many Thanks, and sorry for butting in on the OPs thread!

I have one of these. Don't know the thickness but its NOT the thin one.

Flamingo_2

Thank you so, so much to everyone who replied. It's great to have so much advice and experience to hand
I'm off to check out some of the suggestions of places to buy from.
Thank you again.

devotee

I have seen enamel on steel baths chipping which made me order an acrylic bath.