New Bathroom Suite - Steel or Plastic Bath?

Legacy_user

Hi,

We are in the process of doing up our bathroom and want to replace the whole suite. I've been reading some of the previous posts here and read suggestions of getting a steel bath from a local plumber for around £99.

Is it better to get a steel one than plastic? My other half is suggesting plastic as it's lighter and possibly easier to fit.

I am hoping to pick one up at the easter weekend if there are any good deals to be had either online or at a shop. We need the whole suite plus taps. Nothing fancy, just something in a simple style.

Has anyone had a good experience of the bathstore...

Thanks in advance...

scotsbob

Can't help with Bathstore.

Had to make the choice between plastic and steel a couple of years ago. Went for steel because we have a shower over the bath and when standing in the shower plastic flexes and bends more than steel. However, plastic keeps the water warmer for longer than steel. If going for plastic you would be better to avoid the very cheap thinner plastics, especially if you are going to be standing in it.

IronMaidenFan

I used Bath Store just over a year ago - no major problems with them. I ordered a pedestal sink, toilet and a steel Kaldewei bath and bath panels. When the items were delivered the toilet cistern had a crack in it :mad: but this was replaced without fuss and within a few days

Like Scotsbob says, if you are going to be showering over the bath then a steel one is much more sturdy but if bathing then the water cools quicker in a steel bath (not a problem for me as I prefer showing). I went for a Kaldewei bath as they come with a 30 year guarantee and it still looks as good as the day it was installed - easy to clean too due to the super smooth enamel coating. I wouldn't personally go back to a plastic one.

Starrystarrynight

No experience of Bathstore but I did have a steel bath for a long time. It always looked brand new as opposed to some of the plastic ones I've seen. I never found the water temperature to be a problem.

hermum

Steel everytime it will last forever virtually & is usually deeper. If you want a plain suite B&Q do a contract suite that's really quite cheap & is very plain, one of the cheapest I've seen.

Owain_Moneysaver

Another vote for steel. I hate plastic baths.

Insulate round the bath with loft insulation before fitting the panel if you want to keep the water warm.

Red_Cat

I would agree with steel. They are usually pressed steel and enamel coated. I had one fitted at my old place and miss it in my current home where we have an acrylic one which doesn't look as good.

System

Thanks guys, steel seems to come out on top so far judging by the responses. Just hoping to pick up a good deal over the easter weekend, a friend mentioned that during bank holidays sometimes you can get an extra % of certain goods..

Primrose

Having had both types, I'd opt for a high quality plastic unless your bath will be containing very heavy obese people. The water in steel baths seems to go cold far more quickly than in plastic, and if you like a nice long hot soak, you'll be paying for a lot of hot water heating.

Philycheesesteak

I got a reasonably priced bathroom set from B&Q at my last house and it had a steal bath. (I didn't fit it though)...

I had no issues with the water going cold quicker.

It was a good bath and no issues with the sealant moving or splitting... unlike the plastic one I have in the new build.

I did drop something in my old bath chipping the enable but a blob of enable paint and it was right as rain... the plastic one does seem to be harder to clean and if you scratch it you've scratched it... If your bathroom has a lot of sunlight, the plastic ones discolour quicker.

_______________________________________________________________________________________
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WestonDave

We had a plastic one and it scratched too easily (kids playing with bath toys). If you are worried about a steel one going cold, stuff the space under and around it with loft insulation before putting the side panel on.