Steel Baths - Would you install one?

epz_2

cast iron baths last for ever, why not get it resprayed a different colour (we did it, our was avacado) and change the rest of the suite, can be done pretty cheap and a lot less hassle than lugging a cast iron monster about.

never_enough

epz wrote: »

cast iron baths last for ever, why not get it resprayed a different colour (we did it, our was avacado) and change the rest of the suite, can be done pretty cheap and a lot less hassle than lugging a cast iron monster about.

Does it need to be in really good condition to do that? Our huge (but sadly primrose yellow ) cast iron bath has quite bad water staining or calcium build up or something from drippy tap. I can't shift the marks. It also has a couple of small chips. It's original to the house & I'd love to keep it if a repaint would work, I've just heard that they don't do a very good job.

tiamai_d

I have a steel bath, from screwfix, and its fine.

Don't notice it getting colder any sooner ( and I have been known to have a 2 hour bath, without topping it up!)

Its easier to clean too.

HugoSP

Having fitted both in our properties, I would go for steel.

They look better, they last longer and they don't move as much.

However you should pay careful attention to equipotential bonding. They need to be connected to the copper pipes supplying it via a suitable sized earth cable and clamps etc. Your cast iron bath may be connected in this way.

Why, you may say. So that in the event of a live earth occurin, every metal fixture in the bathroom is then at the same potential, so if you touch say the sink tap whilst you are in the bath you don't get killed.

Fibreglass baths are non conducting so you don't have this issue.

mchu6am4

Many many thanks for all your replies!!! I think you've made my mind - other questions is what you boys/girls think of the above suite I am interested in buying? I am hoping its 3.5mm thickness but will check before buying! Anyone else recommend another decent/durable looking suite in the price range.

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=22820&ts=95943

mchu6am4

mchu6am4 wrote: »

Many many thanks for all your replies!!! I think you've made my mind - other questions is what you boys/girls think of the above suite I am interested in buying? I am hoping its 3.5mm thickness but will check before buying! Anyone else recommend another decent/durable looking suite in the price range.

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=22820&ts=95943

To my horror, the above bath is only 1.6mm thick steel and not the normal 3.5mm Kalwedei do!!!!!:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

paddy's_mum

I too have had both and would go for the steel every time. Can't cope with all those scratchy flexing sounds you get with anything plasticky. I'm always afraid the bottom will fall out and then my bottom will fall out!

When our last steel bath was installed, our plumber pushed in some big slabs of yellow rockwool insulation all around and under the bath. It certainly makes the water remain warmer for longer and is no great job to ease out again if you need to attend to pipework etc under the bath at any time. Simple and effective. Hope that helps.

Canucklehead

Good evening: IMHO the thickness of the bath is less of an issue for steel than it is for acrylic. Less expensive steel baths tend to be 1.5mm and my OH, Corgi Guy, has installed 100s over the years without any problems.You should pop into your local plumbers' merchants eg. City Plumbing, PTS, Plumb Center and check out what they have available in your price range...you should be able to find a bathroom suite for a reasonable price...look for the Leicico or Roca ranges for example. See www.cityplumbing.co.uk or www.ptsplumbing.co.uk for a shop near you

HTH

Canucklehead

leetread

The Kaldewei Saniform Plus is an excellent bath, however from a suppliers point of view an absolute nightmare. Enamelled baths can be so easily damaged and do suffer a greater heat loss. The one option no one has suggested is an acrylic bath with the additional reinforcement layer on the underside, something such as Carronite or Trojanite you get all the performance of a rigid steel bath with the added benefits that acrylic baths have brought us.

adr0ck

steel bath everytime

please avoid plastic ....they just simply break