Is there difference in baths

googlejuice

Hi, I'm looking to redo my whole bathroom so need new bath, toilet, sink and shower(over bath), shower screen, radiator, extractor fan.

I've tried doing my research but am non the wiser. All shops/salesmen/plumbers say different things.

My question: is there a difference in baths and items?

BetterBathrooms are quoting me £1300 for everything, while a local shop is charging £2000 but telling me their baths and sink/cabinet are of a higher quality.

I don't mind saving a bit longer and paying more if it means better quality products that will last longer.

Any advice?

Avoriaz

There is a huge difference in the quality of baths and sanitary ware, usually but not always increasing with price.

As in most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Baths that are cheap are cheap for a reason. They may be very thin and flex when you use them.

Within reason, you should buy the best quality that you can afford.

Having said all that, you can get decent quality at competitive prices so shop around and check out as many options as you can and don't commit until you know exactly what you are buying.

Ask that local shop to explain why their products are worth the extra cost. Ask them to detail in what ways their products are of higher quality than BB.

robatwork

Avoriaz wrote: »

Ask that local shop to explain why their products are worth the extra cost. Ask them to detail in what ways their products are of higher quality than BB.

Avoriaz is correct - but even if they try to explain the differences they can still be confusing. When I was shopping around I was told in one shop that I had to have "5mm acrylic or above" for the bath, whereas another told me that "3 or 4mm is fine" as long as it's good quality acrylic "like they have".

Not terribly helpful as they were both obviously experts but ultimately salesmen.

You probably want to look for a recognised brand.

googlejuice

Thanks Avoriaz and Robatwork. That's my problem, they all keep telling me conflicting things. I've also been told that the baths should be a minimum of 5mm but apparently all the ones I've been shown are. One had an extra coat of acrylic for additional ridigity but that didn't really tell me much.

I wish I was a plumber and knew what I was doing.

A.Penny.Saved

There are so many different combinations that it is difficult to judge based upon total price alone. There are different types of showers, which ones did they specify? For example one may specify a £300 electric shower and another might specify a £60 electric shower. Another might specify a power shower and another a mixer type.

There are metal baths, acrylic baths, corner baths, P shape shower baths, double ended baths, single ended baths, baths with water waste near the centre.

[EDIT]
Have you figured in bath panels?

Basins with pedestal, vanity unit, wall hung. Different types of taps and locations.

Radiators, towel rails - straight or curved, white, chrome or stainless steel. Regular radiators, in many different sizes with single or dual panel and single or dual convector.

Shower screens can vary as well and some are more suitable for certain bathrooms.

This gives you an idea of how many variables there can be before you even consider build quality.

rustyboy21

What you have to take into account with a bath, is how you are going to use it. I know that sounds strange, but if you are having a bath fitted, but most of the time you will be standing in it under the shower, you NEED to get the strongest base to it, as you can. Think about it, If you are showering in it, you will be standing in near enough the same part of it every time you use it. If there are 'Heavier' members of the family ( politest way I could put it ! ) Then the strain on the acrylic will be at its worst. The weight if bathing will be more uniform, so not as critical.


My bath fitted 4 years ago, was the strongest I could get (!) It had 10mm marine plyboard sealed into it's base and was thick acrylic too. It took 3 men to carry it upstairs and isn't moving anywhere ! The guys that did mine, said they hadn't lifted a bath so heavy before and were seriously thinking of taking the bathroom window out to hoist it up, fortunately they didn't need to, but it weighed a ton. The co I got it from have gone bust, but they are still sold elsewhere Link to the manufacturer below. Don't scrimp on a cheap bath, you can save on the loo, tiles and sink, but not a bath. It is the hardest part to swap if anything goes wrong, the others are easier.


http://trojanplastics.co.uk/trojan-cast/

forgotmyname

No idea on the above manufacturer but he mentions something that's easy to check.

10mm marine ply sealed into the base. Cheaper baths will just have a board glued to the base not sealed in.

Check the board underneath is it visible or covered in the same material as the bath?

I am glad ours has a decent base. Daughter fell in the bath and came down very heavily. The bath actually dropped almost 1/2". No damage to the bath itself though. Just had to adjust the legs back up to meet the drip strip.

EmmyLou30

I went with 8mm with an integral base board and it's super solid without being too much of a monster to lift into place. I'm 16 stone and we use it for showering so I wanted it to be durable. Like the previous poster said, it does depend if you shower in it. For the sake of a few extra quid get something decent, not the 3-4mm thickness like the tat from Homebase/B&Q etc. Mine was a Heritage one from Bathroom Village.

googlejuice

Thanks guys, that's all useful stuff to know. I'm going back and seeing what they say about the thickness as it's not mentioned on the websites. I'll keep you posted.