Recommendations for a Steel Bath

Davesnave

We're refurbishing a couple of bathrooms/shower rooms and want to go with a steel bath in the house bathroom.

While we've had a steel bath previously, that was a Bette which set us back about £600.....and then we moved!

I see Bette and others, especially Kaldewi, do cheaper models around the £250 mark, but will I notice much difference if I buy one of these instead of a > £500 bath?

In other words, is there a happy medium? Most of the time we just shower.

Experiences positive and negative welcome.

daveyjp

No issues with our £90 Kaldewei bath we had installed about 11 years ago. Bathstore still sell it, priced at £149.

andyhop

You can get Bette items for around £300. Kaldewei are pretty much equal too

Is there a reason for wanting steel? Carron baths especially there carronite items are very strong with little to no flex , retain heat better and have a wider range of styles over pressed steel . Similar priced to a entry level bette

Davesnave

There's no particular preference for steel on my behalf, but she who must have equal input likes them.

She's been impressed ever since the salesman hurled his car keys at the demo model in the showroom back in 2006. Probably didn't do much for his keys and I've still found no reason to do similarly, but on a bad day a certain member of our family might.

andyhop

Enamel surface is a little tougher but both will chip if mis-used . I find plastic suit most of my customers wanting durability and function. A discoloured plastic bath is much easier to polish up and look like new over a scratched steel item

southcoastrgi

I'd go for carronite if you want a super strong bath, it's as much down to the install as the bath in certain cases

andyhop

Ideal standard ideal form + baths are also good

blackshirtuk

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/ceramica-contessa-steel-bath-2432-27242

andyhop

blackshirtuk wrote: »

http://www.plumbworld.co.uk/ceramica-contessa-steel-bath-2432-27242

You can't compare unbranded Chinese crud to the likes of bette, even the carron and ideal items are decent uk made items

Davesnave

Thanks for all your input. My dear wife seems open to the idea of a Carronite bath after all, so we'll have a look at those too.

I have no worries about the installer, who will put in adequate wall bracing.

Smiley_Dan

Definitely buy a steel bath, plastic ones are crap.

Normally the price relates to how common a stock item it is - the more expensive ones are more unusual shapes or ratios. If you can work out a way of fitting a common shape in, you're good.