Quick question-acrylic bath

twopenny

What thickness should I be looking for?

I'm told thin ones creak. I'm female, 5'2" and while not as slim as I was pre pandemic, relatively light.
I need to know that should I have one of my heavier friends use it, it will remain intact.

Looking at basic baths, nothing fancy or desirable as it has to have handles so I'm sort of limited and frankly after waiting 4yrs any bath seems desirable so anything else you know would be gratefully welcome.

casper_gutman

We've got the cheapest we could find, and it doesn't creak. I can't imagine it's especially thick, but the installers put plenty of work into building a rigid studwork frame to support it well, which probably helps.

twopenny

Good point Casper.

I'll add that to the ever growing list of work I require from the fitter.
  

Slinky

Have a look at Kaldewei steel baths. Good quality, we've had 2, and not excessively expensive. I know how you feel waiting for a bath, had my first one for 3.5 years last weekend and it was wonderful.

BUFF

it's not just down to the thickness of the acrylic sheet (e.g. 5mm, 8mm) that it is formed from  but also the type, position & thickness of the reinforcement & also how the whole is supported.

grumbler

IMO, the problem is often because of the chipboard supporting the bottom.

Chipboard isn't strong enough for this even when new and things get worse with time.

daveyjp

Slinky said:

Have a look at Kaldewei steel baths. Good quality, we've had 2, and not excessively expensive. I know how you feel waiting for a bath, had my first one for 3.5 years last weekend and it was wonderful.

Agree, especially if buying to a budget.  A decent acrylic bath isn't cheap, thin ones will flex if not installed correctly.

twopenny

Thank you for the information, thats really helpful in my understanding. 
I'm getting really stressed with this because I don't know what I need to request and where I might get taken advantage of.  
Knowledge gives me more control - or the illusion thereof 

Slinky, I had a pressed steel bath before. £10 in true MSE style, with no tap holes so we spent Christmas taking in turns to drill them. Tempoary measure that ended up lasting 30yrs!
You make me feel better....can't wait!

Next problem showers. But will chat to suppliers tomorrow re what is still available  post pandemic from my original choices.

Doozergirl

Conversation here that fits your bill:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6375018/recommendations-for-a-bath/p1

The Carron Integra? 

twopenny

Excellent! 
That's the sort of grab bar I wanted and couldn't find too.

Trapped nerve means sometimes I need help with balance or can't lift my leg. 

Doozergirl

That sounds horrid, you poor thing! 😔