Best bathrooms brands for bathtub?

IvyFlood

Looking for a single ended bath that will be tiled in but I'm overwhelmed by the choices in all the brochures I've got.

Can anyone recommend good brands they've used?

Also, is acrylic the norm? Does it age ok?

danrv

I fitted an AS Sandringham acrylic bath to my bathroom project. Seems good quality and money saving at £150. Easy to lift too for DIY fitting.
Not sure how acrylic and steel compare for durability but a quality steel one would really last. 

subjecttocontract

We have an enameled steel 'Kaldewei' bath in one of our bathrooms, it came with a 25 year guarantee.  It's been in place 15 years and still looks like new.......so there is no reason not to recommend it. But pricy though.

Doozergirl

Carron baths.  You don't the more expensive reinforced bath itself but the reinforced bath panel is really good quality. I can't stand a fussy, flimsy side! 

bex2012

I had a Carron or Carronite bath in my old house which I loved, as it had a special coating which helped keep the bath water hot… I loved that bath, it had a nicely sloping back and headrest which meant you could have a proper soak.

danrv

Doozergirl said:

I can't stand a fussy, flimsy side! 

Yes. I bought the one that goes with the bath from B&Q. Didn’t realize that better alternatives were available. Very bendy and not easy to trim to length as it has moulded ends. I’ll probably get one from Screwfix.

ebc

Another vote for a Carronite bath - we've just had a Carronite Quantum Integra single-ended bath installed and it's great. The plumber who fitted it for us also said Carronite was one of the best baths.
I think it has 2 layers of acrylic moulded round a base board so is very strong and doesn't move when you stand in it (eg if also using it for a shower); and it keeps the water warm for longer as it is better insulated. 
They do lots of shapes in various lengths & widths too. Panels in Carronite are an optional extra (we made our own wood panels for the side & end of the bath and painted them to match the walls).
Very pleased with Carronite.

tacpot12

And another for Carronite. The plumber that fitted it was impressed with the quality, and we have been too. 

IvyFlood

Thanks all. I had been looking at Q4 Bathrooms brochure and they had quite a few Carron/Carronite baths in. The Carronite ones were dearer, I'm guessing its some sort of special coating?

We won't be needing a panel as it will be tiled round.

benson1980

IvyFlood said:

Thanks all. I had been looking at Q4 Bathrooms brochure and they had quite a few Carron/Carronite baths in. The Carronite ones were dearer, I'm guessing its some sort of special coating?

We won't be needing a panel as it will be tiled round.

We have a q4 carron bath. In fact we have quite a bit of q4 stuff in our bathroom- taps, waste etc. So far so good.

carronite is thicker and heavier- whether it’s truly of benefit, I’m not so sure but guess down to personal preference. One of the advertised benefits is that it keeps your bath warm for longer. The plumbers merchant I bought it from advised carron would be just fine for average usage. Three of use our carron bath every day in our household and no complaints

tacpot12

The thicker Carronite material is definitely better if you are on the large size. We have a regular visitor who is 20+ stone, so Carronite was extra insurance for us. The Carronite baths also have thicker support under the bath.