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Housekeeping

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Original poster

baths - anyone know anything about them?!

22 replies

unicorn · 03/02/2007 18:14

I am baffled by the amount of choice.

We are planning to get the bathroom refurbed but haven't a clue what the difference is between a steel bath and an acrylic, and even acrylic's come in many, many forms.
Just want a nice new bath (that has a shower mixer attachment, for kids hair)

Anybody got an idiots guide to baths - or can point me in the right direction?
thanks

OP posts:
TLV · 03/02/2007 18:30

only know that a steel bath is heavier that an acrylic (is acrylic easier to scratch/mark?), only advice i would say is get a bath with the handles on side, just had a new bathroom suite put in a few weeks ago and its great for my dd to hold on too and for me for getting out

themoon66 · 03/02/2007 18:46

Your water goes cold a lot quicker in a metal bath.

MrsSpartacus · 03/02/2007 18:53

a lovely bath

Original poster
unicorn · 03/02/2007 19:08

thanks!

anyone got tradesperson (oh so pc!) knowledge?

steel vs acrylic which is best?
and, ideally narrow it down and tell me which bath to get please!!!!!!

OP posts:
themoon66 · 03/02/2007 20:05

I think if you want a shower over the bath, then you have to pick a particular type of bath that allows this. I saw a Sarah Beenie type property show last night on telly where a couple had installed a shower over the bath and it flooded into the room below. The lady of the house said she never realised you couldnt just put a shower on any old bath.

JustSometimes · 03/02/2007 20:44

Want a shower in a bath = steel bath as acrylic can split / break.

Steel baths can scratch if something is dropped in them, so make sure when fitting the inside is well-protected from labourers tools and hang anyone who even mentions the words ' let the grouting and tile cement drop in it - it will wash out fine. It doesn't wihtout leaving scratches.

Acrylic is easy - just not very strong unless you check the thickness.

Also cheeck the length of the bath you need. They do come in different lengths.

Original poster
unicorn · 03/02/2007 21:35

thanks.. we have got a shower over bath - so I guess that is why previous bath was steel...spose we have to stay steel?

taps.. now,a whole new ball game.. can I get a tap/ shower mixer combo for any bath, and why is it some baths come with no tap holes?

I am in a territory I have never been before!

OP posts:
wheresthehamster · 03/02/2007 22:03

We have had a quote from a plumber to fit a new suite and have decided to go ahead so I am watching this thread with interest.

We are having a new shower and I had assumed acrylic baths were fine. The current bath is steel but I wouldn't have realised why.

There's so many choices, I'm dreading having to make a choice of tiles and flooring as well.

Does anyone recommend the baths that bulge out at one end where the shower is?

milge · 03/02/2007 22:03

We have just put new baths in - we went for steel baths from a german company called Bette. We went for steel as we are all quite "well padded" and our previous acrylic bath used to creak alarmingly if ds and I got in the bath at the same time, which we like to do. Ours do not have tap holes as the taps are on the wall. You virtually need a degree to order a new bathroom these days. Steel baths are stronger but do lose heat quicker( so you have to keep refilling if you want a long hot bath). I would recommend an Aqualisa shower for over the bath - very powerful.

Original poster
unicorn · 03/02/2007 22:15

huzzah!
we already have an aqualisa shower.. so something is ok!

now, baths that bulge, or not bulge?

...a whole new ball game!!!

why is life so complicated these days?!

OP posts:
wheresthehamster · 03/02/2007 22:47

Thank goodnesss this isn't the seventies we'd also have to choose the colour.
Avocado, Pampas, Turquoise, Crimson....

Cat111 · 14/06/2010 15:37

We have recently moved into a rental property with a Bette bath while our house is being renovated - we like it so much that we're now going to use Bette baths in our new house!

NumptyMum · 14/06/2010 15:56

We got a Kaldewei bath (steel); I'd recommend going to a showroom and sitting in their baths though! We did this, and it's the reason we got the bath we did as some are just not comfortable to relax in. OK, you feel a fool leaping in and out of baths in the showroom (go when it's quiet!) but it really pays off when you relax in your own bath later. We actually got the bath via the internet as it was much cheaper...

NumptyMum · 14/06/2010 15:58

Pretty sure I got the bath from Bathrooms365 (around 4yrs ago now); they were great. Plumber was a bit more hit and miss though...

Monty100 · 14/06/2010 15:58

I have a shower over the bath, I got a Keyhole bath (not to be confused with a 'p' bath). The Keyhold bath is round at one end where the shower is.

MrsJohnDeere · 14/06/2010 16:04

Strongly recommend trying them out. We've got two, one steel and one acrylic, both the same length and width and make, but in slightly different shapes. The steel one just doesn't work for me at all - I can't lie down and read in it. Also the water in the steel one gets cold really quickly - great for children, not so great for long relazing soaks.

ditavonteesed · 14/06/2010 16:04

I have a bog standard acryilic bath from b&q, only fitted a few weeks ago, to replace a bog standard acrylic bath, we have a shower over it, no shaped bit, not handles, I love it.

LadyLapsang · 14/06/2010 16:30

We have a really nice one from Villeroy & Boch, round and flat at one end for the shower but when I looked on their website they don't appear to do it any more. However, just saw a similar bath on eBay, brand new from Fired Earth (adamsez mezza shower bath), bidding ends in 2 days (current bid £50) - Middlesex area.

bacon · 14/06/2010 17:07

With acrylic you go for thickness. The thinner the cheaper. Its the taps that cost once again cheap will stain so better the quality you can afford in the long term its cost efffective.

Hotel baths are steel try "Bette" http://www.bette.co.uk/ or www.kaldewei.com/ which you can pick up reseasonable price. If they use them they want longalivity, good cleaning and quality finish.

Try this company www.bathroomexpress.co.uk/

Avoid any DIY special offer go to a proper bathroom centre better again if not a chain.

Gentleness · 15/06/2010 00:06

We got a cheapy steel bath from Screwfix or similar, and it feels cheap and has a chip in it where our plumber must have dropped a tile and tried to cover up the chip with some of that pain-on stuff which came off a couple of weeks in. I SO regret doing that bathroom in a rush and assuming that all steel baths were the same. Oh, and hiring an inexperienced plumber who tried to do the job alone and told us he could tile...

Gentleness · 15/06/2010 00:11

ok, painT-on

Evenstar · 15/06/2010 00:30

We have a Carronite bath which is reinforced acrylic as strong as a steel bath, but obviously warmer! Link here with some information www.bathroomexpress.co.uk/help/help_baths_carron.htm

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