Does anyone have any knowledge whatsoever about baths?

[Anonynonny]

I need a new (cheap) one. Probably acrylic as apparently they keep the water hot longer. But why is the B&Q one only about £70 and the next price up on the bathstore internet store £129? Is there a massive difference in cheapo brands, is it a difference in materials or is it just shape, brand etc?

Sorry for the very boring subject.

Hi are you going to fit it yourself ? Because I always found that a plumber knows where to go to get Reasonable stuff. I have fitted( well supervised) several bathrooms. There is a difference between Villeroy and Bosch but not much between the Bathstore and B&Q. However I would look up a plumbers merchant in your area and they will have baths that they sell to plumbers. They will be more than adequate.
You can also get them on ebay very cheaply, or just trot around Hackney with a barrow and someone will have left one out! Just kidding.

there are (it seems) two grades of acrylic, one thicker than the other. I paid about £120 from a plumbers merchant for the thinner grade, it is ALL in the correct fitting.

you don't want a steel or iron bath as they suck heat out of the water, but apart from that, no real difference.

look at shape, grab rails (almost essential even if you are 25, guests may not be and you never know when you might injure yourself and need them), space round the edge to put stuff and cost of taps etc.

I've got a shower head which keeps falling into my (currently steel, enamelled) bath and has chipped it to bits. Would it break an acrylic bath or are they stronger than that?

It would not break but it might chip or scratch.

Shower hoses are supposed to be routed so the head can't fall into the water.

I see Plumbworld have riser rails starting at £14.98

Thanks, will have a look