Weight of acrylic bath
Consultants in the store in one voice praise acrylic baths. One of the advantages is considered a low weight of acrylic products. Definitely it is convenient if the lifting and installation of the bath is done by your own forces. But are such vessels strong enough? It is important, because the repair in the bathroom is usually done for a long time and fundamentally. In addition, in addition to the weight of the owner, such a bathtub will also have to hold water. Can acrylic handle such loads?
What does the weight depend on?
From physics course we know that the weight of objects depends on the density and specific gravity of the base material. In the case of an acrylic bath, it is correct to say that its weight is the sum of the surface area, thickness of the product, its size, shape, availability of additional equipment and options.
How much does a bathtub with and without whirlpool weigh?
The simplest acrylic bath of standard parameters weighs maximum 25-30 kg. The weight of 15-20 kg is considered normal for a 1.5 m long container, while for 1.7 m length, the standard weight is 20-25 kg.
If you have chosen a modern model with additional options in the form of hydro and aero-massage, you should take into account that its weight will increase by about 2 times. Additional equipment, pipes, plumbing and electrical systems weigh the construction by a maximum of 30 kg.
What does it affect?
The lightness of acrylic is an advantage. However, any lightweight structure with a slight shift in the center of gravity can easily topple over. It is this prospect that frightens our compatriots, forcing them to choose non-reachable samples of steel and cast iron.
In addition, the weight of a standard acrylic bath is an indicator of quality. Too light capacities with the same weightless price - a clever marketing ploy. Most likely, the thickness of the material is small, and thus a large and even standard load is unlikely to withstand.
If you are going to buy a non-standard acrylic bathtub or make it to order, then ask about the weight of competitive counterparts. The weight of similar samples with the same set of functions or volume parameters can't differ much.
The weight of acrylic bathtub can affect the complexity of delivery, lifting to the apartment and its installation. It is logical that simple models can be moved by 1 person, and to bring the bathtub into the room will require a maximum of 1 helper. The situation may become more complicated with non-standard parameters. Although this question is unlikely to bother the buyer: most likely it will be an order, which means that the cost and installation services are already budgeted.
The stability of acrylic is calculated and verified. Standard samples are not much different, besides there are a lot of options to give additional reliability in the form of stands and catwalks. In this case, the chances of overturning an acrylic bath is not much higher than that of a heavyweight cast-iron. To move the latter from place to place (at a weight of about 150 kg) is difficult even for two strong men, and it is just uncomfortable to do it with a large group.
What kind of load is it able to withstand?
With high-quality execution acrylic bath length of 170 cm can easily withstand the weight of half a ton. So if you want to take 100 liters of water (that's 100 kg), and then get in by yourself at 150 kg (it's all hypothetical), you still have a decent margin of safety of 250 kg.
Such serious training is possible thanks to manufacturing technology: acrylic has to have a base (glass fiber and resistant plastic are used for this purpose) on which acrylic is placed in layers. Since the main load in the bath is on the bottom, it is reinforced by additional layers of material-base, acrylic and a special base.
Advantages of low weight
As mentioned earlier, there is no need to hire a team of movers, because to move an ordinary acrylic model is enough and a couple of people, and not athletes.
The small mass of the bath becomes an advantage in the operation of the floor and floors: there will be less load on them, so such products can be safely placed in summer houses and cottages on the second floor of the house and above. Placing hygienic rooms in the house not downstairs has become a trend adopted from well-appointed European private homes.
Disadvantages
The thickness of products for the bathroom is a very important parameter. After installation comes the process of domestic use, and here, in addition to the weight of the owner, time will be ruthless. Acrylic bathtubs cannot boast of "eternal" service life, they will last for several decades.
But it is possible to make a correction of the coating, and continue to use products made of acrylic. But the possible deformation over time is a real threat. It will not manifest itself soon, so you can enjoy your bath for the next 10 years.
Such a bath has a significant drawback in the form of poor tolerance of high temperature. You should not pour almost boiling water into it. Again, acrylic can simply "hang" from such neglect.
Because of the small thickness of the water cools quickly, but the long reception of water procedures - this is for the amateur.
To avoid failure in the choice, you need to remember the simple rules:
- Trust the professionals. Low prices from newcomers to the market can turn into trouble. Ask for certificates of quality and conformity of products, compare the specified characteristics with the words of the seller. If they differ, then look for another store. The market for such services is huge.
- Pay attention to the top layer of acrylic: 4-8 mm its recommended thickness.
- Cast acrylic will last longer.
- Unpleasant chemical odors are evidence of poor quality. Trust the nose.
- Models with plumb and straight outer walls are, by design, more stable than spherical and asymmetrical ones.
When you find your perfect acrylic bathtub, you'll know how to test its quality. Have a great shopping experience!
