Reinforced bath panels

[blearyeyedboy]

Dear Wise DIY Men and Women of PH,

I'm planning a bathroom refit. I like the idea of a reinforced acrylic bath because I'm a fat lump powerfully built type.
I'm not keen on a steel bath because I'm a wimpy snowflake not keen on getting into a chilly bathtub in winter.

However, the catalogue I'm looking at also mentions reinforced side/end panels.

Is there any point in reinforced bath panels? At first glance it seems like a load of cobblers, but I wonder if there's something that I'm not getting about the whole issue.

Thanks,

Blearyeyedboy

[Ilovejapcrap]

Not sure but some bath panels are thin as st so maybe it’s got more substance ?

[gizlaroc]

blearyeyedboy said:

I'm not keen on a steel bath because I'm not keen on getting into a chilly bathtub in winter.

Just do realise that it will only be chilly if you fill it with chilly water?

[blearyeyedboy]

gizlaroc said:

Just do realise that it will only be chilly if you fill it with chilly water?

With no disrespect meant, I think you've missed the point of an acrylic bath.

Steel is a better conductor than acrylic, so on a cold day your bath water will cool down quicker in a steel bath compared to an acrylic one.

I've had both, the difference is noticeable. It's a First World Problem, admittedly, but steel is good if you need something strong and cheap. I'm not aware of any other advantages of a steel bath.

[Saleen836]

blearyeyedboy said:

gizlaroc said:

Just do realise that it will only be chilly if you fill it with chilly water?

With no disrespect meant, I think you've missed the point of an acrylic bath.

Steel is a better conductor than acrylic, so on a cold day your bath water will cool down quicker in a steel bath compared to an acrylic one.

I've had both, the difference is noticeable. It's a First World Problem, admittedly, but steel is good if you need something strong and cheap. I'm not aware of any other advantages of a steel bath.

A good steel bath will not flex/move so a lot less need to keep re-sealing, you can always fill arounf the underside of the bath with loft insulation to help retain the heat.

[DonkeyApple]

blearyeyedboy said:

With no disrespect meant, I think you've missed the point of an acrylic bath.

Steel is a better conductor than acrylic, so on a cold day your bath water will cool down quicker in a steel bath compared to an acrylic one.

I've had both, the difference is noticeable. It's a First World Problem, admittedly, but steel is good if you need something strong and cheap. I'm not aware of any other advantages of a steel bath.

Very true. But with a steel bath you could spray the underside with foam to retain the heat. Plus, the foam has the huge advantage of cushioning your landing when you fall through the floor.

[Saleen836]

DonkeyApple said:

blearyeyedboy said:

With no disrespect meant, I think you've missed the point of an acrylic bath.

Steel is a better conductor than acrylic, so on a cold day your bath water will cool down quicker in a steel bath compared to an acrylic one.

I've had both, the difference is noticeable. It's a First World Problem, admittedly, but steel is good if you need something strong and cheap. I'm not aware of any other advantages of a steel bath.

Very true. But with a steel bath you could spray the underside with foam to retain the heat. Plus, the foam has the huge advantage of cushioning your landing when you fall through the floor.

According to a lot of websites that sell both types of bath all say the steel bath retains heat longer than acrylic anyway

[gizlaroc]

blearyeyedboy said:

gizlaroc said:

Just do realise that it will only be chilly if you fill it with chilly water?

With no disrespect meant, I think you've missed the point of an acrylic bath.

Steel is a better conductor than acrylic, so on a cold day your bath water will cool down quicker in a steel bath compared to an acrylic one.

I've had both, the difference is noticeable. It's a First World Problem, admittedly, but steel is good if you need something strong and cheap. I'm not aware of any other advantages of a steel bath.

With no disrespect..............you're wrong.


Steel will not be as warm to start with, but once you have filled it with water it will keep the water warmer for longer.


Mind you, I guess there will be variations on this depending on thickness etc.

[hyphen]

Seeing as heat rises, is there much point debating between steel/acrylic heat retention properties unless you are getting some sort of lid made for it too!

[dazwalsh]

Reinforced bath panels offer no structural support at all to the bath itself. they have a second layer of plastic on the inside with vertical ribs that keep the panel upright and less prone to flexing. They are worth the slight increase in price.

I would also use steel baths, more robust and wont flex and break the seal. One of the best baths out there for value is the 80 quid one from screwfix, not advertised but they are actually made by kaldewei and very strong. I have fit loads of them in my btls

Edited by dazwalsh on Monday 23 April 14:36

[blearyeyedboy]

Hmm. Fair points on steel, people. Hadn't thought of foam underneath.

I'll have a rethink, thanks.

As for the side panels, sounds like reinforced ones are a load of tosh as I suspected. Thanks.

[Swervin_Mervin]

We've had 2 Kaldewei steel baths and love them. They're very cost effective and they just feel nicer, both to the touch and in terms of solidity. Never noticed that heat loss is any different to an acrylic one, but as noted above, heat rises so the loss will mostly occur from the top.

[Saleen836]

Swervin_Mervin said:

We've had 2 Kaldewei steel baths and love them. They're very cost effective and they just feel nicer, both to the touch and in terms of solidity. Never noticed that heat loss is any different to an acrylic one, but as noted above, heat rises so the loss will mostly occur from the top.

I have a Kaldewei and paid a fair bit for it (over £300) it is however 3.5mm steel and very heavy @ circa 50kg, took me a while to find the right size for me as internal dimensions on most are just crap, and as mine is basically a big shower tray I wanted decent foot space
This is the mdel I have..
https://www.bathe.net.au/baths-showertrays/details...

[shtu]

Kaldewei are excellent quality baths, and not expensive. And indeed, they retain heat very well - I don't claim to understand why, but found them to be very good in this respect.

[dazwalsh]

blearyeyedboy said:

Hmm. Fair points on steel, people. Hadn't thought of foam underneath.

I'll have a rethink, thanks.

As for the side panels, sounds like reinforced ones are a load of tosh as I suspected. Thanks.

It all depends on how flimsy the non reinforced panel is, ive trimmed the outer edge off a stabdard one before to get it to fit and the whole thing bent under its own weight, ive seen thicker cling film.

The reinforced ones are stronger and wont flex, and can withstand a light breeze without cracking or deforming. IMO they are worth it.

[Swervin_Mervin]

Saleen836 said:

Swervin_Mervin said:

We've had 2 Kaldewei steel baths and love them. They're very cost effective and they just feel nicer, both to the touch and in terms of solidity. Never noticed that heat loss is any different to an acrylic one, but as noted above, heat rises so the loss will mostly occur from the top.

I have a Kaldewei and paid a fair bit for it (over £300) it is however 3.5mm steel and very heavy @ circa 50kg, took me a while to find the right size for me as internal dimensions on most are just crap, and as mine is basically a big shower tray I wanted decent foot space
This is the mdel I have..
https://www.bathe.net.au/baths-showertrays/details...

We had the thinner Saniform in our last place. Bought it to tart he bathroom up and replace the cheapo acrylic one fitted by the housebuilder. Cost us £99 and it was superb.

Went for the Saniform Plus in our current place, so looks the same but the thinker 3.5mm steel. Can't remember the cost but still not too badly priced IIRC

Also have a Kaldewei shower try in the en-suite. Much more cost effective than many of the stone and resin ones, looks just as nice, and is still very sturdy.