Deep cast iron shower tray - selection and installation
Nowadays, a huge number of products for the bathroom is represented in the sales network; these can be either baths, shower enclosures, or pallets separately. That is, you can independently make a place for washing, as long as the necessary elements are on hand.
This option is especially relevant for country and country plots - deep cast-iron shower trays can also perform the function of a bath, especially if the size of the structure is 120x80 or more.
We will consider the main characteristics of products made of cast iron and will affect both their advantages and disadvantages, it will allow you to make the right decision when choosing a specific option.
How to choose a quality product
It should be noted that products made of cast iron will serve you for decades only if they meet a variety of requirements:
| Workmanship | This is very important, since any flaws cause problems - damaged enamel can cause corrosion, and low-quality cast iron is too fragile and can break even from a mild impact. The seller must have a certificate confirming the quality and safety of the structure. |
| Wall thickness | Due to the nature of the fabricated material, the required strength is achieved due to the large wall thickness, so cast iron deep shower trays 90x90 weigh at least 70 kg, if the product is lighter, then it is either made of steel or the quality of work leaves much to be desired. |
| Enamel coating | A very important indicator of a good product is a uniform coating; there should not be even the slightest flaws on the surface. Uniform color, smooth shiny surface - this is what distinguishes good manufacturers |
| Additional elements | In addition to the classic simplest versions, products may have improvements: a ribbed surface to reduce the likelihood of prompting, double-sided enamel coating and decorative legs, which allow not to close the structure, but use it as an original element of the interior. |
Note! Some manufacturers use enameling with silver ions, it is much more resistant to damage and perfectly retains the brightness of color over the years.
Pros and cons of this option
Like any other material, cast iron has its own properties, which are somewhat superior to analogs, but something inferior to them. Consider those and other factors in more detail.
Merits
Of the most significant advantages are the following:
- The democratic price of products. This is very important in cases where funds for the device shower cabin is limited or when the design is done on a country or summer cottage. Spending significant funds on the arrangement of the soul, which is not used most of the year, is at least irrational.
- The material is durable, subject to the elementary rules of care design will serve you for several decades. But it is very important to protect the bottom untreated surface from moisture, since it is corrosive, it can be very badly damaged over time and will become unusable.
Note! When washing and cleaning the shower trays, in no case use abrasive cleaners and metal sponges, as they leave scratches on the surface that affect the appearance of the product. In addition, dirt and deposits are clogged in them, causing stains that cannot be removed.
- The large wall thickness ensures good stability of the structure and its strength. The walls do not need additional reinforcement and even withstand considerable loads. Of course, the fall of a heavy object can damage the coating, but the pallet will not be pierced, as often happens with acrylic structures.
- The ability to make durable designs with high sides allows you to make deep pallets that can perform the function of small baths. It can be said that cast iron is optimal for products with a similar configuration.
- A very big advantage is the noiselessness of the pallet, the thick walls are well damped by the sound of falling water, which neither steel nor acrylic structures can boast. Now you will not constantly annoy outsider sound from the bathroom, while someone takes a shower. This factor is especially important if the walls in the building are not thick and sound insulation is not very high quality.
disadvantages
There are iron products and cons:
- A large mass of products complicates transportation, loading and installation work. In any case, it is necessary to have one or even two assistants in order for the installation to be carried out quickly and efficiently.
- The fall of heavy objects can not destroy the pallet, but leaves chips on the surface, which spoil the appearance. In addition, corrosion may occur in these areas over time.
- When using a pallet, its walls heat up for a very long time, but they also cool down much longer than others. Anyway, it’s not very comfortable to stand on a cold surface, especially if the room is also cool.
- It is difficult to make various non-standard constructions from cast iron, so you can only find products of square and rectangular shape, sometimes you can find semicircular variants.
Installation recommendations
Installation instructions do-it-yourself is quite simple and can be done by anyone:
- The first step is to prepare the base: the surface must be flat and strong.. If the structure is embedded in the surface, then the niche should have the appropriate configuration. Any distortions are undesirable, as it will be much more difficult to reliably place the pallet.
- Next you need to make sure that the sewer drain is located in the right place., because the hole can be located both in the middle and be shifted to one of the sides.
- If the structure is adjacent to a wall or two walls, then after installation it is necessary to carefully seal the slots with a sealing compound., to prevent water from entering under the pan. It is important that the composition is resistant to mold and mildew.
Conclusion
Cast iron trays - a practical solution for a wide variety of occasions. If you still have questions, watch the video in this article. It describes in detail some important facts from the topic we have examined.