Bath recommendations;...thickness??

[Laurence Harvey]

My daughter needs a new bath:

Single ended bath plus side-panel, 1700mm x 700mm, no pre-drilled tap holes.

However, we are a little confused about which size thickness of bath is most suitable.

For example, she likes this bath Carron bath but the thickness mentions ‘standard’ and ‘re-inforced’;

https://www.ukbathrooms.com/products/carron-delta-standard-bath.html

The ‘standard’ is apparently 5mm and the ‘re-inforced’ is called Carronite but it doesn’t state how thick it is. The ‘re-inforced’ Carronite adds a few hundred quid to the cost,...is it worth paying the extra?

Can any of you plumbing gurus help us out please?...we really need to understand the implications of bath ‘thickness’ before she buys;...is it a case of the thicker the better?...or does it not work like that?...is 5mm adequate?

She isn’t working to a budget as such and doesn’t want a budget range bath but equally doesn’t want to pay silly money;...any comments and even recommendations would be great if you could.

As ever, all replies gratefully received.

 

[JohnD]

the Carronite bath is much better, and I think worth the extra.

it is also rather heavy.

if investing in one, I recommend the reinforced bath panel to match.

try here
https://www.carronbathrooms.com/public/carronite/

 

[muggles]

Carronite are 9mm I think. Definitely worth the extra money. As an alternative (although slightly less "designed") the Trojancast Solarna is very similar quality to the Carronite for half the price

 

[EddieM]

Bath thicknesses AFAIR are 3mm (rubbish) 5mm (standard) 8mm (premium)

Its all down to how much they flex, obs the thicker the material, the less flex.

 

[Laurence Harvey]

OP here;...many thanks for the swift and detailed replies;...really appreciated.

Sage advice indeed! We now have a much better understanding of what’s required.

The ‘Trojancast reinforced range’ looks particularly appealing;...my daughter is seriously considering this one:

https://www.bathroomsupastore.com/trojancast-art-deco-reinforced-single-ended-bath-1700-x-700

 

[johnny2007]

Have a look at Kaldewei steel baths.
Had 2 in my house for over 20 years and not a single scratch.
Also the feet supplied are heavy duty and don't move.

 

[EddieM]

Have a look at Kaldewei steel baths.
Had 2 in my house for over 20 years and not a single scratch.
Also the feet supplied are heavy duty and don't move.

We had those too, only downside is the water goes cold quicker. Other than that, were more than happy with them, coped with countless baths for the 3 not so little ones now.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

AVOID thin baths. I had reason to be at A&E one evening when my former partner was unwell, and a young Lady came in with her parents. She was 14 IIRC, and had been standing in the bath taking a shower, when the bottom of the bath gave way beneath her, trapping her leg. Her parents were unable to free her, and had no option but to call the Fire Service for help. The FRS attended and cut the bath away to release her, before her parents could get her to A&E to get the lacerations attended to. They were warned she would probably be scarred for life, possibly mentally as a well as physically.

Bath I believe was a 'standard' offering from the now defunct Focus DIY chain, and I can only suspect was on thin construction to begin with, before unfortunately giving way, possibly due to the hole for the waste making that area even weaker.

 

[johnny2007]

AVOID thin baths. I had reason to be at A&E one evening when my former partner was unwell, and a young Lady came in with her parents. She was 14 IIRC, and had been standing in the bath taking a shower, when the bottom of the bath gave way beneath her, trapping her leg. Her parents were unable to free her, and had no option but to call the Fire Service for help. The FRS attended and cut the bath away to release her, before her parents could get her to A&E to get the lacerations attended to. They were warned she would probably be scarred for life, possibly mentally as a well as physically.

Bath I believe was a 'standard' offering from the now defunct Focus DIY chain, and I can only suspect was on thin construction to begin with, before unfortunately giving way, possibly due to the hole for the waste making that area even weaker.

It would never happen with a Kaldewei 3mm steel bath.
Providing there's no leak, they don't rust.
Mine are still like new even underneath.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

It would never happen with a Kaldewei 3mm steel bath.
.

Should have said, I was referring to plastic baths.

 

[Notch7]

AVOID thin baths. I had reason to be at A&E one evening when my former partner was unwell, and a young Lady came in with her parents. She was 14 IIRC, and had been standing in the bath taking a shower, when the bottom of the bath gave way beneath her, trapping her leg. Her parents were unable to free her, and had no option but to call the Fire Service for help. The FRS attended and cut the bath away to release her, before her parents could get her to A&E to get the lacerations attended to. They were warned she would probably be scarred for life, possibly mentally as a well as physically.

Bath I believe was a 'standard' offering from the now defunct Focus DIY chain, and I can only suspect was on thin construction to begin with, before unfortunately giving way, possibly due to the hole for the waste making that area even weaker.

gosh how nasty.

 

[muggles]

It would never happen with a Kaldewei 3mm steel bath.
Providing there's no leak, they don't rust.
Mine are still like new even underneath.

How well do they hold the heat though? The great advantage of a reinforced acrylic bath is that they're also well insulated

 

[dontbelieveawordofit]

AVOID thin baths. I had reason to be at A&E one evening when my former partner was unwell, and a young Lady came in with her parents. She was 14 IIRC, and had been standing in the bath taking a shower, when the bottom of the bath gave way beneath her, trapping her leg. Her parents were unable to free her, and had no option but to call the Fire Service for help. The FRS attended and cut the bath away to release her, before her parents could get her to A&E to get the lacerations attended to. They were warned she would probably be scarred for life, possibly mentally as a well as physically.

Bath I believe was a 'standard' offering from the now defunct Focus DIY chain, and I can only suspect was on thin construction to begin with, before unfortunately giving way, possibly due to the hole for the waste making that area even weaker.

my 4 year old son put his knee through the one that was fitted in our old house before we moved in. when i measured it with a digital caliper it was 2mm with barely any fibre glass on it.

 

[EddieM]

How well do they hold the heat though? The great advantage of a reinforced acrylic bath is that they're also well insulated

As stated above, not as well as an acrylic bath does (I assume that's what placcy baths are made of)

 

[JimCrow]

We had those too, only downside is the water goes cold quicker. Other than that, were more than happy with them, coped with countless baths for the 3 not so little ones now.

Packing rockwool up the back and round the bath would have made a difference.