Rating of the best Russian manufacturers of acrylic bathtubs for 2022

Plumbing products made abroad have always been considered better than domestic ones, but not everyone could afford their purchase. In the modern world, Russian manufacturers have managed to reverse this negative trend by showing in practice that our products are in no way inferior to imported ones, and in some cases even surpass them. And the cost of Russian products is much less, which is an indisputable plus. This state of affairs can be fully attributed to the market of acrylic bathtubs in the Russian Federation, because now they are in high demand.

Russian production technologies

In fact, they are not very different from Western ones, but they have some advantages in terms of cost, because the raw material bases are located on the territory of the country. Domestic enterprises use two standard manufacturing methods - ABS and casting technology. Products made using the latest method are of high quality, long service life and reliability (the thickness of the acrylic layer can reach 4-6 millimeters). In casting, production consists of three stages:

1. Heating the acrylic sheet to a soft consistency;
2. Transferring the sheet to the forming machine;
3. After shaping (indentation) and creating a bowl, 2-3 layers of fiberglass are applied to the surface (this increases the service life).

The entire process for the release of one unit of goods before the possibility of its use does not exceed one day.

When using ABS technology, plastic is used as the basis, which is covered with a layer of acrylic. In this case, the acrylic layer will hardly be more than 10% of the total mass of the bowl. Indeed, such a product is considered to be of lower quality and it is subject to the negative effects of microorganisms.The maximum service life of such a sample is 5 years. The whole process literally consists of a couple of steps:

1. Polymethyl methacryl (PMMA) is first melted, shaped, and then coated with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene for strength;
2. In order to increase the protective properties of the bowl, various antifungal coatings can be applied.

In Russian production, both described technologies are used, however, injection molding, of course, is considered more expensive. On the other hand, samples created using ABS technology have a lower price and are perfect for arranging temporary housing (for example, for shift workers).

Features of the Russian acrylic bath market

As practice shows, the service life of the product is very important for the Russian buyer, regardless of the production technology. The criterion of an appropriate ratio of quality and price in the Russian market is the most important. For example, quite recently, Radomir, a large plumbing manufacturer in the Russian Federation, was sharply criticized for selling products that clearly do not withstand the aforementioned harmonious and equal combination of parameters. Thus, for a domestic manufacturer, the obligation to act as a guarantor of reliability and quality becomes more important than ever in order to maintain a positive reputation for its products. The current trends in the acrylic products market show that the Russian buyer first of all began to pay attention to the brand and only then evaluates the balance of the tandem of quality and price. At the same time, marketers note that the segment of our market under consideration is already almost completely occupied by trustworthy firms and it is very difficult for a newcomer to break into it.

Advantages of domestic acrylic bathtubs

Unfortunately, some buyers in the Russian Federation are still accustomed to considering only foreign products of high quality, assuming that their own industry is capable of producing only low-quality products. However, this is not the case and there is reasonable evidence for this:

• Imported products will always cost more - this is a big problem for the buyer, given the current level of income. The high price of foreign samples always includes the cost of transportation, intermediate storage, customs duties, etc. For Russian goods, these allowances simply do not exist.
• Products are adapted to local specifics - Russian designers and technologists are well aware of the average conditions under which the product will be operated, and therefore give it special protective and characteristic properties (from temperature to frequency of maintenance). But foreign colleagues do not always take these circumstances into account.
• Expanded product range - again, the domestic manufacturer better understands our realities of using the bath, so he tries to anticipate the possible wishes of the buyer (the shape of the bowl, its size, location, installation specifics, etc.).

Proper Technical Parameters of Acrylic Bathtub

• Effect of material on quality and price

When using bowl casting technology, technical or industrial acrylic can be used. The first should always be covered with a reinforcing layer, and the second immediately has the necessary antibacterial qualities. However, optional inclusions can be added to both options, which, of course, will increase the price of the product. In any case, they will be approximately the same in strength and reliability, and also light in weight.If the bowl is made of ABS plastic, then it is only covered with an acrylic layer (a reinforcing layer may also be present). ABS models are an order of magnitude inferior to cast models. It is very easy to recognize the differences - just look at the cut: a cast sample will normally see 2 layers, an ABS - 3. It is also impossible to illuminate a cast model with a flashlight beam, any bowl, in principle, should not have too thin walls, because it must withstand significant mechanical stress and be able to compete with cast iron and steel models.

• Strength

The walls should not sag even with an average level of force applied to them (or to the bottom). Nevertheless, it is possible to imitate the strength qualities with a good frame, but such a fake will be visible when a small vibration is applied to the bottom - the bathtub will begin to visually “walk with a shaker”.

• Guarantee period

This quality is more related to marketing parameters. The manufacturer must be responsible for the quality of the products offered, so a too short warranty period will indicate a possibly low quality of the sample.

• Surface uniformity (its gloss)

The presence of these properties will indicate a high quality product. The absence of darkening, spots, obvious roughness will confirm the originality of the design.

• outer layer

A conscientious brand manufacturer most often uses polyurethane, from which the outer side of the product becomes smooth and dark. At the same time, there are no unpleasant odors and pronounced roughness on the surface. However, it is quite possible to use fiberglass together with synthetic resins, but such a move still means savings on better materials.

• Frame stability

This design is a mounting frame for the bowl with adjustable legs at the corners. The standard frame is not installed on acrylic samples due to simple instability.

• Additional options

This includes various devices that contribute to a more comfortable adoption of water procedures, but at the same time extremely increase the overall price. These include hydromassage devices or individual boilers.

• Shape stability

The simpler the shape, the more stable the whole model will be. With a complex and incorrect configuration, installation will be significantly difficult, and it should only be entrusted to professionals. Any incorrect geometry will only increase the price.

• Drain / overflow design

It can be standard, semi-automatic or automatic. This parameter does not really affect the comfort of taking water procedures, but for the speed of filling / emptying the container, this parameter plays an important role.

Reinforcement of acrylic bathtubs used in the Russian Federation

An acrylic bath in its purest form is not too strong, because this material itself is plastic and flexible. To give it rigidity, a reinforcing layer is applied to the outer surface of the bowl. The operation is always carried out in the factory on a cast, already completely finished, sample. The total number of such layers can be from 1 to 5, which will depend on the features of the model. The density of the applied reinforcing coating is quite easy to see with the naked eye - you just need to carefully look at the end of the reinforced base.

Russian manufacturers always comply with the immutable rule, which states that it is necessary only to carry out the operation in question uniformly, i.e. the armor layer in any place of the product has the same thickness.However, some foreign manufacturers (especially from the South Asian part of the world) use the following trick: knowing that a potential buyer will evaluate the thickness by checking the end, it is in this place that the coating is applied with the desired thickness, and in all other parts it is made thinner, the more most saving on materials. Although well-known domestic manufacturers were not noticed for such frauds, it would not be superfluous to check the bottom and walls of the product when buying - they should not sag.

Mounting on legs is the most popular mounting method in the Russian Federation

The Russian market is not replete with models with irregular geometry, due to the low popularity of the latter. Therefore, most domestic products are installed on legs and have the correct rectangular shape, which is suitable for most average apartments in the Russian Federation.

To install, turn the product upside down, step back at least 4 centimeters from the edge of the frame (reinforcing plate) and make a mark in the center. Next, determine the center of the mounting strips and align it with the middle of the bowl. Having marked the places of the fasteners, you need to drill a hole in the lower area and fix the bar on it with self-tapping screws.

To fix the support legs themselves, you need to insert the rod with the stop nut into the plank hole and fix it with another nut. Only then are plastic supports with thrust bearings screwed onto the stud.

At the next stage, the product is turned back, installed on supports (at the same time, they are adjusted in height so that there are no distortions). The fidelity of the position is confirmed with the help of the building level.

For the final fixation of the entire structure, the sides are put on special mounting plates (they must be included in the delivery set) and screwed along the walls. It is very easy to determine the places of wall fastenings - it is enough to move the bathtub close to the wall, marking the edges of the sides on it with a pencil.

IMPORTANT! With this installation method, the top edge of the plate should be approximately 4 mm below the bead mark on the wall. Russian models with classic sizes are traditionally installed on 4 mounts - 2 for length, 2 for width, and screwed on.

Difficulties of choice

Immediately before buying a Russian-made acrylic model, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Type of acrylic - it can be ABS-PMMA or pure polymethyl methacrylate. The first is a two-component mixture of glass and plastic, where ABS acts as the base material and occupies about 90% of the base. Only the outer coating consists of acrylic, which wears out in 3-5 years. The second variation is the purest plexiglass-based castings with an extended service life of up to 12 years.
• Coating thickness - this indicator of 2-3 millimeters will last for 3-4 years, a layer of 4 millimeters in size will last 7 years, and a thickness of 5-6 millimeters will last all 12 years.
• The number of reinforcing layers - the entire strength of the sample will depend on their number, i.e. the more of them, the stronger the model, but it will cost more.
• Dimensions - they are selected based on the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe room where the installation will be carried out. Russia is characterized by dimensions of 120 x 65 centimeters for small apartments, and 200 x 180 centimeters for apartments of series 121.
• Design features - here we are talking about non-standard forms or models that can be installed in spacious rooms.Separately, it is worth noting the wall samples, angular, completely round or semicircular.
• Optional add-ons are special devices that provide a more comfortable adoption of water procedures. It should be noted that Russian models are not often equipped with them due to some crampedness of Russian bathrooms in terms of area. The simplest are special shelves and stands, while hydromassage and individual heating devices will become more technologically advanced.

Rating of the best Russian manufacturers of acrylic bathtubs for 2022

Regional companies

4th place: "Producer of sanitary ware "Aquatek"

This regional manufacturer of acrylic sanitary ware operates in Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region. It produces quality products for home use. The product line includes many products: bathtubs, faucets, trays, etc. All manufactured products are certified. It has its own small production base, services are provided for the implementation of samples for individual projects (including those with irregular geometry of forms).

• Ability to work on design projects;
• Russian product certification;
• Quality raw materials.

• Limited range.

3rd place: Doctor Jet Company

Another representative of the regional sector, specializing in the manufacture of high-quality acrylic bathtubs. Since 1998, he has been operating in the village of Snegiri, Moscow Region. The products are distinguished by the use of innovative technologies in production. It has its own design department that creates products with easy control: touch, as well as remote. There are developments on optional additions to the bowls.

• Presence of own design division;
• Application of innovative technologies in production;
• Specialization in automated control systems.

• Small assortment.

2nd place: "BAS Company"

This company has a 15-year history of production and is likely to leave the niche of regional manufacturers soon. It specializes in the production and sale of high-quality acrylic bathtubs and accessories for them. It works on modern equipment from Western suppliers, which clearly improves the quality of the finished product. The most popular range includes: acrylic bathtubs, curtains, shower cabins, bathroom furniture, shower enclosures.

• Quality and growing production;
• Narrow specialization;
• Work on modern equipment.

• Not detected.

1st place: Domani-Spa LLC

This regional representative from the Urals focuses on the manufacture of products with unique distinctive advantages, which include: bathtubs, trays, shower cabins, shower enclosures. The production has the scale of a factory, where the complete chain of production steps is carried out in one place. All production processes, from the sketch of the engineer's new product on paper to the finished product, are carried out at our own facilities. The scientific team of professionals performs the following types of work: drawing sketches and developing new products using 3D modeling. The design bureau will be able to prepare a 3D design of the model, as well as a 3D design of a tooling or mold for a vacuum forming machine, conductors, molds for the production of acrylic profiles for subsequent production.The creation takes place on modern high-performance vacuum-forming machines. Products are manufactured on equipment with high precision and productivity.

• Possibility of individual orders;
• Modern production facilities;
• Manufacture of optional fixtures.

• Not detected.

Enterprises of the federal and international level

4th place: LLC "Seven Lux"

This plant is located in Togliatti and is engaged in the production of acrylic (simple and hydromassage) bathtubs. All products are manufactured on high-tech German vacuum forming equipment GEISS, processing is carried out on five-axis multi-purpose machines GEISS and ANDI. Since 2010, the company has entered the foreign market and entered the top ten in Italy in the production of acrylic sanitary ware.

• Production of world-class products;
• Affordable prices;
• Federal level of commodity distribution coverage.

• Not detected.

3rd place: "Bathroom"

A very interesting representative of companies with a large territorial coverage, which does not have its own retail / dealer network, and conducts all trade exclusively through a personal Internet platform (online store). However, its history dates back to 1998 and production facilities are located in the Moscow region. It specializes in the production and supply of acrylic cabins and bathtubs, sinks and mini-pools, as well as toilet bowls, faucets, towel dryers, drain fittings. The entire range is characterized by sufficient breadth, the most advanced solutions in the field of sanitary engineering were used in the production of goods.The cost of products is more than affordable for the average consumer.

• Advanced production technologies;
• A fairly wide range;
• Non-standard (cheaper) scheme for the sale of products.

• Not detected.

2nd place: "LLC "FIINN"

The FIINN group of companies was founded in 2006 and today is one of the leading manufacturers of sanitary ware in Russia. The plant of sanitary equipment distributes its products throughout the Russian Federation and the CIS countries, including Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Belarus and other countries. An individual approach to each consumer and building long-term partnerships have been appreciated by more than 500 companies, among which there are both large wholesale organizations and online stores, as well as small trading enterprises. Production is located in the Kaliningrad region, in the city of Mamonovo. To date, wholesale points have been opened in Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg. Warehouses of sanitary equipment are located in Kaliningrad, Moscow and St. Petersburg. There is a large retail salon in Kaliningrad, where the most demanding customer can purchase high-quality sanitary ware directly from the manufacturer at a reasonable price.

• Trading internationally;
• Adequate prices;
• Sufficient manufacturing experience.

• Not detected.

1st place: AquaVita LLC

This St. Petersburg company is engaged exclusively in the production of acrylic bathtubs and accessories for them, sells its products under the trademarks "BellRado" and "BellAqua". This BellRado brand has been on the market for over 20 years with a product line of 40 elegant designs. Today, the products are consistently in demand in retail chains, which is an undoubted indicator of a confident position in the Russian market and a positive image of the company.

• Consistently high quality;
• Wide choice of equipment and additional equipment;
• Available price promotions;
• Differentiated pricing for each region of the Russian Federation.

• Not detected.

Conclusion

The choice of a high-quality acrylic bathtub from the current variety of models must correspond to the amount acceptable for the family budget, and the product must also have all the necessary design qualities. To do this, you need to be based not only on the standard criteria for selecting bathtubs, but also to know the features of the Russian market and the products of domestic manufacturers.