What bathtub should i buy

It's best for small spaces. Freestanding bathtub: A freestanding tub can be placed anywhere in the room and is often the focal point. It can stand directly on the floor, on a low pedestal, or on claw feet. It takes up a lot of space and tends to be heavy, so you might need to reinforce your floor, but it has the most eye-catching and elegant look of all the tub types.

Both Kelly and Tricia Fraser, a merchant and bathtub expert at The Home Depot say freestanding tubs are growing in popularity and the biggest trend in bathroom design recently. Walk-in bathtub: A walk-in tub is for people who can't step into a regular tub.

It has a watertight door and "typically has safety features, like a grab bar, slip-resistant textured flooring, and ADA-compliant seating. These tubs can also offer a therapeutic massage experience with features like jetted whirlpool or jetted air," said Fraser. Bathroom size: Take measurements of your bathroom and doorway.

Depending on the amount of space available, you may only be able to buy certain tub styles. Plumbing location: The location of your plumbing rough-in limits where you can place your tub. The drain location needs to work with your tub's design. Water heater size: "Confirm that your water heater can handle the size of tub you are looking to fill.

This is especially important if you opt for a deeper soaking tub. Material: Material affects the price, feel, and longevity of your tub. The most common bathtub materials are acrylic, fiberglass, porcelain-enameled steel, and porcelain-enameled cast iron. Acrylic is long-lasting, lightweight, affordable, and widely available in many colors and styles. Fiberglass is the most affordable but not as durable. Both enameled cast iron and steel are very durable and resistant to scratches and stains, but cast iron has even greater heat retention, keeping your bath water hot for a longer period of time.

Weight capacity of your floor: If your tub is going on the second floor, you might need to reinforce the floor based on what materials you choose. Acrylic tubs are lighter in weight, while cast iron tubs are a lot heavier. Extra features: Features like whirlpool jets, grab bars, and seating will bring the price of your tub up but add to the overall experience of your bath. According to Fraser, a standard tub measures 60" x 30".

The average water depth is 16 inches. Corner, freestanding, and walk-in baths tend to be deeper. As you look at different sizes, consider the heights of anyone who will use the tub, how many people will usually be in the tub at once, and if you prefer to curl up or splay out in the water. If you're in a physical store or showroom, it always helps to climb into the tub to test the ergonomics and feel out the size for yourself.

Corner, freestanding, and walk-in tubs tend to be more expensive and can cost thousands of dollars. We love a DIY project, but it's best to call a professional for this one.

Because bathtub installation involves plumbing and tiling expertise, "incorrect installation can result in water damage or an unleveled tub," said Fraser. If you do have prior plumbing experience, Fraser's advice is "to double check the door width to make sure you can move the tub into the bathroom, be knowledgeable on basic plumbing and framing, and know your existing flooring and plumbing's condition.

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We highlight products and services you might find interesting. Oval Contrary to the more classic design of the clawfoot is the oval bathtub. Alcove Alcove or recessed tubs are tubs that are installed in a recess of three connecting walls with one finished side.

Corner Tub Similar to an alcove, but much larger is the corner tub. Walk-in A walk-in bathtub is a bathtub that is fitted to allow the user to walk in and sit down without fear of slipping.

Whirlpool A whirlpool tub is a bathtub that houses self-contained jets. Air Tub An air tub is a bathtub that is equipped with multiple small jets that blow heated air into the bath water to create a massaging sensation.

Materials There are two factors in choosing the right material for your bathtub , namely price and comfort. Fiberglass The cheapest bathtub material, fiberglass is constructed from reinforced plastic sheets which are eventually molded into the shape of a bathtub. Porcelain Porcelain is constructed by layering cast iron or stamped steel with a layer of porcelain enamel-a mixture of powdered glass and substrate heated into a durable coating.

Acrylic Similar to fiberglass, acrylic is formed by taking a solid sheet of petrochemicals, stabilizers, resin and appropriate dye, heating it then molding the result into a bathtub shape which is then reinforced with fiberglass. Ceramic Ceramic bathtubs are formed by molding numerous ceramic tiles together until it hardens. Stone Resin Stone resin is a material composing of crushed natural stone bounded together with adhesive to give you a composite material that has the look and feel of natural stone without the additional weight and added cost.

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Katherine Houseal. Reply to Katherine Houseal. Load More Comments. Stay informed. Receive all Badeloft articles in your inbox. Related Articles. How to Build a Custom Tub in 10 Steps in Choosing the right bathtub for your home can be exhausting and tedious.

What to Know in So you are ready to remodel your new bathroom, but your remodel is extensive-you want to double the size, knock. Best way to waterproof your bathroom Although it may seem trivial, every homeowner knows that water is a big danger to any bathroom. Free Bathtub Templates for Planning A full size printout footprint of our tubs to help you plan your new bathroom!

Did you know we offer a FREE material sample kit Click the button below and we will send it right to you! Stone Resin Material Samples Sample Material of all our stone resin products in both matte and glossy finishes. Full Size Bathtub Templates Full size bathtub templates to help you plan your bathroom layout. What is a template? Watch the video to learn how to use them. Then smoothed and coated with a thick layer of enamel.

A cast-iron tub is a higher-end option, but it is an investment that will really last with superior durability. The enamel is resistant to chipping and scratching and it can be resurfaced. These timeless looking tubs have excellent heat retention due to their heavy material.

On the downside, these tubs are extremely heavy and require extra labor — and often extra floor reinforcement for wood floors — to install. Cast iron bathtubs can also be purchased as soaking tubs as opposed to a bathing tub. The Kohler Cast Iron Warranty is lifetime. Cast Polymer. Cast Polymer tubs are made from a variety of materials. Crushed limestone mixed with resin and crushed natural volcanic ash finished with Gelcoat are popular see Victoria Albert. These bathtubs are durable, retain heat well, and available in many colors, styles, and materials.

Many have natural-looking colors. You can repair the finish. These bathtubs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The only downside is that these tubs can be heavy requiring additional structural support for wood floors , require a lot of water, and they are relatively expensive.

Some have long lead times to get. These tubs are for those looking for an elegant bathing experience while enjoying natural beauty. The residential Victoria Albert Warranty is a full 25 years.

The residential Onyx Guarantee is iron clad — it is guaranteed forever. If an Onyx product ever fails, they will either provide you with a new item or refund the cost. Situated at the heart of this relaxation center is the tub.

Once a utilitarian device, the tub has become a glamorous and, in many cases, exciting feature in bathroom design. These days, when it comes to choosing a tub, the possibilities are nearly limitless. Options include soakers and whirlpools; classic claw-footed models; contoured shapes, ovals, squares, and rounded; tubs with neck rests and armrests; tubs set into platforms; and tubs you step down into—or even walk into. Buying a tub is no longer a simple decision, and because a tub can be an expensive and permanent purchase, it is very important to do the research before you actually buy.

Before shopping for a tub, first ask yourself how you like to bathe. Do you prefer a long lingering soak, or an invigorating whirlpool massage? Factor in how important bathing and other uses of a tub are to you and your family. Taking this opportunity to evaluate your goals and lifestyle before choosing a tub can be well worth the time investment. Because it is easy to mold into shapes, acrylic is a popular material for uniquely shaped whirlpools with molded armrests and other detailing.

The two most common tub sizes are 60 inches long by 30 inches wide and 60 inches long by 32 inches wide.