Homeowner's Guide To Soaking Tubs | The Family Handyman
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Is a soaking tub every bit luxurious as information technology sounds? If you're considering ane for your dwelling house, here's what yous'll want to know before yous purchase.
Soaking tubs may seem like the epitome of decadence, but this type of bathtub certainly isn't new. Permit's take a look at what they are and whether 1 is right for y'all.
What Is a Soaking Tub?
Soaking tubs, past their very nature, are places to luxuriate. Designed to submerge your body, they're perfect for extended, leisurely bathtub soaks with or without bubbles, delivering soothing relaxation and relief from aches and pains afterward a long day.
Soaking tubs come in diverse depths, dimensions and styles. Many come with extra features such every bit ergonomic contours for condolement, heaters, mood lighting and whirlpool jets for an in-home spa feel. Some manufacturers offering customization to accommodate taller and larger bathers.
When choosing a soaking tub for a bathroom in a new build or renovation, it'south of import to take these factors into business relationship:
- Size, shape and layout;
- Immovability of materials;
- Installation/pipe placement;
- Energy efficiency/water heater chapters;
- Comfort;
- Style;
- Toll.
Pro tip: Make sure your water heater tin can provide enough hot water to fill the tub. Frequently this gets overlooked. Upgrading the water heater adds unexpected fourth dimension, hassle and expense to the projection, and so practice your homework starting time.
Types of Soaking Tubs
Soaking tubs tin exist made of porcelain-enameled cast iron, ceramic, fiberglass, resin, acrylic, copper, wood, concrete, stone or marble. They also come up in several styles, from traditional to contemporary to transitional (an eclectic mix of the ii).
The about common types of soaking tubs:
- Alcove. A recessed manner, surrounded by three walls. Alcove tubs are often tub and shower combinations.
- Freestanding. These are installed abroad from walls, so it's best suited for larger bathrooms. I well-known example is the clawfoot tub.
- Corner. Shaped to fit in awkward, angled spaces.
- Drop-in/overmount. Fabricated to be lowered into a built-in surround. The sides of the tub are hidden, leaving but the acme of the rim exposed.
- Undermount. Like to overmounts, except the tub is installed underneath a ledge or bathtub deck. It'due south mostly supported by the floor beneath.
- Japanese. Ultra-deep and ordinarily standalone, information technology lets bathers sit upright, much like a hot tub.
- Jetted. Fitted with whirlpool jets to produce bubbles and therapeutic massage action.
- Walk-in. Engineered with a door to allow bathers to step in and out easily. Walk-in tubs are platonic for older people and those with mobility issues.
- I- or two-slice. Jumpsuit tubs characteristic a single hunk of material, while two-slice tubs more often than not consist of a skirt and vessel inserted into one another.
Are Soaking Tubs Comfy?
They can be extremely luxurious and cozy. They tin can also exist quite uncomfortable. A six-foot 4-inch, 250-pound person would demand a larger tub than a five-human foot, 120-pound person. A lot depends on how well the soaking tub meets a bather's needs. Keep the size of your users at the forefront when you lot brand your pick.
Soaking tub comfort-makers
- Deep enough to submerge up to the neck;
- Sufficient legroom to stretch out completely;
- Ergonomically contoured to cradle the body;
- Built-in arm and headrests;
- Massaging jets to soothe sore muscles and ease stress.
Condolement buzz-kills
- Awkward slopes that don't back up the back;
- Sides that are as well loftier, making it hard to climb in or out;
- Slippery surfaces that cause drifting and sliding below the waterline;
- Uninsulated materials that don't maintain the water temperature.
How To Install a Soaking Tub
Bret Hepola of All City Plumbing in Minnetrista, Minnesota, a master plumber with more than than 21 years of experience, recommends hiring a licensed plumber to install your soaking tub. But if yous feel you lot accept the DIY chops to take on such an aggressive bathroom project yourself, be prepared for anything.
"A remodel typically requires removal of flooring and walls to install the waterlines, drain and vent per local lawmaking," says Hepola. In the midst of that, you could see unforeseen weather condition that impact the layout. If the tub isn't roughed-in correctly, you might need to tear out flooring, cut open walls, remove tile, etc., complicating the job.
"There is no room for mistake," he says.
One- vs. two-piece tubs
Hepola favors one-piece tubs with integrated overflows bleed connections over two-slice tubs. Why? First, if you spring a leak after installation, the faucet access on some requires the removal of one of the pieces. They're also more complicated to install.
"I just can't emphasize a one-piece plenty!" he says.
Soaking Tub Costs
Standard soaking tub prices brainstorm at around $400 and go up to $five,000 or more than. As with well-nigh things, the cost depends on size, materials and embellishments. Cast iron tubs tend to exist pricier, only they besides last longer and retain heat better. Basic acrylic tubs are affordable and lightweight, making them a good selection for DIYers on a budget.
The primary thing? Before purchasing a soaking tub, make sure you fit in it. "Length and depth," Hepola says. "No one wants to exist scrunched up in a tub that is meant for relaxing."
Top-Rated Soaking Tubs
Kohler Underscore Apse Bathtub
If yous're looking for a soaking tub in a 3-wall, recessed design, the Kohler Underscore Apse Bathtub fits the bill. A mid-priced pick, the durable acrylic Underscore resists chips and cracks, with molded lumbar support and a sloped backrest for condolement.
A textured bottom surface promises safer ins and outs. Despite its depth, information technology has a low step-over meridian, making information technology ADA-compliant.
Woodbridge Freestanding Soaking Acrylic Bathtub
Like putting a square peg in a round hole, finding a soaking tub that fits into an existing bathroom can be tricky. It's peculiarly challenging in small bathrooms with limited floor space.
The Woodbridge Freestanding Soaking Acrylic Bathtub is a smashing selection that's as bonny as information technology is space-saving. Despite its compact size, this soaker measures fourteen-1/2-inches deep, rivaling many total-sized competitors in immersability.
An overflow slot allows the tub to be filled to its 60-gallon capacity without spilling over, and information technology comes with a choice of five faucet finishes. Add a bamboo bath caddy to hold scented candles, bath salts or a favorite book. Ahhh.
Signature Hardware Raksha Hammered Copper Japanese Soaking Tub
The Raksha Hammered Copper Japanese Soaking Tub by Signature Hardware lets yous unwind in extra-deep luxury. This splurge-worthy tub is mitt-crafted, using a French hot process to ingrain the patina into the xvi-gauge, polished copper. The result is a rustic-chic await.
Because its water depth to the rim is a profound 26-ane/4 inches, you can await forrad to hours of pampering soaks.
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