Choosing the right bathtub for your bathroom can be an extremely personal decision. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as the right tub represents an amalgamation of many different dynamics from bathtub usage, personal bathing habits, available space, and desired amenities. Those primary characteristics can be manifested through many incarnations of shower-tub combos, which means that regardless of your criteria, there is likely a bath-shower combo to meet your specific needs.
If you’re in the market for a new bathtub-shower combo, there are a few things you need to consider before committing to a model of tub. Envision the perfect bathtub and shower in your mind, then modify that ideal with factors such as available space, practicality, and accessibility. By understanding the types of available tubs, how they fit into your bathroom environment, and what functions you need your tub to fulfill, you can install a bathtub and shower unit that will provide you with years of soothing enjoyment. Keep reading to learn how you can decide which bathtub best fits your bathroom space.
Types of Bathtubs
While it may seem like a tub is just a tub to the casual observer, there are some clear differences in the types of bathtub one sees on the market today. There’s the tried-and-true standard tub, which is little more than a utilitarian vessel for holding the bathwater.
Soaking tubs are much like standard tubs, only they are much deeper to allow users to immerse more of their bodies in the water. Whirlpool tubs feature water jets in strategic locations to provide a soothing, massaging effect. Air tubs are like whirlpool tubs in that they have jets to provide pulsating relief, though its air that pumps from the jets rather than water.
Then there are walk-in tubs, which have low-slung, watertight doors on the sides to allow easy access for the elderly or mobility impaired. They make the bathtub easy to enter and are ideal for those wishing to age in place in the home.
Installation Styles
Aside from the different types of tubs, there are also many styles of installation. Freestanding tubs have feet to support them and are only connected to the bathroom infrastructure through the plumbing. They have no sides that abut a wall and are perfect in open, airy bathroom spaces.
Alcove tubs may look like freestanding tubs, but they are designed to be placed adjacent to three walls of an alcove with one open side for access. Corner tubs, as the name would indicate, are built into a corner to save space. Drop-in tubs are tubs that must be dropped into a pre-constructed cabinet or base that is designed as part of the bathroom décor.
Your Personal Bath Experience
How you use the tub will also impact which tub you select. Do you simply enjoy an occasional long bath to shake off the rigors of the day? If so, a standard tub may do the trick. Are you interested in the therapeutic benefits of hot soaks in your tub? Then a soaking tub may be more appropriate for your needs. Do you engage in rigorous physical activity that warrants frequent downtime in a whirlpool? If so, then it would be wise to consider a whirlpool or air jet tub.
Size
Size is another consideration that will largely be dictated by the parameters of your bathroom. If you have a large, spacious bathroom, you can afford to install a freestanding tub or drop-in tub that will monopolize a lot of space. If you have a tiny bathroom, you may be better off with a corner tub to conserve valuable square footage for other purposes.
If you’re in the market for a new tub, consider these factors when deciding which tub best fits within your bathroom environment. By understanding the available types of tubs, how you’ll use the tub, and how much available space you can devote to it, you can dial in the perfect tub option for your bathroom. If you’re looking for the ideal walk-in tub for your needs and your bathroom space, contact Safe Step Walk-In Tub Company at (800) 346-6616.
