Bathtub Buying Guide
A new bathtub can be key to any bathroom remodeling or renovation project
Bathtubs come in four basic styles--recessed, corner, drop-in, and freestanding--which reflect their installation methods. Both traditional tubs and whirlpool tubs come in all four styles, and, within these categories, there are a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and materials. Tubs are available in right- and left-handed versions--the term indicates which end of the tub contains the drain hole. See more about verious bathtub types and materials below:
Recessed Tubs
Also called a three-wall-alcove tub, the recessed style is the most popular due to its space efficiency, affordability, and availability. Only the front has a decorative finish because alcove walls conceal the other sides.
The standard length is 60 inches; the standard depth is 14 inches, but 72-inch-long models and 16-inch-deep tubs are available. Recessed tubs typically are made of enameled steel, which is relatively lightweight and inexpensive but also noisy and prone to chipping; a better choice is expensive enameled cast iron, but the bathroom floor may need reinforcement to support its heavy weight.
Corner Tubs
While the term specifically applies to a triangular tub with a finished front and two unfinished sides, it generally refers to any shape tub installed in a corner with at least two sides against a wall and one decorative side visible. The boxy white basic bathtub is available in a corner model with a finished end and one finished side.
Drop-In Tubs
Available in a variety of styles and configurations, drop-in tubs usually are mounted on a platform, but they can be sunk below floor level. Some overlap the deck, others are undermounted; only the inside of the tub is finished. Drop-in tubs are made of lightweight acrylic or fiberglass-reinforced plastic--these are susceptible to scratching and dulling--or of enameled cast iron, which may require structural reinforcement.
Freestanding Tubs
Most are built with four legs (though some are designed to fit into a frame), with completely finished exteriors. Reproductions of antique claw-foot tubs in light-weight materials are easy to find, as are reconditioned antiques. A true antique will be made of cast iron, so floor buttressing may be required.
Whirlpool Tubs
In addition to its function as a regular bathtub, a whirlpool tub offers motorized circulation jets that provide a soothing hydromassage. They are available in recessed, corner, drop-in, and freestanding styles, but most are built for platform installation. With some models, the pump can be located separately for noise control and ease of service.
Whirlpool tubs may require special framing, an additional dedicated water heater, or a dedicated electrical circuit. Some types of whirlpools have variable-speed pumps with electronic controls that adjust the power of the massage. Those controls also set temperatures and cycle times. Jets vary in size, number, and power. Air jets are smaller and less powerful than water jets, which mix water with air; they provide a lighter massage but keep mildew and other substances from accumulating.
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Recessed Tubs
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Corner Tubs
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Drop-In Tubs
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Freestanding Tubs
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