Whether you ’re debating between acrylic and cast iron tubful or determine whether to replace or repair , our pathfinder on how to select a bathtub has the solution .
necessitate a bath is the ultimate in relaxation , but buying a bathtub can be fraught with accent . For one , there ’s a dizzying array of bathtub dimensions and shapes . There ’s also the bathtub material to look at — for example , acrylic paint vs. cast - iron or fiberglass vs. porcelain — all of which affect the cost , durability , and comfort of cleansing .
Of course , rip out andreplacing a tubisn’t at the top of anyone ’s list of fun activeness , so it ’s of import to make an informed conclusion . Before you determine on a fresh framework or startrefinishingyour existing tub , take time to answer these decisive interrogation . Our usher on how to choose the gross bathtub and get the best bathing tub materials will help you every footstep of the manner .
Credit: Stephan Julliard
Questions to Ask Before Buying a Bathtub
How do you plan to use your tub?
Your answer define whether you need an inexpensive , desolate - bones design or a mellow - quality tub with upgrades . For exemplar , a standard soak tub simply gets filled with weewee , while a whirlpool or air bathing tub has jets or channels that provide massaging air .
Whirlpool , air - bath , or compounding tubs have lots of customizable options , including adjustable jets , ambient underwater lighting , aromatherapy feature , het blowers , and automatize cleanup systems . The more elaborate your tub , the more expensive it will be . Meanwhile , the extras for soaking tubs are typically limited to comfort and refuge feature of speech , like armrests , headrests , snap bars , and slip - resistive flooring .
How much space do you have?
Before go down in love with a picky eccentric of tub , you need to knowwhat your lavatory can lodge . A received tub is 60 inches recollective , 30 inch extensive , and 14 inches recondite , but many otherbathtub sizes and shapesare available .
To fix how large your tub can be , take careful measurements of your bathroom and doorways . Make a bill of where the drain is situate on the floor to make certain it works with your chosen tub ’s design . Also , some tubs do n’t earmark fora shower , so moderate before corrupt if a bathtub - shower jazz group is a must - have feature for your family .
Are there special bathtub installation considerations?
If you ’re count a jetted bathtub , you ’ll need to plan for the pump , gentle wind switch , and galvanising timekeeper . Many pump fit within the tub unit , but some manufacturers have remote - location pumps that can be locate up to 5 feet from the tub — stark for obscure in a press or self-love cabinet . The air switch ( which is nonelectric ) may be on the tub unit . Plan on set up the electric timer a dependable distance — at least 5 feet — away from the bath to meetbathroom codification requisite .
Can your water heater handle the task?
The size of your bathing tub will touch your monthly expenses and the strain on your water heater . If you have a red-hot H2O tank ( as opposed to atankless body of water heater ) , can it supply enough raging water ? A distinctive bath lie of one - third cold water and two - thirds hot water , but tubs alter in size of it , prevail 25 - 150 Imperial gallon of urine or more . Make certain your water heater is turgid enough to sate about two - third of your vat with warm water .
Does weight pose a problem?
The weight of a bathtub — especially once it arrest water — can put a lot of strain on a bathroom floor . Plastic bathtubs can weigh as little as 50 pound , while a cast - iron bath can top 1,000 pounds when filled . So , if you ’re debate a hard material , it ’s authoritative to involve whether your floors can handle the weight unit . Also , debate the installation challenge . A too - heavy bathtub may be inconceivable or prohibitively expensive to get into a 2nd - trading floor bathroom .
bring up bathtub weighting plus the approximate weighting of water ( about 8.34 British pound per gallon ) and mass to influence whether it is necessary to reenforce the floor beneath your bath . Most residential floors are design to palm around 40 pound per substantial metrical foot , but that varies greatly depend on the age and construction of your menage .
Is the tub comfortable?
Before buying a tubful , try it on for size — literally . Climb in , settle back , and imagine yourself soaking . Does it fit and feel well-off for you ? Do n’t be embarrassed ; it ’s the good mode to determine if you ’ll be satisfied with it .
Bathtub Materials to Consider
With hundreds of shapes and size to choose from , buying a vat can be consuming . Is charge card best ? How do you choose between an acrylic fiber or cast Fe tub ? The bathtub cloth you select determines its price , durability , and cleanability — along with what character ofbathtub cleanerto use . Use our comparison guide to help you prefer the best tub fabric for your needs .
Plastic
Plastic bathing tub , made of either fibreglass or plastic , pop the question the most design flexibility because they can be molded into many shapes . These tub are warm to the touch and insulate well , so water does n’t cool down as fast as in enamel - steel bathtubs or cast - iron tubs . Plastic is also the lightest tub , weighing 50 - 70 pounds . Although it does n’t break off easily , harsh cleaner will damage the surface .
Enameled steel
Formed brand bathing tub with a porcelain - tooth enamel coating are the least expensive tub . But the material has drawbacks : Steel conducts heat , meaning tub water cools quickly ; the surface is prostrate to chip , and it weigh about doubly as much as charge plate .
Cast-iron
form - iron tub , like steel , are coat with enamel . However , they do n’t chip as well as steel because the enamel coating is thicker than steel tubs , and cast iron is more long-lasting and resistant to impact .
At first , a cast - iron bath will pull heat from the water , but once it heats up , it will keep the pee tender for a farsighted time . Cast iron ’s chief drawback is its weight , 350 - 500 Irish punt , which may complicate second - floor tub installation .
Cast-polymer
casting - polymer vat traditionally repeat the look of marble , granite , or onyx , and they ’re available in a range of solid colors . form polymer cost a trivial more than acrylic ; however , its surface does n’t stand up as well . With prison term , the gel - coating finish on shape - polymer bathtub can become brittle and expose the material underneath , leading to crack cocaine .
Proprietary composites
Relatively new entrants to the bathtub marketplace , proprietary composites let in punishing - gauge steel , porcelain enamel , and resin . These bathtub materials combine to produce a bathtub that offers all the benefits of cast iron with half the weight . However , they are typically considered more costly than other options .
Types of Bathtubs and Installations
Choosing a bathtub also depends on your privy ’s configuration and which installation works best . Here are a few bathtub initiation types to take when you are trying to make up one’s mind how to select a bath that will work with your infinite .
Other less vulgar installment type include corner bathing tub , chopine tub , and undermount tubs .
Should I Repair or Refinish My Bathtub?
If your tub is leak , cracked , or wear , it might be time to replace your bath . But if you hate the estimate of lose your one-time tub ’s character ( or ca n’t bear the task of rip it out ) , there are less daunting alternatives — like refinishing or reline your old tubful . Both are low-priced shipway to repair chips and soil without the monetary value of replacement . Some companies can refinish your tub with a polyurethan coating that gives it a strong , high - gloss surface . Others can outfit your tubful with an acrylic fiber liner molded precisely to its size , shape , and style .
Of course , if your tub is just suffer from everyday article of clothing and tear , a dependable scrub could make it feel new again . If you ’re not ready to invest in major repairs or remodeling , try our toptips for cleaning a bathtubfirst and see if that gives it the makeover it needs . Then , when you ’re ready to choose a novel bathing tub , download ourbathroom remodeling guidefor tips and advice from professionals before you begin a redevelopment .
Frequently Asked Questions
Cast ironis the most durable and longest - endure case of bathtub you’re able to buy , andvintage cast smoothing iron tubsare very popular . However , if a cast iron bathing tub is too inapt to get to a second - floor can in your home , an enameled steel tub is the next best thing .
How long before you need to replace a bathtub will depend on how well it ’s care for and whether it ’s reglazed during its life-time , which can add ten or 15 days to the life of a bathtub . A fiberglass tub will last from ten to 15 yr . An enameled sword tub can last ten to 30 twelvemonth , and a cast atomic number 26 tub can outlive as long as the house it ’s in .
If you ’re choosing between a bathing tub or a shower for a bathroom , a shower will tot more value to your home . However , having a bathing tub and a freestanding shower in a elementary bathroom will be most appealing to buyer . If you take out a cascade - tub combo and interchange it with a walking - in shower , you ’ll no longer have a full bath — it will now be a three - poop tub , which may come down the economic value of your home .
Credit: David Tsay
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
