Bathroom Tubs

Costs
Durability
History
Maintenance

Pictures
Popular Bathroom Remodeling Topics
Pros and Cons
Questions and Answers

References
Related Articles

When one thinks of pampering and forgetting the day’s stresses, the bathroom often comes to mind for one reason: a hot bath. Depending on the model you choose, a bathtub can blend in seamlessly with the rest of your bathroom or stand out as the focal piece of the room. Here is some more information to help you decide what would work best in your space.

Costs

Bathtubs can vary significantly in price based on the style, manufacturer and size. A standard tub can cost between $200 and $600, but a tub that comes with extras like jets can be as much as $3,000. If you plan on removing an old tub and replacing it with a new one, that could cost an additional $1,500-$5,000. For more cost info, get in touch with a professional by clicking here.

Pictures

Pros

Freestanding tubs can create an artful, stunning focal point in any bathroom.

Freestanding tubs offer flexibility of design.

Built-in tubs, on the other hand, save space.

Built-in tubs can also be turned into a bath/shower combo more easily than freestanding tubs.

Cons

Freestanding tubs tend to be more expensive than built-in tubs.

Freestanding tubs take up more room and are more awkward to place than built-in tubs.

Built-in tubs don’t come in as many interesting styles as freestanding tubs.

Built-in tubs can be more complicated to replace, as they require installation.

Durability

The durability of your tub depends on a few key factors: the style, manufacturer, and what the tub is made from. For instance, acrylic tubs tend to be more durable than fiberglass, while cast iron tubs are more durable than both. However, with the proper care and maintenance, most tubs should last for years to come.

Maintenance

The maintenance required also depends on what the tub is made out of. However, most tubs can be cleaned with nonabrasive household cleaners, a soft sponge and warm water. More extensive maintenance is required of tubs with jets.

Common Questions and Answers

What styles of freestanding tubs are available?

There are a variety of freestanding tub styles. Here are just a few:

Cast iron—These heavy tubs are more expensive to purchase new. So much so that it is trendy these days to restore original cast iron tubs to their original sparkling condition.

Clawfoot—Clawfoot tubs have legs and feet, and can be either old-fashioned or modern. European clawfoot tubs don’t have faucet drilling for deeper water levels. They have holes for overflow and draining. American clawfoot tubs have holes for faucet drilling, overflow, and draining.

Pedestal—Oval pedestal tubs rest on oval bases rather than legs. Like European clawfoot tubs, they have no faucet drilling for a deeper soak. Instead, faucets can be mounted to the floor or wall.

Leg tubs—These standalone tubs rest on various selections of wood or metal stands.

What are the different built-in models available?

Built-in tubs consist of alcove tubs, the most popular type of tub in the U.S., as well as tub and shower combinations, drop-in tubs, or corner tubs.

History

While it’s clear that bathing took awhile to catch on in the Western world, there is evidence that the first bathtubs can be traced all the way back to the 3rd century B.C. The most ancient baths were dug up by archeologists at Cronos’s palace on the Isle of Crete.