8 Best Bathtubs For 2021

What To Consider When Buying a Bathtub

Bathroom design can be really dreamy. Who hasn’t entertained a fantasy of sinking into a freestanding clawfoot tub to escape the world for a while?

But the reality is, bathroom fixture choices often hinge on the configuration of your bathroom: room dimensions, wall space (or lack thereof), access to your plumbing pipes, and the overall design and infrastructure of your house.

If you’re dealing with new construction, you could design around the tub of your dreams. But if you’re remodeling an existing bathroom, your choices may be limited. Whatever your situation, keep these factors in mind:

• Size: Your available space determines a lot. “With a smaller-sized space, some people choose to have a dual shower/bathtub [an alcove tub], while those with ample space have the luxury of choosing a free-standing style,” says Katie Simpson, interior designer at Mackenzie Collier Interiors. Then there’s the height of the tub walls. Do you need access for little ones or someone with physical limitations?
• Material and weight: These usually go hand in hand. A cast iron tub is more expensive and extremely heavy but durable. Fiberglass is lighter and stronger with low maintenance but can be prone to scratching or warping over time, according to Arnold Long, general operations manager at Mr. Blue Plumbing. “While higher quality materials like cast iron, natural stone and copper are very popular and desirable, they tend to be too heavy for many homes,” he says. Consider the weight of a tub filled with water when determining if there’s enough support for it (subfloor, construction).
• Shape: Are you looking at a traditional, classic rectangular alcove tub (paired with a shower, enclosed by three walls) or a freestanding tub, perhaps with a shower elsewhere? Do you want a corner tub or a deep soaker? Tub shape can also influence the overall style of the room. “Oval and round tubs tend to lean more modern,” Simpson says, “while rectangular tubs are more traditional.”

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