How To Update A Drop In Bathtub

Looking for a new bathtub can be quite a daunting chore. There are many questions to ask and each of them of import and pressing-How large of a tub do I desire? What sort of material should it be fabricated of? Exercise I desire a Drop in bathtub or a freestanding? Fortunately these questions are quite common, and are hands addressed with time and understanding of your own bathroom needs. For today, nosotros will be discussing a drib-in tub, defining its uses, advantages and disadvantages to help your purchasing needs.

What is a drop in tub
Common drop in tub materials
What is the average depth in a drop in tub
Drib in vs alcove bathtubs
Driblet in vs freestanding bathtubs
Driblet in vs garden bathtubs
Boilerplate price of drop-in bathtub
Who are they for?
Are drop in bathtubs hard to install?

What is a Drop in Bathtub?

A drop in bathtub is a bathtub that has been finished on all sides with a lip or rim, allowing information technology to be fastened or secured to a finished alcove or structure unremarkably referred to equally a environs. This pattern allows you to but 'drop in' your bathtub, obscuring the outside of the bathtub completely by the surroundings so only the interior of the bathtub is visible.

The environs can be constructed from anything ranging from natural rock to wood, and can be raised loftier or constructed at feet level. This install method is what separates this bathtub pattern from a freestanding bathtub which can be placed and installed anywhere there is room in your bathroom.

Common drop in bathtub materials

Drop in bathtubs are typically constructed from a diverseness of materials, nigh commonly fiberglass, acrylic, cast fe and solid surface materials. Fiberglass is very affordable, but the material isn't physically durable and will tend to warp and become unstable due to its porous nature. Acrylic is constructed from fiberglass mixed with resin and a more durable coat, making it a chip more expensive than fiberglass, but the cloth is non-porous, making information technology much more durable in the long term.

However, acrylic does non have fantabulous oestrus retentiveness when compared to a material such as cast fe which is a bit more expensive, but the material is very durable, able to conditions quite a scrap of concrete and chemical punishments while retaining fantabulous oestrus retentiveness. And last are the solid-surface materials or Stone Resin. Constructed from smashed stone and resin bonded together, this material is non-porous and has a comparable heat retention to cast atomic number 26.

What is the average depth in a drop tub

Boilerplate depth of a drop in bathtub ranges anywhere from xvi-18 inches commonly, or 1.3-i.5 feet. They typically will get-go with an overall dimension of 5 feet in length and ii and a half anxiety in width. This of course can grow larger with higher end driblet-in bathtubs catastrophe at six feet in length, with a terminal width of 3 and a half feet.

At that place also exists a size variant for those with more small-scale bath accommodations, with the lowest being 4 anxiety in length with an overall width of 2 feet. However, for as much as the size of the bathtub grows, the overall h2o depth will yet sit at the normal 16-18 feet or 1.3-one.5 anxiety respectively.

Drop in tub vs. Alcove tub

Contrary to popular conventionalities, alcove bathtubs actually refer to the location which the bathtub is installed in. Drop-in bathtubs are installed anywhere a carved out deck or construction is implemented, often times in the eye of the bathroom. Alcove bathtubs on the other hand, are installed in a recess, against the wall or an alcove. As a effect, alcove tubs are typically more rounded and smaller, whereas drop-in tubs are longer and wider as the area they fill is quite different.

The purpose of the alcove is to help those with movement issues navigate the bath easier. With an alcove installation, a handlebar tin can exist installed for boosted support to guide the movement impaired. Of class a driblet-in bathtub tin be fitted with the same functions, but it volition require additional piece of work in creating a surround flush to a wall.

Drop in tub vs Freestanding Tub

The nigh common question in choosing a bathtub equally both have been quite pop since modern bathing has existed. Equally stated previously, drop-in bathtubs are installed in a previously constructed recess in your bathroom as they are 'dropped in'. Freestanding bathtubs are quite dissimilar as it allows you to identify your bathtub just well-nigh anywhere in your bathroom. With the drop-in method, plumbing is a bit more difficult to access as your bathtub is affluent with the constructed deck or tiled area.

Many people install an access panel for easier access down the road. Freestanding bathtubs on the other mitt, enjoy the do good of having easy to admission plumbing with the majority of information technology being quite visible and outside of the bathtub. Due to the installation differences, this also determines the size of each. Due to the limitations of the installation method, drop-in bathtubs are typically smaller with very little variance in water depth. Since freestanding bathtubs do not necessitate an area to install, they can be much larger, with greater water depth for personal soaking.

This liberty too extends to the shape of them as drib-ins are typically either rectangular, circular or triangle shaped. Freestanding bathtubs can fit in any part of that spectrum from being big and oval shaped, to more infinite saving circular shape.

Drop in tub vs Garden tub

Another variant of the freestanding bathtub, garden bathtubs are freestanding bathtubs with much greater water depth available. Virtually drop-in bathtubs have a general water depth between 1.iii-ane.five feet whereas smaller garden tubs enjoy a water depth of two feet. This of class can grow to v-half dozen feet on larger higher end models.

The purpose of the increased water depth is that the garden tub is seen as a soaking bathtub, so it fills more of a luxurious purpose so general bathing. Size wise they even so tend to be larger and more circular in shape as they are freestanding bathtubs nonetheless and retain much of their installation liberty. Where drop-in bathtubs are still express to the size of the constructed recess or surround bachelor.

Cost of the boilerplate drop in tub

Drop in bathtubs tend to exist a popular option as they are maybe the near affordable bathtub on the market with starting prices ranging from $500-750 on the low end. This is comparable to your standard walk-in shower, shower/bathtub philharmonic and alcove as the installation for these is very similar, significant the cost points are nearly identical.

For higher end drop-in models and larger sizes, the prices tin shoot upwardly to around $2,000-10,000 for simply the bathtub lone. However, many loftier quality models still exist between $700-1,500 which makes it quite affordable for just almost any home. Freestanding is roughly the aforementioned, with many models starting at effectually $700, with a mid range of roughly $i,200-1,500 with some higher end models ending in the tens of thousands.

Garden tubs sit roughly at the top of beingness the most expensive as the starting toll is effectually $2,000 not including installation considerations such as additional water weight and increased water usage.

Who users drop-in tubs for?

With their popularity, drop-in bathtubs are for all ages. They enjoy a large spectrum of utility with many of them converted into shower/bathtub combinations, giving you the convenience of a normal shower with the pick of more relaxed bathing down the road.

And with many drop-in bathtubs beingness flush to the wall, they allow for easier access for children and the elderly as they have more back up when compared to a normal freestanding bathtub. With the wall present, hand holds and supports can be installed for more prophylactic measures against falling or slipping.

How hard is information technology to install?

The most important footstep to installing a drop-in bathtub is to construct your recess or surround. If you are unsure of this step, it is all-time to consult a professional. Whether information technology is elevated or affluent to the floor, you need to measure out the appropriate length and width of your area. This will ultimately determine what size bathtub your bathroom can handle before purchasing. Please business relationship for water depth when the tub is filled and make sure that your floor and support can handle the additional weight of your bathtub.

a nice steaming-hot bathroom ready and waiting… A large modern bath tub full of water, surrounded past fine bronze coloured marble tiles. To the left, a towel rail holds dark-brown and white towels. On the right, metalised drinking glass receptacles sit decoratively in an elegant recess and likewise on a shelf below the mirror. A chocolate-brown soap dispenser sits in the corner, reverse a chrome mitt shower.

Subsequently, installation will comprise of adjusting your plumbing before placing your bathtub directly over or under the recess yous have carved out. After you make certain your bathtub is affluent with the recess, then merely fasten it down and secure it. Compared to virtually bathtub installations, drop-in bathtubs are the middle ground. The process is simple, but more complicated than installing a freestanding tub. If you unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the process, it is advised to seek a professional to aid yous install this type of bathtub.

When considering what bathtub to purchase, exist sure to consider your needs carefully. Who exactly is using your bathtub and what purpose do y'all have in mind? Do yous need a convenient way to breast-stroke or would yous enjoy a more luxurious soak for those special occasions? Practise you have a large household or a small-scale one? What type of budget practise you have? Address these questions and you will easily observe the correct bathtub in no time.