Quiet, Tranquil Relaxation in a Soaking Tub

Turn your home bath into a luxurious home spa. With none of the high-powered options of a whirlpool or air tub, a soaking tub is deeper to allow for more water and the overflow drain is placed higher to add depth for submerging in the water entirely. They are designed to let the bather float in peace and relieve stress from the bones in tranquil stillness and comfort.

Soaking tubs are particularly helpful for people with arthritis or just for those looking to relieve muscle aches from stress or overuse. They can be used with aromatherapy, bath oils, or bath salts, and some models even offer chromatherapy for lighted ambiance to add to the relaxation.

Installation Options

It’s important to consider the kind of tub you want to install, whether doing a home remodel or updating an existing bathroom. The bathtub is a central feature of every bathroom, which means that elements of the room may need to be built and designed around it. Before you call out the contractor, check that you’re looking for the best-fitting soaking tub for your bathroom.

Freestanding - Freestanding tubs are a stylish focal point for the bathroom, as they stand unanchored to the wall or any surround. They are available in many elegant designs, from the compact Japanese soaking tubs to comfortable clawfoot slipper tubs.

Clawfoot - The traditional clawfoot tub is a freestanding tub that rests entirely on four posts, or “feet” on each rounded corner.

Drop In - Intended to be built into a supporting structure, these tubs have an uppermost edge that rests on the bathtub surround. The raised lip helps keep water inside the tub and offers some assistance for mobility in and out of the tub.

Undermount - Like the drop-in tub, an undermount tub can only be used with a surrounding support frame. These models are installed under the top to create a flat, seamless surface surrounding the tub.

Corner - A corner tub is designed with two sides that are to be built into or against a wall, with an open front side. They can be drop in, undermount, or may even have apron front panels.

Three Wall Alcove - With the help of an apron panel, a three wall alcove tub tucks into the space created between two walls, making the tub look like it is a part of the structure of the room. The back of the tub is built into the wall, and the front is closed off by a lowered side of the tub, or “apron” paneling.

Walk-In Tub - For those households with mobility issues, where stepping over a deep tub isn’t a great idea, the solution is a walk-in tub. A door is built into one side that can be closed and sealed before the water is poured, allowing you to soak in the water as easily as stepping into a shower.

Drain Placement

The drain placement of a tub indicates the location of the drain and overflow holes within the body of the tub itself. While a new soaking tub likely has the same standard plumbing requirements of your existing tub, the drain holes have to be prefabricated already in the tub in order to match up, so these aren’t something a plumber can adjust.

In order to determine the drain placement of your tub, look at the tub from the front, open side, that faces the middle of the room. Some tubs have a center drain, which makes things slightly easier. If the drain is on the left, then you will need a left drain placement tub, and if the drain is on your right hand side, then you’ll need to find a right drain placement.

For tubs with a reversible drain placement, the drain is located on one end, and there are no distinct features that mark the tub body as having a front or back, so the tub could be turned to fit the plumbing as needed.

Material Benefits

Acrylic - Lightweight, molded construction and non-porous surface make acrylic tubs easy to clean.

Copper - Harder to find, but very attractive in design, copper tubs are resistant to scratches and chips.

Cast Iron - Cast iron retains heat and the enamel - usually porcelain or ceramic - is hearty and can withstand most bathtub wear and tear, though cast iron tubs can be a bit heavier than the alternatives.

Solid Surface - Often made to look like stone, these resin or stone composite tubs are durable and non-porous. They retain heat well and are easy to clean, and they can stand the test of time with little to no color fading.

Insider Tips for Choosing Your Bathtub

Be sure to measure the space in your bathroom where you intend to put the new tub, as well as the doorways and walkspaces to get to it. You’ll want to be sure the tub size will fit through the stairways, hallways, and doors to get it from the delivery point to your bathroom.
When looking at the depth and width of a potential tub, remember that accessories like lumbar support pillows, support bars, and add-on pillows also take up some of the soaking-space from the inside dimensions of the tub.
You want something you can relax comfortably in, but you also want to be sure it’s safe and ultimately worthwhile. The difference of a few inches in tub width can be a lot of extra water, so be sure you have a water heater that can fill the tub with warm water to keep it worth while.
Slip resistant finishes make getting in and out of the tub easier, alongside features such as support bars.
Plan for tomorrow as well as today with a long term purchase like a bathtub. For easier, safer access, steps can be built into a custom tub surround for a drop-in or undermount tub, or there are options like the popular walk-in tubs.

Design it Your Way

Soaking tubs are a great way to bring the spa experience home at the end of the day. Plan ahead for the tub features you want and have an enjoyable, secure bathroom for years to come. Once you’ve selected your soaking tub, don’t forget to check out the bathtub faucets and showers. To complete your bathroom, you’ll need a few accessories, and we can even help you find the perfect medicine cabinets and vanities. For any questions about your project, give us a call at (800) 375-3403 or catch up with us through the live chat, seven days a week. Our knowledgeable product experts are ready to help.

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