As a homeowner, you likely already know that the list of projects you have never seems to get any shorter. Once one problem gets fixed, another seems to emerge; you change one wall color, but now none of your curtains match—it never ends!
But if you’re ready for a larger project, like renovating your bathroom, you’ve likely put some considerable thought into how you want to tackle it. If you’re looking to turn your drab, dark bathroom into a bright and open spa atmosphere, Weinstein Supply recommends going with a freestanding bathtub. As a symbol of luxury, it’s a feature a lot of homeowners are afraid of, but you don’t have to be!
From measurements to fixtures, or wall color to lighting, there are so many details you need to take into consideration before getting started with your dream bathroom, but we want to make your tub choice that much easier.
Choosing the Right Size
This likely goes without saying, but one of the most important things to consider when installing a freestanding tub is the size. While we all want a huge bathtub that feels like a Jacuzzi, your bathroom may not have enough space to fit one.
Freestanding bathtubs are usually quite large, but you can find smaller sizes that still fit your needs. If you’re installing one on the second floor, it may be best to check with a contractor to make sure your floor doesn’t need any reinforcement for the weight of the tub. You’ll also want to make sure you measure any doorways you have to pass through with your new tub because removing door frames to make it fit is a headache that nobody wants to deal with.
Choosing Tub Style
The style of your freestanding bathtub is all about personal taste, but if you don’t know what you’re looking at, you may feel overwhelmed. These are a few of the most common freestanding tub styles that you will see when making your decision:
- Slipper: One of the more common and modern designs are slipper tubs. Typically you’ll see these with one end being sloped for lounging, while the other contains the faucet and hardware. Slippers can also be “double slippers” and be sloped on both sides.
- Clawfoot: Despite having been around for quite some time, clawfoot tubs are still very popular today. If you’ve ever seen a large porcelain tub standing on, well, clawed feet, that’s precisely what a clawfoot tub is! More modern designs tend to be a bit more ornate, but again, it’s all about your preferred taste.
- Pedestal: Rather than resting on clawed feet, these types of tubs rest on a pedestal or “skirt.” While clawfoot tubs leave a gap between the floor and the actual tub itself, pedestal tubs sit fully on the floor. These can have either single or double slippered ends depending on your preference.
- Japanese Soaking: When you’re looking to save space, a soaking tub may be the perfect solution for you. Japanese soaking tubs specifically are a bit taller than standard tubs but have a much smaller diameter, usually with a seat inside. That way you can still be fully submerged, but comfortable at the same time.
Choosing Bathtub Material
If you think all freestanding bathtubs have to be plain and white, think again! There are many different types of materials you can find with your new tub, it all depends on what you’re looking for.
For a homeowner looking for a wide variety of designs to choose from, consider seeking out an acrylic or solid surface tub. Both are popular choices due to their ease of installation, as well as being relatively lightweight. As a result, most won’t require you to reinforce your floor due to weight limitations.
When weight isn’t a concern, you have quite a few material options: cast iron, copper, stone, or stainless steel (to name a few). All of these have their own unique look, but the best part is that they’re all very good at retaining heat naturally, making them perfect for soaking. Stainless steel and copper tubs are also extremely easy to clean, while cast iron is tough to scratch. And when you really want to make a statement with your freestanding tub, stone is the way to go!
Fixtures and Faucets
So you’ve decided on the type of freestanding tub you want, and even picked out the material for it—but what about the other fixtures?
Most of the time, your faucet and tub fixtures will once again come down to your design preference. Whether you like a more modern design, classic Victorian, or the popular “telephone” style, you have plenty of options. Most also come with several finish options, the most popular being bronze, chrome, and nickel. But if you’re installing the tub yourself, you’ll want to take what type of faucet you want into consideration first.
Floor Mounted
Depending on how the plumbing is configured within your home, floor mounted faucets tend to be easier to install with freestanding tubs. These types of faucets are installed on the floor and stand next to the basin of your tub and can have either a single or double handle. If your tub doesn’t have any pre-drilled holes for a faucet or fixtures, this is going to be your best option.
Wall Mounted
Most standard tubs and showers nowadays tend to have wall mounted tub faucets, so if your current bathroom already has this setup, you may be able to configure it for your new freestanding bathtub easily. If not, we recommend hiring a plumber to help with the water supply. Regardless, this can be a nice, clean option that doesn’t take up any floor space, and also comes in either double or single handle options.
Frequently Asked Questions about Freestanding Tubs
Here at Weinstein Supply, we get a lot of questions about freestanding bathtubs. For over 40 years, we’ve been serving homeowners, contractors, and HVAC professionals alike throughout the Lancaster area, so we know what it takes to get the job done. Here are a few of the most common questions we tend to hear.
Can a freestanding tub have a shower?
The short answer? Yes. But it’s going to come down to what you find aesthetically pleasing in your bathroom. If you have a freestanding tub but plan on showering more than bathing, you may want to keep your shower and tub separate. On the other hand, if you want your shower and tub together, you’ll have to install a shower rod that circles the tub, so you don’t get water all over your bathroom.
Are freestanding bathtubs comfortable?
The answer to this is, of course, going to be a matter of opinion and personal preference, but for most people, the answer is “yes.” We’re firm believers in the “try it before you buy it” philosophy so you can get a better idea of what you do and don’t like about specific models of freestanding tubs. If you’re exceptionally tall, the length of a tub may be critical to you, while if you’re very short, you don’t want one that’s too long because you can’t use your feet as leverage to keep from floating away!
What is the best freestanding bathtub?
The best freestanding bathtub is the one that works best for you and your needs. At Weinstein Supply, we have several brands of tubs, faucets, or bathroom fixtures always in stock for you to come and test out in our Lancaster showroom. Whether you’re building your dream bathroom or simply upgrading your hardware, we’re here to help.
Schedule an appointment with us today to meet with our staff and browse our showroom!