Selecting A Bathtub

1. The bathtub you select should depend on which bathroom it will reside in and who will be using it. Whirlpool or jetted bathtubs, or two person tubs will be better suited for placement in a master suite, especially if there are small chidren in the household.

You may have an all adult household, but should you need to sell your home in the future, these tubs in a main bath could could hold less appeal for a buyer with small children.

2. Check the supporting structure in your bathroom before purchasing a cast iron bathtub or a whirlpool. What is their water capacity? Each gallon of water weighs roughly 8 pounds. If you fill these tubs to capacity, the combined weight of the tub itself plus the water could be quite considerable. Be sure the structure of your floor will support them.

3. Speaking of capacity, how much water will it take to fill the tub you are considering? Will you need to update your hot water supply?

4. There are many types of bathtub material. Each has it's good and not so good points. For example cast iron is very durable if cared for, but you may find acrylic warmer to the touch. Enameled steel holds up overall, but can be noisy and has a tendency to chip.

5. Size and shape of your bathroom is an important consideration. An alcove bathtub is space efficient, but an oddly shaped room may call for a corner tub. Drop in tubs can be installed below floor level, or mounted in a platform. This is a better choice for a more spacious bath, and may require professional installation.

6. Jetted or whirlpool tubs will need some periodic maintenance. Before you install, plan how you will gain access when maintenance is needed. Ask about noise factor before making a final decision.

7. Whatever type of bathtub you select, treat it kindly. Consult manufacturer care and maintenance tips. Each bathtub material responds differently to chemicals and cleaners.

Caution: Bath salts and oils should not be used in a whirlpool tub as they can damage and clog the pumping system.

Replacing a bathtub with home resale in mind is somewhat different than replacing it for your own ongoing needs, and there are a couple of things to think about before you start.

First decide if you really need to replace the tub or will some refurbishing do as much for your needs.

What is the condition of the bathtub itself?

If the bathtub itself is in good condition, maybe replacing the surround above the tub will give it a whole new fresh appearance. Replacing shower doors, bathtub faucets and recaulking can also do a lot for the look of a bathtub.

If replacing a bathtub is the only option, there are a couple of things to consider. For many years showers were very popular and considered adequate. Today, however, bathtubs are back and homeowners expect them in both a main bath and a master suite. In fact, it is not considered to be a real master suite unless it has a tub.

A couple of things to consider before buying a replacement bathtub:

1. If you are thinking of adding a whirlpool tub, it is better suited for a master suite.



2. .If your home has three bedrooms or more your main market will be families with children, and a whirlpool in a main bathroom may not be
   considered a plus.



3. Before installing a whirlpool tub in the hope of getting more for your home, check around and see what comparable homes in your area sell
   for. You don't want to over-invest in improvements that will not pay for themselves.

Bathrooms and kitchens are the most looked at rooms when you are selling. A bathroom can make or break a sale. Updating your bath, making it free of clutter, and being sure it is pristine when your home is shown is essential. But...

Don't over-improve if you won't get your investment back, and consider the options above before replacing a bathtub. Reglazing a lack-lustre bathtub is another option. This is not in-expensive, but it is much less work and chaos.

In the early twentieth century as bathrooms moved indoors, and became a part of most homes, bathtubs were prized possessions. But, as happens with so many things the trend eventuslly changed as showers became common. Many people enjoyed the speed and efficiency of a shower, and the bathtub lost most of it's former favor for quite a number of years.

While the shower is an important part of most bathroom and has lost none of it's appeal, the bathtub is again regaining it's former status in the bathroom of today.

Bathtubs are Back

Many homeowners now prefer both a bathtub and a shower, and if room permits most want them as separate standalone units.

Bathroom are given a more important place in today's lifestyle and much thought goes into setting up a pleasing and enjoyable atmosphere in the bathrooms of today, and this is especially true of the master bath.

Life is very busy and often stressful for the families of our modern time and people are equipping their master baths to be enjoyed as a retreat and a place to relax from the stresses of the day.

The home improvement industry has responded to this trend by making many different types of bathtubs available, and in a variety of materials.

The claw foot bathtub saw a decline in popularity for a time, as more modern and sleeker styles became popular. That is no longer true. Today many homeowners favor a vintage style in their bathrooms and the clawfoor tub is again a very popular feature in many bathrooms.

Deep soaking tubs are also a very popular style which migrated here from Japan. These bathtubs are very deep to give the most for an aching body at the end of the work day. They are available in one person bathtubs or can be found to accomodate two people comfortably.

The whirlpool is also rapidly gaining popularity. Whirlpool bathtubs offer a vigorous massaging action by forcing air and water through a number of jets and many find the whirlpool bath to be a therapeutic experience. Whirlpool bathtubs are available in various sizes to accomodate different bathroom situations, and different pocketbooks.

Before buying a whirlpool tub it is highly recommended that you try it out for size and comfort. That suggestion is literal. Most experts recommend visiting your local supplier and actually getting in the bathtub and lying down just as you would if you were using it at home to see how it feels. One size does not fit all.

When considering a soaking tub or a whirlpool bathtub, make sure that your hot water supply will be adequate. If the tub is large you may need a new hot water tank.

Many bathtub options and in various materials are available on today's market. Shop with care, investigate features, and inquire about care and maintenance. Whirlpool bathtubs do require periodic maintenance.

Bathtubs are a great feature for a bathroom, and even with the popularity of showers for speed and convenience, there are times a bathtub can be a very desirable thing to have.

Standard bathtubs fill the bill for many homes. Yes, there are a variety of bathtubs out there, whirlpool tubs, corner bathtubs, two person tubs etc., but in many homes economy of space is a real need, and a bathtub/shower combination can be the best solution.

In a home with young children a bathtub is necessary until they are old enough to take a shower and feel comfortable about it. When you have aches and pains, there is nothing like a bath to soothe your aching body. Just start an exercise program after a lengthy absence of exercise and you can really appreciate a good warm soak.

But many homes will not accomodate both a bathtub and a shower as separate units. This is when a standard bathtub is a good choice. An alcove bathtub with a surround and the added feature of a showerhead will solve both needs and in the same space.

This may not look as luxurious as separate units, but it is a good practical solution to a space problem. If this is your situation, then you can add some perks to make you feel better about the compromise.

Buy yourself a great shower head. Many people like the large rain shower heads. There are also shower heads that offer a variety of sprays, and even massage shower heads. Unlike in the early days of the portable units these new showerheads really do their job.

Another way to dress up your standard bathtub/shower combination is to put in a special surround in a material or pattern of your choosing to give you the feel of a little extra luxury even in a smaller space.

Another option is to install a very attractive shower door.

A final suggestion is to buy a deep bathtub. Buying a standard bathtub that is deeper will give you the maximum enjoyment when you just want a warm luxurious soak. Do some shopping around, and you will find standard bathtubs that have more depth.

And, once your new bathtub is installed treat yourself to some special bathsalts, bubble bath and products that will enable you to fully enjoy your new bathtub.

Homeowners today are outfitting their bathrooms with many amenities, and a bathtub is again considered a very necessary item. With all the stresses in our modern busy lifestyle a bathtub is a very welcome fixture in the bathrooms of today whether it is a standard bathtub used for a nice relaxing soak, or a whirlpool tub that can offer the added benefit of a more therapuetic bath.

Today's bathtubs come in many forms from the standard tub, to deep soaking tubs, corner tubs and whirlpool or jetted tubs.

The materials are also very diverse

The traditional clawfoot tub was cast iron, and these are enjoying a major comeback, but they are also available in acrylic which offers the added benefit of being lighter, warm to the touch and retains heat for a longer period of time. There are also jetted clawfoot tubs available.

Corner tubs find their place either to solve a space problem in an awkwardly shaped bath or because the look is a personal preference.

Pedestal tubs are an interesting concept with their roots in the Art Deco era.

A copper bathtub is the ultimate choice, but not within most budgets.

When planning a bathroom remodel, do some serious window shopping, survey all your options before making a final selection. Installing a bathtub is a big project, and one you won't wish to do again for many years.

Whirlpool tubs are a wonderful option for your bathroom if you have the space and your budget will allow.

Whirlpool tubs are made of various materials, but the two best options are cast iron or acrylic.

Cast iron is very durable, but the drawback is the weight factor. When you consider the weight of the bathtub itself, and then factor in the additional weight when it is filled with water, this can put a lot of stress on your floor. Be sure, if you select a cast iron model, to check your floor to verify it can take the load.

Acrylic tubs can be a good choice because they weigh much less and will be warmer to the touch. Of the newer materials used in making bathtubs acrylic stands up better over time.

Features to consider when purchasing a whirlpool bathtub:

1. Is your hot water heater large enough? You should be able to fill your tub approximately two thirds full of warm water. Check the water capacity of the bathtub to be sure.

2. The pump size and where it will be located is another important thing to consider. Usually a 2 hp is the recommended size. Location will be important from the standpoint of noise factor.

3. Inquire about maintenance needs, and access.

4. consider how many jets you want and where they will be located.

5. Lumbar support, slip resistant tub bottom, and a 20 minute safety shutoff are features you should be sure are included.

6. Check with your local building authority about installation. You will probably need the bathtub professionally installed because of the electrical and plumbing needs, and to ensure a safe installation.

7. And finally, be sure this is something that you will use regularly before you take the plunge. A whirlpool is a wonderful way to relax at the end of the day, but be sure you will take full advantage of your investment.