Buying a Bathtub Without Getting Soaked

To avoid taking a bath when you're buying a tub, it's best to know what you're looking for first. This purchase may seem like a no-brainer, but there's more to consider than your color scheme before pulling out your wallet.

To soak, or not to soak
First, decide if you really want a bathtub at all. Showers usually get a daily workout, versus a bathtub's occasional use. If a hot soak relieves stress, then keep reading. But if you aren't into baths, consider going without, especially if space is tight. You can put that saved space toward an extra large shower with a bench.

Placement possibilities
Like real estate, location is the buzz word with bathtubs. If you're doing a remodel, you'll save a lot in plumbing costs by leaving the tub (and other fixtures) in its original location. Once you've decided where to put the tub, its location will dictate the kind of tub you need.

Types of tubs
The three-wall alcove or recessed bathtub is one of the most commonly installed styles. These tubs have walls on three sides. Typically, only one side of the tub is finished, because only one side is visible. If the tub will double as a shower, the walls need to be waterproof.

A corner tub is triangular and also usually has only one of its sides finished because the other two are against walls. The visible wall can be curved, like this stainless steel corner tub from Diamond Spas that can fit two people.

A drop-in tub is supported on all sides by a frame. It may be up on a platform or — to go in the opposite direction — set below floor level. Many drop-in tubs are made of lightweight acrylic and as such can be deeper and larger than a tub made from heavier material. They also may come with molded seats, for a more comfortable bathing experience.

A freestanding tub stands alone, sometimes on feet as a clawfoot tub and sometimes in a base. It tends to be a focal point of the bathroom, and can make a powerful design statement either for a period tub like Porcher's Epoque cast-iron clawfoot modelor Neo-Metro's modern, double-walled stainless steel soaking tub.