Did you know that freestanding baths have been around for about one millennium? The bathtub was invented in 1883, and in those days, the only design was the Clawfoot tub.
However, when showers became popular in the 20th century, people preferred to have shower stalls in their bathrooms instead of having freestanding baths. But freestanding baths are making an impressive comeback with more colors, designs, sizes, and shapes.
If you are considering adding a bathtub to your bathroom, you should first learn a few things about bathtubs.
What is a freestanding bathtub?
A freestanding tub stands alone. It is not attached to any wall. Thus, every side of the tub is finished. On the other hand, with an alcove tub, manufacturers only finish one side.
You can place a free-standing bath tub close to a wall or your preferred areas in your bathroom. You can position it to enjoy a pleasant feature, such as a garden or a nice landscape. However, it is still good to remember that the place where you can install a freestanding bath is dependent on access to plumbing, which usually comes through the bathroom floor.
New materials
Clawfoot tubs of old used cast iron and finished in porcelain. Many manufacturers still use cast iron, maintaining the vintage look of the bathtub. However, modern tubs use different materials. You can even find Clawfoot tubs using fiberglass or acrylic, making the tub lighter, although it cannot retain heat longer than cast iron models.
In stores, most modern freestanding soaking bathtubs use stone, copper, stone resin, fiberglass, and acrylic. With the use of newer materials, freestanding bathtubs today are heavier. Therefore, before purchasing a freestanding tub, ensure you have your bathroom floor checked because you may need to reinforce the flooring or install additional supports for the floor.
Different dimensions
Contemporary freestanding tub dimensions vary. An average tub is 170.17cm long and 81.3cm wide. Its soaking depth is 38.1cm. But homeowners with smaller bathrooms should not worry. It is possible to find freestanding tubs in the 88.9cm and 203.2cm range. The widths of smaller freestanding tubs range from 50.8cm and 149.7cm. The most common width is 81.3cm.
People are drawn to freestanding soaking bathtubs because of their depth, which is 35.56cm up to 38.1cm. The latter is the standard depth.
Features
Freestanding bathtubs have fewer features. For example, a basic model does not have shelves to hold shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, and other products. Instead, you can position the tub near the space where you store your bath essentials or order a bathtub caddy for your bathing essentials.
A range of shapes
You can now choose the shape you prefer, as freestanding bathtubs come in various shapes. The oval is the most comfortable. You can also find egg shape, slipper, asymmetrical, round, or rectangular models. In addition, there are specialty shops that offer designer and custom freestanding baths.
When shopping for a freestanding bathtub, do not only look at its design, shape, or color. Ensure that you are comfortable when you are using the tub. The bathtub should accommodate your body and give you room to move. Showrooms encourage shoppers to try the bathtub this way to ensure that the customers will be satisfied with their purpose.