In a world that is ever surging toward more modern design ideas, should you even still have a tub in your home? While big, frameless showers are definitely in, it’s still important for resell value to include a tub in your bathrooms. Even if you don’t have small children or like to soak in the tub, the next family might. If you’re not planning on selling anytime soon, think about guests and anticipate their needs. Tubs are a great idea to increase the value of your home, add functionality as well as beauty to your bathrooms and should be an addition to any showering space. The real question is, what type of tub do you want? Freestanding or built-in? Framed or with a frameless tub enclosure? We’ll list the qualities of each below and let you decide what’s best for your home and particular lifestyle.
Freestanding Tubs
Charming, claw-footed, and romantic, freestanding tubs are a great option if you want to make a statement. They are known for being luxurious, deep, relaxing, and come in all styles and shapes. Since they are surrounded by air and don’t have much insulation, free-standing tubs do have the drawback of cooling off faster than built-ins. Try getting an acrylic model or regularly adding more hot water if you want to keep the water hotter for longer. These tubs are also known for being difficult to clean. Getting around and under the curves and openings of the tub can be frustrating. Additionally, freestanding tubs tend to be pricier, and adding a shower to them is difficult. Though they have some disadvantages, you should carefully consider the pros and cons of a freestanding tub as it may be worth it to you to invest in one for the classic and unique look it provides.
Built-in Tubs
Some of the benefits of built-in tubs are that they are less expensive, keep your water hot longer, and are easier to clean. It’s also easy to save space with a built-in tub because the tub can be the shower space as well. You can keep the water contained in the bathtub and not have to worry about it splashing all over the floor (unless you have little children, then you may still have to worry). Nowadays, it’s easy to find built-in tubs that are large, jetted, and deep enough to be just as luxurious as freestanding tubs, some with enough room for two. Keep the open feel of your bathroom by using a frameless hinged tub door instead of a shower curtain. Frameless tub enclosures automatically upgrade any space and make it feel larger. With a glass bathtub door, you’re allowed the feel of privacy without being cramped.
Types of Built-in Tubs
The type of built-in tub you get and the style of the door around it both affect the benefits it provides. You can choose from a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, but the three most common types of built-in tubs are under-mount, drop-in, and apron (Apartment Therapy):
Undermount
An under-mount tub can be installed to be able to accommodate draining water from a shower above since the tub actually sits underneath a horizontal surface of either stone or tile, but the installation can sometimes get tricky. It may end up being a bit more expensive since you’d likely be buying a slab of stone of some sort to have for the deck, though tile is also an option.
Drop-in
A drop-in tub can be more cost-efficient because of install and materials; these tubs are often acrylic and not cast iron. Because it sits atop the horizontal deck, it comes with a lip that sits atop the horizontal surface to prevent water from overflowing – though some people don’t like this look. A shower over a drop-in tub would not be ideal since the tub lip blocks the water on the deck from draining into the tub.
Apron
If you’re looking for something in between, you can always count on apron tubs. These are the tubs that are in most homes, with tiled walls on three sides and the tub material continuing down to the floor — like an apron. Since these tubs have a finished wall, they strike a good balance between the architectural beauty of a freestanding tub and the practicality of a built-in tub. Apron tubs are also more affordable. Since the whole tub is one unit, there’s no need to install a surface over the tub or in front, which is good for your budget.”
No matter what you decide to do in your bathroom, make sure that you end up going with something that is both functional and beautiful for you. Framed or frameless, freestanding or built-in, the options are endless, and each one has its own positive characteristics. Keep in mind the style of your home and how you want to feel when you walk into your bathroom, and while you are taking a bath. Then choose the option that fits best with that and your budget. When considering frameless tub enclosures, contact Giant Glass & Mirror to learn about all your tub enclosure options. We have everything from frameless pivot tub doors, trackless shower doors for tubs, half glass shower doors for tubs, and much more. Contact us today for all your glass and mirror needs.
