Tips And Ideas For Improving Your Home - Basics Of Bath Design
The article below is from a series of home improvement articles, videos and tips about bathroom remodeling …
If you need to remodel a bathroom, then start by looking at the bath tub. Bath design has come a long way and there are fantastic products available that will make your bath a luxurious experience. In this article, we’ll tell you what you should keep in mind when choosing a new bathtub.
The first decision, when considering a new bath design, is the end purpose of the room. Are you updating a guest bathroom? Is it your kids’ bathroom or a master bath? Will this be a handicapped bath for an elderly parent? The next obvious thing to consider is your budget. Tubs with lots of features can be pricey, so decide what you’re prepared to pay for. If you love soaking in a tub, then investing in a quality tub is money well spent. However, you can get a jetted tub, spa or soaking tub nowadays at fairly reasonably prices if you compare different home product suppliers.
You also need to consider the available space and what it will take to install the tub. Check to see if extra carpentry will be required for installation and find out how much the tub will weigh when it’s full. A tub filled with water needs to be adequately supported, so check your framing. Cast-iron tubs, whirlpools, soaking and sunken tubs usually require additional support. A tub sized for more than one person will place extra demands on the home’s hot water supply too, so you may also require an upgrade or a separate water heater.
Besides the common rectangular shape, tubs also come in corner, oval, circular and freestanding styles. Built-in tubs can be alcove, drop-in or corner style. An alcove tub is standard in many homes and are often tub-shower combinations with waterproof surrounding walls. Drop-in tubs can be sunken into the floor or a tub deck. Drop-in models that are mounted into their own frame or deck will need additional carpentry or framework, which can add to the total cost. Corner model built-ins are installed in the corner, with surrounds on two sides. A free-standing tub has legs or ball-and-claw feet. These tubs frequently have rolled edges and slipper backs for soaking.
The ideal bath tub should cradle you comfortably, so test drive a few different styles. The ideal bath design for a soaker tub should have a depth of at least 15 to 20 inches. The material the tub is made of will also affect comfort and cost. Most are built of porcelain on steel because of its durability. For a cheaper alternative, fiberglass is an option, but it’s not as strong. For something more eye-catching, consider cast iron, solid surfacing and natural stone. No matter which bath tub you choose, remember to add beautiful bathroom accessories and everyone will shower you with praise for your bathroom remodeling ideas.
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