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Choosing a Bathtub: Everything you Need to Know

When planning a bathroom renovation, choosing the right bathtub is an essential step. Bathtubs come in various styles, including alcove tubs, platform tubs, freestanding tubs, as well as the ever-popular clawfoot tub. In this guide we present the main types of bathtubs and important factors to consider when choosing one.

Bathtub parts

Bathtubs have changed considerably over the decades but the basic features remain the same. Let's take a look at the main ones.

Faucet location

The location of the faucets varies depending on the type of bathtub. The tub may have one, two or three holes on its rim for installing the faucet, or it may be a type of tub that requires a wall-mount or floor-mount faucet installation.

Overflow

The overflow is a small hole located near the top of the tub, connected to the drain system. It prevents the tub from overflowing if the water is left running.

Drain

The drain is a hole located in the bottom of the tub for the water to be evacuated towards the drain pipe. You need to make sure that the location of the drain is compatible with the existing plumbing (in the case of a renovation) or that you have enough space to install new plumbing lines (for a new construction). Accessible bathtubs (with a side door) may have two drains to remove the water faster.

Materials, shapes and colours

Some manufacturers offer complete bathroom ranges, allowing you to match the tub with the toilet, the shower and the sink. The most common colours are white, cream, beige, grey and black.

Though the sizes of bathtubs vary from one manufacturer to another, certain dimensions are standard: 60" long x 30" or 32" wide, x 19" deep (exterior dimensions).

Some tubs are 72" long by 48" wide, allowing two people to bathe facing each other, and there are even models measuring 60" x 60" for two people to sit side by side. Corner baths can measure up to 60" x 60" and 21" deep.

Bathtubs are usually offered in four different materials. Let's take a look at their different features to help you make the right choice.

Enamelled steel bathtub

Features:
  • Coated with a layer of porcelain

Advantages:
  • Inexpensive
  • Non-porous, does not stain, fade or rust
  • Does not lose its shine
  • Easy to clean

Disadvantages:
  • The enamel can chip easily if knocked, and repairs are costly as they must be done by a professional
  • The tub is slippery, noisy, and loses heat quickly unless it is foam insulated
  • Limited choice of shapes and sizes

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Acrylic bathtub

Features:
  • Thermoformed, fibreglass-reinforced acrylic sheets

Advantages:
  • Wide variety of models, sizes, depths and other options
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to clean
  • Holds heat well
  • Can be colour-matched with an acrylic washbasin

Disadvantages:
  • Acrylic is less rigid than other materials, so the structure supporting the tub must be perfectly level and very sturdy
  • Not very resistant to scratches and corrosion from solvents

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Gel coat fibreglass bathtub

Advantages:
  • Less expensive than acrylic
  • Lightweight and easy to install
  • Several grades of finish, some thicker than others

Disadvantage:
  • Gel coat is thin and less wear-resistant than acrylic

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Cast iron bathtub

Advantages:
  • The most durable, shiny and expensive of all bathtub materials; typically used for clawfoot tubs
  • Holds heat well
  • Resistant to flaking under normal conditions
  • Exceptionally long-lasting

Disadvantages:
  • Heavy
  • Can be damaged if knocked by a metal object
  • Repairs must be done by a professional

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Bathtub types

Bathrooms have undergone a transformation over the decades, from a purely utilitarian space to a room dedicated to relaxation and well-being.

Bathtubs, used primarily for relaxation, are available in many different shapes and designs to suit all kinds of bathroom layouts. Whirlpool and therapeutic tubs are equipped with jets. The sleek, elegant lines of contemporary bathtubs make them the centrepiece of modern bathrooms.

Alcove bathtub

Inexpensive and space efficient, this standard bathtub is inserted between three walls so that only one side is visible (the apron).

Features
Made of enamelled steel , or acrylic, which is slightly more expensive. If an enamelled tub becomes worn, it can be resurfaced or even covered with a new acrylic "tub" moulded to fit on top.

Installation
Install an alcove bathtub with an apron between three walls.

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Platform bathtub

This bathtub is built into a platform or deck casing, which is typically tiled with ceramic but can also be covered with stone, wood, or another material. If ceramic tiles are used, they should preferably be the same as those installed on the floor.

Features
Drop-in tubs come in various shapes and styles.

Platform installation offers flexibility in terms of the volume of the tub you choose and the location of the faucets. The piping of whirlpool and therapeutic tubs is also easier to accommodate with this type of installation.

Installation
The tub is built into a casing which is constructed directly on the floor.

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Freestanding tub

The freestanding bathtub has an ultra-contemporary look and its design evolves year after year. This type of bathtub sits directly on the floor and requires a fairly large bathroom.

Features
All the outer sides of the tub are covered by an apron made of the same material as the tub itself.

Installation
The tub is installed directly on the floor, which must be level and solid. The water supply and drainage systems must be carefully planned in order to incorporate these elements aesthetically.

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Soaking tub

This oversized, extra-deep bathtub is designed to immerse the whole body. Its shape and length provide superior comfort.

Features
Due to its depth, this type of tub must be partially or completely embedded in the floor.

Installation
An opening is cut in the floor to accommodate a platform on which the tub rests. It is crucial for this structure to be solid and sturdy, given the considerable weight of the tub when filled with water.

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Clawfoot tub

Nowadays generally made of acrylic (though cast iron models are still available), the clawfoot bathtub remains a true classic.

Depth and durability are additional reasons to choose this style of tub. Some models are sloped at one end to provide a backrest, for greater comfort.

Features
The plumbing is exposed.

Installation
Clawfoot tubs are installed directly on the floor.

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Bathtub shower

A bathtub shower unit, usually made from acrylic, combines the advantages of a tub and a shower in one module.

Features
The bathtub shower combo is assembled in the room. Its components are relatively light, which makes them easy to carry and install.

Installation
A bathtub shower can be installed in an alcove (between three walls), a partial alcove (between two walls) or even in a corner.

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Walk-in bathtub

This type of tub is designed for people with reduced mobility who find it difficult to lift their legs over the side of a regular tub.

Features
The tub has a sealed watertight door and contains an easily accessible seat and grab bars.

Installation
The tub is installed on the floor just like a freestanding tub. It may come with two drains to evacuate the water more quickly.

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Installation : how it's done

The first step in any bathroom remodeling project is to establish the scope of the work required. Ask yourself if you are prepared to move drains, plumbing lines, cabinets or knock down walls. If you prefer to use the existing plumbing connections, you must choose your bathtub accordingly, taking into account the location of the drain and faucets.

If you do not intend to alter the position of walls, your new tub will obviously need to fit perfectly into the existing alcove and you must also make sure that it will fit through the staircase and doorways.

Regardless of the type and shape of bathtub you choose, the unit must have at least 5' of accessible sides and 3' of clearance space around it.

Fitting a new tub is fairly straightforward if you are simply replacing an old fixture without moving existing plumbing or drainage lines.

The basic tools you will need are:

For more details, consult our other projects: Build a platform with a drop-in bathtub, Install a bathtub and shower, and Install a shower bathtub faucet.

Need any help? Let us take care of the installation for you!

As for whirlpool and therapeutic tubs, the installation is more complex and must be done by professionals.

Pro Tip

When installing or replacing a bathroom faucet for your new bathtub, consider models with a handheld sprayer as it will be useful for washing hair or rinsing the tub!

Whirlpool and therapeutic tubs

Whirlpool tubs are smaller than hot tubs and need to be filled everytime they are used. Also, there is no need to treat the water or install a special dehumidifying system.

Whirlpool tubs do produce very strong jets, which may not be suitable or recommended for everyone. Under such circumstances, it may be best to choose a therapeutic bath. Some bathtubs combine the benefits of both whirlpool and therapeutic models.

Finally, another option is chromatherapy – coloured lights on the inside of the tub whose colours can be alternated for an energizing or soothing effect.

When choosing between a whirlpool or a therapeutic tub, some technical aspects need to be considered:
  • The pump on a whirlpool bath must be installed in close proximity to the tub, which requires an access panel in the apron
  • The air compressor for a therapeutic tub can be installed in a cabinet, storage closet or even another room
  • Therapeutic bathtubs require significantly less maintenance than whirlpool tubs
  • A whirlpool bathtub must be cleaned at least twice a month, in order to remove bacteria that can build up in the pipes and spread into the water which can cause infections.

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