From basic functionality to luxurious, today’s bathtubs offer a dizzying range of styles from freestanding to walk-in bathtubs as well as an array of materials and sizes. But how to choose the right bathtub for your remodel? This simple guide will lay out all the considerations, materials, and tips for you to make the right decision!
Few things beat a soak in a well-designed tub after a long, stressful day. Turn your bathroom into at home spa with modern options available in a plethora of sizes, styles, and materials.
Over the years, we’ve torn out and replaced several bathtubs in our home remodeling adventures. With much installation experience and after living with several types, some clear winners have emerged.
Types of Bathtubs
Understanding the different types of bathtubs can help you choose the perfect one for your bathroom remodel. Here's a breakdown:
- Freestanding Bathtubs: These bathtubs don’t connect to any wall and usually need separate plumbing added to them either from the floor or wall.
- Alcove Bathtubs: The most common type, which reaches wall to wall in small bathrooms. You can see an example in one of our bathrooms just below. They come in a standard 60 inches long generally.
- Drop-in Bathtubs: These tubs are designed to drop into a pre-built deck or platform, which gives you options for odd sized corners or wall spaces.
- Walk-in Bathtubs: Ideal for individuals with limited mobility or young children, these bathtubs feature a door for easy access and can fit in smaller bathrooms where standard sized alcove tubs won’t.
Considerations for Choosing a Bathtub
1. Cleaning and Maintenance
Many bathtubs today have a slip-resistant bottom, which may make it more difficult to clean if it’s rough. Check with the manufacturer about how the bottom surface is cleaned. Cheaper materials are more prone to scratching.
Avoid abrasive cleaners. It can cause unseen pitting and scratching in the surface which will make it easier to stain/harder to clean over time.
2. Bathtub Weight
Bathtub materials vary greatly in weight. A cast iron tub often weighs 300lbs or more, before filling with water. This weight can be a structural challenge on upper or non-reinforced floors.
The second challenge is getting a heavy tub up the stairs. Acrylic and fiberglass tubs are lightweight and easy to maneuver.
3. Which Bathtub Material is Best?
Bathtubs aren’t something you want to replace often. If a bathtub must be replaced, often so will all the surrounding materials such as tile, shower doors, and possibly sub-floor. That’s a costly expense. While I can’t promise that any bathtub is impervious, here is a list of bathtub materials listed from least durable to most:
- Fiberglass or fiberglass-reinforced plastic are the most affordable but least durable and don’t hold heat well. Although prone to scratching and cracking, fiberglass tubs are lightweight and easy to install, and some cracks can be repaired.
- Acrylic tubs also present similar levels of durability and scratch resistance to a fiberglass tub, but they hold heat a little better. They are lightweight and affordable, making them popular with budget conscious homeowners.
- Porcelain Over Steel is a more durable option, depending on the thickness of the porcelain coating. Porcelain enamel can chip but the tub can be repaired in place. It’s much more impact and scratch resistant than a fiberglass or acrylic tub. The steel is usually a thin sheet and can flex, so that is something to watch for.
- They are more prone to chipping from heavy impacts but less likely to scratch, longer lasting, but also lighter than true cast iron. Additionally, some styles look cheap. (cons) The quality of these bathtubs can vary dramatically depending on the thickness of the steel or coating.
- Cast iron with a thick coated enamel is definitely the most durable of the basic tub materials and the most resistant to cracking. They are known for their durability and heat retention, but extremely heavy and some installations cannot be done.
- Stone Resin: This material combines natural stone and resin, providing a luxurious feel and excellent durability. However, the weight and price point will put this out of reach of most people.
4. Price
Like it or not, price is always going to be a factor. I’ve found that for the most part, you get what you pay for with bathtubs. Improved materials and proper installation are truly the keys to a long-lasting bathtub.
5. Other Considerations
- Bottom Flexing. If you’ve ever stood in a cheap fiberglass tub, you know the feeling of flexing. Over time this can weaken a tub. Cast iron tubs are heavier with no flexing.
- Water Heater Capacity. Ensure your water heater can handle the capacity of your new bathtub, especially if you opt for a larger tub or a soaking tub.
- Installation. Some bathtubs, like freestanding or clawfoot tubs, are easier to install, while others, like drop-in tubs, require more complex installation procedures.
- Mobility.
Pro tip: You can stop the bottom flexing when you get in with a proper mortar setting under the bottom. Check with your installer and the manufacturer about using a mortar setting.
The Best Bathtubs (Our Recommendations)
Best Freestanding- Wyndam Collection Rebecca Freestanding
Roomy for those six feet and taller, while still keeping a comfortable back curve for relaxing. It comes in 60-, 65-, and 70-inch varieties. The acrylic flat bottom retains heat very well, while providing a deeper soak for full immersion.
Best Alcove Bathtub – American Standard Cambridge
I have installed and used two of these because I do like them so much. Americast is American Standard’s unique patented process that fully bonds a high-quality porcelain surface with an enameling grade steel and a molded reinforcement composite backing. It’s almost like getting all of the benefits of a cast iron tub (heat retention, durability) with the benefits of a lighter weight tub. It’s also one of the deepest alcove tubs on the market. The enameled surface is very durable and easy to clean.
If you’re looking for a more budget friendly option, we have installed the American Standard Princeton as well. It has all of the same components and heat retention of the Cambridge. However, it isn’t as deep or as wide.
Best Budget – Bootz Industries Aloha 60 inch Alcove Tub
This is available in a 60 inch, which we have installed before, and a 72-inch variety. The design and the 8 fully adjustable jets are modeled for pure relaxation and comfort. You can’t beat it for the price, especially when compared to many other pricier whirlpool tubs.
Best Whirlpool/Jetted – American Standard Everclean Whirlpool
This is available in a 60 inch and 72-inch variety. The design and the 8 fully adjustable jets are modeled for pure relaxation and comfort. You can’t beat it for the price, especially when compared to many other pricier whirlpool tubs.
Best Small Space – Kohler 48 inch Drop In Soaking Tub
Can’t fit a full-size bathtub? A bathroom without a tub feels less luxurious, so a drop-in soaking makes a great compromise! This tub is well-made and is ideal for smaller spaces.
More Bathroom Remodeling Tutorials
- Modern Classic Bathroom Reveal
- The BEST method for caulking a bathtub (VIDEO)
- How to Design Vanity Lighting
- Beginner’s Guide to Tiling a Shower
- Deep Clean Grout like New
Frequently asked questions
Bathtubs are measured stud to stud. Bathtubs are mounted directly on the studs, so they are measured without any drywall consideration. A standard tub is 60 inches long with a variety of widths.
However, unless you move the plumbing, a replacement bathtub must be the same width as the old one. The waste pipe, overflow valve, and faucets are lined up centerline of the bathtub.
Relaxing in a tub relieves stress, help sore muscles, and temporarily helps circulation. There is also no quicker way to regulate your body temperature or better to bathe small children. Also, not having at least one tub in a home can be a dealbreaker for future home buyers.
I advise against cleaning bathtubs with harsh or abrasive cleaners like Ajax, Oxiclean, or Bleach. Even vinegar is an acid that can break down the surface over time if not rinsed well. For glass and faucets, you can find my favorite tried and true natural glass cleaning recipes for an easy, natural solution.
The distance from the centerline of a toilet to any bath fixture, wall, or other obstacle should be at least 18 inches for comfort. Code generally requires at least 15 inches.
In this particular remodel, after taking in all of our considerations, we chose the American Standard Cambridge Alcove Bathtub and LOVE it. However, we have installed a few of the other choices above because the needs were different – i.e. features such as jets, easier to reach into, etc.
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Bathroom Update Ideas
susan says
Thanks for the useful info. Do you have product info for that blue mosaic glass tile in your niche? We love it.
Rachel says
I cannot find that particular tile anymore, or at least not photos that are good enough to be sure it’s exactly the same. It’s a 1×2 glass mosaic tile and this looks like a darker version which I bought from the tile store. Other similar ones that I found include this Oceana Azul from Home Depot, Island Antiqua 1″ x 4″ and this one from Floor & Decor which is definitely more iridescent.
Kay says
What sliding shower door fits the Cambridge tub?
Rachel says
Almost all alcove bathtubs, including the cambridge, are a standard size fitting into a 60-inch space. Therefore, many sliding glass doors will fit. I have used something similar to the Elan frameless. In my experience, I generally pay attention to how deep a shower door is compared to the outside lip of the bathtub to make sure that there won’t be any overhang and that it will attach properly. For most sliding doors, you will have to drill into the bathtub to attach doors.
Malin says
In the remodel above, with the Cambridge Alcove tub, what surround did you use? We are looking to replace an old fiberglass alcove tub in an upstairs bathroom, and worry about leaks, as we just remodeled the kitchen that is underneath. Thanks
Rachel says
As long as the bathtub is level and the caulking is good, there should be no worry of leaks. We custom tiled our surround including the niche.
Victoria Addington says
I am thinking of getting a new bathtub at home because the old one seems worn and I’m too lazy to scrub it due to is discoloration. Since it’s been with us for over six years, I’m planning to replace it with a modern design. I agree with you that durability is one of my considerations in looking for a bathtub since this isn’t something I want to replace often.
Peter Wallace says
Hi Rachel. Another thing to consider is: If you are planning on getting a soaker tub, will your existing hot water heater be able to fill it with our running out of hot water.
Jane Wilson @ Modern Housewives says
The durability of the bathtub is the most important thing to look at, by my opinion. Porcelain over steel is my preferred choice too, because these things can last for years, and even if you scratch or chip the porcelain, fixing it is not so complicated. I also love the bathtub divider glass, it’s way more classy than using curtains. When we did our bathroom renovation a couple of years ago, the glass barrier was one of the first things I bought. It was even more important than the bathtub itself.