Drop in Bathtub Buying Guide
A drop in bathtub is the perfect choice for a luxury bathroom. It can be integrated into the design of a bathroom seamlessly. A drop in bathtub is built into a framed enclosure either on the wall or on the floor. There is no doubt that such a bathtub will add style to a bathroom.
Drop in bathtubs are widely available for sale on the market these days. Bathtubs of this type come in a large selection of materials, shapes, and styles. That’s the reason why picking the right drop in the bathtub is not always easy. It’s necessary to pick a drop in bathtub that meets the design of your bathroom space, specific needs of your bathroom, and personal style in the best possible way.
In this Drop in Bathtub Buying Guide, we are going to talk about drop in bathtubs. We’ll tell you about factors that you need to take into consideration when choosing a drop in bathtub. Plus, we’ll give tips that you should follow to choose a bathtub that suits your bathroom space well.
Here, we are going to discuss the following topics:
- Things to Consider Before Buying a Drop in Bathtub
- Drop in Bathtub Materials
- Styles of Drop in Bathtubs
- Colors of Drop in Bathtubs
- Sizes of Drop in Bathtubs
- Prices of Drop in Bathtubs
- How Drop in Bathtubs are Different from Other Types of Bathtubs
- Tips for Choosing a Drop in Bathtub
- What Drop in Bathtub is Right for Your Bathroom?
So, let’s get started.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Drop in Bathtub
The process of buying a drop in bathtub requires some preparation. There are several factors to consider for selecting the right drop in bathtub for a bathroom. If you take into account these factors you will be able to narrow down your choices and make a smart decision easily and quickly. It’s necessary to consider all your options carefully and make the best possible choice.
Bathroom space. First and foremost, you need to decide how much space available you have in your bathroom. Measure your bathroom and make sure that you are going to buy a drop in bathtub that is suitable for your bathroom space.
It’s important to know that drop in bathtubs are space-saving solutions. Drop in bathtubs are very practical and can be easily customized for your bathroom space.
Drop in bathtubs are built either into the deck or surround. As a result, more space is provided in your bathroom. Bathtubs of this type are worth considering if you have a bathroom of a small size.
Design of a bathroom. Bear in mind that a drop in bathtub is a focal point that gets a lot of attention in your bathroom. That’s why it’s so important to pick a bathtub that’s suitable for your bathroom design.
When choosing a drop in bathtub you need to pay close attention to its shape, finish, tub color, drain color, and claw foot color. Give a preference to a drop in bathtub that suits other design elements in your bathroom well. And of course, the bathtub of your choice has to fit your lifestyle.
What is great about drop in bathtubs is that they are versatile. It’s possible to place a drop in the bathtub anywhere in your bathroom. It can be built into the floor or wall. A drop in bathtub can be installed in the corner.
With a drop in bathtub, your bathroom will look like a spa. Without a doubt, such a bathtub will provide you with a luxurious bathing experience.
Budget. And of course, you should set up a budget for a drop in bathtub in advance. In other words, you need to decide how much money you are ready to spend on a drop in bathtub. After that, you have to consider drop in bathtubs that correspond to your budget.
Drop in Bathtub Materials
Drop in bathtubs are available in many different materials. The most common bathtub materials include acrylic, cast-iron, fiberglass, and solid surface resin. It’s important to know that each material has its own pros and cons. You should study all drop in bathtub materials carefully and pick one that meets your needs and preferences best.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a non-porous material. It’s a mix of fiberglass and resin. The material itself is very durable. So, an acrylic bathtub is likely to serve you for a long period of time.
On the other hand, acrylic is a material that can’t boast of great heat retention properties like cast-iron. However, an acrylic bathtub can keep water warm for a long period of time. It’s also important to note that acrylic bathtubs are cheaper compared to cast-iron bathtubs and more expensive compared to fiberglass bathtubs.
Cast-iron
Cast iron drop in bathtubs impress with their timeless appearance. Such bathtubs are an ideal choice for bathrooms which are designed in a classic style.
Cast iron is a material that has excellent heat retention properties. The material is very strong and extremely durable. Another important thing that you need to know that cast iron is a scratch-resistant resistant material. Cast iron bathtubs are easy to clean and easy to maintain. That means that it will not take you too much time to clean and maintain a drop in bathtub.
No special cleaners are required for a drop in bathtub. You can use such household products as baking soda, dishwashing liquid or white vinegar to remove dirt and soap scam from the surface of your bathtub. That means that such a bathtub will preserve its beauty for many years to come.
However, iron tubs are very heavy and that’s why bathroom floor may require reinforcement. Because of their heavy weight, cast iron tubs can be hard to install and move around. Another disadvantage of cast iron bathtubs is that they are more expensive compared to other materials.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a material that’s well-known for its affordability. However, the material has porous nature and that’s the reason why its quality leaves much to be desired. The material may begin to bend over time. That means that fiberglass is not the best choice for those, who would like to buy a durable bathtub. Such a bathtub is unlikely to serve well for a long time.
Solid Surface Resin
Solid surface resin means elegance and durability. Bathtubs, which are made from this material, have seamless and sleek design. It’s also important to note that solid surface resin is durable and strong material. Solid surface resin is the material that has excellent heat retention properties.
Styles of Drop in Bathtubs
The style of a drop in bathtub affects the design of a bathroom. A drop in bathtub of your choice has to correspond to the design of your bathroom and reflect your personal taste.
It’s worth noting that drop in bathtubs impress with their appearance. So, you can use a drop in bathtub to create the desired look and feel in your bathroom.
It’s pretty easy to customize a drop in bathtub. A drop in bathtub will match other elements in your bathroom and blend with its design successfully.
It’s a good idea to select a drop in bathtub if you would like to have both a shower and a tub in your bathroom. Such a tub shower combo will look great and add more functionality to your bathroom space.
When selecting a drop in bathtub, you should also take into consideration your personal bathroom design preferences. It would be great to consider a drop in bathtub if you want to create either the modern look or minimalist look in your bathroom.
Colors of Drop in Bathtubs
Drop in bathtubs are available in various colors. It’s possible to select tub color, drain color as well as claw foot color of a drop in bathtub.
Tub colors. Tub colors of drop in bathtubs include: black, dark blue, green, grey, light blue, purple, red, white, yellow and others.
Drain colors. Among the popular drain colors of a drop in bathtub are: brushed brass, brushed gold, brushed gun metal, brushed nickel, glossy white, matte black, matter oil rubbed bronze, matte pink, polished brass, polished chrome and polished gold.
Claw foot colors. You can select claw foot colors for a drop in bathtub as well. Claw foot colors of a drop in bathtub include: brushed gold, brushed gun metal, brushed nickel, glossy white, matte black, matter oil rubbed bronze, matter pink as well as polished chrome and polished gold.
Sizes of Drop in Bathtubs
And of course, you need to take into consideration the dimensions of a drop in bathtub. It’s important to know length, width and depth of a drop in bathtub. At Streamline, we offer drop in bathtubs of different sizes.
- The length of drop in bathtubs ranges from 59 inches to 72 inches.
- The width of drop in bathtubs ranges from 32 inches to 36 inches.
- The depth of drop in bathtubs ranges from 16 inches to 18 inches.
There are small, standard and large drop in bathtubs. That means that you will be able to pick a drop in bathtub for a bathroom of any size. Choose a drop in bathtub with your bathroom space in mind.
Prices of Drop in Bathtubs
It’s important to know that the demand for drop in bathtubs is high these days. A drop in bathtub is one of the most popular options on the market. Acrylic bathtubs have gained a huge popularity among people, who are interested in shower/bathtub combinations. In this case, it’s possible to get the convenience of a shower and enjoy bathing experience.
The big question is – how much does a drop in bathtub cost? The prices of drop in bathtubs depend a lot on several factors. Material has a significant impact on the price of a drop in bathtub. Acrylic bathtubs are much cheaper compared to cast-iron drop in bathtubs.
Prices of Acrylic Drop In Bathtubs
The average price of an acrylic drop in bathtub is $375. So, it would be great to consider such a bathtub if you need an affordable solution.
Prices of Cast-Iron Drop In Bathtubs
However, it makes sense to consider cast-iron drop in bathtubs if your budget allows you to buy more expensive options. You must be prepared that the prices of cast iron drop in bathtubs range from $800 to $1400.
It’s necessary to set up a budget for a drop in bathtub in advance. After that, you need to consider drop in bathtubs that meet your budget. And of course, you shouldn’t forget about installation costs. So, add the installation costs to your budget.
How Drop in Bathtubs are Different from Other Types of Bathtubs
Drop in bathtubs are different from other types of bathtubs such as alcove bathtubs, freestanding bathtubs and clawfoot bathtubs. Below, we’ll compare drop in bathtubs to other types of bathtubs and help you find out the differences between them.
Drop in Bathtubs vs. Alcove Bathtubs
Alcove bathtubs can be installed only in the certain places of your bathroom. It’s necessary to install an alcove bathtub against the wall. That’s why alcove bathtubs have a rounded shape. Alcove bathtubs are smaller than drop in bathtubs.
Alcove bathtubs are a good choice for families that have people with mobility issues. People with mobility issues will manage to get in the bathtub safely. It’s possible to install a handlebar for an alcove bathtub. It will provide the additional support and help people with mobility issues navigate the bath easier.
Drop in bathtubs can be installed anywhere in the bathroom. Oftentimes, bathtubs of this type are installed in the central part of the bathroom. Drop in bathtubs are bigger than alcove bathtubs.
Drop in Bathtubs vs. Freestanding Bathtubs
It’s much easier to install freestanding bathtubs compared to drop in bathtubs. Unlike drop in bathtubs, freestanding bathtubs provide easy access to plumbing.
Plumbing is located outside a freestanding bathtub. However, drop in bathtubs are dropped in a previously constructed recess in your bathroom space. Therefore, plumbing is located either in the wall or in the floor.
Drop in bathtubs and freestanding bathtubs have different shapes. Drop in bathtubs are available in rectangular, square, triangle and circular shapes. Freestanding bathtubs are available in circular and oval shapes.
Drop in Bathtubs vs. Clawfoot Bathtubs
Clawfoot bathtubs are easy to move and easy to install. It’s pretty easy to position a clawfoot bathtub anywhere in a bathroom. Like freestanding bathtubs, clawfoot bathtubs provide easy access to plumbing. However, the same can’t be said about drop in bathtubs. Drop in bathtubs are installed in the platform or deck. Therefore, additional work is required.
It’s also important to note that drop in bathtubs look differently in bathrooms. Drop in bathtubs impress with their ergonomic features and add a lot of beauty as well as luxury to bathroom space. Such bathtubs provide spa-like experience. Drop in bathtubs can be integrated into bathroom design seamlessly. Drop in bathtubs provide plenty of room for customization as well. So, you will find it easy to personalize your bathroom with a drop in bathtub.
Clawfoot bathtubs provide a bathroom with timeless elegance and classic charm. Bathtubs of this type have feet that get a lot of attention in a bathroom. Without a doubt, a clawfoot bathtub will become a decorative element in your bathroom space. It’s also important to note that clawfoot bathtubs are universal option. Such bathtubs can be installed either in small or in large bathrooms.
Tips for Choosing a Drop in Bathtub
Picking a drop in bathtub is a very responsible task. And of course, you should always take it seriously. Below, we are going to provide tips that you need to follow to choose the right drop in bathtub for your bathroom.
Tip #1: Pick a drop in bathtub of the right size. It’s incredibly important to choose a bathtub that suits the area where it’s going to be installed. You need to ensure that there is enough space for a drop in bathtub in your bathroom. Make all the necessary measurements in your bathroom space ahead of time and then pick the right drop in bathtub for it.
Tip #2: Pick a drop in bathtub of the right shape. It’s important to know that the shape of a bathroom affects the design of bathroom. That’s why you have to be very selective when it comes to choosing a drop in bathtub. There are rectangular, square and circle drop in bathtubs.
Tip #3: Pick a drop in bathtub of the right material. The quality, maintenance, durability and a look of a drop in bathtub depends a lot on its material. There are acrylic, cast-iron and fiberglass drop in bathtubs. It’s necessary to study the pros and cons of all materials before you start selecting a drop bathtub. You should select the material that meets your needs and preferences as well as budget.
Tip #4: Pick a drop in bathtub that meets the design of your bathroom. A drop in bathtub can contribute greatly to the design of a bathroom. On the other hand, a drop in bathtub may negatively affect the design of your bathroom. That’s why you have to be very selective when it comes to picking a drop in bathtub. Explore all your options carefully, compare them one to another and pick a bathtub that suits your bathroom design best.
Tip #5: Pick a drop in bathtub that meets installation requirements. When selecting a drop in bathtub, you shouldn’t forget about the installation process. Make sure that a drop in bathtub of your choice will be installed easily. It would be better to get the consultation of a plumber prior to buying a drop in bathtub. Follow the recommendations of professionals to avoid problems during the bathtub installation process.
Tip #6: Pick a drop in bathtub with comfort in mind. And of course, comfort of a bathtub has to be one of the top priorities. It makes sense to consider bathroom’s features that add comfort as well as convenience to your bathroom. For example, you can consider drop in bathtubs with adjustable leveling feet. This feature will make it possible for you to adjust the height of a bathroom and maximize your comfort.
Tip #7: Pick a drop in bathtub that meets your budget. Keep in mind that your choice depends a lot on your budget. It’s a good idea to invest into a high quality drop in bathtub. Give a preference to drop in bathtubs that offer more comfort, better functionality and greater durability.
However, high quality drop in bathtubs are usually more expensive. So, you must be prepared to pay more. However, oftentimes such bathtubs are worth the money they cost.
What Drop in Bathtub is Right for Your Bathroom?
There is no doubt that a drop in bathtub is worth considering for a bathroom remodeling project. This type of a bathroom has its own pros and cons. Have you decided that a drop in bathtub would be a good option for your bathroom? If so, you need to make a smart choice and, therefore, pick the right drop in bathtub.
In fact, there are many things to consider when choosing a drop in bathtub for a bathroom. Your choice depends a lot on the design of bathroom space, bathroom needs and personal preferences. Plus, you need to ensure that a bathtub of your choice fits your budget. That means that you should take into consideration all these factors to find the right drop in bathtub for your bathroom.
In this drop in buthtub buying guide for 2024, we have provided everything you need to know about drop in bathtubs. Follow our tips to pick the right bathtub for your bathroom. Explore all your options carefully and pick the right drop in bathtubs.
Streamline offers a large selection of drop in bathtubs. Our collection includes both acrylic drop in bathtubs and cost iron drop in bathtubs.
You can always contact us to get the initial obligation-free consolation on drop in bathtubs. After analyzing your needs, preferences and budget our professionals will advise you upon an appropriate solution.
We wrote an additional post about purchasing a drop-in bathtub, check it out here!
For people who seek quality, durability and affordability, buying an acrylic bathtub is definitely the right choice. This tub will add elegance, luxury and style to your bathroom providing you with the highest levels of comfort and relaxation.
Read more about the key advantages of acrylic bathtubs below:
Frequently Asked Questions about Bathtubs
Freestanding vs. Built-in Bathtub
Which Bathtub Shape is Right for Your Bathroom
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