How to pick the perfect bathtub

Sure, a shower may be a quick way to get clean when you need to get out the door, but when you have more time on your hands or you’re hoping to relax, a bathtub is the way to go.

If you’re remodeling or renovating, you may be trying to decide between bathtubs. There are now so many bathtubs for sale on the market that it can be difficult to decide just what type of tub is right for you.

The first step is to determine where the tub will sit in your bathroom, and the exact dimensions. From there, you can consider the types of baths that would fit and work well in that area.

Clawfoot bathtubs are a great option, as they can look classic and incorporate a vintage feel into your bathroom. They also tend to take up less space than some of the other options.

There are also a number of different materials to consider when you’re choosing a bathtub, and this can be confusing unless you understand their advantages and disadvantages.

Acrylic is currently the most popular material for bathtubs, due to its resilience, ease of maintenance, natural warmth, and ability to be molded into many different soft contours.

This type of bath can be maintained easily with regular cleaning using non-abrasive and mild cleaners. Water lines can simply be wiped off with a cloth, and if the surface does happen to become scratched, you can easily restore it with a light sanding.

Even after years of wear and tear, the finish on acrylic baths can still be buffed and will come back to their high sheen- something that can’t happen with fiberglass or cast iron options.

Acrylic is also more forgiving if you happen to slip or fall. It’s also highly resistant to mildew, chemicals, temperature, and thermal cracking.

Cast iron bathtubs are very durable and strong, but also incredibly heavy and sometimes need extra support in the floor. While cast iron tubs have rich hues and a high gloss, abrasive cleaners sometimes can permanently damage or destroy their shine.

Another thing to consider is who will be using the bathtub the most. If you have a couple with a 6 foot two male and five foot four female, you may be tempted to get an extra long bath. But if she’s the only one using the bath, this makes little sense, since longer baths take more time to fill, need more hot water, and can be more uncomfortable for shorter people who can’t rest their feet against the end.

As you can see, there are a number of things to consider when picking the perfect bathtub. But with a little time, you’ll be sure to find a bathtub you can relax in for years to come.