Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

Buying a Bathtub? Here Are the Materials, Types, and Installation Tips You Need to Know

Buying a Bathtub? Here Are the Materials, Types, and Installation Tips You Need to Know

When buying a bathtub, many factors affect the price tag. Before purchasing a bathtub replacement, consider what tubs are made of, how and where the tub will be used, and your budget.

Taking a bath is the ultimate in relaxation, but buying a bathtub can be fraught with stress. There is a dizzying array of bathtub dimensions, shapes, and materials available today, and it's a decision you want to get right. Ripping out and replacing a tub isn't high on anyone's list of fun activities, so take time to answer these important questions before you decide between purchasing a new model or bathtub refinishing. Our bathtub buying guide will help you choose the perfect tub for your home and lifestyle.



Questions to Ask Before Buying a Bathtub


How do you plan to use your tub?


The answer determines whether an inexpensive, bare-bones design is sufficient or you need something with bells and whistles. A standard soaking tub simply gets filled with water, while a whirlpool or air bath has jets or channels that provide massaging air. Extras in a soaking bathtub are typically limited to arm- or headrests, grab bars, and slip-resistant flooring. Whirlpool, air-bath, or combination tubs have many more options, including adjustable jets, ambient underwater lighting, aromatherapy features, heated blowers, and automated cleaning systems. The more elaborate your tub, the more expensive it will be.

How much space do you have?


Before falling in love with a particular type of tub, you need to know just what your bathroom can accommodate. A standard tub is 60 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 14 inches deep, but many other bathtub sizes and shapes are available. To determine how large the tub can be, take careful measurements of your bathroom and doorways. Make a note of where the drain is located on the floor to make sure it works with your chosen tub's design. Also, some tubs don't allow for the installation of a shower, so check before buying if a bathtub-shower combo is a must-have feature for your family.

Are there special bathtub installation considerations?


If you're considering a jetted bathtub, you'll need to plan for the pump, air switch, and electric timer. Many pumps fit within the tub unit, but some manufacturers have remote-location pumps that can be placed up to 5 feet from the tub and hidden in a closet or vanity cabinet. The air switch, which is nonelectric, may be located on the tub unit. Plan on installing the electric timer a safe distance—at least 5 feet—away from the tub to satisfy bathroom code requirements.

Can your water heater handle the task?


The size of your tub will affect your monthly expense. A typical bath consists of one-third cold water and two-thirds hot water. If you have a hot-water tank, can it supply enough hot water? Tubs vary in size, holding 25-150 gallons of water. Make sure your water heater is large enough to fill about two-thirds of your tub with warm water.

Does weight pose a problem?


Plastic bathtubs can weigh as little as 50 pounds empty, while a cast-iron bathtub can top 1,000 pounds. If you're considering a heavier material, can your floors handle the weight? When you add up bathtub weight, plus the weight of water and people, it may be necessary to reinforce the floor beneath the tub with supports or bracing. Also, a too-heavy tub may be impossible or prohibitively expensive to get into a second-floor bathroom.
Is the tub comfortable?

Before buying a tub, try it on for size-literally. Climb in, settle back, and imagine yourself soaking. Does it fit and feel comfortable for you? Don't be embarrassed; it's the best way to determine if you'll be satisfied with it.



Bathtub Materials to Consider


With hundreds of shapes and sizes to choose from, buying a tub can be overwhelming. The bathtub material you select determines its price, durability, and cleanability. Use our bathtub material comparison to help you choose.

Plastic: Made of either fiberglass or acrylic, plastic bathtubs offer the greatest design flexibility because they can be molded into many shapes. It's warm to the touch and insulates well, so water doesn't cool as fast as in enameled-steel bathtubs or cast-iron tubs. Plastic is also the lightest tub, weighing in at 60-70 pounds. Although it doesn't chip easily, abrasive cleaners will damage the surface.

Enameled steel: Formed steel bathtubs with a porcelain-enamel coating are the least expensive tubs. But the material has drawbacks: Steel conducts heat, meaning tub water cools quickly; the surface is prone to chipping; and it weighs about twice as much as plastic.

Cast-iron: Cast-iron tubs, like steel, are coated with enamel. However, they don't chip as easily as steel because the enamel coating is thicker than on steel tubs, and cast iron is more durable and resistant to impacts. At first, a cast-iron tub will pull heat from water, but once it heats up, it will keep water warm for a long time. Cast iron's main drawback is its weight, 350-500 pounds, which may complicate second-floor tub installations.

Cast-polymer: Cast-polymer tubs traditionally replicate the look of marble, granite, or onyx, and they're available in a range of solid colors. Cast polymer costs a little more than acrylic; however, its surface doesn't stand up as well. With time, the gel-coat finish on cast-polymer tubs can become brittle and expose the material underneath, leading to cracks.

Proprietary composites: Relatively new entrants to the bathtub marketplace, proprietary composites include heavy-gauge steel, porcelain enamel, and resins. These bathtub materials combine to create a tub that offers all the benefits of cast iron with half the weight.

For more information on buying a bathtub, read our story about the materials most commonly used to craft a tub.

Types of Bathtubs and Installations


Choosing a bathtub also depends on your bathroom's configuration and which installation can work. Here are a few bathtub installation types to help you figure out what will work with your space.

Alcove tubs: This is the most common bathtub installation. Alcove tubs, also known as recessed tubs, are installed adjacent to three walls.

Freestanding tubs: As their name indicates, freestanding tubs like clawfoot tubs stand alone in a bathroom but must be placed near plumbing lines.

Other bathtub installation types include corner bathtubs, drop-in tubs, platform tubs, and undermount tubs.

In addition to standard bathtubs, you can buy a bathtub with special features that suit your lifestyle.

Soaking tubs: Soaking tubs feature extra-deep dimensions that completely submerge bathers in water for relaxation.

Whirlpool bathtubs: For a spa bathtub experience, consider a model with jets. Whirlpool tubs feature jets that push water around the tub. However, whirlpools are often more expensive than air tubs.

Use our guide to choosing the right bathtub for more information on the types of bathtubs and installation configurations.



Should I Repair or Refinish My Bathtub?


If your tub is leaking, cracked, or worn, it might be time to replace your bathtub. However, maybe your old tub's character-or the daunting task of ripping it out-doesn't justify replacement. Refinishing or lining your tub is a great way to take care of unsightly chips and stains. Some companies can refinish your tub with a polyurethane coating that gives it a hard, high-gloss surface. Other companies can outfit your tub with an acrylic liner molded exactly to its size, shape, and style.

A good scrub can go a long way with making your bathtub feel new, too. Try our top tips for cleaning a bathtub.

Finally, if you're interested in buying a new bathtub, download our bathroom remodeling guide for tips and advice from professionals before you begin a renovation.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×