FREESTANDING TUBS
Freestanding tubs are basically bathtubs that are not attached to a wall. Fitting your bathroom with a freestanding tub is a great way of making your bathtub a decorative focal point. It is, therefore, better if the tub is placed in the middle of the bathroom. While installing, the homeowner should consider where plumbing lines can be laid. With freestanding tubs, there is no surround or exterior deck to accommodate tub faucets. Homeowners are therefore required to install freestanding tub fillers near the tub.
The view of a freestanding tub can be enjoyed from all angles, making them a crucial addition to your bathroom. They are stylish, owing to their variant shapes and designs. Most of them are large and bold too. Depending on your taste and preference, you can go for a traditional, transitional, or contemporary freestanding tub. These statement tubs typically require a large bathroom space for you to enjoy their full effect. This, however, does not prevent those with small bathrooms to install them. With proper space planning and management, they can also work in smaller spaces.
Material Makeup of Freestanding Tubs
Traditionally, freestanding tubs were made of cast-iron and were heavy as compared to modern tubs. Today, however, they come in a wide variety of materials. Wood was also used in the past, producing classic tubs such as the Japanese soaking tubs. This material is still used to create freestanding tubs. Copper and other metals such as enamel are used to make old-fashioned tubs which are a stunning focal point and also conduct heat well.
Modern freestanding tubs are made mainly of acrylic material. Most bathtub manufacturers prefer the material due to its lightweight nature. It is also easy to manufacture and perfect for everyday use. Solid surface material is also widely used, with its features almost matching those of the acrylic material. Solid surface tubs have thin and sleek panels from the way they are molded. This material produces tubs with a great and smooth touch to the skin.
Copper is also used in the manufacture of freestanding tubs. They are also common in many bathrooms and most homeowners like them for their heat retention property. The surface of these tubs can also be polished to give a different look from the normal. Fiberglass is another material that is used in the manufacture of freestanding tubs. A freestanding fiberglass freestanding tub is lighter and can come in any color.
Design Options, Shapes and Sizes of Freestanding Tubs
Since freestanding tubs are meant to stand away from the bathroom’s wall, their bottom side can be designed in different ways. With a freestanding tub, the basin can be supported either by feet or an ornate pedestal base. The designs of these tubs are almost endless, so it easy for you to choose one that matches your style as well as other bathroom fittings. Choosing a clawfoot or pedestal tub is an excellent way of personalizing the look of your bathtub.
Most freestanding tubs are oval and are rarely crafted in other shapes. The oval shape is simplistic yet classic. An oval shape will make a freestanding tub look broad, especially when placed at the middle of your bath. This oval shape gives the tub enough depth for the bather to enjoy a nice warm soak in the water. What’s more, this shape also allows for the inclining of one end of the tub, making the tub a slipper tub. Both ends could be inclined, making the tub a double slipper tub.
Freestanding tubs differ in their sizes due to the different bathroom sizes. Large freestanding tubs, which are most preferred by homeowners with ample bathroom space, measure up to 72 inches in length. Smaller ones can measure 60 inches or less. The ideal depth for freestanding tubs is usually anywhere between 24 to 28 inches, with the latter measurement perfect for soaking tubs.
Cleaning and Maintenance of Freestanding Tubs
Cleaning of these tubs entirely depends on the material making them. Most freestanding tubs are made of acrylic, solid surface material, and fiberglass. This means that they should be cleaned using mild solutions and soft material to rinse after bathing. Abrasive brushes should be avoided as they scratch the surface of the bathtub.
Freestanding tubs possess virtually everything a homeowner could be looking for in a bathtub. They are great pieces to add glamour to your bath and are unbeatable in their functionality. If you’re looking to blend beauty and simplicity, freestanding tubs could be the best option for you.
