There are many resources to find out about bathtubs. The best resource which lists almost everything you want to know about choosing bathtubs is Bathtubs For You. I wish I had seen this website years ago when I did my first bathroom remodel. It lists almost everything, that you could want to know about how to pick a bathtub.
If I could do it over again in my last bathroom remodel, I would have kept the old cast iron bathtub and refurbished it. The contractor I hired did not even suggest it and I hate the bathtub. To redo it, would require, buying another bathtub, ripping out all the tile, and replacement. It didn’t make much financial and ecological sense to do so.
The 6 Eco- Sustainable Bathtub Considerations
1.) Keep it: Review of Cost:
2.) Refurbish it
3.) Re-use or Re-purpose it
- Bathtub Chair
- Bathtub Chair: How to’s
- Bathtub Couch
- Garden
- Garden
- Boats
4.) Donate it
5.) Buy a used one from Re-stores or Salvage Yards
- Special Needs Reuse:
6.) Resell it.
Other than that, If you are in the market for a brand new bathtub
Top 16 Things to Consider in Buying a Bathtub
1.) Space: What are the specifications of the room to it will be going in. Larger bathtub takes up more space, but can you use that space for storage or other important consideration you may want in your bathroom?
2.) Which Bathroom? If you only have one bathroom, do you make it multi- purpose? Which bathroom would be the best for kids? Are you thinking of the future with other considerations, such as a special needs person moving in.
3.) Size: How deep? How long? One person, two Person? Before you make the purchase, sit in the bathtub first. When I bought my last bathtub, I was in a hurry, went to home depot and just picked one out. The water level with body displacement, only comes up about 6 inches.
4.) Design, Shape, Color: Color should match rest of the bathroom, Oval, Square, Fixtures, Corner tubs, Alcove?
5.) Type: Spa, Soaking, Claw-foot, Roman (sunken), Special Needs, Free Standing, Drop In. Walk-in?
6.) Function: Do you need a bathtub? Do you want a whirlpool spa? Do you need a walk in? Are there special needs involved?
How often do you take a bath? How often would you take a spa bath? How often would you use a soaker?
7.) Sustainability: Will this bathtub last? Do you want a bathtub made out of recycled materials? Because there is really only one Durat, or you can use recycled tiles. Do you want to use a company with a commitment to the environment?
8.) Long Term Investment: If you are planning on staying in your home for a long time, get what you want. If reselling, get what the market will buy. If renting, get the easiest to maintain, last and clean.
9.) Materials: Strength, Durability
10.) Plumbing: How are your current plumbing features work with a new bathtub. Trends are for the holes to be at the side. Are you going to have to put in new plumbing? If you put in a soaker, what will be the plumbing?
11.) Maintenance: How easy will the tub be to clean and maintain?
12.) Budget: Get the best you can afford.
13.) Safety Features: Slip proof bottoms, kids and other considerations
14.) Water Issues: Taking a shower uses less water than taking a bath. Of course the larger the tub, the more the water. Some Spas, Soaking tubs take up to 200 Gallons of water. The average person uses 50-70 Gallons of water v.s. 25 Gallons for a 5 minute shower.
15.) Do it Yourself? What is your skill level per each type of bathtub?
16.) Weight: I looked at a great practically new Cast Iron deep bathtub yesterday at ReStore for $115.00 It was so heavy! All I could think of 1.) Getting it out of my car 2.) Getting it into the bathroom. 3.) Getting it in place for proper fitting.