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Free-standing tub vs. drop in tub

12 years ago

I am doing extensive remodelling due to a fire. I have several bathrooms that need to be redone but right now am stuck on the master bathroom. I hired a decorator because I am very overwhelmed with all the many choices and decisions that need to be made. The decorator is recommending a free standing tub, I previously had a tub with tile surround and I was happy with it (had place for soaps and shampoo). My question is, besides aesthetics, are there any advantages to free standing tub? For those of you with free standing what do you like about it? And are free standing tubs available with whirlpool?

Thanks for any input.

Featured Answer

User

12 years ago

Drop ins are easier to clean. By far! A free standing tub has a lot more nooks and crannies to have to mop around, even a skirted pedestal tub. They also are challenging for storage space. They do look marvelous, and for some, the added work and less storage convenience are worth it for that look.

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Comments (6)

andreadeg
12 years ago
I switched from a built int tub to a free standing pedestal tub during my remodel. I like both, but have a preference for the stand alone tub. It does look better, and it doesn't take a smuch water to fill. finding a spot for shampoos and such is a bit of a challenge. i have a tray that sits across my bathtub for all my needs. It even has a magazine stand.

Good luck with all of the decision that you need to make!
alizacf
Original Author
12 years ago
thanks andreadeg, I think I"ll stick with what I know and am used to ( and was happy with) and go with drop in tub.
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I respectfully disagree with Jon Boy's recommendations to put decals on your tub. You will be permanently defacing your tub with those decals. Try ever getting them off. It's impossible to do it; there'll always be residue and the shadows of those decals. You will also have the same problem as with a non-slip surface--those decals with their textured surface (as described in Jon Boy's link), will grab onto grime and keep it. I also disagree that using a bath mat is like "your grandma's house or a cheap motel". If you need a bath mat, use it, for goodness sakes. Roll it up and put in in the cabinet or vanity when you are done with it. Besides, perhaps the OP is a grandfather, and Jon Boy inferring that being at a grandparent's house is something negative to avoid is condescending. One of the tubs in my house does not have a non-slip surface, but one of my other tubs does. The one with the non-slip surface (it's cast iron) is permanently dirty looking, despite all my efforts to clean it. For the tub without the non-slip bottom, I personally have never found the need for a bathmat, but I do keep one on hand for guests who might want one. It's nice to have that flexibility. Decals are permanent, and kinda '80's too.
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Lynne Reno
12 years ago
my husband wanted a free standing tub but the cost of the plumbing fixtures was just crazy and we are on a tight budget so we went with a drop in.
alizacf
Original Author
12 years ago
thanks hollyspring and lynneblack, two more reasons do go with drop in, cheaper and easier to clean!
chaparral
12 years ago
We are going with a freestanding in our new master bath both because we like the looks and also with our layout it worked better. Given the cost of a good tiling job I'm not sure a built-in would have been less expensive than a standalone.

We had 2 drop-in tubs (one to be removed with shower stall) and one of them still in-- acrylic-- which we put in 12 years ago and somewhat regret now because it flexes and the grout cracked over time so it has needed a lot of maintenance. (this is mostly because of the material we chose). But when our kids were younger they loved the bubbles!

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