I've had my eye on a Toto Clayton tile-in airbath for a while. I can't say they are any better than a kohler or other brand; we just stumbled on it because we'd already bought a toto clayton toilet and thought we might stay in the same line as we redo the bath. As for the step depth, I remember reading about the design work of Shusaku Arakawa and Madeline Gins, who believe that we can defy death through architecture. They believe that houses that are physically challenging to live in are better, and their designs are frankly crazy by any standards we are accustomed to. I rolled my eyes when I first read about their work. One of their designs required crash helmets and hiking boots to tour, and some visitors broke bones. (I couldn't make this up if I tried!). But as bizarre as their designs are (you can check out their website at reversibledestiny.org), it did make me start to wonder, what if our houses required us to move and stretch a little more than they do now? So while I don't want to live in a house where visitors regularly fall and break bones, it seems to me that a navigating a deep step into tub is not asking for that much, especially if you have grab bars in the right places and a non-slip floor next to the tub. I suppose an indigenous hunter-gatherer would roll their eyes at our sedentary coddled lifestyle and think we're crazy to live in a way that allows diabetes and heart disease to become epidemic. So go ahead and get that airbath. Maybe you'll live a little bit longer :-) Here is a link that might be useful: toto clayton airbath.

xc60 - sounds great - I know just enough to be dangerous. I love this forum. I learn more from it than going to the plumbing showrooms. katmomma, you will have to search this forum for air tubs. I can help you with selecting drop in tubs based on shape, size, quality. You basically want a good quality air tub without the price tag. Mirabelle tubs are well designed, deep and I see that folks on this forum have purchased them as air tubs. They are private label for Ferguson (made by Clarke). I like the feel of their acrylic better than Kohler. I don't see folks talking about Kohler air tubs but they make a solid whirlpool and are priced right. I do not know how the Jacuzzi air tubs are but I personally like their designs - they are priced right for you too. Jason, owned by the former Jacuzzi folks, can get pricey. Same with MTI, Hydrosystems, and Americh. Maax tubs are nice but I see on this forum that folks say that their air tubs are loud.

thanks live_wire_oak - i know nothing about plumbing technicalities. Contractor drew a schematic showing me (i think) a piece that he will put under the wall-edge of the drop-in, like an L shape - that will go up the wall so that the waterproof layer can go under the tiles that way? Made sense when he drew the schematic but i definitely am unable to reiterate his explanation in my own words. The original plan was to get an alcove - and i found an alcove that's 14.5 inch height only (the Kohler Bellwether) - but we ALSO want floor drains that runs along the floor-edge of the tub, so he said an alcove with an apron won't allow the waterproofing set up for that.

We ended up buying a floor model free standing Victoria & Albert soaking tub after having already purchased the Kohler Mariposa left hand drain soaking tub with vibrant brushed nickle drain. *Kohler: Mariposa 5.5" Bath with Integral Apron with Removable Access Panel and Left Hand Drain - K-1229-LA. White . List price $1068.35 http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Mariposa-66-x-36-alcove-bath-with-integral-apron-and-left-hand-drain/productDetail/Baths/423834.htm?skuId=387495&brandId=429389&pageName=null&_requestid=2668770 *Kohler: Clearflo 1.5 in Adjustable Pop Up Bath Drain with Tailpiece - K-7161-AF Bath Drain Finish: Vibrant Brushed Nickel. List price $369.90 http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Clearflo-1-1-2-adjustable-pop-up-drain-with-above--or-through-the-floor-installations-for-17-24-deep-baths/productDetail/Non-Catalog/419724.htm?skuId=364913&brandId=null&pageName=null&_requestid=2668471 I searched and searched for the best deal and bought both for approx $935. To return them is going to cost us $200. So if anyone wants them I would rather pass on the additional $200 savings to someone here. So you can get both for $735 if anyone needs it. We're in Bucks County PA - about 45 minutes from either Philly or Princeton, NJ for pick up. Here is a link that might be useful: Mariposa tub