skip to main content

Freestanding Tubs - which did you choose?

6 years ago

Looking for freestanding tub wisdom. Anyone have feedback on recent purchase?

Featured Answer

plan2remodel

6 years ago

It took me a year to choose a tub. I would choose one and then go back to look at it a second time, and not like it at all. I visited half a dozen show rooms, just to try out tubs, and then went back 2 or 3 times to try them all out again.

I was accustomed to a cast iron tub, and all the acrylic tubs felt weird to me. So, I looked at composite tubs. I liked the Wetstyle tub (made in Canada), but the thin sides of the tub made if difficult for me to get in and out. I kept trying the Victory & Albert tubs from England, but none felt comfortable to me.

And then one day I tried the Devon & Devon tub. I had walked past it a dozen times but never considered it. The model I tried was called the President, which was too big for my space. My designer steered me toward another model that was perfect. There was a four-month wait for delivery, which stretched to five months, until the store finally told me that the D&D tub had arrived at the warehouse damaged beyond repair.

I resumed my bathtub hunt. I considered the T&L Oceanus tub and a tub by a Canadian company called Blu. I asked the store if they would sell me the D&D tub in the showroom, and they agreed.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

numbersjunkie
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I've been in the market for years. My advice is to buy one that you can test out to be sure it's comfortable. I have tried many that we're not. Finally found one that is comfortable for my height. And I like the looks. But this has been a long exhausting process.
sunfeather thanked numbersjunkie
Related Discussions
Free-standing tub vs. drop in tub
Q
Comments (6)
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!
...See More
Which freestanding tub did you buy?
Q
Comments (9)
Also Victoria & Albert -- Ios. We ordered it with out an overflow so that we could have really deep water -- which sits in a basin with a floor drain under the tub -- great tub, uses lots (and lots) of water! If you get one of these big soaking tubs, make sure you plan for appropriate plumbing for faster filling.
...See More
Need help deciding between free-standing and deck-mounted bathtub
Q
Comments (18)
The WetStyle f/s tub has a removable tray that sits across the tub. I like numberjunkie's idea of a shelf or ledge behind the tub for placing items and also like the idea of having the shower wall next to the tub tiled half-way up to have a space for installing a grab bar. WetStyle has an optional shelf that surrounds the tub, but I think it would make it more challenging to get in and out of the tub - would need to hop over the shelf. The drop-in tub I was initially considering was 72"x42" but that would likely not fit, so would need to be 72"x36". This weekend I looked at an open house (new construction) in my area that had a drop-in tub with a narrow space for the deck surround (see attached photo). The deck was tiled on the top and on the apron with white subway tile. I noticed that with the narrow deck space (about 2") and the tub overhang, it would be awkward to sit on the edge of the tub and swing my legs in or out of the tub. Wiithout space for a deck that is wide enough to comfortably sit on, ease of entry or exit may come down to depth of the tub and options for placement of grab bars. The Wetstyle tub is 22" deep; the drop-in tubs are generally deeper, more like 26"
...See More
Is $1000 extra charge for installing a free-standing tub normal?
Q
Comments (10)
I went with the lower quote in my last house to install a pedestal tub. It had a very slight leak and this guy eventually refunded my money and gave up trying to fix it. He said he thought it was because of slight movement when getting in/out of the tub was the cause. I ended up having it reinstalled by a very large plumbing company and it was 1K, they put some type of concrete like base under it to prevent any movement and they guaranteed the work. If your builder is going to do the work for 1K and guarantee it I would go with it. Less hassle and no issues if any warranty issues later. At the most you would save a few hundred, however you could be giving up a warranty and it would just not be worth it.
...See More
enduring
6 years ago
Plan2remodel, is that your bathroom? Gorgeous next to that wall.
plan2remodel
6 years ago
enduring, Thank you! Yes. That's my master bathroom. I think I spent two weeks laying out the porcelain wall tiles on my bedroom floor to get them to match up. Anyway, I love the tub. It holds the heat for easily 30 minutes -- even longer than the cast iron tub I had previously. When I remodeled, the tub and shower switched places. "Before" photo attached.
enduring
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
That wall is crazy! What sized tile did you use and the brand?!

it is often posted that cast iron keeps in the heat better than the plastics used in tubs. I never believed it because metal is such a conductor of heat.
plan2remodel
6 years ago
Enduring, the wall tile is Ann Sacks Pietra Calacatta porcelain in honed finish, size is 15" x 30" x 1/4". Also comes in 30x30" square tile. I used the same tile in Veneto color with polished finish in the guest bathroom. It may be possible to order the Pietra tiles "numbered" to match up, but I did not ask about it.
enduring
6 years ago
Is that how you ordered, numbered pieces? I am not in the market for tile, as I've done all my tiling projects for the most part.

Did you do a bathroom reveal on this room? or the other bathroom? If not you need to do so for my gratification lol.
plan2remodel
6 years ago
Yes. I owe bathroom reveals.

And no, I did not order numbered pieces, did not occur to me that it was possible. I did not realize that the tiles would match up until I opened the boxes. Apparently, the manufacturer (in Italy) prints a pattern on a slab, cuts the slab into pieces, and places six tiles in each package. Surprisingly, I received two boxes that were exact duplicates.
enduring
6 years ago
Yes, that's how they do the rectified tiles, that look like marble or stone, from what I understand. So are you telling me that the large swath of veining on the upper portion of your wall is repeated in the shower? How many pieces came in your box.

With those large tiles, you must have had a pro install these tiles. Or did you guys DIY this wall. I did a 12x24 tile and it was a monster. FWIW, I love my shower, but I had a hard time with the size. By the time I got it loaded up with thinset, and walked up the step stool (that was a life saver, by Rubbermade) I was exhausted, lol.

Related Stories

BATHROOM DESIGN Should You Get a Freestanding or Built-In Bathtub?

By Victoria Villeneuve

If you know you’re a bath person but aren’t sure which type of tub to get, these questions can help you decide

BATHTUBS Before and After: 6 Dream Bathrooms That Free the Tub

Freestanding tubs replace bulky built-ins in these beautiful bathroom remodels

BATHROOM DESIGN Where to Put Your Freestanding-Bathtub Necessities

By Becky Harris

Every Freestanding Tub Needs a Spot for Your Novel, Phone or Rubber Ducky

BATHROOM DESIGN Liberate Your Bathroom With a Freestanding Bathtub

By Natalie Myers

Free up the design options for your bathroom with a claw-foot, pedestal or soaking tub that doesn't require a wall

BATHTUBS 8 Reasons to Choose a Partially Freestanding Bathtub

By Bubbles Bathrooms

A bathroom designer sums up the benefits of this hybrid tub style

BATHROOM DESIGN Expert Talk: Freestanding Bathtubs Make a Splash

By Lawrence Karol

Professional designers explain why they chose freestanding tubs and how the style can enhance the design of any bathroom

BATHROOM DESIGN A New Bathroom Gets Arts and Crafts Style and a Soaking Tub

By Camille LeFevre

Stained-glass windows and a freestanding tub bring style and comfort to this Minnesota master bath

BATHROOM DESIGN Pedestal Tubs Have Style Bases Covered

By Lisa Frederick

Blending old-fashioned elegance with spa-style pampering, pedestal tubs are a practical alternative to claw-foot and standard models

BATHROOM DESIGN 8 Narrow Bathrooms That Rock Tubs in the Shower

By Bryan Anthony

Not a fan of shower-tub combos or of ditching the tub altogether? Check out these 8 spaces with tubs in the shower

BATHROOM DESIGN New This Week: 6 Bathrooms That Rock a Shower-Tub Combo

By Mitchell Parker

Designers showcase beautiful ways to make this classic bathroom feature worth keeping

Sponsored

More Discussions

Any photos of Daltile Valor Gold Quartz

4

What are these countertop spots?

16

wood look Ribbon tile trim

0

Winifred or Hibiscus

1

bathroom remodel fan placement

0