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.

Long story short I need to rethink my Victoria and Albert tub, for a soaking tub with the drain at the end rather than the middle. Live in an area with very little in the way of showrooms. I want at least 16 inches to overflow, and actually cast would be my material of choice. Any ideas welcome, need to make this decision tomorrow. This is coming about as a result of issues with plumber, which never seem to end.

I have a few questions on putting in a large soak tub; It is a drop-in with a lip of 3". How much counter surface is need around it? It is a tight fit in the space available. Access comfort and level of the tub? Does sinking it below floor level and putting a 6" step in front help? Other options? Just thinking of old age which is not far around the corner. What do people like. Any strong preferences for cable drive vs. lift & turn waste and overflow? Is the big price difference worth the cable drive? Anyone with experience with mosaic tile over wood tub? What goes under the tile/grout to keep it from leaking?

I know this is an old thread. I'm comtemplating if I want a tub at all but if I get an air or a jetted tub, if the sides have stone around, how do you reach the motor if you need a repair? Just curious if anyone has dealt with that situation. For my current outdated tub, I can reach the motor through the the cabinet; I have a cut out there. I could do the same thing. But adding a slab of quartz to a tub make for a very expensive tub. Dominique, what did you decide and are you happy with your decision?