Donna, Um, every whirlpool I have ever heard of is also available just as as a soaking tub... If it's going to be your tub, go sit in the tubs (yes, the whirlpools! :)) and decide which one feels best. That was my criterion. Sit in them and then get your favorite one made as a soaking tub. (after checking step-in heights, since it will be used as a shower too) As I said, Maax Melodie and Palace felt the best by far to me, but everyone's different (I've heard the Palace is pretty popular with folks who can fit a 6' tub in). Also, if you can fit 6' in, try the Toto cast iron 6' tub. If after all that the Porcher Ardennes is the one that feels best, go with that. I'm sure they'd have a way to help you make an alcove situation for it. If the Neptune feels best, go with that (again, check the height wrt using it as a shower). So your assignment is to go to the stores in Chicago, step into the tubs, sit in them, and decide which one feels best entering and lounging in. Then report back :)

Me, too! I've been looking at the Tea for Two, but I want a tile flange and I really need a tub that's 60"long x 30" wide, (not 32") and prefer 14"+ water depth (at least 12") and cast iron. I would love any suggestions people have in addition to the suggestions above, which didn't meet by specs for depth or are over-mount drop-ins (or similar). I would also like to comment on the above recommendations so people don't order the wrong thing. Most clawfoot tubs, including the ones mentioned above such as the Cheviot or Sunrise Specialty, have a water depth that is around 11" at most. They are comfortable, but not deep. The Cheviot alcove tub is an over-mount drop-in with a water depth of under 11". It would have a calk line around a drop off on the deck. Oh, heck no! The Toto is an over-mount drop-in also. Dang! The Waterworks Minna sounds promising, and it has an apron, but what's with that moulded raised ridge at the top? It makes it look like a top-mount drop-in and have similar problems. I guess you wouldn't need calking, but you'd have that ridge water could get over and a lump under your head if you lean back. Has anyone installed one and has pictures? I'd love to be proved wrong on this one in spite of the price! It could be the perfect tub for me if it weren't for that top detail.

My wife is 5'3" with short legs for her height. She is one that is not comfortable with 19" heights. We put in the Kohler expanse which is 17" (actually 16.25 from the finished floor), which is comfortable for her but she does note that it feels high. The thing that people fail to consider besides height of tub is the width of the ledge you have to step over. A wider ledge means you have to stretch you leg further over, which requires a bigger leg lift and also a longer distance to be off balance. if you can't get in the tub itself, check out your local box stores and plumbing supply houses for tubs of similar dimensions and try those. If that's not an option, I suggest creating a sort of mockup, which can be done by stacking scrap lumber, or whatever other stuff laying around. You just need to create something a couple feet long and that can mimic outside height, inside height and width of ledge. Then you can step over to see how comfortable you will be. Have someone with you when you do it for safety. If you don't feel comfortable then go with another tub. I suspect if the 14" tub is already close to your max comfort, that the 19" maybe too much, but you should really check it out to be sure. From my own personal research, I have come to recommend for shower/tubs a max of 18" for comfort and long term practicality, but many people go higher and it works for them. Installing grab bars for support will also help mitigate tub height issues.

Yea, I better stick with original plan. There are too many issues with American Standard quality and the nature of the Americast tubs, which are really like Bootzcast tubs but with a resin backing that gives it more support. And there are reports of the resin even cracking on the bottom especially where people stand when taking a shower. But darn, that Cambridge tub sure was comfy for me. So I will go back to the Kohler Tresham Vanity top sink to match a white acrylic tub. I also like the drop in Tresham which you showed above and of course I like the Memoirs drop in sinks. The Tresham vanity sink version is like a countertop sink. It will give me some height without having to build up the existing vanity. like the looks of Kohler Devonshire tub but it has a depth of 14 inches - I could always install a Kohler deep soak tub overflow drain. Or choose the Mirabelle Bradenton which has a depth of 16.5 inches. My inspiration for this remodel is a bath I found on Houzz. It has a Kohler Archer alcove tub. I will be extending the shower out and Hydro Ban has a 36 wide x 48 deep premade shower pan with a 36 curb (per Mongoct's recommendation). I called Laticrete and they emailed me the spec page. The crazy tract home supply plumbing has 2 cold and 1 hot pipes coming up on the corner of the big garden tub. I don't want to move all of the plumbing so I will build a ledge for it and install the Roman faucet on top. Right now, the garden tub is installed right up to the vanity. I am going to install a 32 inch wide alcove tub to give more floor space and a sliver of wall space to keep the bathroom from looking too boxed in. I will fill in the drop down under the current tub to make the floor level and the bottom of the tub even with the floor to make it safer to get in and out of the tub. That's the plan. Here is a link that might be useful: Houzz This post was edited by Anna_in_TX on Sun, Mar 23, 14 at 17:30