Tub selection for larger people

last year

We are gutting our bathroom and starting fresh and the tub choices seem endless. It's a 60x30 alcove, although we could go to 60x31 if needed. Left drain. Right now we have a steel tub from the 70s or 80s that a child can barely bathe in because the soaking depth is around 9" and the edges are a 90-degree angle so it is very uncomfortable.

3 out of 4 of us are 200+ lbs, so I am concerned with the strenth of the base and the flexibility of the tub material from size but also from dropping stuff on/in it.

I am seeing at least 10 different tubs that could go there and they all have different specs. They are all acrylic though, a couple of them are reinforced with fiberglass. I've seen a couple of porcelain enameled steel ones too, but they are so shallow. Cast iron ones are out, too heavy.

I'm seeing some with a 1 yr warranty, some with 25 and some with lifetime. But once you install it and tile it in, what is the point of the warranty? What can they really do at that point?

I'm scouring build.com and went to the Ferguson showroom in person as well as another local plumbing distributor but they only seem to have 1 alcove on display and its always Kohler. I tried some home centers and they only seem to carry freestanding ones. I've also checked amazon, wayfair, and Home depot & Lowes. Mostly just for price comparisons because everywhere seems to cary the same ones generally except build.com seems to carry some lesser known brands, at least lesser known here in Georgia.

The Kohler Archer was nice but very tall. A similar one was Underscore but the back is barely slanted. Kohler only has a 1 yr warranty though and some people tend to love them and some hate them. American standard has the Town Square S one, but are they any good? They are fiberglass reinforced I believe and have a good warranty but I always thought they were the walmart of fixtures, but maybe I'm wrong. I am also seeing other brands like Jacuzzi (Linea - non-jetted), Signature Hardware (Sitka or Bradenton), Jaxpety ( HG61W1911 - Jaxpetty is a Candian brand I believe), and Maax (Exhibit - Maax is also Candian. Build.com customer service said they tend to be higher end).

The steel one I saw was at HD and it was Bootz Maui and the soaking depth was 13 7/8" which is the highest of any of the steel tubs that American Standard seems to have. We are used to a steel tub so I'm not against it but I don't know if they make them like they used to (doubt it) or if this particular brand is any good or if acrylic is better. I know acrylic is certainly the most common.

I've asked my plumber for any recs and he just said he can install whatever I get and will use foam and wood underneath for support and had no real product suggestions.

So as you can see, I'm drowning in choices. So please share any insight you have.

Comments (9)

artemis78
last year
We have an older Bootz that is admittedly 25 years old (chosen by previous owner in a cheap remodel) so may be quite different from their current offerings, but I HATE it. Whenever we can swing a remodel for that bathroom, we will put in a Kohler Villager. The external dimensions are the same but the lumbar support and depth make it hugely different to use. (We've tried them at two different homes.) I can't speak to how it would work for larger people but it is worlds above our current tub. If you have room to go longer or wider, that would certainly help too--but even within standard dimensions, there are variations.
AJCN
last year
It can be dicey climbing in and out of a slippery tub. Does your space allow for a walk-in shower with bench or teak stool? Adding grab bars is good too.
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I know I probably went overboard, but I have been searching Houzz for shower/tub combos for myself if I decide to go in that direction. Most of these pictures have Master Bath titles - they tend to be small houses or apartments in large cities where space is an issue. They all have a generous sized tub. A few have extra shower bling and even a separate tub filler. All of them have material choices and the level of tile work that you see in a master bathroom. I'm sure that if I searched Houzz I could find just as many, or even more, remodels of small master baths where they have just built a walk in shower. I think the decision to do a shower/tub may be a personal choice because they want a soaking tub - since they are titled Master I'm assuming the bath is not the only bath in the house and they could easily just go with a shower. [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/lakewood-bathroom-contemporary-bathroom-denver-phvw-vp~564696) [Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by Aurora General Contractors Heritage Home Improvement [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/tamara-mack-design-interiors-traditional-bathroom-san-francisco-phvw-vp~1860108) [Transitional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2112) by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Tamara Mack Design [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/jackson-hole-residence-rustic-bathroom-portland-phvw-vp~1116073) [Rustic Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/rustic-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2111) by Portland Architects & Designers Howells Architecture + Design, LLC [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/bath-traditional-bathroom-charlotte-phvw-vp~1153799) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Charlotte Architects & Designers Don Duffy Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/tile-showers-traditional-bathroom-houston-phvw-vp~1597876) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Lake Jackson Kitchen & Bath Remodelers JC Remodeling & Restoration, LLC [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/icon-development-tofino-job-contemporary-bathroom-vancouver-phvw-vp~2443799) [Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by Nanaimo Tile, Stone & Countertops City Tile [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/riverside-drive-super-groovy-masterpiece-contemporary-bathroom-new-york-phvw-vp~2456534) [Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by New York General Contractors Rusk Renovation [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/burns-park-addition-and-remodeling-2000-and-2006-traditional-bathroom-detroit-phvw-vp~374078) [Traditional Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2107) by Canton Architects & Designers Studio Z Architecture [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/erica-islas-silverlake-contemporary-bathroom-los-angeles-phvw-vp~190979) [Contemporary Bathroom[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-bathroom-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_712~s_2103) by Culver City Interior Designers & Decorators Erica Islas / EMI Interior Design, Inc. 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If I may followup on my own posting, if we're going to have a tub it's going to be one my 6'3" body will fit in. Another reason to go large.
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Do you have grand-kids, or are you expecting any near your guest bedrooms? If so, do consider having tubs (at least a small 5 foot inexpensive one) for baths. You won't regret that, especially for resale. As for your Master Bath, ask a realtor friend and they will likely tell you it's 'best' for re-sale for a 5-piece Master too, but if you'd much rather have the extra-large shower than a smaller shower and tub, then go for the larger shower and forget the tub. We have an oversized shower (dual heads, etc) and absolutely love it. We have a big jacuzzi tub too and it's nice but doesn't get a whole lot of use. Our overall bathroom is quite large, but if I were limited on space, the tub would be the first to go or at least downsize. As you age, you will probably find a better use for a walk-in shower with things you can add in your later remodel (hand-held rails, bench, etc) than a tub that is hard to step into.
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> We would love a tub that allowed us to face the same direction as well as each other, but in terms of freestanding tubs, that just doesn't really seem to be an option. Now this is more like it: It's freestanding (though I don't care for this particular surround) and the backrest is what I find the ideal shape for two people side by side, with good back and shoulder support for both. Most tubs with this shape are like 5 feet wide which is not what I want; this one is just wide enough for two. The taper at the other end helps preserve water without getting too crowded, but is still wide and sloped enough to lean against when you want to face opposite directions. Still, it's the side by side configuration I like best. Two-person tubs where you face each other look great in pictures and in the showroom. Then you use one in real life only to find you have to SCREAM AT EACH OTHER to be heard over the roar of the jets. Although air jets may be a bit quieter than the water jets I've used. I could do without the huge ledge at the end of this tub though - what's that all about? I too can't find a tub that gets everything right.
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Rae T
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
We cannot make the bathroom any bigger than it is unfortunately, and it is the only bathroom with a tub in a single-family ranch, so for resale purposes, we cannot take the tub out. We may be able to fit a 60x32 but that isn't too big a difference.

I saw the Kohler Villager but it's even less soaking depth (8 5/8") than our current ancient tub which has ~ 9.5.

If we use a mortar bed under an acrylic, is there less of a concern of creaks and cracks? I mean we aren't significantly large, just 200-250 range for the 3 adult size people. My husband is the only one with any height, but we already know he isn't stretching out no matter what one we pick.

I know acrylic can be repaired easier than chips in enamel but with it being harder to clean too, that's a consideration. My husband will throw fish tank water in the bathtub when he's cleaning his tank and the pebbles may fly around and they could scratch the tub or even discolor it. Never been an issue in the current tub since it's already in rough shape.
Rae T
Original Author
last year
This is the current one
PRO
AiFL
last year
I had to replace my tub that I loved, sorry but I don’t know the make or size, and the contractor bought a new one same size but because of the slanted back it’s way too short to sit in comfortably. So even though the tub dimensions are the same, that slanted back takes away several inches of sitting space
PRO
JAN MOYER
last year
last modified: last year
I'd get the Kohler Archer and stop agonizing. I've used it a half dozen times, nobody has ruined it . Nobody throws fish tank water and pebbles in it, either. A post soak clean with non abrasive Bar Keepers friend......and same with a weekly cleaning.

All of these " standard size/alcove tubs", have been relegated to the basic bath/kiddie bath.

If you need a spa experience? Put a hot tub outdoors.
Rae T
Original Author
last year
We decided on the Bootz Mauicast Plus, going with the 32". We decided we wanted the steel. We're already used to it because we've lived with it for so long so this will just be a slight upgrade to what we have now. I did make my husband climb in the sample of a similar model at Lowe's (Mansfield is the 30' version) And he was technically able to fit without bending his knees. He won't really be able to move around but that was kind of expected considering you 6'3" so no matter what we pick he's going to have a problem.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
Look at the acrylic tubs from Maax. Just about any retailer in the country will order these.

Check the specs and the water depth if soaking is important to you.

https://maax.com/bathtubs/all-products
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
last year
I use Maax tubs all the time for larger clients and smaller ones They are decently prices easy to clean and they have many nice deep soaker alcove type tubs I would suggest you go at least 32 x60 those 2 extra inches make a big differnece for sure .I never like steel tubs they are not IMO a good choice ever. If you can go longer if hubby is tall I like 32 x66 if it will fit.

Tub selection for larger people

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artemis78

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artemis78

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