Tub selection for larger people

2 months ago

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.

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Comments (9)

artemis78
2 months ago
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
2 months ago
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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Rae T
Original Author
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
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
2 months ago
This is the current one
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AiFL
2 months ago
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
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JAN MOYER
2 months ago
last modified: 2 months ago
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
2 months ago
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
2 months ago
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
2 months ago
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

AJCN

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Tub selection for larger people

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artemis78

AJCN

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