How to Choose a Freestanding Tub for Your Bathroom

Select the Freestanding Tub Style You Want

There's a lot to choose from when it comes to bathtub styles. This is especially true for homeowners wishing to install a freestanding model. Make sure you shop around before putting your money down. In this way, you'll have a better idea of the many styles and sizes available. Common freestanding bathtub designs include:

• Single-ended: One end features a slope for reclining while the other end rises straight up to accommodate the faucet and drain.
  
  
• Double-ended: Sloped on both ends with the faucet in the middle along one side. Two bathers can easily recline in the double-ended tub.
  
  
• Single-slipper: Single-slippers feature a sloping, elevated end for reclining. It gives added support and comfort.
  
  
• Double-slipper: The double-slipper bathtub is sloped and elevated on both ends with the faucet and drain located along the side. You can decide which way you want to recline. 
  
  
• Claw-Foot: Probably the tub most people envision when someone mentions the word 'freestanding.' Clawfoot tubs hark back to the 1800s and lend a vintage appeal to your new bath. They feature beautiful clawed 'feet,' and come in a variety of different styles. 
  
  
• Skirted or pedestal: Pedestal tubs feature attractive skirting around the base instead of feet. They, too, come in every style imaginable and lend your space a clean, minimalist feel. 
  
  
• Japanese soaker: The Japanese soaker tub is traditionally taller and more narrow than most bathtubs. It features a seat for an adult to sit comfortably submerged up to the shoulders. The drain and faucet are usually placed opposite the seat. This freestanding soaking tub may be a good choice for homeowners who want to fit a luxurious tub in a tight space.

Decide on the Material and Finish for Your Freestanding Bath Tub

There are just as many finishes available for freestanding tubs as there are styles and designs. Are you going for a soft, spa-like atmosphere? Or is industrial design more to your liking? Regardless of what you envision in your new bath, you can easily find a freestanding tub in a finish that complements it. Common finishes for freestanding tubs include:

• Acrylic
• Solid Surface
• Stainless Steel
• Cast Iron
• Stone
• Copper

Of these, acrylic and solid surface are probably the most common choices because they are both durable and affordable. However, if budget isn't an issue, you may want to consider pampering yourself with a more upscale choice. Cast iron, stone, and copper are lovely options if you're trying to evoke a rustic or spa-like atmosphere.

Customize Your Tub with a Faucet or Shower

Do you need a freestanding tub with a shower? If so, you'll want to consider this as you're choosing both your tub and your faucet layout. Not all faucets are compatible with all styles of the tub. For example, if you purchase a rolled rim freestanding tub, you'll need a faucet that's either free-standing or that mounts to the bathroom wall. This is because rolled rim tubs feature no pre-drilled holes for faucet mounts.

Similarly, tubs with inner-wall drillings (holes already installed inside the rim of the tub) require faucets that are installed directly inside the tub. Make sure you're matching your faucet to the style of tub you've purchased. You'll also need to install a shower enclosure if you desire a freestanding tub with a shower. By keeping all of these things in mind, you can easily achieve the bathroom remodel that you’ve always wanted.

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