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Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 270
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 7:56 am: | 
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We're putting in a Master Bath, and we've decided on a soaking tub/shower, instead of just a large walk-in shower. We want a wider tub, but NO Spa feature, and it can't be too large, as we've got to get it upstairs. Two issues:
1. Any recommendations on where a good selection of these might be, and which width people have found they like? I'm thinking 32-40" wide.
2. Is there a tub design that we could put a shower in as well that would allow us to have minimal shower curtain(splashing outside tub)? We like an open feel, and dislike sliding glass door choices.
Any thoughts on what you like/dislike would be great. The Bathroom is not that big, so we are somewhat limited. (8' X 8' total space for Vanity, toilet, Tub).
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10463
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 8:27 am: |
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Check out the Kohler and American Standard sites for their selection of tubs.
Usually "soaker" tubs are much deeper than a regular tub, making stepping in and out of them quite a challenge if you use them for a shower as well. It also takes a lot of water to fill them because of their depth and a new water heater might also be in your future. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 272
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 8:47 am: |
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Bob, is there an issue with how big the tub is, to the structure/support underneat? (ie I have visions of my 1929 house collapsing under the weight of a giant tub). |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10468
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 9:24 am: |
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There can be. This is something to discuss with your architect/contractor.
The area we turned into a bath was a small sunroom about 9 x 5. This was done in connection with an addition and the ceiling below was opened up. I don't know if it was reinsforced, but we haven't had a problem with a standard five foot tub. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3894
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 9:34 am: |
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We put in the Kohler Devonshire soaking tub in our master and our hall bath. It is very deep, but what's the point of a bath otherwise???
We got the one that you just slide in and my mom put in the one you tile around. We use it for showering as well and haven't had any problems. We put in frameless glass doors in our bathroom and use a shower curtain in our hall bath. The water does spread more in the hall bath but that's due to the wide spray of the showerhead we somehow ended up with. Otherise it's fine.
Also, the Kohler devonshire line is not cast iron, it's some type of acrylic (though it doesn't look cheesy) so it's much lighter than a cast iron tub. We haven't fallen through the ceiling yet. |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 274
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 9:41 am: |
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Can you explain further the door/curtain set up you have for your two bathrooms, and your moms? (she went sans door/curtain? Does she have a shower in there?) How big was the bathroom that used the frameless door, and where did you get it? Does it take away from the relaxation of the tub (being surrounded by glass) or is it still nice? |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3896
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 10:05 am: |
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My mom also has a frameless shower door. It's her hall bath, so it gets used as a shower by all her guests. Our contractor ordered the shower door for us, I do not have that info.
The shower cutain is just hung from an inexpensive tension rod I got at Target. Down the line I'd consider doing a door in there too, but for now with the girls bathing it works out better.
The doors were installed on top of the outside of the tub. I think I have a pic on my blog... . This was during the construction.
You can see our bath is not large either, but it feels comfortable. |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 348
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 10:53 am: |
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What make model tub is yours Virtual?
I like the detail on the outside...
My brother also told me to make sure to get acrylic, rather than cast iron, because it'll keep the water warmer longer. Americh is the model he recommended...
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Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3897
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 11:05 am: |
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I believe it's the Kohler Devonshire line. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10472
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 12:02 pm: |
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Melicious, cast iron holds heat much better than acrylic. |
Virtual It Girl
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 3898
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 12:15 pm: |
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I heard that but this tub holds heat well. I don't think it's regular acrylic like those hideous retro-fit tub liners. Also, it feels a lot less cold than our old tub. |
melicious
Citizen
Username: Melicious
Post Number: 349
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Monday, January 30, 2006 - 12:41 pm: |
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True, about cast iron - in a way.
Thermodynamics says, the iron will hold the heat, once it is heated...That is, you are giving the heat over to the tub materials. It'll take time to do that. Meanwhile, the air is cooling the water. Cast iron will retain longer, but you have to start hotter to "get there." Acrylic is a good insulator, so you can start cooler and stay that way.
Here is a This Old House quote:
To me, the biggest difference is heat retention. A cast iron tub will hold the heat longer...but you have to get it hot first. Someone wrote here a few months ago they filled their tub with only hot water and let it sit for 30 minutes. By that time the tub had warmed and water had cooled enough to be comfy. If you fill with water that is a comfortable temp, the tub will absorb the heat and the water will be too cold (as will the tub!)
With the acrylic tub I fill with the temp water I want to start with. Sometimes I add a little hot water after about 20 or 25 minutes. I generally only spend 30 or 40 minutes in the tub so for me it doesn't matter if it holds heat for hours. I'm using gallons less hot water that way as well.
Just me, but I'd rather not wait around for the water to cool - I'm too rushed as it is!
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