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Message |
    
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2073
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 11:06 pm: | 
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Shower pan shot -- want to replace with a tub. Opening as is would be big enough for a 54/55" tub. Taking out some of the existing framing and into adjacent clost, moving the plumbing a bit -- a 60" tub could fit.
Does it make a difference -- the extra length? No one in our house is tall (5' 8" max!!) --
I think a shorter tub will cost a bit more, but its probably a cost trade off, since there won't be any extra carpentry with the shorter tub.
Opinions?
Pete |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8354
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, July 14, 2006 - 11:20 pm: |
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There was a discussion awhile back about someone removing their tub and installing a stall shower. I think the concensus was that it could hurt at sale time. Parents wanted a tub to bathe younger children. So, as long as you have somewhere to soak a child, what the heck.
Before you do it, tho, you'd better check with the Building Department about code requirements. You may find that it is more than you bargained for. I did not know, when we designed our second bathroom, that the sink had to be 4" from the walls. Made finding a basin for a small space quite challenging. |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2074
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 15, 2006 - 2:35 pm: |
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Thankre Greentree -- reality is, until the leaking shower is demo'd -- not quite sure how I'll proceed. At that point, though, I want to have my options lined up so we're not without that bathroom for too long! Pete |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 527
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 12:13 am: |
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Personally I would go 60". A 55" tub just seems a lot smaller than that 5" difference. I also think for future home sale the larger tub is better. |
Josh Holtz
Citizen
Username: Jholtz
Post Number: 528
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 12:14 am: |
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Also Pete - depth is very important. Keep that in mind. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12159
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 4:42 am: |
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Are you actually going to use the tub as a tub, other than for kids and washing the dog? Sixty inches would be better for adults, otherwise I wouldn't go to the trouble and expense of moving walls and plumbing, not to mention the lose of closet space. |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 332
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, July 16, 2006 - 10:20 am: |
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You know Pete...bigger is always better.... |
mrmaplewood
Citizen
Username: Mrmaplewood
Post Number: 370
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 4:57 pm: |
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A 60 incher is about twice as expensive as a 55.
Since most adults do not take a bath, it will see most of it's use on children. Your contractor will advise you of the extra work needed to install the smaller one.
A further point - a wide tub is very comfortable to shower in. Check the width. And don't forget grab bar/s. |
george H
Citizen
Username: Georgieboy
Post Number: 250
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, July 17, 2006 - 5:42 pm: |
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I think from a re-sale point of view,your're better off with a full size[5']tub.Short tubs look out of the ordinary and although most folks don't use them,they want the option available.A 5" cast iron tub is in the neighborhood of 650.00 and I can't believe that a 4'6" tub would be much less.Deep tubs are almost a thing of the past and 30 to 32" is fast becoming the standard width.This is not to say that deeper,wider tubs can't be found but they will cost more than most.2x6 blocking in between studs can make installing grab bars as well as towel bars,t.p. holder,soapdishes,etc.,easier and give you a more secure attachment than any kind of wall anchor.Just don't forget to make a diagram,showing exactly where the blocking is located.I generally measure down from the ceiling to the center of the blocking and over from a wall, being careful to notate which direction my measurements were taken. |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 600
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 9:51 am: |
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We replaced our old tub with a standard 55". No complaints, and no one has ever looked at it and said "my, what a wee tub you have!" But we mainly use it for showering and bathing our toddler. If my husband and i were big on taking baths ourselves, we would've splurged for a deeper tub... never really considered a *longer* one. As it stood, adding just a few inches to depth practically doubled the price, so that pretty much made the decision for us. If i recall correctly, there's a brand that makes tubs out of some new material other than cast iron, that's lighter and less expensive. It may make a longer/deeper tub more appealing to you... but the plumbing supply places said it gets knicks and dings pretty easily. |
Hillsider
Supporter
Username: Hillsider
Post Number: 82
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 9:56 am: |
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The old bathroom had a 60" shallow tub (used for showering as well) with vanity, sink & pot...
We remolled it to include a shower stall and since the space was tight got a 54" clawfoot tub... we wanted a shower stall and a deep tub...
It works out well, but yes you do feel the difference in length, what really matters is the "well length"... |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5695
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 11:20 am: |
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I say go for the bigger tub! And if you do that you night as well make it a Jacuzzi! |
J L Bryant
Citizen
Username: Jeffbryant
Post Number: 12
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 11:28 am: |
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Go bigger |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 2079
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 19, 2006 - 11:31 am: |
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Thanks all for the comments -- now the question is tub material...
metal --
steel with porcelin = cheapest
cast iron with porcelin = much more and much heavier! (prob most durable?)
plastics --
as best as I can tell, 3 options:
a formed plastic, molded tub -- lowest grade "plastic", a bit more than steel/porcelin
a high end plastic, on the Kohler site it uses terms like "luxury feel" -- and seems priced comparably to cast iron
fiberglas -- these seem to be for non standard sizes.
I kind of think the metal tubs are going to be most durable, easier to clean surface.
If I thought this tub was going to be used a lot for soaking baths, the plastics are probably much warmer to the touch.
I don't know, JTA, a Jacuzzi tub suddenly adds a new electrical line to the project, perhaps stronger floor construction, likely pricier plumbing. You selling a Jacuzzi by chance? ;-)
/p
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