Selecting the right bath for you.
Acrylic baths have many design advantages over other products due to the wide variety of colors available that match porcelain and ceramic sinks and toilets. They also have a near perfect stain and fade resistance that exceeds all other available materials other than glass. One of the nicest features of acrylic baths, is that can be molded with large high profile flanges that add comfort for the back of the head and an element of design flare that the flat surfaces like cultured marble can't duplicate.
Acrylic Bathtubs have been in production for over 25 years, and is now the most common material use today. You can see from the pictures on this page, that acrylic baths are use in combination with a wide variety of material such as marble, tile and natural stone decks. My personal favorite bath and installation is a oval bath with a radius deck that matches the contour of the bath.
Bath Size
Acrylic baths can accommodate one or two people. If you don't plan to share the bath with someone else, it is probably better to find a bath that fit you comfortably. A narrower bath in the 36 to 42 inch range will be more comfortable for a single person and allow the side jets to be closer to your body for the best massage. A wider two person bath will only allow you to experience one side of the bath jets at a time. The ideal two person bath is in the 42 inch wide range by 6 foot, and has the drain in the center front and allows two people to face each other. In this arrangement the bathers to both experience the side jets and the back jets. Also, the back jets can be used on your feet when you are bathing alone. A medium size bath also is quicker to fill and easier to reach the far side during cleaning.
Bath Water Depth
The tub depth is another important consideration. An average person can be covered adequately in 12 Inches of water. If you are a large person, you may want to consider a deeper bath that will allow the water to fully cover you, so you don't get chilled. The maximum water depth in an acrylic bath is measured to the bottom of the water overflow, and is appoximately 16 inches.
Bath Length
The length is also very important. The bath should fit you compfortably and not be either to short or too long. If you are a short person, say 5 foot tall, many 6 foot baths with an end drain design, will be too long for you and your head will be in the water during a normal fill. If you are over 6 feet tall, most 5 foot baths will place a lot of your upper body out of the water. When selecting a bath, try to sit in the models you are interested in first. Also, pay attention to the interior length and less to the overall length. There can be a lot of variation on interior length depending on the width of the flange.
The Drain Location
The drain location is also a very important consideration. Many times this is decided for you in advance by your contractor. The drain will either be a center front or an end drain in right or left hand. The drain location has a big impact on the length and design of the bath.
An end drain bath is usually better for a taller person because it adds about 6 inches to the length of the interior of the bath. If you want an end drain for the length, and a two person bath, you will have to select a bath with at least a 46 inch width or greater. This will allow to people to lay beside each other. A center front drain will be a shorter bath, but will have the advantage of jets being at your back and feet or, if you have two bathers, each will have back jets.
If you have found your perfect bath and the drain configuration is not correct for the bath, you always have the option of having your plumber move it. This is about an hour job in a cement poured slab and usually cost under $150.
Design Considerations
It is also very important that your bath match your bathroom design and size for just the right look. When you have a very large bathroom is to choose a bath that fills your space. A small bath in a overly large bathroom, can seem out of place. As well as a large bath that is squeezed into a small space.
Before you decide on the type of whirlpool system you want, you should pick the style and size of bath that is right for you. After you do this you can go to our therapy bath page for information on our 7 different whirlpool and air systems.
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