So we purchased a coop with extremely tiny bathrooms. The width of the bathroom is a mere 4'9". This means we are extremely limited in our choice of tub (i.e., the tub has to have a width of 30 inches or less). There aren't many tubs that meet this requirement that are also "soaking" tubs. So far, I thought that I had the most choices by going with a freestanding tub, since many of the... [more]
So we purchased a coop with extremely tiny bathrooms. The width of the bathroom is a mere 4'9". This means we are extremely limited in our choice of tub (i.e., the tub has to have a width of 30 inches or less). There aren't many tubs that meet this requirement that are also "soaking" tubs. So far, I thought that I had the most choices by going with a freestanding tub, since many of the vintage-style clawfoot and pedestal tubs are 28-30" in width, however in order for this to work in our bathroom dimensions, the edge of the tub would basically have to be almost flush to the wall and we would have a wall-mounted shower and tub filler.
My contractor expressed concern about this, saying that they couldn't then put in a "flange" to catch the water and that the water would pool behind the tub. Nevertheless, often when I see pictures of these tubs, they are almost flush to the wall.
Does anyone have a view on this? Should I give up on the freestanding tub altogether and just focus on trying to find a "regular" 30" tub?
Another suggestion from another contractor was just buying a 32" tub that they could drop in and tile around, eliminating those extra 2" by putting them into the wall.
Any thoughts/ideas, appreciated.
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Response by hejiranyc
over 16 years ago
Posts: 255
Member since: Jan 2009
Look at Duravit tubs. They make some 29.5" drop-in tubs, as well as stand alone tubs that are flush against one wall or a corner. I have one in my house and it is absolutely wonderful.
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Response by Pette78
over 16 years ago
Posts: 42
Member since: Aug 2008
Thanks. Duravit is all acrylic. I'd love to get cast iron if I can, but not sure there are tubs that fit this description anymore.
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Response by carnegie
over 16 years ago
Posts: 166
Member since: Mar 2009
pette78, I agree, don't get acrylic. We did it once and hated it.
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Response by nyc_sport
over 16 years ago
Posts: 814
Member since: Jan 2009
Porcher makes cast iron tubs, as narrow as 28 inches. You really need to find one in person. The walls are quite high and the narrow width may make it unpleasant for showering.
I am not sure why the contractor can't essentially make a stand-alone tub built in along the shower wall, so you have tiling to keep in the water. Alternatively, the shower rings on clawfoot tubs usually just have a 360 degree shower curtain that goes around the entire tub.
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Response by nyc10023
over 16 years ago
Posts: 7614
Member since: Nov 2008
Kohler makes cast iron. Acrylic tubs are annoying to clean.
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Response by Pette78
over 16 years ago
Posts: 42
Member since: Aug 2008
Yes, Kohler and Toto both make some castiron tubs. The problem is that none are narrow enough.
NYC Sport--do you think that means I don't need to concern myself with the fact that the water will pool behind the tub? That's apparently the concern--it will pool and eventually eat through tile, etc.
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Response by nyc_sport
over 16 years ago
Posts: 814
Member since: Jan 2009
I am not sure I undersand the "pooling" problem. If the wall is bumped out so that the water side of the tub is tiled in, your would not have any more "pooling" than in a typical drop in tiled tub.
"I am not sure I undersand the "pooling" problem. If the wall is bumped out so that the water side of the tub is tiled in, your would not have any more "pooling" than in a typical drop in tiled tub."
i believe because the usual free standing tub has a curved lip all the way around whereas the typical "built-in" tub has a flat surface on the wall side slanted to send water away from the wall and back into the tub.
How many baths do you take? think about making a really, really nice shower with a terrazzo shower floor and a big plate glass wall. It will make your tiny bathrooms look larger.
"Nevertheless, often when I see pictures of these tubs, they are almost flush to the wall. "
not in my experience: free standing tubs are....... duh duh duh duh......... FREE STANDING. You get a full 360 degree shower rod and completely enclose the entire tub, and either have a the ends where the controls are, or poke the controls, spout, etc thru the shower curtain.
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Response by 30yrs_RE_20_in_REO
over 16 years ago
Posts: 9885
Member since: Mar 2009
I think where the confusion may be coming from is that a lot of the free standing tubs currently being installed are NOT tub and shower, but tub only. I can't imagine in a tiny bathroom that you're putting in a separate shower, but want to just the tub as your shower area also?
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Response by Pette78
over 16 years ago
Posts: 42
Member since: Aug 2008
Yes, we would also want the ability to shower in that tub. We do have a second (even smaller!) bathroom with a freestanding shower. We need to have a tub in the apartment (bathing children, etc.)
I know that freestanding tubs are freestanding, its just that often in pictures they are placed right up against the wall. It is in fact the curved lip that causes the issue. It looks like people here agree it is not a great idea in my bathroom.
Look at Duravit tubs. They make some 29.5" drop-in tubs, as well as stand alone tubs that are flush against one wall or a corner. I have one in my house and it is absolutely wonderful.
Thanks. Duravit is all acrylic. I'd love to get cast iron if I can, but not sure there are tubs that fit this description anymore.
pette78, I agree, don't get acrylic. We did it once and hated it.
Porcher makes cast iron tubs, as narrow as 28 inches. You really need to find one in person. The walls are quite high and the narrow width may make it unpleasant for showering.
I am not sure why the contractor can't essentially make a stand-alone tub built in along the shower wall, so you have tiling to keep in the water. Alternatively, the shower rings on clawfoot tubs usually just have a 360 degree shower curtain that goes around the entire tub.
Kohler makes cast iron. Acrylic tubs are annoying to clean.
Yes, Kohler and Toto both make some castiron tubs. The problem is that none are narrow enough.
NYC Sport--do you think that means I don't need to concern myself with the fact that the water will pool behind the tub? That's apparently the concern--it will pool and eventually eat through tile, etc.
I am not sure I undersand the "pooling" problem. If the wall is bumped out so that the water side of the tub is tiled in, your would not have any more "pooling" than in a typical drop in tiled tub.
Either way, here is the 28" Porcher cast iron
http://www.porcher-us.com/ProductNew.asp?prodID=2235
"I am not sure I undersand the "pooling" problem. If the wall is bumped out so that the water side of the tub is tiled in, your would not have any more "pooling" than in a typical drop in tiled tub."
i believe because the usual free standing tub has a curved lip all the way around whereas the typical "built-in" tub has a flat surface on the wall side slanted to send water away from the wall and back into the tub.
How many baths do you take? think about making a really, really nice shower with a terrazzo shower floor and a big plate glass wall. It will make your tiny bathrooms look larger.
"Nevertheless, often when I see pictures of these tubs, they are almost flush to the wall. "
not in my experience: free standing tubs are....... duh duh duh duh......... FREE STANDING. You get a full 360 degree shower rod and completely enclose the entire tub, and either have a the ends where the controls are, or poke the controls, spout, etc thru the shower curtain.
I think where the confusion may be coming from is that a lot of the free standing tubs currently being installed are NOT tub and shower, but tub only. I can't imagine in a tiny bathroom that you're putting in a separate shower, but want to just the tub as your shower area also?
Yes, we would also want the ability to shower in that tub. We do have a second (even smaller!) bathroom with a freestanding shower. We need to have a tub in the apartment (bathing children, etc.)
I know that freestanding tubs are freestanding, its just that often in pictures they are placed right up against the wall. It is in fact the curved lip that causes the issue. It looks like people here agree it is not a great idea in my bathroom.