1. What are the main materials that bathtubs are made of?

Castiron: An iron shell with a porcelain enamel interior coating.

Gelcoat: A shell made of several layers of fiberglass and resin with several layers of paint.

Acrylic: A solid sheet of a derivative of plastic, vacuum formed into a mold with layers of fiberglass and resin on the exterior for strength.

You can read the article on our website entitled “Bathtub Material” for a material comparison or ask one of us.

2. What are the main shapes of tubs?

There are 6 main categories: Rectangle, Oval, Round, Corner, walk-in, and Pedestal/Clawfoot.

3. Why would I buy one shape over another?

The first issue is which shape will fit into your bathroom space.  Unless you have begun searching for the perfect tub before the plans have been drawn up, most people have a limited space for their tub.  This space is usually 60-66 inches for a hall bath and about 72-84 inches for a master bath.  Most rectangles and corner units can go right up against the studs which will maximize your available area. Round and oval tubs require that you set them into a deck with at least three inches of tile, marble, granite, etc all the way around for both aesthetics and cleaning purposes which must be accounted for in the plans.

For a pedestal/clawfoot tub you want to put it into a “setting”.  For a walk-in tub, it is a specialized application for people who need a door tub for independent living.  These tubs are installed similarly to a rectangular tub.

4. What are the different types of installation?

There are two main ways to install: Alcove versus Drop-in.  An alcove installation means that one to three sides of the tub will be right up against the studs.  This application requires either a rectangle or corner unit and most will work.  Some of these tubs have an integral front side skirt that will cover the front of the tub and others will require your installer to build a short “pony wall” to be finished off as you see fit.  A drop-in tub is a rectangular, corner, round, or oval that does not have an integral front side skirt.  For these tubs, your installer builds a platform, cuts out a hole that is slightly smaller than your tub, the tub is placed in it and the deck around the tub is finished off as you see fit.

5. What are the available tub systems?

None of the following four configurations are better than the other.  Each is designed to offer a different experience.  Only the intended bather can decide which is “the perfect fit”.

A) Soaking tub/Tub only: this is just a tub without any system, very nice for a short soak.

B) Water jet/Whirlpool: this is a piping system that can have jets placed on the back, sides, and feet of the tub.  A pump forces the water to be sucked into the piping and forced back out through the jets.  Water weighs eight pounds per gallon and the force by which it comes out of the jets will give the bather a therapeutic experience and help take care of the aches and pains.

C) Air system: this is an air tube system that is located beneath the tub.  Air bubbles are forced out through either the bottom or bottom perimeter of the tub.  Air systems are not as powerful as water systems and they are not designed to be.  Air provides a relaxing experience as the bubbles come into contact with your skin.  A soothing sensation, but it will not take care of an aching back.

D) Combo system: this combines the whirlpool system with one of the air systems to give the bather the best of both systems.  Most customers report that they start with the whirlpool system for the first twenty or so minutes.  They turn it off and switch on the air system for the last five to ten minutes to finish unwinding.

6. How long will the product take to arrive?

If the exact product that you want is in stock you can usually have it the same day unless you want us to modify it in some way.  If it has to be ordered, it can take anywhere from one week up to six weeks for most product.  There are some items that could take longer.  Some companies have rush programs, but they charge anywhere from $100-$400 for the privilege of having the product made sooner.  Tubz has no control over the lead time of any product from any manufacturer.  Also, the time of year is a factor to consider.  Canada suffers from ice storms, the Midwest from tornadoes, and the south from hurricanes to name but a few of natures’ proclivities.  Tubz will do our best to keep you informed of any changes or delays that come to our attention.

7. What colors do I have to choose from?

Manufactures will usually offer ten to thirty colors.  However, any color beyond white and biscuit is often considered non-cancellable and non-returnable.  Color fads come and go in our country.  In the sixties and seventies, the hot colors were harvest gold, cappuccino brown, and avocado green.  In the eighties and early nineties, the colors of choice were bone and almond.  Since the mid nineties to present, the preferred colors are white and biscuit.  Both are neutral colors that can be worked into any color scheme and the customer is less likely to despise it five years from. now.  Repaint the walls every year for about thirty dollars.  Change the towels from blue to fuchsia pink to buttercup yellow.  These changes will cost less than ripping out a blue or yellow tub and the matching tile and replacing it.  Pick products that appeal to you, but make sure they are ones you can live with.

8. Do I want a tub for one person or two?

If the tub is meant for the guest or hall bath, a one person tub is just fine.  If this is the master bath it will depend on several factors: do both spouses like each other enough to bath together, do you like the same temperature of water, and do both spouses even like to bathe?  Most couples report that the wife is likely to use the tub three or four times a week with the husband joining her on the weekend.  If this is the case, find a tub that she will not feel too guilty about using by herself, but can also fit the husband once a week.

9. If my contractor buys the tub do we get a better price?

Tubz gave up different price structures about fifteen years ago.  Tubz gives both homeowners and trades-people the same price.  The contractor may have a resale license that will allow him to not pay sales tax.

10. Does Tubz offer special discounts?

Tubz normally discounts product between 5-50% depending on the product and how well we buy it.  We do not have special discounts for any holidays or where it is a one day super sale.  We do have a large collection of tubs we have purchased that are very attractively priced for those who love to get a bargain.  These are tubs that manufacturers would normally keep in stock to ship quickly, but at the end of the year must be sold to eliminate inventory.  Also if an order was allowed to be cancelled by a customer, the manufacturer wants to sell it quickly.  The owner of Tubz has developed relationships with several companies who call us when they have these types of tubs to sell.  Also, certain showroom floor models have been given an extra discount to make room for new and different product.

11. Why should I buy from Tubz versus an internet dealer?

Computers are a wonderful invention and the internet is an exceptional tool, but it has not reached the point where it will allow you to sit in the tub before you buy it.  Only in a showroom will you be able to sit in multiple tubs, ask questions and get the answers while in the store.  It costs money for the building, electricity, displays, and staff.  We have overhead that internet dealers do not have to consider when determining their prices.  If a problem should arise with your product Tubz will be your initial liaison with the manufacturer.  We will assist you in what ever way possible.  With an internet dealer it is often harder to get help if something goes wrong.  A customer can always come in and sit down with our staff and discuss face-to-face whatever problem they have found.

Written by: Kjele Harrison