On this week’s blog post, we’re going to discuss something that is particularly relevant to the residential side. As I’m sure you know, “bathroom remodeling” is certainly a pretty vague topic. Simply put, there are more than a few changes that can be made to freshen up or modernize the space! Likewise, some of these alterations are more easily completed than others. For instance, upgrading a faucet will likely be a quicker project than having new tile installed. Makes sense, right?
With that in mind, we wanted to focus this week’s blog post on the bathtub/shower portion and the impact it can have on a bathroom remodel. While this can be a bigger project, it’s also undeniably a focal point in a bathroom, in addition to being a decision that presents you with quite a few options to pick from. As a plumbing company offering residential services, our team has had the opportunity to install numerous bathtubs and showers over the years, and they’re definitely always a fun project to help out with! Having said that, let’s discuss a few of the options you could potentially go with and how different variables will affect the decision-making process.
What are your options?
If you’ve followed some of our previous blog posts, you may have heard us mention this before, but with many plumbing fixtures nowadays, there are plenty of options to pick from. Whether that be in regards to faucets, toilets, water heaters or anything else, that statement continues to hold true! Fortunately, that is also the case with bathtub and shower options for homeowners. Here are a few that you may consider:
Freestanding Bathtubs – If you’re searching for a true statement piece for your master bathroom, it’s definitely worth it to consider a freestanding bathtub. You will want to be mindful of the current layout of your bathroom and whether or not there is enough space to allow for a freestanding tub, but it’s undeniably a cool and modern feature that many homeowners love. In addition, you’ll notice there are several different styles and tub materials to pick from. This will help immensely in finding one that matches your master bathroom’s current aesthetic.
Alcove Bathtubs – While you may not be as familiar with the term “alcove,” there’s a good chance you’ve seen one at some point in your life. Alcove tubs are connected to three separate walls and generally have an easier installation process. They’re arguably the most common type of bathtub and can easily fit in most bathroom layouts. These types of tubs also typically are dual-purposed as showers too with either a shower enclosure or tiled walls.
Drop-In Bathtubs – A third type of bathtub you may consider is a drop-in tub. These have a pre-built area with an opening in the middle where the bathtub can simply be dropped in. Similar to a freestanding tub, you certainly have more flexibility in terms of where the bathtub will be installed, but you also need the surrounding structure that will wrap around the tub.
Other Options – Since we’re planning on highlighting other factors that will influence your purchasing decision, we only featured a few of the more common types of bathtubs above. However, while these tend to be the most popular, it isn’t a comprehensive list either. There are also several different types of shower-only units, as well as other bathtub styles. For example, another bathtub style that may be a necessity for some homeowners would be a walk-in bathtub. Long story short, there are plenty of options to choose from!
What variables should you keep in mind?
While there are certainly several types of bathtubs available (as evidenced above), there are also a few factors that will help you land on the perfect option for your particular situation. Here are some of the variables we recommend taking into consideration:
Budget – First and foremost, a major factor for any home improvement project is the total cost. The price tag for this type of project will be a compilation of the type of tub (including the material in which the tub is built out of), the existing layout of your bathroom and any other services required (such as tile).
Material – Going hand-in-hand with the previous point, when searching for potential options, you’ll notice the materials may vary with different tubs. While this may impact the price, it will also affect the general aesthetics as well. For example, let’s take a look at freestanding tubs. Depending on the type and material of the freestanding tub you select, you can either go with a classic look or modern one. Acrylic freestanding tubs tend to be very popular thanks to their clean appearance and the fact that they’re relatively lightweight in comparison to some of the alternatives. Speaking of that, one material capable of giving you more of that classic look is cast iron. However, it’s extremely important to mention that cast iron tubs can be very heavy. While they are durable, this increased weight can make them a challenge to install.
Existing Layout – We’ve briefly mentioned this already, but it is a critical aspect of any home improvement project. Depending on your budget for the project, the existing layout of your bathroom may set some restrictions on what all is possible. For instance, if you’re wanting to go from an alcove bathtub to a freestanding bathtub, you’ll want to consider items like new flooring that will be required and whether new plumbing lines will need to be run. This is also a major reason why we strongly recommend working with reputable contractors to ensure the project doesn’t quickly turn into a never-ending money pit.
Size – Our next point certainly is a little related to the topic we just discussed of the current layout of one’s bathroom. Nonetheless, it’s important to acknowledge how different types of tubs or showers are better suited for varying sized bathrooms. Some are going to require more real estate to ensure everything isn’t packed in there, while others will provide extra flexibility to work with! Going back to the types we highlighted earlier, a freestanding bathtub would be the perfect example of a style that has the flexibility of being able to be installed just about anywhere (assuming the proper plumbing lines are run to it). You’ll likely need a little room all around it, but the flexibility on exact installation location can be beneficial. On the other hand, while being extremely popular and common, alcove tubs are going to require there to be walls on three sides of it. For most homeowners, this isn’t an issue, but it is definitely worth bringing up.
To sum it all up, having a new bathtub or shower installed is a significant project. And as such, there are numerous variables to consider, as well as various pros and cons associated with the different styles!
Bathtub and Shower Installation Services in Kansas City
From freestanding bathtubs to alcove bathtubs and more, our team at Stine-Nichols Plumbing has had the opportunity to assist on several bathroom remodeling projects over the years. While having a new bathtub or shower installed is certainly a bigger project, it’s also safe to say that it can have a big impact on the look of a bathroom! If you’re interested in learning more about the installation services that we offer or have any questions about which type of tub/shower would make the most sense for your bathroom, don’t hesitate to reach out. You’re welcome to either fill out our contact form HERE or give us a call at (816) 348-3481.