Compared to other furnishings, a bathtub is a more costly item and may be with you for over a decade. However, purchasing a low-quality or unsuitable bathtub can lead to frustration and ultimately cost you thousands of dollars to replace, which is highly impractical. If you want to turn it into a space for relaxation, revitalization, and personal enjoyment, you should spend more time choosing the bathtub of your dreams. If you're unsure how to proceed, don't worry, Giving Tree Home will provide you with some helpful suggestions to expedite this process. It's simple and only takes 5 steps!
Step1: Determine the Size
Choosing the right bathtub size is crucial. Regardless of your preferred style or design, the bathtub needs to fit both your bathroom space and your body size.
If your bathroom is small, a 47''-55'' may be the best choice. These sizes usually don't take up much space, and some 47'' bathtubs come with built-in seats, allowing you to sit while bathing.
If your bathroom is moderately sized, you have a wider range of options. You won't need to worry as much about whether the bathtub size matches your bathroom, but it might be best to avoid round bathtubs. Even small round bathtubs can occupy more space.
If you have a large bathroom, consider Giving Tree Home's 65'' bathtubs. These bathtubs not only fit well in larger spaces but also offer more design options, allowing you to lie more comfortably and fill the bathroom space without it feeling empty.
Additionally, the water capacity of the bathtub is an often overlooked aspect. It depends on the height from the bottom to the overflow drain, determining the effective soaking depth. Only a soaking depth sufficient to cover your chest can provide a more comfortable bathing experience.
Step 2: Features Selection
This depends on what you want to achieve to enhance your bathing experience.
If you're an athlete or manual laborer, an air tub or whirlpool tub might be more suitable for you, as it can help relieve muscle fatigue through bubble-based full-body massages.
For users who enjoy watching shows or reading while bathing, selecting a bathtub with good insulation is important. A hot tub, heated continuously by electricity or natural gas, comes at a higher price; while bathtubs with built-in insulation layers extend insulation time through structural design, offering better value for money.
Additionally, for those who dislike cleaning, it's important to choose a bathtub with overflow and offset drainage. The overflow prevents water from spilling over, keeping the floor dry; while the offset drainage prevents odors from escaping.
Step 4: Budget Planning
This may be one of the primary considerations for consumers, as no one is uninterested in price! Typically, we believe that the main reasons for price differences in bathtubs are brand, features, or materials, and it's important to emphasize never compromising quality for the sake of price!
Many people lean towards well-known brands, but this also means higher prices, because some bathtubs sold on established websites may be triple or even quadruple the price of other brands, which is clearly not cost-effective. In similar situations, differences in bathtub costs come from craftsmanship, but they shouldn't result in such huge price variations because bathtubs, as products, don't involve much technical complexity. Certain well-known brands allocate a significant portion of their costs to marketing, hence their prices are higher than the market average.
Traditional soaking tub prices typically range from $700 to $2000, with some possibly exceeding this range but still remaining reasonable. Bathtubs integrated with electronic massage features may cost as much as $7000 or even higher.
While brands and features are relatively easy for consumers to identify, materials may be less familiar, especially for non-professionals. Generally, materials are roughly ranked in terms of price as follows: cast iron >> steel >> stone resin >> acrylic >> fiberglass.
Step 5: Material Selection
In the previous step, we discussed the impact of materials on prices. Here, we'll focus on how materials affect usage and maintenance.
If you're planning to independently complete your bathroom renovation, it's best to use acrylic, fiberglass, or resin stone. These three bathtub materials are lightweight, allowing users to transport and install them without relying on external teams.
If you're concerned about the bathtub becoming scratched over time due to external forces, it's advisable to choose acrylic or resin stone. These two materials have a certain degree of repairability, and minor scratches can be repaired with sandpaper, provided the surface finish is matte rather than glossy.
| ← Acrylic Tub | Stone Resin Tub→ |
If you're considering it as a lifelong investment, then cast iron and copper may be the best options. They are resistant to damage or deformation from external forces, and you don't have to worry about their aesthetics because they're usually coated with a layer of enamel.
Ending
In conclusion, choosing the perfect bathtub involves a thoughtful balance of practical considerations, personal preferences, and budgetary constraints. By carefully evaluating space limitations, material durability, installation requirements, desired features, maintenance needs, stylistic harmony, and budget planning, you can create a luxurious bathing oasis that enhances your daily routine and promotes relaxation and rejuvenation.
