Those Bubbling Bathtubs
Renovators Place Columnist
Oct 08, 2009
You no longer have to
travel to a spa or health club to relieve those tired, aching muscles. It's
possible to get the same pulsating water massage in the privacy of your own
bathroom.
Bathtub Options
While a five or six-foot
rectangular tub remains the standard, there are many other choices to consider,
including:
- oval tubs
- round tubs or even
- heart-shaped tubs
Size options run the gamut
from the standard size to a 84-inch by 66-inch design. Always check to make
sure the tub is large enough. Can you
fully stretch out and lean back without your knees hitting the faucet?
Fiberglass Versus Cast
Iron
Many tubs are made of
fiberglass, which can be molded into shapes more easily than cast iron. They
also are easier to repair. If you do scratch them, there are companies that
come out and repair them for about $150.
Following are some of the
most popular options in luxurious bathtubs:
Water Jets
Regardless the terminology
or the size of the tub, consumers often opt for those ever-popular jets.
There are two main
choices:
·
stationary jets,
often called "eyeballs"; and
·
jets that can be
turned, which are called "hydro-massaging"
There also are safety
features that can be added. One device will prevent the jets from turning on
unless there is water in the tub.
Pick Your Color
Bathtubs are sold in a
variety of colors, though renovators typically shy away from bold colors and
choose white or neutral shades instead. However, if you plan to be in your home
for many years or you have your heart set on that hot-pink bathtub, why not
express your individuality?
Self Cleaning Tubs
High tech features also are making their
way into the bathroom. MTI Whirlpools has a whirlpool tub designed to be
"self cleaning." Consumers shouldn't get too excited about the
prospects of tiny scrubbing bubbles jumping into the tub to scour the deck,
however. The term refers to a system that cleans the tub's air and water line
system.
"When people hear about self
cleaning, they think about the surface of the tub, but what we're talking about
is the pipes and plumbing that are behind the tub," said Brooke Wilson, a
spokesperson for the Sugar Hill, GA.-based company.
In other whirlpool tubs, water,
soap and other residue that is not flushed down the drain can be trapped in the
tub's plumbing lines, leading to bacteria growth, she said. This system allows
consumers to push a button to flush detergent through the system and clean the
lines. The tub is priced from $2,000 to $3,000.
Hot Water Heater Issues
It's best to increase the
size of your water heater or add a second one, depending upon the tub's water
capacity. Some of the larger, two-person tubs go up to 120 gallons!
Renovation Costs
Expect to spend between $700
and $5,000 to upgrade to a different tub. Some of the expense is due to the
installation costs. Usually the more
elaborate the tub, the more expensive it is to install. As always, it’s smart to compare prices of
tubs, get a few estimates and measure the space before buying one.
Deals for Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012
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