Monday, December 20, 2010

Choosing the Perfect Bathtub for Your Bathroom

By Iona Carina of The Chicago Real Estate Blog

When you come home feeling tired after working hard all day, what’s more relaxing than soaking yourself in a warm tub and maybe creating a spa experience with some music and aromatherapy?

Many people say that the bathroom is one of the most relaxing rooms in the house because it is the only place where you can be on your own without thinking about all the worries in the world. This is the place to put your body and mind at ease.

For that reason, some people are willing to spend a lot to create a very comfortable and relaxing bathroom. Most of the budget for constructing or renovating a bathroom will go towards the bathtub. While a few people are happy with just a shower, most would prefer a nice cozy bathtub as well.

There are different types of bathtubs that are made from different materials and come in a variety of sizes and prices. If there is already a tub in your bathroom that you are not satisfied with, you might not need to throw it away and replace it with a new one, especially if you are on a tight budget. Instead, you can choose to refinish or install liners to make it look as good as new. You may want to consult with a contractor before deciding whether it is necessary to get a new tub or not.

Different types of bathtubs

When you are constructing a new house or if your old tub’s at the end of the line, there are several tub options you can choose. Remember, before picking a particular tub, don’t forget to measure your bathroom to make sure the tub fits and that the floor is strong enough to support its weight.

- Conventional bathtubs
This type of tub is generally cheaper than the others and is available from as low as $200 and as high as $5000. Aside from its price, the reason why people choose a conventional tub is because it is easy to maintain and usually very durable.

- Soaking tubs
People also call this type of tub Greek, Japanese or Asian tubs. Normally, this kind of tub is deeper than a conventional tub (around 26 to 34 inches deep) but also shorter (the length is usually only about 4 feet). There are some longer soaking tubs available that are similar in length to the conventional tubs but of course, they are more expensive than the regular ones. Typically, a soaking tub can cost between $1400 and $6000.

- Whirlpool
This is by far the most relaxing bathtub option because it uses water jets and air jets that ease your muscles, making a hard day at work simply melt away. Cheaper whirlpools are not too expensive and start out around $600. The more luxurious options will run you about $8000 and over.

- Walk-in bathtubs
This is a specially designed bathtub for people with limited mobility. It has a watertight door so you need to enter when it is empty and drain the tub completely before exiting. Because of its design and features, walk-in tubs are more expensive than almost any other type. Regular ones cost around $1000, while the walk-in tubs that have special spa features can cost as much as $10,000.

Choosing the design and the type of bathtub is totally up to you. However, consult with your bathtub manufacturer and contractor regarding the tub and the installation process to make sure you have your dream bathtub installed correctly without any difficulties.

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