About Bathtub Fixtures

Bathtub fixtures can add a dash of style to even the most ordinary bathroom. When you combine unusual bathtub fittings with an equally unusual bathtub fixture, your bathroom can make a one-of-a-kind style statement. New lightweight materials and styles of bathtub fixtures make it easy to turn your bathroom into an elegant and relaxing spa getaway.

Function

Bathtub fixtures is a term most commonly used to refer to the bathtub itself, though some manufacturers use it to refer to bathtub accessories like faucets, handles, drains and shower heads. A bathtub is more than a hygienic feature in a home. Depending on the style of the tub and the additional amenities it provides, a bathtub can be a place to relax and unwind as well as a place to get clean.

History

The early Greeks had developed rooms for bathing, complete with water supply and drainage, as early as 1700 B.C., but most early civilizations had public baths. After the fall of the Roman Empire, public bathing lost popularity until the 12th century. Few private homes had rooms specifically for bathing. Most made do with wooden tubs that could be filled with water and emptied outside. It wasn't until the late 1800s that indoor plumbing became common, making the bathtub a common feature in new middle-class houses. Kohler and Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Co. began offering cast iron bathtubs in 1883, but it wasn't until after World War I that bathrooms with bathtub fixtures began to be built into new houses as a matter of course. Most early bathtubs were clawfoot bathtubs made of porcelain-coated cast iron. After World War II, other materials like fiberglass and acrylic popularized molded bathtub fixtures in colors coordinated to the bathroom itself.

Materials

Bathtub fixtures may be made of many materials. Through most of the 1900s, most bathtub fixtures were made of porcelain on steel or steel composite, usually shortened to POS. The introduction of acrylic and fiberglass opened up new bathtub options for homeowners. Molded acrylic, molded fiberglass and gelcoat tubs are less expensive and lighter than metal bathtub fixtures, making those materials a more popular choice for large bathtub fixtures like deep soaking tubs or bathtubs that seat multiple people. Other bathtub materials include cultured and natural marble, cast iron and "solid surface materials" such as those used to make countertops.

Types

While there are many styles of bathtubs, there are only a handful of basic types. The most common bathtub fixture in American homes is an enclosed 5 foot built-in bathtub, however that is changing as molded fiberglass and acrylic bathtub fixtures make other nonstandard styles lighter and less expensive. Alternatives to the standard rectangular American bathtub include the following:

Alcove tubs are the standard type of bathtub fixture used in American homes. They are usually the least decorative, but may come in many colors.

One-piece tub-shower combination bathtub fixtures are growing in popularity. They are generally one-piece molded units of fiberglass or acrylic and may include a ceiling. Because they are so large, they are generally reserved for new construction. A remodeling alternative to one-piece bathtub fixtures are tub surrounds, molded acrylic or fiberglass modular units that are designed to fit around a standard bathtub. Both tub-shower combinations and tub surrounds often include molded shelves, soap dishes and grab bars.

Drop-in models and corner tubs are luxury bathtub fixtures often mounted on a deck or built into a corner of the bathroom. While they are stylish, they may present accessibility issues for some people.

Soaking tubs are generally free-standing bathtub fixtures in one of several styles. These include modern renditions of the old-fashioned clawfoot tub, pedestal tubs and tubs built with legs or to be set into stands. In addition, there are Greek tubs and Japanese tubs, both of which are deeper and generally shorter than standard American bathtub fixtures.

Finally, there are specialty bathtub fixtures that include whirlpool tubs and bathtub fixtures designed for special needs.

Considerations

When choosing a new bathtub fixture, there are a number of important considerations. Of these, the most important is size and weight. The combined weight of a bathtub, water and the person in the tub can put an enormous strain on the floor supporting it. For this reason, it's important to check local building codes for requirements for bathtub installation.

When considering size for bathtub fixtures, you should consider not only the size of the bathroom but also the dimensions of doorways through which the bathtub unit must pass. While a standard American style bathtub will fit through most doorways, many larger models are only suitable for new construction because of their size.

You should also consider accessibility and safety when choosing a bathtub fixture. Platform tubs and some deck tubs may be difficult to get in and out of easily, especially if there are older or very young bathers in the house.

Finally, you should consider the style and color of the tub and how it fits into your overall design scheme for your home. With all the available choices of style and color, it won't be difficult to find a bathtub fixture that suits your design perfectly.

Fittings

Once you choose a bathtub fixture, you'll also have a wide range of bathtub fittings to decide upon. These include bathtub faucets, shower heads and hand-held showers, shower jets and other accessories. Bathtub faucets may be either wall-mounted or floor-mounted, depending on the type of bathtub fixture that you've chosen. They may be purely functional or wildly imaginative and decorative. Shower heads may also be wall mounted or free-standing, and come in a variety of styles that include shower-massage models and hand-held models. Even if you choose a standard, basic bathtub fixture or tub surround, you can choose distinctive bathtub fittings to personalize your bathtub and beautify your bathroom.

Resources

• Keidel primer on bathtub fixtures
• A bathtub faucet buyer's guide
• Clawfoot tub buying guide