Buying Guide: Soaking Tub Vs. Built-In Tub – Roomhints

Bathtubs come in many different shapes, sizes, styles, and configurations. The two main types are freestanding tubs and built-in tubs. While built-in tubs are the most common and practical, freestanding tubs or soaking tubs are known for their striking visual impact. Want to know which one is right for you? Keep reading!

But first, the benefits of having a bath:

Regularly cleansing by submersing yourself in water helps to clear negative energy that you may have picked up during the day. Whether or not you know it, you come into contact with various people and environments, all of which have their own energy vibrations. Not all of these frequencies are high and positive.

Thus, your energy field is constantly taking in and putting out vibrations. While our energy body is constantly readjusting itself to bring our energy back into harmony, the negative energies can linger and build up over time. A monthly salt water bath is an easy and very relaxing way to cleanse of any negative energy and also it is super relaxing. A bath at night can help you to sleep better and reduce anxiety. Oh we love baths so much!

Now let's move onto helping you find the perfect tub!

What is a built-in tub?

A built-in tub is installed against a wall, often within an alcove or enclosure, and looks like part of the room’s architectural design.

A drop-in tub is a built-in tub that is “dropped” into a surrounding enclosure, usually made of tile or another material like wood or marble.

What is a freestanding tub or soaking tub?

A freestanding tub is exactly what it sounds like: a stand-alone tub that is exposed on the exterior on all sides. Freestanding tubs make a huge design statement and are perfect for people who love taking baths. A bold, eye-catching centerpiece, they add sophistication and luxury to any bathroom. They are known for their organic, modern shape, which add a sculptural element to the space. Nowadays, freestanding tubs come in a lot of different sizes, shapes, materials, and styles, both modern and vintage/traditional. Traditionally regarded as a high-ticket item, freestanding tubs have now become more widely available at various price points.

A famous version of the freestanding tub is the clawfoot tub. Contemporary models, however, usually sit flush on the ground. Another version of the freestanding tub is the Japanese soaking tub. Japanese soaking tubs are tall, deep tubs that are meant for sitting, not laying (they often incorporate a seat, as well). Traditionally made of wood, they now come in a wide variety of materials and add a cool twist to your bathroom.

Click the link for a more in-depth review of freestanding tubs.

Pros and Cons of a Soaking Tub

Pros of Soaking Tubs

Look:

The biggest perk of a freestanding tub is definitely its design impact and luxurious aesthetic.

Installation:

A freestanding tub is relatively easy to install — all you need is a plumber. You don’t need to build a framework around the tub, which saves time and money. A built-in tub, on the other hand, usually requires a decorator and a contractor. Installation is therefore easier and less expensive for freestanding tubs.

Placement:

Whereas a built-in tub needs to be placed against a wall, a freestanding tub can be placed anywhere as long as there is plumbing, allowing you to be more creative and flexible with placement and possibly allowing you to maximize your space and design. A freestanding tub is perfect if you want to place your tub under a skylight or against a window view.

Cons of Soaking Tubs

Price:

Freestanding tubs are generally more expensive than built-in tubs because they are a high-ticket, luxury item.

Installation (Plumbing):

While installation is very easy once you’ve figured out the plumbing, figuring out the plumbing for a freestanding tub requires more planning than with a built-in tub because freestanding tubs often require new plumbing while built-in tubs often make use of existing plumbing. This is even more true if you want to place your freestanding tub in a less conventional spot, like in the center of your bathroom. Additionally, you’ll have to think about how to conceal plumbing for freestanding tubs.

Maintenance:

Freestanding tubs are more difficult to maintain and clean. The exposed exterior makes the basin more prone to staining, scratching, chipping, and cracking. You’ll also have to clean around and under the tub.

Functionality:

Most freestanding tubs do not come with a shower, which makes them impractical for daily use. If you want to mount a shower to your freestanding tub, you’ll also have to install a shower rod and wrap-around curtain, which is unsightly and impractical (think a wet shower curtain encroaching on your tiny bathtub space). On the other hand, a built-in tub allows you to combine a shower with a tub. With a built-in tub, you can get rid of the dreaded shower curtain altogether and install a glass door instead.

Storage:

Freestanding tubs have less storage because they do not have ledges or walls. Although having a clutter of shampoo bottles and shower products can look messy and undermine the luxury aesthetic of your freestanding tub, you can mitigate the lack of storage with innovative storage ideas or by placing a bathtub caddy or side table near your tub.

Space:

Because freestanding tubs are not flush against a wall and need to have space around them, they tend to take up more space. Soaking tubs are meant to be focal points, so placing them in bathrooms with inadequate space can make your space look cramped and can take away from the impact of your tub. Freestanding tubs are therefore difficult to install in small bathrooms, and are less common in urban homes and apartments which usually face space constraints.

Heat Retention:

Some people say that water in a freestanding tub cools faster because it is surrounded by air, whereas a built-in tub is insulated by the wall and sometimes a tile surround. You can mitigate this concern by choosing a material that retains heat better.

Pros and Cons of Built-In Tubs

Pros of Built-In Tubs

Price:

Built-in tubs are generally more affordable, although freestanding tubs have become more widely available at various price points and a built-in tub has additional costs of tiling and installation.

Space:

Built-in tubs are more space-efficient. They sit flush against a wall and are usually placed out of the way, while freestanding tubs need more space around them and occupy space a bit more awkwardly and less efficiently. If you have a small bathroom, a built-in tub is probably the best option for you because they make the best use of space.

Functionality:

Built-in tubs are more practical for daily use because you can incorporate a shower head into them. They also offer more storage for shampoo bottles.

Storage:

Surrounded by walls, built-in tubs offer more storage opportunities with shelving and recessed shower niches. You can also place shower products like shampoo bottles on the ledges of built-in tubs, and these ledges will have even more storage space if you opt for a drop-in tub with a surround tile.

Maintenance:

Built-in tubs are generally easier to clean because you do not have to clean around and under the exterior. They are also easier to clean because they are typically smaller, shallower, and come with a showerhead.

Cons of Built-In Tubs