Freestanding Tub Versus Built-In Tub: Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing the right tub for your bathroom may be difficult especially if you can’t decide between a freestanding bath and a built-in bath.
The freestanding tub is a type of bathtub that can be placed and moved anywhere within the bathroom. While a built-in bath, as the name implies, is fixed in a specific area. But aside from these facts, there are several things that you need to consider before choosing between these two.
Space
Built-in tubs are more space efficient than freestanding ones. Freestanding tubs take up more space for the taps and the tub itself.
Shower and tub combo
Well, built-in tubs commonly use the shower and tub combo, but freestanding tubs are also improvising on this one. The freestanding bath can also be combined with a shower if you know how to install one correctly. Installing a shower and tub combo with the use of a freestanding bath can also look more stylish than the built-in ones.
Flexibility
As mentioned above, a freestanding bath can be placed and moved freely. You can put it near the window for now and then move it to the centre of the bathroom. Built-in tubs don’t have this freedom.
Also, freestanding baths can be used as a walk-in bathtub which is essential for people with disability and the elderly.
Design
This depends on one’s personality, but a freestanding bath is way better than a built-in tub. You can choose its colour, style and its presence can immediately bring life to a dull bathroom. Whether it blends well or not with the rest of your bathroom’s interior, it will still catch the attention of any person visiting your bathroom.
It can also immediately give you the ‘spa feel’ and make you feel more pampered than the usual built-in tubs.
Storage
This one goes to built-in tubs. Freestanding tubs work best in an area where there is open space, so your access to storage may be limited but can be remedied by using bathtub trays and other means.
Installation
Freestanding tubs are generally heavy, so you have to make sure that your bathroom flooring can support its weight. However, there are lighter options for you to consider such as fibreglass
Built-in tubs, on the other hand, have their construction constraints, such as being installed beside a wall.
Price
Well, this depends on the bathtub design and taps chosen. Freestanding tubs are more expensive than a built-in tub but keep in mind that you also have to pay for the installation of a built-in tub. Also, a built-in tub requires an additional fixture which when summed up may be more than the price of a freestanding bath.
When picking the right tub for your bathroom, it is essential that you look into its overall functionality and not just the design. Your tub should be able to give you the relaxation and peace of mind that you have been looking for after a very tiring day.
