Bathtubs are one of the most important decisions when remodeling. Choosing a bathtub is personal. Built-in or freestanding—which is best for your home? With so many design options out there, it can be hard to figure out which one is right for you.
There are two basic types of bathtubs: built-in and freestanding. But how do you know which one complements your bathroom and your lifestyle? Here’s what you need to know about both styles and when to choose one over the other.
Built-in Bathtubs?
As the name suggests, built-in bathtubs are built into the wall, usually with walls on three sides. Most people get them for their space-saving practicality.
Built-in bathtubs give you more room for storage, especially when it comes to floor space. Since they’re built into the wall, they have less complex plumbing requirements once you set them up.
They won’t leave exposed pipes in your bathroom, and you don’t have to spend money or effort to hide the plumbing. Built-ins make maintenance easy since you don’t have to clean around the tub or navigate hard-to-reach areas.
However, if the aesthetic is important to you, built-in bathtubs don’t have as many style options. They tend to look plainer than freestanding tubs, and you only have one choice for where to put them in the room.
A Freestanding Bathtub?
Freestanding bathtubs come with tons of design options, including clawfoot, pedestal, and slipper tubs. You can find unique designs more easily, whereas many built-ins might give you tile and color variations but not much in the way of shape and features.
You can use your bathroom space more creatively with freestanding bathtubs. Do you want it beneath a skylight? At an angle? Almost anything is possible with this style.
Installation is easy since you’ll probably just need to hire a plumber instead of a contractor to fit the bathtub into the wall. Once it’s installed, a freestanding tub gives any bathroom a luxurious look and feel.
The downside to freestanding bathtubs comes mainly with cost and maintenance. Because of their design and the complexity of their build, freestanding tubs are often more expensive. They also require more maintenance when it comes to cleaning. If you have a smaller bathroom, a freestanding tub will take up more space and leave less for storage.
They don’t often come with showers. Plus, their size and shape can make tasks like bathing pets difficult, and seniors may have trouble getting in and out of them.
Built-in or Freestanding—Which is Better?
Both styles have their advantages, and only you can decide which one betters suits your needs. Each has different qualities that make them great and knowing those qualities will help you decide which one fits best in your home.
At Fite Plumbing in Indianapolis, we install both built-in and freestanding bathtubs. Call us at 317-271-5400 to ask us for recommendations or tell us what you have in mind for your home.
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