Bathroom remodel

Now that I have been living at my girlfriend's house for two whole weeks, the conversation has already turned towards "let's redo the bathroom". Whee.

She has most of the vision already nailed down, but we are kind of stuck on what to do about the bathtub.

We have pretty much ruled out a clawfoot tub because I don't like the look or functionality when you add a shower to those, and we don't have enough space to add a freestanding shower.

Has anyone had experience with Swanstone? This one looks pretty good, but at that price, I am wondering what the catch is.

We a definitely considering salvage cast iron ones too.

I was hoping a goodjer or two would have some ideas about which direction to go.

Thanks!

Is space an issue?

Well, space is an issue in the sense that we need to keep the same footprint, keeping the vanity, tub and toilet in the same exact place.

Does it have to be bathtub?

WizKid wrote:

Does it have to be bathtub?

I think so, what would be my other options?

You guys, the poor kid doesn't get the joke. Go easy on 'im.

Since you have to keep the standard 60" shower/tub combo space, you're pretty hemmed in for your choices. The only real choice you have is acrylic or cast iron. I definitely prefer the latter, although acrylic has come a long way in the last few years. It still won't hold heat as well.

Don't get snookered by the "tub height" that a lot of places advertise, including your link in the OP. The only height that matters on a bathtub (unless you're disabled) is the water depth. In the case of the one you listed, it's 13.5", which is actually pretty good for the standard style of tub. However, I would worry that the paltry 2.5" delta between the water level and the top of the tub would lead to a lot of potential mess.

Sigh, what joke was I missing?

Thanks for the input Minarchist, that 2.5" is pretty tight.

See, I am a shower man, and she doesn't really take baths that often, but that line of discussion leads to "well, I would take more baths if I had a nice tub..."

Round and round we go.

A bath...

I was half expecting a spambot diatribe on how bathtubs are related to Adidas or Channel.

If we're talking about replacing a bathtub that touches your bathroom walls, you're gonna want to spend a reasonable amount of money sealing the areas around it, where potential water spillage may happen.

My folks didn't. The water-sealing trim is falling off and there's green stuff everywhere.

This is one of those instances where you're getting what you pay for. If there's somewhere with floor models, give them a feel first. Bathtubs are a big thing so not really an area you want to skimp on. $217 seems low to me so I would want to see it in person.

Personal Rule: If it's acrylic - imagine yourself full-on slipping and falling in it with all of your weight. Legs right out from under you and you're falling --hard--. Even if they're to code some of them feel and sound like they might flex or give when you pound on them or sound like rain on a tarp in the shower. Even though they might be totally safe and legit, it can be discomforting to be encased in something that feels flimsy.

If you go cast-iron keep weight in mind - if the place didn't have those before it may not be structured to take the added load of castiron+tub of water+adult person, and the area may need to be reinforced to hold that. Get a quote and factor that into the overall cost.

/runs away

Perhaps we should take a step back and discuss your relationship. You've been living there two whole weeks, but how long have you been dating? I'm not sure two weeks is long enough to decide on a new bathroom.

I'm actually pretty serious about this. Could lead to some bitter feelings depending on what kind of people you are.

mortalgroove wrote:

…but that line of discussion leads to "well, I would take more baths if I had a nice tub..."

In all honesty, it's tough to find a "nice tub" in the standard 60x30" bathroom slot. They make some very nice bathtubs that are only 30" wide, and they make some very nice bathtubs that are only 60" long, but they very seldom make one that fits both criteria. You could probably start here, though.

I wouldn't recommend a free standing tub of any design, claw-foot, or modern, unless you have a very spacious bathroom.

If you're replacing an existing tub in the standard 30" x 60" space, your choices are limited in terms of the mounting style. I mean, you can't put an undermount in without a tub deck, really. You can't put a freestanding tub there and have it take on the opulence that people associate with a free standing tub. There may be some small bathroom designs in a retro style that a claw-foot would work in, but you'd be going for a very specific style.

When it comes to the tub itself, you have all kinds of choices of design which are likely only limited by the depth you have available - and by "depth" I mean width across the tub. That 28"-34" dimension. Usually by 60" or 72" in length.

If you go acrylic, make sure that you have one which is designed to be installed on a grout bed. That takes away the hollow feel.

I hope she's planned out 2 sinks. Relationships are always improved by 2 sinks.

Who needs a tub anyway?

Why not make a big shower out of that space?

I do love tubs, and being able to soak, but a shower designed for two people is ALSO a wonderful thing.

Quintin_Stone wrote:

I hope she's planned out 2 sinks. Relationships are always improved by 2 sinks.

QFT

Ugh, I just agreed with Quintin. This thread sucks!

garion333 wrote:

Perhaps we should take a step back and discuss your relationship. You've been living there two whole weeks, but how long have you been dating? I'm not sure two weeks is long enough to decide on a new bathroom.

I'm actually pretty serious about this. Could lead to some bitter feelings depending on what kind of people you are.

Well, we've been "dating" for about 13 years. I know, long time, eh?

Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and ideas. Good things to think about and remember. Minarchist, thanks for the linky, I passed it along for inspection.

Unfortunately we don't have room for two sinks.
Although I do agree that our relationship would improve if we installed two.

Clawfoot tubs stink for taking showers--you need a ceiling mounted wraparound curtain and don't end up with much room inside the tub when it's closed. If it were me I'd replace the tub with a same-sized shower enclosure.

IMAGE(http://www.johnmooreservices.com/Portals/77655/images/shower.jpg)

or for something different but with less interior space:

IMAGE(http://www.sierraglassblock.com/images/TubAndShower.jpg)

Just be aware that if you get a walk-in like the second picture above, the shower area can end up feeling a bit cold. We have a larger walk-in and hang a cloth shower curtain across the entrance to retain heat.

complexmath wrote:

If it were me I'd replace the tub with a same-sized shower enclosure.

If it were just me, that's what I would do, too.

Elongated or round?

Elongated, no question.

You know what's funny?

This is the first time where, "is space an issue?" Is a legitimate question.

Ghostship wrote:

You know what's funny?

This is the second time where, "is space an issue?" Is a legitimate question.

FTFY

I SAID NO QUESTION!

Space is not an issue for the bowl.
We are definitely going for the "chair height", but we have always had just regular round bowls before.

I'd recommend just dumping the tub. Showering in a tub always sucks and isn't worth the benefit of the occasional bath you get as a trade off.

A big pre-pack shower like the first one complex linked is awesome, especially for 2 people.

And a shower may leave space for the 2 sinks.

And, as a public service. The joke you're missing. http://www.gamerswithjobs.com/node/4...

IMAGE(http://www.premierbathrooms.co.uk/images/stories/EverWarm/4ec923a8-4680-11e0-8cea-003048b9f414.jpg)

dhelor wrote:

IMAGE(http://www.premierbathrooms.co.uk/images/stories/EverWarm/4ec923a8-4680-11e0-8cea-003048b9f414.jpg)

These things suck. You have to wait for the entire tub to drain before you can open the door to get out. So for a good 5 minutes you're just stewing there in a tepid pool of your own filth.

FSeven wrote:
dhelor wrote:

IMAGE(http://www.premierbathrooms.co.uk/images/stories/EverWarm/4ec923a8-4680-11e0-8cea-003048b9f414.jpg)

So for a good 5 minutes you're just stewing there in a tepid pool of your own filth.

Ignoring the preceeding thirty minutes of stewing in a warm pool of your own filth?

Actually, I'd have a problem with the part of me that isn't stewing while the tub drains. Brrrrrr.

These are more like Japanese bathing tubs. We has a client who was going to do one, but the tub he wanted was some rare wood and became too difficult to import with all of the CSA approvals, and cost.