Do I or don’t I. This is a common conversation with clients when it comes to renovating and we start talking about baths. If you have the room, we suggest including a bath in your renovation or new build. For some people, it is a product that is hardly used. For others, it is a must have, especially for a family with young children.
Whatever your personal view is, it will add value to your property as potential buyers will always put that mental tick in the box when they see a bath in your home. Here are some tips on the different types of baths to suit your bathroom, lifestyle, and budget.
FREESTANDING BATHS/SPA BATHS
A freestanding bath or spa bath will create an instant focal point in the bathroom but will typically be more expensive than a built-in bath. The inclusion of this trending style will modernise a space and can also add resale value to your property.
A freestanding bath or spa bath has no limitations on where they can be installed, making them extremely versatile and easy to work with within a space. However, it is recommended that a 150-300mm gap be left around the bath to allow for easy access and cleaning.
Freestanding baths or spa baths come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit any bathroom layout.
BACK-TO-WALL or BACK-TO-CORNER FREESTANDING BATHS
If space is limited in your bathroom, but you still love the freestanding look, a back-to-wall or back-to-corner freestanding bath style is a great option. These baths sit back, flush against the tiled wall so there is no need to worry about that extra space allowance around the edge of the bath. Furthermore a back-to-corner freestanding bath fits perfectly into a corner along two of its edges.
Some back-to-wall and back-to-corner freestanding baths also feature a tile bead so they can be fully integrated into the tiled wall, creating a water tight seal around the edges. Talk to an expert at Designer Bathrooms Plus about these options.
INSET BATH or SPA BATHS
An inset bath or spa bath is most likely the type of bath you grew up with. It’s been modernised since then with extra length and a variety of shapes to choose from, but it is still characterised by a tile bead around the edges so it can be fully integrated into the tiled wall, creating a water tight seal around the edges.
This style of bath or spa bath is ideal for a bathroom that lacks space or for a shower over bath installation. These are the most inexpensive types of baths, but extra costs will be incurred to build a hob for it and tile.
ISLAND BATH or SPA BATHS
An island bath or spa bath is still built-in like an inset bath or spa bath, but it can be set away from all walls, positioned anywhere in the bathroom in its own hob, creating a ‘island’ style focal point.
This style of bath or spa bath in its hob, offers an edge around the bath rim that is ideal for seating, storage or styling.
SHOWER BATHS
If your bathroom does not have enough space for a separate bath and shower, combining the two gives the best of both worlds. The most popular shower baths are inset baths with extra width and an anti-slip pattern on the entry and exit zones.
These baths can also easily have a glass shower panel or screen installed directly on their tile bead to keep water contained during showering. Additionally this bath style on a smaller scale can be used as a deep shower base or a fixture easily accessible for those less mobile.
It is really important you don’t use a standard bath as a shower bath because real shower bath units are made to a higher standard, usually include non slip material and one end has flatter walls for standing comfortably.
Don’t be fooled by cheap prices on imported baths. If it fails or starts discolouring you can’t easily pull it out, put in your car and take it back to the store.
Buy from your local store like Designer Bathrooms Plus in Tweed Heads South where you can sit in the baths and try before you buy and YES, some baths are still made here in Australia so call into our store to discuss your bathroom renovation or new home build.
