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Drop-in bathtubs are installed anywhere a carved out deck or structure is implemented, often times in the center of the bathroom. Alcove bathtubs on the other hand, are installed in a recess, against the wall or an alcove.
What does an alcove tub mean?
Alcove Bathtubs. Alcove tubs, which are surrounded by walls on three sides. The front side is then covered with an integral tub apron. Right and left-handed drains are available and are selected depending on your bathroom configuration.
Can you put a drop in tub in an alcove?
Yes, drop in tubs can be installed in an alcove, but they’re more commonly installed in more open spaces, freestanding or jutting out from a wall. Depending on the size of the bathroom, a drop in tub installed in an alcove may provide less space; one may be able to fit a larger tub into another space in the room.
What is a drop in tub?
Drop-in tubs are the tub shell only. They’re fitted inside a framed enclosure that’s finished to match bathroom cabinets or tile. An enclosure is a separate item, so budget accordingly. Undermounts are drop-ins destined for floor-level installation. Flooring, such as tile, covers the lip of the tub.
Why are drop in tubs more expensive?
Drop-In: A drop-in tub can be more cost-efficient because of install and materials, these tubs are often acrylic and not cast iron. Because it sits atop the horizontal deck, it comes with a lip that sits atop the horizontal surface to prevent water from overflowing – though some people don’t like this look.
Are alcove tubs good?
Whether you have a large or a small bathroom, the alcove bathtub will be good for you. Unlike other bathtubs out there, the best alcove bathtubs are stylishly designed to take very little space and to give you an excellent bathing experience.
What is the difference between a bathtub and an alcove bathtub?
The term alcove doesn’t refer to the shape or size of the bathtub, but the installation. Alcove tubs are unfinished on three sides with the fourth side, usually one of the long sides, finished with a tub apron. The tub gets installed into an alcove section of the bathroom with three of its sides enclosed by a wall.
What is alcove installation for bathtub?
The term refers to the bathtub being installed into a recess in your bathroom, which means quite commonly they are installed with three joining walls or a pocket alcove in your bathroom, with some modern designs only having two walls or a large window to remove the confined nature of this installation method.
How do you turn an alcove tub into a drop on?
Measure the alcove space with a measuring tape. Place a piece of cardboard in the bottom of the tub. Check the subfloor where the tub will be located. Set the tub in place and mark the holes for the plumbing and fixtures. Install the plumbing. Install the tub spout and drain per manufacturer directions.
What is the most durable material for a bathtub?
Cast iron tubs are made by pouring molten iron into a mold of the desired shape, then smoothing it and coating it with a thick layer of enamel. It’s probably the most durable tub available, and the finish is resistant to chipping, scratching and denting, as well as most types of chemicals.
How are drop-in tubs installed?
A drop-in tub can be set in an alcove or out in the room. It’s dropped into a custom-made raised platform deck, which covers the plumbing and the exposed sides of the tub and creates a place to sit as you get in and out. The platform doesn’t, however, support the tub.
What sizes do alcove bathtubs come in?
The standard tub size for an alcove fixture is 60 inches long, 32 inches wide, and 18 inches deep. Small alcove tubs are available for smaller bathrooms, which are anywhere from 48 to 55 inches in length.
How much do drop-in tubs cost?
Compare walk-in tub prices Walk-in bathtub types Price range Bariatric walk-in tubs $5,000 to $10,000 Walk-in tubs plus shower units $2,500 to $6,000 Luxury walk-in tubs $9,000 to $20,000 Two-seater walk-in tubs $3,500 to $7,000.
Can a freestanding tub replace an alcove tub?
We often get asked whether it is suitable to install a freestanding bathtub in an alcove. The answer – absolutely! Freestanding bathtubs have been around for nearly 150 years, and they are still part of every day design. Available in endless shapes, colors and sizes.
Can you tile the front of an alcove tub?
The aprons that are cast into alcove bathtubs simplify the tub installation, but they often come up a bit short in the style department. One way to improve the appearance of a plain apron and create the look of a built-in tub is simply to build and tile a short wall in front of the tub.
How much room is needed for a drop-in tub?
It’s standard practice to construct the deck for a drop-in tub so there is at least 6 inches of flat deck space around all sides of the tub. This means the deck structure needs to be at least 1 foot longer and wider than the tub itself.
