Baths

When looking for a new bath, the main considerations that should be thought about are:

• Practicality
• Size
• Budget and price
• Style & Type
• Material

Firstly, the main consideration is whether a new bathtub is right for you and the household in terms of space, size and usage. If so, the next logical step is to look at space available for any new bath and what can be accommodated, and also the preference in size.

From there, it is then a case of budget and price as this will dictate types, styles and material choices open to you, as well as what size can be accommodated within this. Acrylic baths tend to be at the lower end of the market, with steel baths, metallic baths, and stone or solid surface baths more expensive. Similarly, fitted or standard baths are cheaper than freestanding Baths. To give yourself flexibility, it may be worth setting a higher budget for a bath if this is a primary focal point or key aspect of the space. If budget is smaller then acrylic may be the best material for you, although it is worth pointing out that these generally come with a shorter lifespan than other materials so weigh up cost against longevity and usage.

There are two main styles of new bath: modern and traditional. Modern baths cover everything from simple, minimalist designs using simple lines and curves, to more eye-catching options.

Traditional baths, meanwhile tend to take in period style features, covering everything from clawfoot tubs and baths with decadently designed feet to the old metallic tin, copper or brass baths you can imagine being used in a Victorian home in front of a fire.

It is worth noting that some modern designs take influence from more traditional-focused options and so blur the lines, while some – especially those that are fitted, recessed or inset such as straight baths or inset baths, can be accommodated in both themed spaces when paired with traditional fixtures and fittings or when fitted with similarly styled bath panels that encapsulate the period of the space.

Broadly speaking baths tend to fit into three main categories or styles. At a top level these are:

• Straight baths (or square baths to use their other name) – these are fitted either using legs provided or fitted into a built frame. They are then covered from view using panels or a boxed surface that is tiled, or alternatively, fully inset (recessed) into a surface
• Freestanding Baths – eye-catching baths that don’t have to be fitted and are flush to the floor, allowing to be placed anywhere in a space
• Shower Baths – Baths with curved or straight edges that come with a glass panel or have an appropriate sized ledge to be fitted with one, with the aim of being used with an overhead shower.

There are more popular types within these main areas, so it is always worth investigating which matches the aesthetic of the room, and own personal taste. There are also a number of other type of baths available including corner baths, space saver baths, and even whirlpool baths.

Main sizes of new baths generally have a length of between 1600mm-1800mm and a standard width of around 700mm, and as such these are often the most popular. Baths aren’t exclusive to these sizes and overall can fall between anything at 1200mm for more compact baths up to 1900mm in length, and anything between 600mm-900mm in width.

Due to demand, some larger sized baths actually have a cheaper price point than smaller ones and this is down to the cost to mould and create them, so it is always worth looking to see if there is one slightly smaller or larger that can help save you a few pounds if budget is a consideration in terms of size.

The most common thicknesses of bathtubs are between 2mm and 6mm, with thicker sizes having more premium or reinforced designs for extra durability. Whether you opt for a thicker bath is down to personal preference and also budget with thicker baths retaining warmth longer but at more expense. However, it generally depends on the material as some – like steel – have a smaller thickness but can be just as, if not more, resilient as some thicker acrylic options.

Baths are made out of several materials but the most common ones are:

• Acrylic Baths
• Steel Baths
• Stone Baths

There are also individual baths made out of other materials such as metals like copper, or solid surface, which is a man-made material combining acrylic and stone similar to stone resin.

As a big investment, it is natural that the lifespan of a bath should be as long as possible to provide value for money. As such, most bathtubs have a guarantee period against fault of between 5 years and 30 years (some companies require registration to access a lengthier warranty so you should always check when purchasing).

However, like many products it comes down to the usage, treatment and care of the products. A more intensively used bath is likely to attract damage over time. With the average lifespan of a bathroom being around 7-10 years, then always use this as a benchmark for expectation of how long it should last.

A question often asked and the true answer is only you will know whether it is right for your household, personal needs and circumstances. However, if you are someone that enjoys a soak (or have family members that do) and time to do so, and have the space to fit one then a bath is a good option to have. Baths are especially good for young families, where bathing young children is often more convenient and safer than trying to use showers.

Baths come in single ended or double ended designs. All this means is how many sides can be used to bathe from, and how many people can be accommodated. A single ended bath has one end for bathing at only, and so is suitable for one person only. Shower baths are a perfect example of this with one end for bathing, and one end for showering. Double ended baths can be used by two people, or one person can bathe from whichever side takes their preference.

Some baths come with what is called a ‘handing’. In simple terms, baths with a handing come in two designs depending on which way they are being installed both in location and if against a wall. Most baths can be universally used or turned around to suit the location being installed. However, some – like shower baths, for example – are handed to have the shower end at which side you like. Taking this as an example, a left handed shower bath would have the shower end fitted to the wall to the left when looking front on. Right handed would have it to the right when looking face on.

Like many other factors, the cost of a new bath can vary based on numerous different factors. However, at a ball park figure an approximate cost for smaller, standard baths can vary between £150 up to around £1,500 for larger options. Freestanding Baths are naturally more expensive, varying between £400-£5,000.

Every bath will require bath taps or a bath filler that can be operated by bath panel valves or a diverter, and some may baths may also require a waste if this isn’t already included (this varies from brand to brand and type of bath). These are the essentials.

For standard, straight and shower baths, you may also have the option of purchasing an appropriately-sized and matching bath panel, as well as a bath screen that are built specifically to match the bath if you want to add a rainfall shower or riser rail kit at a later stage. Alternatively, if a conventional size and shape, and able to fit these too, these can be bought separately to suit personal taste and preference. Some also have the option of adding bath grips or handles to help with getting in and out of the bath.

Beyond this, it then comes down to additional accessories and nick-nacks to make your bathing experience more enjoyable but non-essential. That can include a bath trays, racks and caddies for decorative items, ambience such as candles, and even for a wine glass or two, as well as every day storage for those washing essentials such as soaps, bath bombs, and washing items close by too.

No! Baths can be accommodated in all sized spaces, although it goes without the saying the more space you have, the wider the options available to you are.

For smaller spaces, there are more compact baths with smaller lengths and narrow widths. Corner or Offset baths also the availability to fit nicely into a corner, while there are some brands that offer spacesaver baths where one end narrows to help create extra space.

If you are in the process of renovating a bathroom or looking towards whether you should invest in one to sell, a common question asked is whether you should buy a new bath to add value.

Practically speaking, a bath – depending on the type installed – can cater for a wider pool of people from families with younger children to shared households, so is likely to attract more potential suitors for the house as a whole. Understandably, more demand can help to increase the final selling price providing the house as a whole is attractive, and the state of the bathroom is in a fairly good condition.

It is worth remembering that the condition of the bathroom as a whole is likely to be the big factor people consider when looking to buy, and if they feel work needs doing to it to cater for their own personal taste or to bring it up to a good standard, it is likely to lead to a lower offer being made.

However, estate agents do tend to advise never to spend heavy on key areas like bathrooms and kitchens prior to selling as there is every chance what you do may get re-renovated again, which is lost money for you unless you get value from it yourself before selling. As such, if you are planning to move, it may be a case of looking at how you can best make the space look more presentable or give some quick TLC without going through a costly and time-consuming full renovation.

You can read our bathtub buying guide here, which answers many of the above questions in more detail as well as extra ones. Our Bath Guides section also has additional resources about common questions about baths as well, covering some of the questions above in more depth and to help with your new bath buying journey.