The Ultimate Bathtub Buying Guide: Sizes, Styles, and Budget-Friendly Tips

Choosing the right bathtub can be overwhelming, especially for first-time buyers or those like us, renovating their forever home! With a variety of sizes, styles, and features available, you might feel lost figuring out what size, style, and type of bathtub you should go for. 

In this blog post, I will discuss everything you need to know about bathtubs to make an informed choice. 

Things to Consider When Buying a Bathtub.

Your choice of bathtub should be based variety of factors. All of these will have an impact on your choice. 

Step 1. The Right Size Matters 

The first decision in your bathtub-buying journey is almost always determining the size of your bathtub. While bathtubs come in a variety of sizes and types, a size that is too small or too large for the space will create a lot of problems. So, first, measure the space where you want to fit the bathtub. If it’s the first time you are installing a bath, you may already know where its connection is (water inlet and outlet). This is usually decided at the time of bathroom construction. In some cases, you decide it later on but will require changes in plumbing that will increase your over costs significantly. 

Therefore, I recommend not making any changes in the plumbing of the bathtub unless absolutely necessary. So, if it’s a replacement, then measure the existing bathtub to have an idea of the size of the new bath. Otherwise, simply measure the space in width, length, and height and match your measurement with the bathtub sizes available on the website. Always measure three times to be sure of the size, as it may be a costly mistake. So, what size bathroom do you have? large, medium, or small?

Here, I have a table discussing various sizes and the type of bathroom these sizes are suitable for. 

Dimensions (Approx.)	Suitable Bathroom Type
1200-1500 mm (L) x 700 mm (W)	Small bathrooms, en-suites, cloakroom bathrooms
1700 mm (L) x 700-800 mm (W)	Most standard UK bathrooms
1700-1800 mm (L) x 750-800 mm (W)	Medium to large bathrooms
1200-1400 mm (L) x 1200-1400 mm (W)	Small to medium bathrooms
1700-1800 mm (L) x 800-900 mm (W)	Medium-sized bathrooms
1700-1800 mm (L) x 700-900 mm (W)	Medium-sized bathrooms
1600-1900 mm (L) x 700-850 mm (W)	Large bathrooms or luxury en-suites
1700-1800 mm (L) x 750-800 mm (W)	Medium to large bathrooms
Varies	Custom bathrooms
1200-1700 mm (L) x 700-800 mm (W)	Accessible bathrooms
1200-1400 mm (Diameter)	Small bathrooms or spa-like bathrooms

Step 2. Bathtub Material

Material is an important consideration when choosing the bathtub. It is one of the most important cost factors that you should consider. Material can be durable, not have a higher price and heavier ( difficult to install) or a material that is budget-friendly, but less durable than others. So, you will need to choose a material that offers a balance between price, durability, and ease of installation. Additionally, you should also look for the heat retention capability of specific material as it could impact should bath experience and energy consumption. 

Here, I have discussed different types of bathtub materials. 

Here’s the updated table, now including heat retention along with material, durability level, and cost:

Material	Durability Level	Heat Retention	Cost
Acrylic	Moderate	Good	Low
Fiberglass	Low to Moderate	Poor	Low
Steel (Enamel-Coated)	High	Moderate	Moderate
Cast Iron	Very High	Excellent	High
Stone Resin	High	Excellent	High
Solid Surface	High	Very Good	High
Ceramic	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate

Step 3. Decide Your Bathtub Type and Choice

Bathtubs are available in a variety of types and styles discussed here. 

• Standard Bath: The most affordable and popular choice in the UK, standard baths are rectangular with a sloped end for reclining. The advantages include affordability, easy availability, and easy installation. You may choose this style if budget is your biggest concern and you want a simple bathtub for everyday use. 
• Single-Ended Bath: Almost the same as a standard bath with single side slop for reclining. These are available by name as a single ended bath but are quite similar to one discussed earlier, the standard baths. These are also rectangular shapes having classic design. One of the advantages of these baths is that you can combine it with a shower to convert it into a shower bath. 
• Double-Ended Bath: The only difference between a single-ended and a double-ended bathtub is that double-ended baths have a slop for reclining on both ends. That makes these baths ideal for couples who want to share intimate moments together. Double-ended baths are spacious and comfortable but require more space than single-ended baths.  
• Shower Bath: These are simply baths designed to allow a shower on one end. They usually have a wider rim at the top end for showering. Standard shower baths look almost similar to single-ended baths. Shower–ended baths are available in various shapes, such as P-shaped baths and L-shaped bathtubs. P shaped baths have a curved “P” shape at one end, allowing you to use the space for showering. While L shaped baths have distinct ” L” shaped curves on the one end used for showering purposes. Shower baths usually require a shower panel on the showering end to prevent water splashes. 

Freestanding baths are another type of bath that allows for flexible placement inside the bathroom. They are bigger in size, and are often a focal point in the bathroom. However, they require more space and can be expensive, too. 

Step 4. Your Budget. 

Baths are available at a wide range of prices. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the budget depending on the type, material, and features you are looking for. If your budget is less than £500, an acrylic bathtub can be the best value for money option for you. These baths simply fit your low budget but provide a reasonable quality for long-term use. On the other hand, larger sizes and fiberglass baths can cost around £1000. Freestanding baths made with stone composite or iron may cost around £2000, including installation. Remember, installation costs may vary depending on your location and whether or not a prior removal of the existing bathtub is required. 

Final Thoughts

I have discussed easy-to-follow steps for choosing the right bathtub for your bathroom. You may simply start by deciding on a budget and narrow down your choices based on the information discussed in the blog.