Bathtub Faucet Styles

All in all, there are four unique styles of bathtub faucets that each work in one of two designs. While some of the styles are designed for specific bathtub styles, others are more versatile in nature. The two basic designs are somewhat interchangeable and often a matter of personal preference and price range more than anything else.

Single Lever Bathtub Faucets

Single lever bathtub faucets contain a single waterspout and a single water control lever. The up and down movement of the water control lever adjusts the water pressure, increasing or decreasing the flow of water coming through the spout. Side to side movement if the lever controls the amount of hot and cold water being used, effectively controlling the overall water temperature. Single level controls are almost always wall mounted and are ideal for smaller spaces where fixture size may be an issue. Some single level faucets also control a shower unit as well, if one is present. They will often be fixed with a plunger device that controls whether the water should be diverted to the shower head or the bath tub spout. Delta bathtub faucets are frequently found in single lever designs, as are Kohler bathtub faucets.

Double Lever Bathtub Faucets

Unlike single level bathtub faucets, double level faucets have individual controls for the hot and cold water supplies. The lever on the left is typically used to control hot water, increasing or decreasing the flow of the hot water in order to create the ideal temperature. Likewise, the cold water lever is almost always mounted on the left side and controls the flow of the cold water. A balanced temperature is reached by adjusting both flows until the hot and cold water supplies are in ideal balance. Like single lever designs, double lever designs can also be used to control attached shower units as well and are typically mounted onto the wall behind the bathtub. Many styles of faucets, such as those included on many of the Kohler bathtub faucet collections, operate in a double lever manner. Delta bathtub faucet collections also contain a large percentage of double lever designs.

Roman Bathtub Faucets

Unlike both single and double lever designs, a roman bathtub faucets mounts to the inner wall of the bathtub itself, as opposed to being attached to the wall. Since the mounting height of this style of faucet is therefore lower, adjustments are needed to the overall style of the faucet to accommodate. This is typically done by adding a high are to the water spout itself, allowing it to rise above the top of the tub and then arch back down slightly. Roman tub faucets are almost double lever models, having separate controls for hot and cold water controls. Roman tub faucets are so named for the fact that they were originally used with Roman tubs. These were essentially designed as stand alone bathtubs without built in shower features. Since there were no walls surrounding the bath tub, mounting the faucets to the tub were the easiest option.

Free Standing Bathtub Faucets

Similar to Roman tub faucets, free standing bath faucets were designed to be used on stand alone tubs that were not wall mounted. Unlike Roman faucets, on the other hand, the free standing faucets were not mounted into the tub but, instead, completely separate fixtures altogether. Free standing faucets were very popular in the 1800s and are still found to day in use when a vintage or antique feel is being sought. Often built with copper or bronze piping for a more visually appealing design, some free standing faucets even incorporated the means to use a shower feature in a free standing tub. They were typically connected to plumbing lines that had been run in the floor and relied on their own piping to build a framework for the faucet fixture that would extend over into the tub itself. Some models relied on the same piping to extend above standing level, allowing the water to flow vertically from above the head for a shower effect. Lighter piping was also used to circle the tub itself, allowing for a privacy curtain or drape.

Bathtub Faucet Designs

As stated before, the majority of all bathtub faucets on the market work in one of two designs, compression faucets and washerless faucets. Compression faucets rely on caps, valves, and washers to control water pressure. Found in both single and double lever designs, the valves on compression faucets are opened and closed as the levers are turned, increasing or decreasing the water flow. Washerless faucets, on the other hand, use valves as well, but also use faucet diverter cartridges in place of the caps and washer mechanisms. Washerless faucets are the more modern of the two designs and, while currently being slightly more costly to purchase, they are believed to be growing enough in popularity to eventually replace compression faucets as the fixture of choice for bathtub faucet needs.

Another modern day feature added to the majority of newer bathtubs faucets is a built in anti-scald device. This piece prevents the water from reaching a temperature that could potentially cause burns or other injuries, regulating the flow of the hot water to ensure the water flow never reaches above a pre-set temperature. For older faucets without anti-scald mechanisms, this is often dealt with on the water heater itself, where controls can be adjusted or added that place additional regulations on the water temperature as well.

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Single Handle Lavatory Faucets

Single handle lavatory faucets are the simplest design and often the easiest to install. The water controls and spout are combined into a single unit and a single lever is used to control both hot and cold water functions. Up and down movement of the lever determines the water pressure and flow, while side to side movements control the temperature of the water. Single handle faucets are ideal for small bathrooms, as their compact nature offers a clean and simple look for the sink. These types of faucets can range from antique inspired to ultra-modern and can be made from a wide range of materials in a number of finishes. Single handle lavatory faucets are also easy to keep clean and maintain with proper care. Delta lavatory faucets, for example, are incredibly easy to maintain and care for.

Double Handle Lavatory Faucets

Double handle lavatory faucets, on the other hand, have separate controls for hot and cold water, with each lever or knob independently controlling flow of the hot or cold water. Temperature is determined by the amount of flow allowed by each control, with higher hot water pressure and lower cold water pressure leading to higher temperatures and colder water being created by higher cold water pressure and lower hot water pressure. Kohler lavatory faucets offer numerous double handle designs in their lineups.

Lavatory Faucet Designs

Once you ave decided between a single handle and double handle lavatory faucet, there are also several options to consider with regards to the particular design of faucet you prefer. For the most part, there are five options to choose from, each identified by the way the bathroom lavatory faucet itself mounts into the sink or counter top.

Single Hole Lavatory Faucets

Designed for guest bathrooms and other small areas, single hole faucets require that only one hole be drilled into the sink or counter top. They are not only the most space efficient faucet designs, they are also often the most affordable, often due to their smaller nature overall. The single hole is used to run both the hot and cold water supplies to the faucet, in turn being controlled by a single lever or compact double lever.

Center Set Lavatory Faucets

A center set faucet consists of a mounting plate that connects to the sink or counter top, into which three holes have been pre-cut to match up to the identical size holes in the back of the sink or in the counter. The three holes are spaced evenly apart, with 4 inches being the distance between each hole. The center hole is used for the spout, while the two outer holes are used for the hot and cold water lines. While other faucets have similar setups, the center set faucet is distinguished by its mounting plate. Center set lavatory faucets are simple to install and very space efficient, however, the mounting plate layout makes them somewhat more difficult to keep clean that other designs.

Mini-spread Lavatory Faucets

Similar to center set faucets, mini-spread lavatory faucets are also designed to be mounted into sinks or counters with three holes, each mounted 4 inches apart from one another. The primary difference lies in the fact that each piece of the mini-spread faucets mounts separately, eliminating the need for a mounting plate. This not only makes this particular design easier to clean, it also makes them slightly more upscale looking, as some mounting plates used for center set faucets may not be as visually appealing.

Widespread Lavatory Faucets

Designed for much larger bathrooms, widespread lavatory faucets have the same three separate components as a mini-spread design, however, the holes are drilled 8 inches apart from one another, as opposed to just 4. For a more unique statement, some widespread lavatory faucets can even accommodate up to 16 inch spacings between each controls, sometimes found used in master bathrooms that have a single large sink installed. A widespread bathroom lavatory faucet is also ideal for a sink that are wider, as opposed to one that is deeper and longer.

Wall Mount Lavatory Faucets

For even more space saving technology, many people are turning to wall mount lavatory faucets for their bathroom needs. Eliminating the need for the faucet to be mounted into the sink or counter top, wall mount designs instead have all the fixtures connected directly to the wall above and behind the bathroom sink. In order to accommodate the unique spacing, wall mount faucets are often much longer than standard faucets, allowing the waterspout to extend over the sink for adequate clearance. Wall mount faucets not only offer a definite unique visual appeal, they also offer their own solution for smaller bathrooms. By running the plumbing lines within the walls, as opposed to under the sink, the need for a vanity is often eliminated when using a wall mount lavatory faucet, clearing the area under the sink for additional storage or simply allowing for more open space.

Vessel Lavatory Faucets

The final style of bathroom lavatory faucet is designed specifically for use with vessel sinks. Given their added height, as they are mounted on the counter as opposed to being sunk into it, vessel sinks present a unique challenge for faucet design. While some wall mount faucets can be designed to accommodate a vessel sink, faucets created specifically for the task work best.

A vessel sink faucet is designed for height rather than width. They are mounted into the counter area directly behind the vessel sink and designed to rise above the top of the sink several inches. The faucets can be designed similar to traditional water spout faucets, often having the water controls mounted much higher on the faucet stem than usual, or they can operate on a single lever design. More ornate vessel sink faucets tend to rely on the waterfall effect for more elegant operation. In these designs, instead of the water being forced down a water spout into the sink, the water is pushed up the spout where it gathers in a small holding area, gently spilling out once the water level reaches the optimum fill area. These styles are not only more attractive in nature, they also tend to pair rather well with the general unique design of the vessel sink itself. There are a great number of Kohler lavatory faucet collections geared specifically towards vessel sinks.

Lavatory Faucet Construction

Lavatory faucets come in a number of materials, including porcelain and even glass, however, the most common materials used in faucet construction are often brass and steel. A brass lavatory faucet, for example, is extremely durable and able to withstand heavier usage. Stainless steel faucets are very scratch resistant and highly resistant to corrosion. A Delta lavatory faucet made of stainless steel, for example, can provide a flawless finish for years to come. Because of their quality features, both steel and brass lavatory faucets are ideal choices for all your bathroom needs.

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History Of the Shower & Evolution of the Bath Shower Faucet

In ancient times, showers were a luxury only the wealthy and upper class could afford. Often times, the well off residents of the city would gather in large bath houses, since the bathing practice was more of a social event than a hygiene issue. Trips to bath houses would often take several hours if not the entire day and involved relaxing in natural hot springs, receiving massages from the slaves employed to work there, eating and being fed lavish meals, socializing with the opposite sex, and even showering. The practice of showering, however, was much different from how we know it today. In ancient times, in fact, the showers were not automatic at all and instead involved the individual stepping into a corridor or private chamber while the slaves seated on scaffolds above would pour buckets of hot water down upon the bather.

As the process became more and more popular, the slaves would sometimes funnel the water through long pipes that had small holes running their entire length, offering more of a rain shower effect. As times went on, many wealthy patrons would also have personal bathing chambers built in their homes, utilizing their own household staff to assist with the bathing and showering procedures. The concept of the bath house slowly faded and the concept of private baths in the home quickly grew in popularity. As indoor plumbing became possible, the practice gradually became an option for middle class families as well.

Visual Appeal Of Shower Faucets

While kitchen and bathroom sink faucets tend to be more visually out in the open, shower faucets tend to be hidden, often tucked away discreetly behind shower curtains or shower doors and panels. Unfortunately, this was one of the primary reasons manufacturers tended to put much less thought in the visual appeal of shower faucets than other, more noticeable, plumbing fixtures. Thankfully, as more and more consumers demand elegant and beautiful bathroom accessories, that are also highly functional as well, a new emphasis has been placed on the visual appeal of the bathroom shower faucet in general. Once more attention began getting paid to showers, the race was on to improve the overall design and functionality of the bath shower faucets themselves.

Basic Shower Faucet Designs

Original stand alone shower faucets consisted of water control lever and a shower head. The control determined the flow of water and the temperature, while the shower head directed the water in the proper direction. If the shower was part of a bathtub unit, tub and shower faucets worked together to control both water controls for the bathtub as well as the shower. Even today, many tub and shower faucet sets are sold together, ensuring ideal compatibility and visual coordination. These were the basic designs upon which modern tub shower faucets were built.

Contemporary Tub Shower Faucet Design

Unlike older tub shower faucets that focused solely on directing water at a specified temperature and flow to the shower head itself, contemporary faucet sets gave added thought to other functional details that could be included with the unit as well. One of the most common features involved a separate control that allowed users to change the pattern of the water flow, offering lighter mist flows, as well as harder concentrated jets of water. While basic shower faucets often came with two or three pattern choices, more advanced designs could be found with as many as ten or fifteen varying patterns.

For consumers that preferred a specific method of water delivery, specialty shower faucets also gained in popularity. One of the most popular designs is commonly referred to as the rain forest effect, using large flat shower heads to create a light rain effect that covers a larger surface area. Advanced designs also included several row of shower head bar that ran above the shower unit, offering a rain like effect that encompassed the entire bathing area. Kohler shower faucets and Delta shower faucets are just a few of the names that sell specialty rain- like shower heads in a range of price points.

Another popular feature in contemporary shower faucet sets was the waterfall design. Instead of breaking the water flow into smaller streams, these faucets allowed the water to be dispersed in a true waterfall effect, closely resembling what one would experience when bathing in nature. While this design, along with rain shower faucets, may not have originally been the most environmentally friendly designs, often using much more water than traditional shower faucets, they have been modified in recent years to mix a certain percentage of air in with the water flow, keeping the water pressure steady while also greatly reducing the overall amount of water being used.

One of the more spa like designs in shower faucets involves the concept of a full body shower. These not only provide an vertical water supply, they also use various pipes or tiles mounted on or into the shower wall to create a horizontal water movement as well. The tile designs are often seen in many designs in the Kohler shower faucet line, while Danze shower faucets offer similar vertical water diverters. Many of the Delta shower faucet collections offer a similar design, often focusing on more concentrated water pressure for a massage like feel.  As always, shower faucets come in a variety of price points, with a Danze shower faucet often being one of the most affordable.

Shower Faucet Styles

While many consumers may think that shower faucets always fall into one of two categories with regards to style, traditional and contemporary, there is actually a third category as well, antique. Even contemporary faucets can be further separated into standard contemporary and ultra-modern.

Antique shower faucets tend to rely on heavy curves and detail work to convey a sense of aged beauty. Likewise, ultra modern designs focus on minimalist designs, clean lines, and ultra-sheik construction. Antique faucets often rely on double controls, with one lever or knob for each the hot and cold water supplies, while modern designs opt for the cleaner construction capacity of single lever controls. Modern faucets are slowly taking their designs even further into the future, often including sleeker joystick water controls for a more unique visual appeal. Traditional designs, on the other hand, tend to fall nicely in between antique and ultra modern, often taking cues from both design styles to create more of a time neutral shower faucet, ideal for any décor.

It is believed that as the design of the shower faucet continues to progress, the overall unit will become even more streamlined, while also possessing even more features than today’s models have. With the continued love of vintage and antique styled bathrooms, however, there is little chance that more ornate shower faucet supplies will begin dwindling anytime soon, continuing the unique visual diversity that makes the shower faucet market so versatile.

Shower Faucet Construction

Aside from the basic functionality that goes into a shower faucet, there are also a number of materials to choose from for the shower faucet to be constructed from. The primary materials used for shower faucet construction are steel, nickel, copper, and bronze. Within each metal category are also a number of possible finish choices, ideal for creating a visually balanced shower faucet for any décor.

Nickel and steel are possible the two most popular choices for creating shower faucets from. Both metals offer a beautiful silver gray appearance, while also being extremely durable. Steel and nickel are not only able to tolerate extremely high temperatures and long periods of heavy use, when properly maintained, they are also highly resistant to corrosion. The most popular finishes used with nickel and steel are often brushed and high polished finishes. Brushed nickel shower faucets, for example, offer a lustrous silver finish with a textured brushed detail to add an additional level of elegance and sophistication. High polished steel faucets, on the other hand, are ideal for lighter color palettes and in bathrooms where a more traditional look is sought, as high polished fixtures and faucets were often the material of choice for most consumers.

Copper and bronze shower faucets are also available, but somewhat less versatile in their design. For the most part, these colors are reserved for antique inspired bathrooms, a time when bronze fixtures were common, or in a bathroom with more of an international flair, where copper is a frequent occurrence.

Regardless of whether you have a brushed nickel shower faucet, a satin bronze faucet, or any other combination of metals and finishes, a beautiful shower faucet is just the thing to add a new dimension of beauty and function to an otherwise bland bathroom.

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What Types Of Bathroom Sink Taps Are There?

When buying a bathroom sink, one of the first things you may notice is the rear of the sink is built with either one or two open access holes. In modern designs, however, there may be no holes built into the sink at all. Because of this, the majority of bathroom faucets come in a single tap or double tap design.

Single Tap Designs

With a single tap design, the faucet is comprised of a single main control which is incorporated into the water spout itself. The tap connecting through the sink and into the plumbing is designed to handle both hot and cold water. A lever or knob is mounted on the spout which determines both the temperature of the water of the strength of the water flow. An up and down motion triggers the flow to increase or decrease. A left to right motion controls the mix of hot and cold water before it runs to the sink to create the desired temperature.

Double Tap Designs

While these models are referred to as double tap designs, the upper portion of the faucets has three components, including the spout and two separate control for each of the hot water and cold water functions. The spout connects to both the hot and cold water lines in the upper portion of the faucet installation, which is why a third tap is not needed for this component. Once again, each lever controls the individual flow level of either the hot or cold water. The user can adjust the flow of each to produce the desired temperature of the water. The water mixes together at a point just before it emerges from the spout.

Optional Faucet Drain Control

On older sinks, the drain was controlled by a removable stopper, often connect via a small chain to the bottom side of the faucet. Modern designs include a stopper mechanism built into the faucet unit itself. Pushing down on the drain control, in turn, raises the sink’s drain. Likewise, pulling up on the drain control will cause the drain to seal, allowing the sink to retain water, if needed.

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What Is A Sink Tap?

More commonly known as faucets, a sink tap is the device by which the hot and cold water are pulled from the plumbing lines connected to the sink. Sinks and taps work together as a single unit to provide water flow to bathrooms, kitchens, bars, and out household areas requiring their use.

Triple Stem Sink Taps

The most common faucets design consists of three main working exterior components, the water spout along with a hot and cold water lever or knob. The hot and cold knobs control the flow volume of each water output. The temperature of each flow is set at a pre-determined temperature. The dual controls allow the user to combine the flows in various combinations to achieve the desired temperature.

Single Stem Sink Taps

The second type of faucet frequently seen is comprised of a single component. With these designs, there is either a knob or lever mounted onto the upper portion of the water spout. The temperature and flow volume of the water is controlled by the movement of the device. If the knob of lever is rotated or moved from one side to another, the temperature of the water is adjusted. An up and down movement adjusts how much water is flowing at the time.

Hands Free Sink Taps

In some commercial designs, the water controls are absent altogether. There is still a water spout present, however, the water flow is controlled by a motion sensor. As the user moves their hands in front of the sensor, the water flow is turned on. The flow will either continue running as long as there is movement sensed in front of it or it will shut off automatically after a pre-set amount of time. The temperature of the water is typically pre-set to a moderately warm flow. These types of sink taps are designed for hygiene in mind, making the hand washing process a touch free experience, as well as water conservation, eliminated the potential of the water to be left running when not in use.

Optional Sink Tap Features

Some models come equipped with a rear plug that controls whether the drain in the sink is open, allowing water to pass through, or closed, for use when the sink needs to be filled. With kitchen sink taps, in particular, there is also sometimes a spray nozzle feature. On a four stem tap design, aside from the spout and two control levers is a spray nozzle. The nozzle typically pulls up from the faucet base, attached to a hose that allows it to be extended a short distance. On more modern designs, the spray nozzle is incorporated into the main water spout itself. Essentially, the end portion of the spout pulls out, attached to a similar connector hose. These nozzle devices help to add a level of convenience when washing dishes, allowing the user to better control where the water is being directed.

Where Are The Sink Taps Mounted?

The majority of faucets or taps are mounted into the counter, through holes in the rear lip of the sink itself. This is the most common design for both kitchen and bathroom installations. Other faucets can be mounted in the counter as well, but are attached separate from the sink unit. In these cases, the sink itself will not have any access holes as they are not required. In order to better pair with more modern sink designs, wall mount taps are also gaining in popularity. These fixtures are mounted to the vertical wall behind the sink and are separate from the sink itself. Wall mount fixtures are often chosen for their unique visual appearance. Where you choose to have your sink tap mounted will depend greatly on which type of sink you have chosen to have installed.

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What Are Soaking Tubs?

Taking its design from its roots in Japanese culture and tradition, a soaking tub is a small bathtub that is made to be significantly deeper than a standard bathtub. With a typically square or round overall shape, a soaking tub possesses higher walls, allowing the added volume capacity. The Japanese used this design to allow the bather to sit more comfortably for extended periods of time, primarily due to the fact that the bathing process was considered a ritual in many Eastern cultures. It also provided increased submersion capabilities, further adding to its relaxation benefits.

When Are Small Soaking Tubs Used?

Small soaking tubs are ideal for a number of various scenarios. For homes with small bathroom spaces, a soaking tub offers an increased water capacity in a smaller floor space. The added height possessed by the tub also gives the illusion of a larger room. For larger bathrooms, a small soaking tub makes the ideal secondary bath. In Japanese culture, the soaking tub was actually used only after one had already cleaned themselves in another tub. The soaking tub was designed for relaxation, not cleaning purposes. While most consumers will use it for there purposes, however, a small soaking tub still makes a nice addition to a standard primary bathtub. With the added features that can be installed, such as water and air jets, the soaking tub can serve as a secondary unit with a more spa-like benefit offered.

What Are My Options For Small Soaking Tub Designs?

As stated before, soaking tubs are typically square or round. For small spaces, some manufacturers offer corner soaking tubs to better work with the open floor space. Most soaking tubs are above ground tubs. Because of the high walls, they are typically fitted with one or two steps to allow easier entry into the tub. If the construction of the home allows for it, however, some soaking tubs can be mounted partially or completely into the floor. This sunken design can add a significant touch of elegance, reminiscent of bathtubs found in ancient times designed to be walked down into. Floor mounted and fully sunken soaking tubs are perfect for making a striking and bold visual statement, offering a very unique design that is highly contrasting to a standard bathtub. The partially sunken design offers a more traditional visual appeal, while also providing the benefit of the extra depth of a soaking tub.

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also help to improve our overall quality of life as well as increase their functional potential.

What Are Deep Soaking Tubs?

Taking their influence from the Furo tubs of Japanese culture, deep soaking tubs are designed to provide a greater level of relaxation and tranquility than standard American bathtubs. Soaking tubs are often square or round in design and include flat bottoms, as opposed to a standard tub’s sloping bottom. They can either be installed on top of the floor surface or, in some cases, sunk into the floor. They can also be equipped with several features not commonly found in standard bathtubs, further adding to their sense of luxury. Overall, soaking tubs provide a bathing experience closer to that of a spa environment than a bathroom setting. While most commonly found indoors, soaking tubs can be found in outdoor models as well, closely resembling a variety of hot tub or whirlpool tub.

What Features Are Available On A Deep Soaking Tub?

One of the primary design elements of a deep soaking tub is its ability to be set, either partially or completely, into the floor of a bathroom. This not only creates a unique visual appeal, it also aids the bather in entering the tub since the walls are higher than a standard unit. Models mounted onto the floor typically come equipped with steps that lead up into the tub to ease the process of entry. As stated before, the tubs are typically round or square in nature, based on the traditional Japanese design, but can be found in other shapes as well, catering to the more modern influence. They are often no bigger than a standard small bathtub, but can be ordered in larger sizes as well to best suit the consumer’s needs. The tubs are available in a range of materials, with woods tubs being the most traditional in history, but the least modern in design.

Some of the major features of soaking tubs are their incorporated jet stream systems. Many units can be equipped with either water or air jets, or a combination of both. The air jets provide a effervescence to the bath water, creating a light soothing sensation. The water jets, on the other hand, can deliver anywhere from a light massage to a fairly powerful massage action, perfect for sore muscles or deeper relaxation needs. Color changing lights can be installed in the tubs in order to deliver the benefits of chromatherapy, a belief that the colors we experience around us help influence our mental state of well being. Aromatherapy practitioners can benefit as well from scent chambers that allow the user to add their own custom fragrances to the water in order to promote certain moods or alleviate stress. While the overall cost of a soaking tub may be higher, many consumers feel the added benefits are well worth the price in comparison to less expensive standard small bathtubs.

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What Is A Japanese Soaking Tub?

A Japanese soaking tub, also known as either a Furo tub or an Ofuro tub, tends to resemble what we know as a hot tub more so than our standard bath tubs. These Asian soaking tubs date back many centuries and were typically made from wood. The soaking tubs were typically square or round in nature and much taller and deeper than our standard tubs. This was designed to allow the bather to be more fully submersed in the bath water, creating a deeper sense of relaxation. They also had flat bottoms, as opposed to the sloping surfaces of our bathtubs today.

Ironically, the bathing process itself was almost always conducted elsewhere in small bathtubs often found outside the home. This Asian soaking tub was only used once the bather was already clean and would use the Furo for relaxation purposes and to help keep warm. This further led to the Japanese use of the Furo more as a relaxation tool, as opposed to a bath tub as we know them today. This also helps to further illustrate the Japanese reliance on an overall ritual process of bathing which involved separate steps for cleaning one’s self and for relaxation.

Of course, given the Japanese desire to make the most use of everything they owned, the water used in the Furo was often left to sit overnight. The following day it was then used to wash clothes and dishes before it was finally drained. This gave the water a dual purpose and eliminated the need to waste it once it had been used as part of the bathing ritual.

Why Are Japanese Soaking Tubs Appearing In Western Civilization?

As more and more people seek to learn from Eastern cultures in a variety of fields, including medicine, fitness, and overall quality of life, traditions such as the Furo tubs are beginning to gain popularity in our homes as well. Beneficial because of their smaller base sizes, the increased volume the soaking tub can hold allows them to be easily used in place of a small bathtub with a significantly lower volume. They are also ideal for larger bathrooms which take the overall influences more from a spa environment than a typical bathroom design. Japanese soaking tubs appeal to consumers who wish to gain more from their bathing experience. They are ideal for consumers who wish to use their bathtubs as a source of relaxation and rejuvenation, as opposed to just an area to physically clean themselves.

While we may never go so far as to use our bath water to do laundry the following day, we are beginning to learn techniques and practices that can lead to an overall higher quality of life.

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What Is A Soaking Bath Tub?

Traditional bathtubs in the states tend to be long, narrow, and shallow. They are designed this way primarily for easy access, making stepping in and out of the bath tub as simple as possible. In most households, the tubs are paired with shower units for added convenience. Soaking bath tubs, on the other hand, are designed to be shorter in length, slightly wider, and significantly deeper than a traditional tub. The reasoning behind this design is to allow the bather to sit more fully submersed in the water during the bathing routine. With regards to floorspace, a soaking tub takes up the same amount of room as a small bathtub. Because of their added height, however, they hold a much larger volume of water than small bathtubs are able to.

What Are The Benefits Of A Soaking Tub?

One of the primary benefits of a soaking tub is the ability to hold a larger volume of water. This added capacity is believed to create a more soothing and encompassing environment for the bather, further emphasizing the ritual nature of the bath, as opposed to simply the functional aspects. Many cultures believe the deeper submersion during the process also helps to better relax the body, as well as the mind. These beliefs are widely drawn from Japanese culture, one of the main origins of the soaking tub.

With regards to floorspace, a soaking bathtub can take up significantly less room than a traditional tub. This makes them ideal for smaller bathrooms, as well as a perfect secondary bath for a master bathroom. Even with standard sized bathrooms, square footage always seems to be at a premium, making any space saving appliance or fixture in high demand.

The features that can be found with a soaking bathtub also make them ideal for high end spa type bathrooms. Similar to hot tubs, soaking bathtubs can be fitted with water jets, creating a whirlpool tub experience within the privacy of your own bathroom. This not only provides an added level of luxury, but also helps to further soothe tired or sore muscles. Some are installed only with air jets, creating a bubble like movement in the water when a full massage experience is not needed. Further enhancing the overall spa like experience, and emphasizing the relaxation ritual, some soaking tubs are now taking use of both aromatherapy (scent therapy), as well as chromatherapy (color therapy).

What Should I Look For When Shopping For A Soaking Tub?

One of the first things to look for when selecting a soaking tub is the size of the unit your bathroom can accommodate. If you have a larger bathroom, you should consider selecting a soaking tub proportionate to the size of the room. For smaller bathrooms, keep in mind the available floor space to ensure that the unit you are selecting will fit properly.

The next set of choices during the selection process will involve the desired features for your new soaking tub. This will depend on both your personal preferences, as well as your budgetary constraints. While you may like the idea of having all of the bells and whistles installed, they do come at a premium when it comes to the overall cost of the unit itself.

Another aspect to keep in mind is the brand name of the soaking tub you are selecting. Most of the leading manufacturers, including Kohler and American Standard, offer a variety of soaking tub models to choose from. They come in a variety of sizes and included features, and also cover a range of price points. Some consumers will choose a brand name and then select a unit from within that brand’s lineup. Others will find the exact model they prefer, regardless of the manufacturer. It truly is a matter of personal preference as to which route you choose to take.

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1. Japanese Soaking Tubs
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3. Deep Soaking Tubs

What Are Handicapped Shower Seats?

A handicapped shower seat is a permanent fixture or portable device designed to provide stability assistance for individuals in the shower when needed.
The portable devices are typically made from sturdy plastic. The permanent shower seat fixtures can be made from a range of materials, including plastic, wood, metal, and acrylic. Handicap shower chairs and seats cover a wide range of price points designed to suit anyone’s budget.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Installing A Permanent Fixture?

The primary benefit of a installing a permanent handicap shower chair is the increased stability this style can provide. Since these models are mounted directly into the wall through the wall tile, they can potentially support more weight than a freestanding plastic seat. Permanent installations are more costly than a portable chair, however, they can be found in a much larger range of materials and sizes. While many people are concerned with storage, especially when the bathroom is used by non handicapped individuals, a permanent fixture can be ideal. When not in use, they can typically fold up flat against the wall, completely out of the way.

The primary downside of a permanent shower chair is the fact that the installation typically requires a professional service. Because of this, the overall cost for this style can be significantly higher than a portable unit. Once installed, the shower chair can also be difficult to remove when it is no longer needed. Even if removal does occur, there is often tile and wall repair that may need to be done afterwards where the chair was mounted to the shower wall.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of A Portable Fixture?

A potable handicapped shower chair is ideal for situations where the mobility assistance may not be needed on a regular basis. This can be the case for temporary injuries or periods involving physical rehabilitation. Portable handicapped shower chairs also work well for individuals who need a method of accessing shower facilities in hotels or other destinations on the road. For individuals who have relatives, such as parents or grandparents, who visit on a regular basis, a portable chair can be ideal. They are study, lightweight, and can be cleaned easily with minimal effort. When not in use, they are typically able to be folded up in a fairly compact manner. This allows the chair to be stored easily when not in use.

The primary downside of a portable unit is the fact that their weight bearing capabilities are sometimes limited. They are also designed for function as opposed to form and tend to be fairly plain in appearance. Since permanent fixtures come in a variety of materials such as wood and metal, the strictly plastic portable chairs may not be considered ideal for long term use in a bathroom that guests will access on a regular basis.

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