Free standing tubs
Freestanding bathtub: the tub as the centre of the bathroom
A freestanding bathtub stands free in the room instead of in a niche. It is visible all round, has no panelling and thereby becomes the defining element of the bathroom. The practical advantage is access from every side, the design advantage is obvious. At SeniorBad the category comprises 47 models, including pure bathtubs and variants with a massage function.
What a freestanding tub demands of the room
The most important point is the space around it. A tub that stands free but has only ten centimetres clearance from the wall does not look free, it looks out of place. As a guide, you should allow at least 20 to 30 centimetres on the accessible sides, preferably more, so that you can get around it to clean and so the tub can have its effect.
The second point is the floor. A filled tub with a person creates considerable weight on a small footprint. In solid new buildings this is uncritical, but with old timber-joist ceilings you should clarify the load-bearing capacity before you order. This is not scaremongering, but a question that a structural engineer can answer in a short time.
Shapes, dimensions and series
The range comprises the F01, F03, F05, F07, F08, F11, F13, F16, F23, F26 and F29 series. They differ in silhouette, that is, whether the tub is oval, rectangular with soft edges or formed with a raised backrest. Among the dimensions the focus is on 170 x 80 cm and 180 x 90 cm, plus intermediate sizes such as 180 x 89 cm and 180 x 92 cm.
With the shape, it is worth thinking beyond appearance. An oval tub with a high backrest is more comfortable to lie in, but loses usable length because the slope takes up space. A rectangular shape makes better use of the external dimensions and looks calmer in the room. Anyone who is tall should pay attention to the internal length and not only to the external dimensions, because there are several centimetres between the two depending on the model.
Some of the models are equipped with a massage function, with water jets, air jets or both in combination. These tubs additionally need a power connection and regular rinsing of the jet pipes. If you are looking for the massage function in a built-in tub, the whirlpool bath is the right category.
The fitting is a decision in itself
With a built-in tub the fitting sits on the wall, with a freestanding tub it does not. There are three options. A floor-standing mixer comes out of the floor beside the tub. A rim-mounted mixer is fitted on the tub rim, provided the model is designed for it. And a wall mixer works when the tub stands close enough to a wall.
The floor-standing mixer is the visually cleanest solution, but requires a water connection in the floor. This can only be created afterwards with some effort and therefore belongs early in the planning. Some models in the range already come with a matching fitting, which solves this question from the outset. In that case the connection dimensions and the look go together from the start, and you do not have to search separately.
Material, care and the alternatives
The tubs are made of fibreglass-reinforced acrylic. The material is considerably lighter than cast iron or steel, which makes transport and installation much easier, and its surface feels warmer. For care, mild cleaners are sufficient, you should avoid scouring agents, because over time they make the smooth surface dull. Which other materials exist and where their strengths lie is explained in the article Bathtub: which material is the right one.
A freestanding tub has a high rim and is entered from above. If an easy entry is important to you, the bathtubs with door or the sitting bathtub are the more suitable choice. You will find the entire tub range under Bathtub.
Frequently asked questions about freestanding bathtubs
On the free sides there should be at least 20 to 30 centimetres clearance, so that you can get around it for cleaning and so the tub really stands free visually. If the clearance becomes smaller, it looks as if the tub has simply not been installed properly.
If your bathroom does not allow this space, a built-in tub is the more honest solution. It makes better use of the area and looks calmer in a small room.
There are three variants. A floor-standing mixer comes out of the floor beside the tub. A rim mixer sits on the tub rim, provided the model is prepared for it. A wall mixer works with a wall-close arrangement.
The floor-standing mixer looks the most coherent, but needs a water connection in the floor. This decision should be made before the screed is laid, afterwards it becomes a lot of work.
In buildings with solid floors this is generally uncritical. With older timber-joist ceilings a check is worthwhile, because the weight of tub, water and person rests on a comparatively small area.
A brief assessment by a structural engineer or the tradesperson doing the conversion creates clarity. This is done more quickly than it sounds, and in case of doubt it saves an expensive surprise.
Yes, some of the models in the range are equipped with water jets, air jets or both. The technology sits in the base of the tub and is not visible from the outside.
In addition to the water installation, these models need a power connection in accordance with the requirements for wet rooms. Make sure that the technology remains accessible in case of maintenance.
On most models the drain goes downwards directly into the floor, hidden by the base of the tub. The exact position is given in the data sheet of the model and must match the location of the existing drain.
If the position differs, the pipe has to be laid in the screed. Clarify this using the dimensioned drawing before you order, because unlike with a niche tub, nothing can be hidden behind panelling here.