The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: March 2014

What Size Walk-in Tub Should I Choose?

By Kerry Knight

Have you ever wondered how you would choose a Walk in Tub for your home? There are many factors worth looking at. When a prospect comes to our showroom, we always ask them a series of questions to help them make the best decision and to make sure there are no issues with delivery and installation. In this article, I will discuss these very questions so that you, our readers, will have a leg up when you go to size your walk in tub purchase.

Short video - What size should a Walk in tub be?

There are a variety of sizes available in Walk in Tub models. However, one must first answer questions regarding how the tub will fit the room as well as the person using it.

The first consideration is DOORWAY OPENINGS. Find out how wide the tub is. This should represent outside dimensions. Then find out how wide the doorway openings are. That would include the exterior door leading into the house, other interior doors, and the door into the bathroom. Sometimes you can buy a little space by removing door casings. But if you have a 30-inch wide Walk in Tub and you're trying to go through a 24-inch bathroom door, you've got a problem. You will either have to widen the door opening or find another access into the bathroom. Some have used large windows to come through, and I know of others who have actually come through the wall from another room. This requires cutting a large section of the sheet-rock. Of course, that requires a little more work and repair.

Second, check to see if there are HALLWAYS that are too narrow to deliver the tub. Also, are there sharp turns in the hallway that make it impossible to slide it through? In most cases, if you stand the tub on end, while it rests on a piece of carpet, you might be able to pivot it around those tough areas.

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The third challenge in getting your Walk in Tub home is, HOW LARGE IS THE BATHROOM itself? Some bathrooms are very tiny, as you know. If there is already a bathtub there, which must come out, that part of the preparation should already have been done. Most of the old, traditional bathtubs were 60 inches long and 30 inches wide. Most Walk in Tubs should fit in that space.

However, once you have the Walk in Tub through the doorway, does it have to be turned? If it does, is there sufficient room to turn it? This might well determine what size Walk in Tub you can accommodate. Usually a 54- or 48-inch length can be turned, and most tubs of this size come with a "filler" panel that will help fill in the rest of the 60-inch opening.

Now, we need to consider the best size tub for the individual that will be using it. Let's suppose for argument's sake that the doorways and bathroom will accommodate a 48- or a 54-inch length with a maximum width of 30 inches.

Our doors open inward for
safety and convenience.

The first question to ask regarding the tub itself is, "WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE DOOR ON THE TUB?" Most doors are wide at the top and then narrow with a taper at the bottom. It is designed that way to allow for a person to easily move the door past the knees and legs. If you are seated you can move the knees and legs to the side, away from the door, and move the door easily past them. This being said, you do need to make sure the size of the body above the knees can pass successfully through the door.

THE SIZE OF THE SEAT then becomes important. Get a true measurement of the seat and compare that with a normal household chair. Will that accommodate the person who will be using it?

The Walk in Tub comes with a seat, normally 17 inches high, so it can handle a person of any height. Legroom is not normally a problem area.

So, measure your doorways, your bathrooms, and the Walk in Tub dimensions closely before moving forward. That way there are no unwelcome surprises later on.

In this article I have provided a series of questions that a person needs to answer when they are considering purchasing and installing a Walk in Tub for their home. These questions will help them determine the right size to choose and also help them avoid any unnecessary surprises or unwanted construction work.

Walk-in in Tub Buyers' Guide

If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the comment section of this blog. If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I will personally get back to you. It has been my pleasure sharing this information with you. Thanks again for visiting with us.

Until next time.

Alan and Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” three years running. If you would like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 409-4231; or email them at alan@tubking.com.

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Walk-in Tubs Are Great For Middle-Age People, Too

By Kerry Knight

Being an experienced babe boomer, I know I want to feel and look younger, remain active late into my golden years and remain healthier than my parents did at my age. I wish I had a Walk In Tub when I was in my forties. It would have helped me be that much more healthier today.

Although the majority of those who purchase and use Walk In Tubs are senior citizens, there are others who have found them to be life savers. One such group would be the middle aged who anticipate a need in the near future.

We recently delivered our Model 202 Walk In Tub to a home that was under construction. I had only talked to the buyer by phone, and was surprised to find that she was only in her 40's. She explained that she had a chronic, nagging back pain and said that since she was building her dream home why not include her dream tub. This tub can help her right away, but it will especially be valuable as she ages.

Another group of middle-aged Walk In Tub enthusiast are very active athletic people and those who don’t have room for a Jacuzzi style spa. A Walk In Tub provides spa benefits without taking up lots of additional space.

Walk-in bathtubs aren't just for seniors

I am finding that more and more middle aged adults are seeing the need to include the Walk In Tub early in their new home or upgrade planning stages.

They know that it's a lot less expensive to install it while the house is being built than to wait a few years and have to take out the existing tub with all the demolition and additional cost.

There are many physical challenges that affect the middle aged. Many are seeing the onset of some debilitating illness that will only get worse over time.

The value of water therapy has been documented time and again. For the younger crowd, who are already having trouble getting around, they will love the safety features of the Walk In Tub. It will all but eliminate the apprehension of falling while getting into and out of a traditional tub. Most claw foot tubs are actually 25 inches from the floor to the top of the rim. That is a challenging to step over for any age.

The middle age crowd appreciates the help that walk in tubs can provide. The soothing air jets can relax tired, aching muscles, and reduce the pain associated with back pain, fibromyalgia, early arthritis and much more. Did you know that the human body weighs 90 percent less in water? That fact alone brings rest to a weary and tired body.

Most adults who are middle aged have work stress. The water jets can literally massage those tense muscles and bring immediate welcomed relief. The jets can be adjusted to direct the pulsing water to any spot and the pressure of the jets can be adjusted to your liking.

Sleep disorders can often result from work stress. This is another area where the Walk In Tub can really help. A fully relaxed body will sleep much better. The elevation in the body temperature alone has been documented to provide a more relaxing sleep.

There are many reasons to consider purchasing a walk in tub, even if you are still in your 40s. Taking better care of your body now will result in better health as we age. Everyone should be looking to take better care of his or her bodies. We will be thankful we did, as we get into the golden years.

In this article, I have discussed several reasons why middle-aged individuals are purchasing Walk In Tubs for their homes. Some purchase a Walk In Tub as a space saving spa, others to address a specific health issues like lower back pain and still other are planning ahead, saving money now on construction and being ready to deal with age related issue when they arrive.

Intro to our Buyers Guide.

Until Next Time.

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Clawfoot Tubs Are Back

... and are more beautiful than ever.

By Kerry Knight

They say that all things in this world come in cycles. You know what I mean. Jewelry, clothing, color schemes, architectural designs, cars … you name it, they all have their place in the cycle of what’s coming and going in fashion. Well everything has its place in time and -- guess what? -- Claw Foot Tubs are back with a vengeance.

We recently exhibited at a Home and Patio Show. It was a perfect environment to display our classic bathtubs, and literally thousands of people stopped at our booth, many of them taking pictures. Some even asked if they could step into the tubs to try out the different sizes. We were displaying Slipper Tubs, Double Slippers, Dual Ended, Pedestals, and even the old style roll tops.

We Were "The Talk of the Show"

We were really the talk of the show, and so many shared their experiences with us. A popular comment was, "I remember my grandmother having a tub like this," one recalled, "I can remember taking baths in a tub like this when I was a child, some 70 years ago". These classic cast iron and porcelain tubs can take you back literally hundreds of years in their design. Many were shocked that they were still around. The truth is they disappeared for a long time, being replaced by fiberglass and then acrylic. That's when people were favoring convenience and light weight solutions to their bathrooms.

But here is the good news: THEY ARE BACK! The classic, Victorian look of the antique claw footed tub has returned to turn ordinary bathroom designs into real showcases. But don't be fooled into buying one made of plastic or acrylic. These can yellow and even become misshapen over time. Go back to the original: cast iron and porcelain. Yes, they're heavy, but they are built to last a lifetime. I joked with people at the Home and Patio Show when they asked about its warranty. "Is a 300-year warranty enough?" Yes, the tub will outlive all of us.

While some are having old, footed tubs refinished, we can sell brand new cast iron and porcelain tubs for about the same price. The old tubs you might find in a field around a farm house are usually rusted, cracked, and in need of more help than you can provide without spending a fortune. Don't waste your time. Or your back.

One lady purchased one of our Dual Ended tubs. It was 66 inches long with a gradual slope on each end. She commented on how comfortable it was. We placed a towel under her head as she leaned back resting her neck on the rolled rim. "I can get used to this," she purred. I remarked, "It's much better when you have it full of warm water." The tub is going to be placed under a huge window, so she can look out over their country property, while soaking. The faucet and drain are centered so it is a perfect set up for their bathroom.

Our Tubs Can be Done in Any Team or School's Color Scheme

One of our Slipper Tubs at the show was done in the colors of the Jacksonville Jaguars, even down to the gold claw legs. We explained to many that we can actually

have their tub done to represent the colors of any team, whether it's high school, college or professional.

Yes, the old look is back. The Clawfoot Tubs of yesterday look even more modern now then. Why? Because they bring out some classic features that people want today, like elegance, comfort, and creativity.

In this article, I have discussed how the Clawfoot Bathtub has again become a favorite of many interior designers and the general public. Like all things in fashion, Clawfoot Tubs are back in favor. However, unlike their other fashionable brethren, these tubs can last a lifetime and their beauty is never in question. That is why you still see them in the movies and in the homes of the Hollywood stars.

If you found this article to be useful, please pass it on to your friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, please leave it in the comment section below. If you would like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I will personally get back to you. It has been my pleasure sharing this information with you. Thanks again for visiting with us.

Clawfoot tubs are Back!

Until next time.

The Most Comfortable Bathtub in the World

By Kerry Knight

We just finished participating in a Home and Patio Show in which we displayed our Walk-in tub. The vast majority of those who stopped by our booth asked if they could sit in the tub.

Do you know what their number one comment was? "This is so comfortable!" They spoke of how the back of the tub and seat were contoured to fit the body. There was also no strain while sitting down or standing up, due to the help of the sides of the tub and the interior grab bar. As you probably know, the hardest part of getting into a traditional bathtub is going from a standing position to a sitting position. The Walk-in Tub is designed with a seat which should be ADA compliant, normally 17 inches high. The waterproof door allows one to enter without any awkward movement of the body. So, even while soaking, a person can enjoy a very comfortable bathing experience.

But let's go a step further. If you add air jetted hydrotherapy to the tub, the comfort factor increases dramatically. There are usually 18 or so ports that blow warm air (off the motor itself) into the water to create thousands of therapeutic bubbles. This relaxes every muscle and helps with numerous medical conditions.

Being able to relax in warm water is a therapy in and of itself. It goes back thousands of years. Back in 1982 while visiting Rome, my wife and I experienced the Roman pools. The water was taken from hot springs just as it was during the great empire of Rome. The heavy mineral content seemed to do wonders for the body.

Another comforting feature of the tub is the water jets. The water within the tub actually circulates back into the pump and is released again to create a whirling or massaging action. The jet ports are adjustable as to pressure and direction. Tired, aching muscles receive welcomed relief.

There are many ornate and stylish tubs out there, but if you are looking for comfort nothing surpasses the Walk-in tub.

If you found this article to be useful, please pass it on to your friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, please leave it in the comment section below. If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I will personally get back to you. It has been my pleasure sharing this information with you. Thanks again for visiting with us.

Until next time.

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