The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: Dual-ended bathtub

Showing posts with label Dual-ended bathtub. Show all posts

Things to Consider When Remodeling Your Bathroom

In addition to cleaning, many homeowners also begin remodeling projects in the spring. After all, ’tis the season for renewal, fresh starts and new beginnings, right? Spring is a great time to reconfigure and re-create and remodeling fits right in.

Before you set out to remodel your bathroom, take a moment to evaluate what you already have. Are you content with the size of the bathroom? If it seems too small, there are several options available.

One option, of course, is to make it bigger by simply rearranging the contents. That means making better use of the space by removing old, cumbersome fixtures that may no longer serve you. Let's say you have an out-of-date, fiberglass shower-surround that was installed when the house was built 40 years ago. It definitely takes up much-need space. However, with a little effort it can be expertly removed and discarded. But now, what do we replace it with? An excellent option is to bring in a freestanding tub.

Photo Credit: tourfactory.com

There are several popular choices in today’s market such as the elegant porcelain/cast iron Clawfoot or Pedestal soaking tubs. It might be the Slipper Tub design, with its high back that resembles Cinderella's slipper, or the Dual-ended tub that offers attractive, symmetrical slopes on each end of the tub. The Pedestal tub is also a contemporary favorite as it replaces the Clawfoot designs with a cast iron skirt at the bottom. These cast iron/porcelain tubs all come in various sizes and can easily fill almost any space. The point is, they won’t look like the standard, run-of-the-mill combo fiberglass tub/shower you had before. Far from it. You are adding elegance and making better use of space.

Photo Credit: tubking.com

An alternative approach, one that’s very much in-demand today, is the Safety Suite Shower. Available in different configurations regarding drain orientation (left, center, or right) and numerous colors/patterns, Safety Suite Showers offer a very open design with either a low threshold (usually four inches high) or a zero threshold so you can safely and easily walk or roll right in. This is indispensable if a person is wheelchair bound or has trouble getting into a traditional bathtub. They are extremely attractive with high tile walls and matching floor. There are various options regarding what type of built-in seat one can choose as well (fold-down, molded, etc.) Along with the shower itself, you can also choose various bathroom accessories such as bathroom paper roll, towel rack, and self, all of which are equipped with handsome, yet sturdy safety grab bars. The shower itself includes several strategically placed grab bars as well. Safety Suite Showers come in sizes ranging from 48- to 60-inch lengths, so that they can accommodate any size bathroom.

Photo Credit: nwtile.com

Another way to make better use of the space you already have is to consider doing away with the old laminate counter top and drop in sink. Again, if your bathroom is 40 years old, the sink is usually large and takes up way too much space. The counter top is probably a laminate variety that is already showing wear on the edges and maybe some lifting of the laminate from the pressed board underneath. You can take advantage of some beautiful counter top choices now available. Take, for example “natural stone.” There is organic beauty in every stone slab. The variations in each slab are unique and will amaze you. The colors are spectacular. The polished granite is highly stain- and scratch-resistant. Another interesting option, as seen in the photograph to the left, is a combination of stone, granite and wood. Talk about natural beauty.

Since I mentioned the sink, if you have a tiny bathroom, go for a porcelain pedestal sink. There are some slim, silhouettes out there that are perfect for a powder room or diminutive bathrooms. The only drawback is that they offer almost zero storage space and a small deck space. To work around this, many homeowners are creating niches in the wall for toiletries and other necessities. Unlike clunky over-the-shower head organizers, a recessed cubby in a tub or shower surround gives shampoo and soap a permanent home that doesn't take up premium stall space.

Photo Credit: wallpapertren.com

If the floor of your bath looks bad, tear up that linoleum and replace it with “no-regret” tile floors. If you want an easy-care floor, go for porcelain or glazed tiles, and avoid porous natural stone tiles such as limestone. Unless sealed it’s been vigilantly, limestone (and other porous stone) will absorb drips and spills and become stained. If you want a non-slip floor, choose tiles with textured surfaces, matte finishes, or sand-containing glazes. Another option would be “small” tiles with lots of grout lines, as these offer better “grip” than the larger tiles.

When caulking around tubs, sinks or tiles, it’s best to choose an acrylic caulk. It can be removed without the use of harsh chemicals so that replacement is easier. And make sure it is mold- and mildew-resistant.

Most homes that are 50 years old or older offer an antiquated wiring service in the bathroom. Over the years, the circuit has usually been abused by years of high-power hair drying. So don't just swap in GFI outlets. Replace the wiring, too, with dedicated 20-amp circuits and plenty of outlets for all the appliances you use, from electric razors, and toothbrushes, to hair-straightening irons, hair dryers, etc.

Photo Credit: gardnerfox.com

If your bathroom is simply too small for any changes except expansion, then consider the following: In most cases, the homeowner is not going to be happy with anything smaller than a bath that is 3 to 4 feet wide by 6 to 8 feet long. (Make sure to check with local codes for additional requirements.) Some homeowners have found that by just taking out an adjoining closet, they can garner precious space without really changing the footprint of the house. But if you must expand, contact a remodeling expert who can give you some viable options. If your lot is large enough, the contractor might be able to add a bathroom without interfering with any property lines or set-backs. It’s important that he keeps the natural flow and design of your home. Look at the roof style that you have in your home. Can a gable be extended? As you might expect, “expansion” remodeling is not cheap. Just like new construction, it will require several sub-contractors, such as framing, floor covering, sheet rock, plumbing and electrical. Ask for referrals, shop around and get several estimates, and then decide what you can live with. Establish a budget that you can afford before you ever begin.

In this article, I discussed several options for homeowners to consider when remodeling their bathrooms. I talked about replacing their current fiberglass tub/shower with a standalone cast iron/porcelain Clawfoot or Pedestal tub and/or going with the Safety Suite Showers. I also discussed various things to consider such as new sink and cabinet designs, replacing linoleum floors, upgrading the electric wiring, using acrylic caulk and more.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. Thanks again for visiting with us.

Customer Testimonial for Cast Iron/Porcelain Tub from Tub King

If you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, fill out the form below.

If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-in Tub Buyers’ Guide, fill out the form below.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and my brother, Alan, who heads up Tub King, will personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

Coming in June 2015 to Tub King!

Alan Knight has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. His companies not only provide superior products, they are also multi-award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. If you’d like to contact Tub King, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.

Get a Free GiftCard from Tub King. Click Here.

Related articles

Top Seven Bathtubs of 2014

By Alan Knight

Photo Credit: biography.com biography.com

Someone wrote, “If Rosa Parks had taken a poll before she sat down in that bus, she would still be standing." A poll is nothing more than the opinion of a group of people, however it does identify what issues people hold as being important to them. The larger the polling number, the greater the evidence of something worthy of notice. A poll from last year revealed the public’s favorite bathtub choices. Here are the top seven:

#7: The Traditional Roll Top Tub

Photo Credit: grandillusionfaux.com

About a 120 ago, there were quite a few foundries in the U.S. manufacturing bathtubs. In general, these were known as Clawfoot tubs. This was because the tubs’ removable legs were in the shape of animal feet or paws. There were bear claws, lion claws, and even ostrich claws. The tubs and legs were made of cast iron. At the foundries, tubs were overlaid with thick, stylish porcelain. This ceramic substance had a shine and feel that was extremely popular and remains so today. These particular tubs had a rolled rim that gave them their second name of “rolled rim” tubs. Today, these tubs are still fashionable. Most of the modern ones, however, have the faucet holes drilled on the top rim of the tub (to enhance interior space) instead of inside the tub like the original ones.

# 6: The Pedestal Tub

Photo Credit: vintagetub.com

This model sits atop a cast iron skirt or ring instead of legs. It gives the tub more of a contemporary look, especially for those who find animal legs not to their liking. There is usually a cut-out in the rear of the tub for plumbing purposes. The pedestal base can be found on just about every shape and style of tub created. It was an alternative that seemed to be favored by the aristocracy throughout the ages. For example, some of the former kings of Europe and the Middle East had their tubs mounted on to raised bases. This “royal” preference is in vogue even today for its majestic, sophisticated look.

# 5: The Dual- or Double-Ended

Unlike the traditional rolled rim, this tub has a raised slope at each end of the tub. The drain is also centered, instead of being on the end. This allows a person to sit on either end of the tub, facing in either direction. It also creates symmetry and balance. If the tub is going to be placed under a window or painting, this style is perfect. This tub comes with chrome, brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze legs, as well as the pedestal base.

# 4: The Double Slipper

Photo Credit :dispenser.com

Imagine a 72- inch tub with a majestic slope on each end and room for two people … that’s the Double Slipper. It requires that you have enough space in your bathroom. While it does take up some additional space in one’s bathroom, it goes a long way in helping to glamorize the room. Like the Dual-Ended model above, this design is another one that is perfectly symmetrical. With its ostensibly aristocratic look, it can become the focal point of any bathroom. Believe me, once installed, everyone will take notice. This tub is both regal and romantic. One version of the Double Slipper is a hybrid of the Dual-Ended, only the Double Slipper has a slope that’s not so pronounced on each end.

# 3: The Slight Slipper

This tub is also 72 inches in length, but the sloped ends of the tub are not as pronounced. Think of this model as being a cross between the Dual-Ended and Double Slipper. The poll showed that this was the preferred model over the Double Slipper by a narrow margin, citing it was a matter of comfort. Participants commented that when reclining, the back of this tub was more comfortable because it “fit” the body better.

# 2: The Slipper Tub

Photo Credit: plumpingsupply.com

We’ve all seen them with their high, sloping backs at one end of the tub. The traditional Slipper tub has been in movies (see our previous blogs “Famous Bathtubs in the Movies,” and “Romantic Movies That Featured a Porcelain Clawfoot or Pedestal Bathtub Scene,”) and have also been use throughout history as the baths of royalty. The main reason people love them is their sensuous look. One writer stated, “they are sexy and revealing. That’s why the movie industry loves them so much.” The tub comes in two different sizes: 57 and 67 inches.

# 1: The Walk-in Tub

Photo Credit: theoriginalwalkintub.com

Now, this tub is different than the aforementioned cast iron, porcelain tubs. It’s built differently, it looks completely different, and it serves different purposes. The cast iron and porcelain tubs are predominately focused on style and aesthetics, although they are perfect for soaking in warm water and relaxing. The more modern invention of the Walk-in Tub is more utilitarian. It serves two main purposes:

A. It’s designed for those who have trouble getting into and out of a normal bathtub. This is where its safety features come in. The tub is free standing with six hidden legs with levelers. It’s a tall 40 inches from the floor, but the threshold for entering is a mere six inches from the floor, facilitating safe and easy access in and out of the tub. It has a door that opens to the inside and is sealed to make it water tight. The floor and seat are slip-resistant and it comes with an added interior grab bar for balance and support. Everything about this tub addresses the issue of safety. No high lifting of the legs required to get into or out of the tub. All controls are within easy reach, there is a specially contoured seat for sitting while bathing, and there support rails for balance and maneuverability.

B. The other function of the Walk-in tub is hydrotherapeutic. The tub can come with air jet hydrotherapy for treating many physical ailments and water jets for a soothing massage action. You can also choose the inline heater, which makes the water stay warm longer for a more relaxing bathing/hydrotherapeutic experience.

The Walk-in Tub comes in different sizes to fit each person and the space where it will be placed. The 54-inch length is perfect for those who need a little extra room inside the tub (its width is 30 inches). The 48-inch model is perfect for smaller frames, and fits easier into smaller sized bathrooms.

While the Walk-in Tub may not be as pleasing to the eye as the Slipper Tub, it definitely is a crowd favorite. The poll made it the number one choice of bathtubs in 2014.

In this article, I shared the poll results and described the most popular bathtubs of 2014. These included the Roll Top, Pedestal Dual-Ended, Double Slipper, Slight Slipper, Slipper, and Walk-in tubs.

Customer Testimonial for Cast Iron, Porcelain Pedestal Tub

If you found this article interesting, please share and forward it to friends and family. If you’d like to leave a comment or question, please do so in the Comments section below.

If you’d like to receive a FREE Walk-In Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Or, if you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here.

Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed below and I’ll personally get back to you. Thanks for reading; it’s my pleasure to share this information with you.

Check Out Tub King's President's Day Sale. Click Here to Save $$.

Alan Knight is the owner of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. He has many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. His companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” four years running. To contact Tub King directly, call (800) 409-3375, (800)843-4231 or email alan@tubking.com.

Get a Free Giftcard. Click Here for More Information.

Related articles

Bathtub for a King

By Alan Knight

Photo Credit: comicvine.com

No king, either in secular history or biblical history, has ever surpassed the cruel reputation of Herod the Great. He was appointed by Augustus Caesar to reign over the Jews in the ancient land of Judea, and did so for over 30 years, finally dying in the year 4 B.C.

King Herod, with his megalomania, building obsession, and cruelty, was a notorious villain and remains so today. During his life, he was so worried about being deposed, he had his own wife and three children executed for expected treason. We’ve all heard or read in the Bible of the evil king that decreed the death of all male children, two years or younger, because he feared the rise of the King of the Jews. According to the Bible, Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt to avoid the king’s edict.

My wife and I have had the privilege of journeying to Israel and Egypt several years ago. One of the points of great interest was the Herodium. This was the location of King Herod’s principal palace, located on a mountain top just a short distance from Jerusalem. This was also to become his burial place.

Photo Credit: gush-etzion.org.il

Aside from his nefarious deeds, another significant aspect of Herod’s legacy is, without question, structural in nature. Few of his undertakings were modest. This is true in terms of size (his physical constructions were among the largest in the world at the time), architecture (Herod’s reign introduced innovations in fortification, build-quality, shape, and use), and sheer number of projects. He was responsible for erecting many palaces, fortresses in Jericho, Masada, Herodium, and Jerusalem; aqueducts in Jerusalem, Herzilya, Masada, and elsewhere; the port and town of Caesarea (including the Hippodrome, theater, and temple); and the unprecedented renovation of the Second Temple. Building things was how Herod earned the title of “Great.”

The renewed Israel Museum now houses many of the artifacts of Herod the Great’s empire taken from Herodium. In 2013, the museum produced Herod’s Edifice Complex for the public to see. The press title for the museum’s new and very shiny exhibit was, “Herod the Great: The King’s Final Journey.”

Photo Credit: dailymail.co.uk

One of the priceless pieces taken from Herodium and representing Herod’s standards for the very best in structure was his ornate “bathtub,” made of alabaster stone. Back then, it was the stone of art par excellence. Named after an Egyptian town where the stone was mined, it’s characterized by the crystal size (less than .05 millimeters) disposed in an intimate framework that confers alabaster’s translucency and compactness. The first of these qualities provides alabaster with its characteristic beauty, the second, combined with gypsum’s low hardness, makes it extremely valuable and desired.

Today, Herod’s ponderous bathtub is perched on an original geometric floor. It must have been some feat to lug that hunk of stone to the museum floor.

The self-centered king lived large. Inscribed jugs that once held imported wines especially for the king, perfume bottles that once held rare scents, and containers of pricey balsam oil, all speak to the opulence that surrounded Herod.

Today, tubs of incredible beauty can still be found. Maybe not as heavy or rare as King Herod’s, but the look of these tubs draws immediate praise and establishes a note of opulence. They are made of cast iron, and overlaid with rich, creamy-white porcelain. Porcelain is made from the glass family and is literally sprayed over the cast iron at temperatures reaching 2,000°F. The porcelain can be broken, but with great difficulty. It's hardened to last a lifetime and beyond. These porcelain tubs fall into two categories:

Antique Porcelain Tubs

Photo Credit: hardtopsofiowa.com

Unfortunately, the porcelain tubs that were manufactured in the U.S. a hundred years ago have almost disappeared. You don’t have to be an archaeologist to discover them, but you do have to search. They’re often found in pastures used as watering troughs, or as a huge flower pot. Too often, they’re just left outside to rust and weather. If you’re fortunate enough to find one of these, they’re usually in poor condition. Many of these old tubs date back to the early 1900s. They sometimes will have porcelain missing or have significant chips that require painstaking repair. Also, one or more of the cast iron legs have probably been lost or broken. Quite of few of the old tubs were thrown out when fiberglass became popular and have had to endure the weather for many years. The heat, cold, and abuse can make them seem worthless, although some companies specialize in restoring them. They spray a new finish on the tubs and they can become quite attractive.

New Production Porcelain Tubs

Photo Credit: reckonplumbing.com

Since foundries are no longer manufacturing these cast iron and porcelain tubs in the U.S., buyers have had to go to dealers who import them from foreign countries where they’re still made. These are reproductions of the antique ones, but you gain the advantage of newly cast tubs. The porcelain is brand new, with the shine and smooth texture of ceramic. You can find these tubs in attractive and useful designs, such as Roll-rimmed, Slipper, Double Slipper, Dual-ended, and Pedestals. These tubs can make any bathroom look like one belonging to royalty. These beautiful soaking tubs are purchased by those who want their home to look like a palace, without having to pay a king’s ransom to purchase them.

Photo Credit: overstock.com

The pedestal tubs sit on a skirt or apron that raises the tub an additional six to eight inches off the floor, making it a true centerpiece of excellence. The clawfoot-legged tubs sit upon the feet of designs emulating the feet of animals such as the eagle, bear, and lion. The legs are made of chrome, brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze. If you’re looking for something to really make your bathroom stand out, you needn’t look any further than today’s elegant cast iron and porcelain tubs.

In this article, I discussed many of the structures that the King Herod the Great had constructed in his ancient kingdom in Israel and Egypt. In particular, I highlighted his ornate, large bathtub. I then went on to point out that today, people can still have a taste of regal opulence by installing a cast iron, porcelain clawfoot bathtub in their homes.

If you found this article interesting, please share and forward. If you’d like to leave a comment or question, please do so in the Comments section below.

Cast Iron, Porcelain Tubs Featured by TubKing

If you’d like to receive a FREE Clawfoot Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. Or, 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 below and I’ll personally get back to you. Thanks for reading; it’s my pleasure to share this information with you.

Check Out TubKing's Wide Selection of Cast Iron, Porcelain Tubs. Click Here.

Get Your Free Giftcard Today. Click Here.