The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: Walk-in tub features

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The Hottest New Innovations in the Bathroom

By Kerry Knight

Photo Credit: houzz.com

There is a host of new innovations in the bathroom that are catching the watchful eye. As new technology affects the way we live, it has also found its way into the home. Here are just a few:

Communication technology would include telephones for the bathtub and the toilet
Flat screen TV on the wall
Sophisticated sound systems
Infrared lighting spas for removing toxins from the body
Steam rooms
Japanese Soaking Tubs
Radiant heating for towels, the floor, and the tub area, with a less utilitarian look and more of a sculptured appeal

Introducing Safety Suite Showers

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While these new ideas are catchy, there are a couple of new concepts that are far more practical. The most popular, in addition to bathtub technology, is the new walk-in shower with low or zero thresholds. It eliminates “enclosures” all together and the shower becomes an integral part of the bathroom. A good example is Tub King’s Safety Suite Showers.

Alan Knight, president of the company, remarks, “Our Safety Suite Showers accomplishes something where others fail. It can come with a zero threshold configuration, which means those who are wheelchair-dependent can become totally independent in taking a shower by themselves. The wheelchair can roll right into the edge outer edge of the shower, then allow the person to stand up using the many safety bars that are installed on the walls makes it easy to maneuver around the shower opening. The drop-down or built-in shower seat is also a great advantage in design. No longer do those who consider themselves physically challenged need to feel they cannot take a shower safely. Plus the independence is a great morale booster.”

The great thing about the USA-made Safety Suite Shower is that it comes with so many options to choose from.

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Size. Regardless of your bathroom size, there is a Safety Suite Shower configuration that will fit your space and personal needs. If you are removing an existing, standard-size bathtub (routinely 60 x 30 inches) then the best choice for your Safety Suite Shower is the 54 x 30 x 78-inch model or the 48 x 36 x 78-inch model. If greater width is desired, there is also a 60 x 33-inch model. If you are into doing new construction, you can go a little larger with the 61 x 31 x 78-inch version.

Options. The options are endless. For example, the plumbing fixtures can come in different finishes to match your bathroom’s décor. That would include the popular chrome or beautiful brushed nickel. There is also a very unique faucet available that has a circular safety bar that encircles the faucet. “This is an extremely fine addition that adds so much more to the safety aspect of the shower ... to be able to have something to hold to while adjusting the water volume and temperature,” says Alan Knight. Each Safety Suite Shower comes either with a built-in, custom-molded seat or even better, a drop-down seat. There are many other wall mount options that can be offered for both convenience and safety. And by the way, there is also another version of the Safety Suite that offers a low, four-inch threshold for those who are not wheelchair bound.

Ease of installation. The safety bath suites come in either three- or five-piece variations, and installation is simple. Furthermore, the Safety Suite Showers are packaged in moduled components in either three or five pieces, so in most cases, having to expand a doorway to get the shower components into the bathroom isn’t necessary, as it sometimes in with a new bathtub. A modest goal for installation time would be two days. Many homeowners find that they can actually install the units themselves with a little help from family, friends or neighbors. If more professional help is needed, most local handymen or plumbers can do the work. The complete units are priced modestly and can save the homeowner considerably more than doing a complete build-out offered by many remodelers. The savings can go as high as 50%.

Photo Credit: tubking.com

There is one thing that I have not mentioned about the new Safety Suite Showers, and that is just how attractive they are. You can choose from a wide variety of colors and tile configurations such the now-popular neutral colors of Beige, Bone or Biscuit. Or, if having something more colorful is your fancy, there are configurations such as Almond Granite, Coco, Dune, Mink, Ashley, Violet and others. Furthermore, you can have the seat top and back be configured in a veneer of handsome, waterproof Brazilian Walnut.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention you can also order matching safety-designed toilet paper roll, towel rack and shelves, all of which come with a built-in, sturdy grab bar.

More and more people are looking to the future. Couples and individuals are considering what their lifestyle will be in 10 or 20 years. Hopefully they will be just as active and robust as ever. But what if there are some medical challenges or mobility issues? These pre-retirement folks are considering designing their homes for the future. And yet, at the same time, they don't want to design a home that looks like a hospital room. To avoid a totally utilitarian look, the Safety Suite Showers provide tremendous options. The beautiful walls and openness give it not only an inviting look, but provide additional spaciousness to the bathroom, actually integrating the shower with the bathroom room itself.

The Wonders of the Walk-in Tub

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While I am discussing new innovations in bath technology, I would be remiss without referring to the Walk-in Tub.Outside of the Safety Suite Showers, this is the best thing to come along. For those who prefer to take a soaking bath, this option offers additional benefits. First, these tubs come as independent units, free-standing, and providing a water-tight door for easy access. There is a seat inside and the height of the tub (normally 40 inches) means the user can submerge most of their body for a nice, warm, soaking experience. The real treat is the options of air jet and water jet hydrotherapy, along with the inline heater. With the touch of two controls, the user can bask in bubbles and whirling, massaging water to treat a number of personal and medical needs. The inline heater keeps the water warm for longer periods of use. There is a hand-held shower wane with a long metal-braided hose to rinse and shower while sitting. The Walk-in Tub comes with all the safety features of grab bars, slip-resistant seat and floors and a low threshold entry way. This tub also fits easily into an existing bathroom. It comes in a 48 x 28-inch version or 54 x 30-inch version. Installation can also be accomplished easily in two days.

Technology can be a wonderful thing, especially when it makes our lives safer, more enjoyable, healthier, and versatile. Tub King’s Safety Suite Showers and Walk-in Tubs fit that bill admirably.

In this article, I talked about some of the newer technologies that are being integrated in bathrooms today. I highlighted the numerous innovative designs and features of the Safety Suite Showers, explaining their various configurations and advantages. It also reviewed the benefits of the Walk-in Tub.

Learn more about Tub King's Walk-in Tubs

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.

If you have a comment, please type it in the Comment section below. Of course, I encourage you to share this article with your family, friends, and colleagues.

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 been my pleasure to share this information with you.

Check out Tub King's Safety Suite Showers. Click here.

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

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Suffering From Insomnia? Walk-in Tub to the Rescue!

By Alan Knight

Photo Credit: glogster.com

There's a classic joke: “How can you tell you're getting old?” The answer: “When you feel terrible in the morning without having had fun the night before.”

If you're an insomniac, or suffer from periodic insomnia, you probably understand. How often do you awake in the morning with some of the symptoms of a hangover, although you've not had a drop of alcohol? A poor night's sleep will have you starting your new day tired, irritable, and less productive.

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During a normal night's sleep, while our conscious mind is asleep, our body is busy repairing itself. When you’re deprived of a good eight hours of shut-eye, you not only feel tired, you look it. It could also lead to more serious consequences, such as obesity, high blood pressure, poor concentration, and lack of energy and being accident-prone. And with little energy, exercise becomes more difficult and is often neglected. Poor eating habits may appear, and thus the negative cycle keeps feeding itself.

There are severall key things can lead to insomnia:

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Stress. Nearly everyone experiences stress. It's unavoidable in our culture. But how we cope with it is what's important. Three-in-four U.S. adults stated they felt mild to severe stress levels in the past month, according to a report presented by the American Psychological Association. Also, teenagers report that school, family, and peer groups have them stressed out. (Nearly half of the teens polled said that their worries have increased during the past year.) As a result, they go to bed with their minds too wound up to sleep. How often do you hit the sheets with unsolved problems from your day and find your mind will just not “turn off”?

Dr. Alon Avidan, Associate Professor of Neurology and Associate Director of UCLA's Sleep Disorders Program states, “We see people using BlackBerries and laptops in bed, answering emails, and continuing to do the work they do all day long. For people who suffer from insomnia, that can perpetuate it.”

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By the way, insomnia and depression tend to go hand-in-hand, and it can be difficult to figure out which came first. Research shows people with insomnia have a 10 times greater risk of developing depression than people who sleep well. People who are depressed commonly struggle with insomnia, showing such symptoms as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up tired.

Caffeine. Caffeine stays in the bloodstream much longer than most people think, Dr. Avidan says, keeping you wired when you should be sleeping. Depending on your metabolism, it can take as long as eight to 14 hours to eliminate one-half of the total amount of caffeine you consumed from your body. Dr. Avidan continues, “A latte with two shots of espresso contains about 150 milligrams of caffeine. If you have that at 5 p.m., by the time you wake up at 7 in the morning, the level of caffeine in the body is still about 75 milligrams.” One can of Red Bull contains 80 milligrams of caffeine.

Alcohol. Here is one that is greatly misunderstood. Most people think that a couple of drinks before bedtime is the perfect setting for a good night's sleep. Although a few glasses of wine might knock you out, as alcohol is metabolized in the body (a rate of one glass of wine per hour is typical), levels of alcohol begin to fall, and its sleep-inducing effect wears off. That's when you wake up. Alcohol disrupts your ability to sleep in a number of ways.

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During the first stage of sleep, a number of things are altered. Alcohol shortens the time it takes to fall asleep. It also reduces REM sleep (which research shows stimulates regions of the brain necessary for learning and good cognitive function), and increases non-REM sleep, which is a lighter slumber. As the alcohol begins to be metabolized in your body later in the night, sleep becomes more shallow and disrupted. REM sleep increases (all at once, rather than slowly, over the course of the night), and with it, so do dreams and nightmares. This all adds up to a poor night's sleep. Alcohol can also rob you of needed sleep by swelling mucus membranes, blocking airways. People breathe more heavily, making it difficult to pass oxygen to the lungs. That's particularly dangerous for people with sleep apnea. Dr. Avidan says, “Red wine with dinner is fine if you don't have trouble sleeping. Just make sure to drink three to four hours before bedtime so your body has enough time to metabolize the alcohol and your sleep is not disrupted. That's the average time needed for three glasses of wine to clear your system.”

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Eating. Food and sleep don't make good bedmates. Eating too much or even too little at bedtime can keep you up. Too much food before bedtime can cause reflux. Dr. Avidan says, “Lying down brings acid from the stomach back up the esophagus, which can trigger heartburn, pain, or coughing — not a good recipe for restful sleep. Try eating dinner early in the evening. You want to have finished your dinner at least four hours before bedtime.”

There are many other potential causes for insomnia and likewise, some suggestions that can be offered to cope, but let me mention one that might be overlooked.

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The Walk-in Tub is a relatively new product on the market. It’s a personalized spa that offers many safety features for those who find getting in to and out of a normal bathtub difficult. It comes as an upright tub standing approximately 40 inches tall, with a built-in, slip-resistant seat and door. The door comes with a water-tight seal and the seat is ADA-compliant. Inside is a sturdy grab bar for getting up and down. It’s ergonomically designed so that the faucet, controls and hand-held shower wane are within easy reach.

The exceptional relaxation benefit of the Walk-in tub is that it offers spa-like features. It can come with 18 air jets that create therapeutic air bubbles to relax and soothe the body. The inline heater and water-jetted hydrotherapy system are like having your own personal Jacuzzi. It can direct warm water with your desired pressure and force to any part of your body.

Think for a moment how this can condition your body and brain before bedtime. Recent studies show that with as little as 15 minutes of spa therapy, you’ll experience a better quality of sleep, a more restful sleep, you’ll sleeping longer, and awake more refreshed.

Photo Credit: hydrotherapybathing.com

Why not put an end to restless nights of frustrating, tossing and turning, when you can enjoy the benefits of your own personalized spa system that will help you fall asleep? It fits conveniently in your existing bathroom, normally where your current bathtub is located now. Installation only takes a day or two and then ― ahhhhhhhhh ― you can start enjoying all the benefits of air- and bubble-jetted, warm water therapy, night after blissful night.

Put an end to that irritable attitude, a tired body and severe mood swings that occur with poor sleep habits. A Walk-in Tub will positively change your quality of life, both when you’re asleep and awake.

Experience the Deep Relaxation from a Walk-in Tub

In this article, I discussed some of the negative consequences of insomnia. I also talked about the nature of our sleep cycle, as well as some of the behaviors and substances that can cause insomnia. I then pointed out how the various built-in features of a Walk-in Tub can help alleviate insomnia.

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 Walk-in Tub Selection.

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)843-4231 or email alan@tubking.com.

Get a Free Giftcard from Tub King. Click Here.

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There’s Never Been a Better Time to Buy a Walk-in Tub

By Kerry Knight

Photo Credit: bettermedicine.com

How do you know when it’s the right time to buy something? When it’s on sale? Is it based on new or special features? The right color, technology or other factors? Or maybe it's the right time to buy a product because its time has come?

One of the best innovations to enter the market place in the last ten years is the Walk-in Tub. For years, senior citizens and younger adults with mobility challenges had to depend upon traditional bathtubs for bathing. This was creating problems. The statistics for falling in the bathroom had become a major health issue, one that was garnering much discussion. In 2011 a report came out that stated, “Over 80% of injuries in the bathroom were caused by falls.” Reports also said that women were 72% more likely to fall than men. According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1.6 million older adults seek emergency care each year for fall-related injuries, and especially fractures or head trauma. In addition to potentially losing their independence, seniors 65 years old and up have a 25% greater chance of dying within six months to a year if they fall and break a hip.

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It’s a fact: the Walk-in Tub provides a much safer alternative in the bathroom to a regular tub with a high threshold. Instead having to lift the leg 12 inches or more across the rim of a normal drop-in tub, they have an easy six-inch threshold to traverse. Now, after several years of being available in the U.S., the Walk-in Tub has become an advent for greater safety in the bathroom. And there has never been a better time to get one. Why? Read on.

Today’s Walk-in Tubs are better made. Just as with any new product, there must be time to shake out all the bugs in the system. That means after ten years, these tubs just function better than their original prototypes. Initially, the structure of the tub was not as durable. Most were made of thin fiberglass, and the supportive frame was lacking. Today, the better Walk-in Tubs are made of acrylic or better yet, Marine-grade fiberglass. That’s the same material you find in a ski boat, which is significantly more durable. Plus, the better frames now are made of stainless steel. That means the frame will not rust, it is lighter weight and just as durable and rugged as pure steel.

Today’s Walk-in Tubs are available in a variety of sizes. Let's face it, people are not all the same size, so the Walk-in Tubs should be available in sizes to fit the person buying it. Smaller size Walk-in Tubs enable them to fit through doors in the house without having to do major remodeling. And for larger sized individuals, or those who may have to manipulate themselves out of and into a wheelchair after bathing, the doors on the tubs are wider today, thus making entry a lot easier.

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Today’s Walk-in Tubs have more features available to enhance the benefits of water therapy. The air-jetted hydrotherapy system creates thousands of micro-bubbles in the tub that positively affect the entire body. They stimulate the skin and nourish it, creating a gentle massage as the bubbles burst against the skin. It makes for a tremendous rejuvenation of the body. Keep in mind that your body weighs 90% less when submerged in water, easing pressure on joints, ligaments and muscles that don’t normally receive relief. Another system that can be purchased today is the water-jetted massage system. This allows for larger jet ports that are adjustable. You can specifically target parts of your body that need therapeutic attention. The adjustable jets can alter both direction and pressure to reach the maximum comfort level, whether you are treating your back, hips, arms, legs or feet.

Another feature is the inline heater. This is a way to keep the water warm while you’re bathing. It doesn’t continue to increase the temperature (which would eventually become uncomfortable), but rather maintains a comfortable temperature throughout the bathing experience.

Photo Credit: tubking.com

The Walk-in Tub’s safety features have never been better. Not only is there a low entry point or

threshold in entering and exiting the tub (around six inches), there are many other safety features to enhance the tub. The floor and seat are typically slip-resistant. There is also a grab bar located across from the door on the inside wall of the tub to make it easier for getting up and down. The seat is normally ADA-compliant (17 inches) so that there is no unnecessary strain on the back. The hand-held shower sprayer allows one to rinse off while sitting and is within easy reach, just like the faucet and other controls. Today, everything about the tub speaks to the point of safety and ergonomics.

Photo Credit: tubking.com

Our Walk-in Tub's prices have never been lower. I know, there are many companies out there who still charge ridiculous prices for the Walk-in Tub, but there are a few, like Tub King, Inc., which has made these tubs affordable for everyone. I receive emails constantly from potential customers saying, “Why are some firms charging $10,000 to $15,000 for the same Walk-in Tub that you sell for less than $3,000?” Of course they’re wondering if there’s something defective about a Walk- in Tub that’s priced so low. It has nothing to do with higher price/better quality. The answer lies in how companies choose to market their products. Some companies are content to sell fewer tubs (less hassle for them) while marking the price up. Others, (like Tub King, Inc.) would rather sell more volume, thus helping more people obtain their tub at a lower more affordable price.

There has never been a better time to own a Walk-in Tub. Not only does it help with safety in the bathroom, creating independence so that you don’t have to depend on others while performing your own personal hygiene maintenance, relaxing the body, and soothing aching muscles, it can also help with many medical conditions.

One article listed the following areas that might be helped by regular hydrotherapy sessions in a Walk-in Tub:

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Anxiety
Arthritis
Asthma
Balance Challenges
Bronchitis
Chest Congestion
Colds
Diabetes
Fibrosis
Headaches
Hemorrhoids
Insomnia
Joints
Lower Back Pain
Lumbago
Muscle and Nerve Concerns
Poor Circulation
Rheumatism
Sciatica
Shingles
Stress
Varicose Veins

As I mentioned above, there has never been a better time to purchase a Walk-in Tub. No reason to wait. You can get a well-equipped Walk-in Tub at a great price and utilize a professional installer, your own plumber, or maybe even your own skills to install the tub. Most Walk-in tubs will fit right in the spot where you have a bathtub now.

Maybe it’s time to stop reading about it, and take the next step. Your body, mind and spirit will thank you.

In this article, I listed several reasons why now is the best time ever to buy a Walk-in Tub. Today’s models have new and improved design features since they were first introduced about a decade ago. Several upgrades have been made to improve their already high safety standards. Also, new features have been added to provide additional health benefits.

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.

Free Walk-in Tub Buyers' Guide

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’ll personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you.

End-of-the-Year Sale on All Walk-in Tubs! Click Here.

Thanks again for visiting with us.

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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” four years running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to Alan@tubking.com.