The fourth and front side of the tub, one of the longer sides, is finished and is called an “apron.” The apron covers the exposed side of the alcove and adds support and style to the bathtub.

How do you install a tub apron?

Install the apron by sliding the upper edge of the apron under the edge of the bathtub and centre the apron between the two walls. Maintain the apron in position and insert the plastic thumb screws through the holes under the lower edge of the apron and in the hardware (Fig. 7.1). Do not over-tighten.

What are skirted tubs?

A Skirted tub has one finished side and is placed between two walls and attached on the back side.

What is the difference between a bathtub and an alcove bathtub?

The term alcove doesn’t refer to the shape or size of the bathtub, but the installation. Alcove tubs are unfinished on three sides with the fourth side, usually one of the long sides, finished with a tub apron. The tub gets installed into an alcove section of the bathroom with three of its sides enclosed by a wall.

What is the difference between a skirted and alcove tub?

An alcove tub and a skirted drop-in tub are very similar, with the only difference being their installation. An alcove tub is made to fit into a space joined by three walls, whereas a skirted tub will always have one completely open side.

Can you put a drop in tub in an alcove?

Yes, drop in tubs can be installed in an alcove, but they’re more commonly installed in more open spaces, freestanding or jutting out from a wall. Depending on the size of the bathroom, a drop in tub installed in an alcove may provide less space; one may be able to fit a larger tub into another space in the room.

Do you tile over tub lip?

The best approach when installing cement board or other tile backer around a tub is to keep the cement board out of the lip area. Apply it to the wall with the bottom edge about 1/4 in. above the lip of the tub. Then apply a generous amount of thin-set to the bottom bathtub tile and position it 1/8 in.

Can you tile the front of an alcove tub?

The aprons that are cast into alcove bathtubs simplify the tub installation, but they often come up a bit short in the style department. One way to improve the appearance of a plain apron and create the look of a built-in tub is simply to build and tile a short wall in front of the tub.

What is 3 wall alcove bathtub?

3-wall alcove tub-shower combinations are the most common tub type and are designed to maximize space. The unfinished ends usually get sandwiched between an exterior wall and a handy built-in storage cabinet. A wall-mounted shower is a typical accompaniment. Drop-in tubs are the tub shell only.

What does an alcove tub mean?

Alcove Bathtubs. Alcove tubs, which are surrounded by walls on three sides. The front side is then covered with an integral tub apron. Right and left-handed drains are available and are selected depending on your bathroom configuration.

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What is an alcove soaking tub?

The term refers to the bathtub being installed into a recess in your bathroom, which means quite commonly they are installed with three joining walls or a pocket alcove in your bathroom, with some modern designs only having two walls or a large window to remove the confined nature of this installation method.

What is a garden tub?

A garden tub is a soaking tub, always freestanding, oval shaped and deep enough to submerge your entire body inside. Growing increasingly in popularity, this style of bathtub is a more luxurious option to the more standard bathtub choices on the market.

Are all bathtubs 60 inches?

In general, standard dimensions will give you a rough figure for the size of the bathtub. However, they all vary depending on the shape and type of bathtub you are looking to purchase. For a typical standard, wall-wall bathtub, the measures will be roughly 60 inches long, 30-32 inches wide.

Can you put a freestanding tub in an alcove?

We often get asked whether it is suitable to install a freestanding bathtub in an alcove. The answer – absolutely! Freestanding bathtubs have been around for nearly 150 years, and they are still part of every day design. Available in endless shapes, colors and sizes.

What is an air tub?

What is an Air Tub? As the name suggests, an air bath uses jets of air to deliver a full-body massage experience. Warm air is pushed through a staggered airjet design, creating thousands of tiny, invigorating bubbles that surround your body to give you a sensation of weightlessness.

How much space should be between tile and tub?

Bathtubs, believe it or not, will expand when filled with water. Leaving a 1/16″ gap between the tub and tile will prevent the tile from cracking when the tub expands. Plus, a 1/16″ gap allows the caulk to properly fill the space and waterproof the transition between the tile and tub or shower.

What is a shower lip?

Shower curbs serve as the border between the floor of the shower pan and the bathroom floor. … They are common elements in custom-made showers and tie into the shower pan itself so that everything is completely waterproof and capable of standing up to continual exposure to moisture and use.

Should I caulk between tile and tub?

As with any other gap near your bathtub, you’ll want to close the opening to prevent any possible water damage or the onset of mold and mildew. Since you are joining two different materials together, you should use caulk in the space where the floor tile and tub meet.

What is the difference between a drop-in and alcove bathtub?

When comparing alcove vs drop-in bathtubs, drop-in tubs offer more flexibility in shape, size and design options. Alcove tubs must fit into a specified space between three walls, while drop-in tubs can fit any space. Also, alcove tubs are less expensive and more easily accessible than drop-in bathtubs.

What is a slide in tub?

A slide-in tub is a bathtub with a a chair-height surface inside to sit on and a door in the sidewall that permits a bather to enter through the side of the tub.

What is the difference between a soaking tub and regular tub?

Deeper than the average bathtub, soaking tubs are designed to offer the ultimate in relaxation by allowing you to fully submerge. … When it comes to size, soaking tubs blow regular tubs out of the water, with some topping out at 90 inches in length and 76 inches in width—big enough to accommodate two bathers.

What type of bathtub is best?

• Porcelain enameled cast iron (Cast Iron) – Best All Around; See Kohler Cast Iron Bathtubs.
• Thermoformed acrylic (Acrylic) – Better to Excellent; See Kohler Acrylic Bathtubs and Aquatic Bathtubs.

Which tub is better acrylic or fiberglass?

Acrylic is much more durable than a fiberglass tub. The chance of an acrylic tub chipping, cracking or fading is unlikely. Fiberglass tubs can fade and get cracked and scratched over time. Both styles can be cleaned with simple cleaning solutions.

Which bathtub brand is best?

1. Aqua Eden Kingston Alcove Bathtub. …
2. American Standard 5-Foot Bathtub (Our Top Pick) …
3. Sinkology Heisenberg Claw-Foot Bathtub. …
4. Kohler Expanse Bathtub. …
5. Vista Copper Euclid Roll-Up Bathtub. …
6. Ove Decors Houston Freestanding Bathtub. …
7. Buchanan Cast Iron Slipper Tub.

What is integral apron?

Integral apron Exposed external wall of a bathtub or whirlpool bath. It may be integral to the overall structure of the fixture or may be removable for access to whirlpool pump and motor.

Can you put tile on the side of a bathtub?

Tiling the entirety of a plastic tub is a do-it-yourself-only project. A plastic tub is not a solid enough surface to adhere tile to, as there is too much flexibility, which means it is not rated for adhesion with the mastics and thinset mortars available with tile, with the exception of epoxy.

How are alcove tubs measured?

Using a power tape, measure the edge of the tub from one end to another for height and width. To measure the height of the bathtub, take measurement from the floor to the top.

What is the deepest alcove tub?

On the other hand, alcove soaking tubs can vary on their depth and size, but will generally have a depth of 19-20 inches with 14 or more inches of soaking depth.

How do you install a tub in an alcove?

1. Step 1: Frame the Alcove. …
2. Step 2: Build a Level Subfloor. …
3. Step 3: Make a Cutout for the Drain. …
4. Step 4: Install the Drain Rough-In and Tub Faucet Valve. …
5. Step 5: Dry-Fit the Bathtub. …
6. Step 6: Install the Tub Drain. …
7. Step 7: Lay a Mortar Bed (Optional) …
8. Step 8: Set and Fasten the Tub.

What is a deep tub?

A deep soaking bathtub is a compact bath that is shorter but deeper than conventional baths. Essentially, it relies on depth rather than length for its capacity and comfort. … The experience is significantly different from lying in a bath that is merely large.

What is the best depth for a soaking tub?

So how deep should a soaking tub be? Keeping in mind the water depth measurement, aim for a minimum of 14 to 15 inches of water depth. This level should be deep enough to cover most of a person’s frame. Some tubs, like Japanese soaking tubs, offer water depths of more than 22 inches deep.