Freestanding baths vs. built in? Main bathroom

Participant

Participant

Participant

Caporegime
Joined
13 May 2003
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34,630
Location
Warwickshire
Hi all

I'm about to start on my main bathroom project (est. 1990?) and just trying to decide between built-in bath vs. freestanding.

Any opinions from people that have freestanding baths are gratefully received - they seem to be very much in fashion and I do like the idea of a really deep bath, but are they a pain in the bum to clean behind, is the plumbing / installation harder, any other downsides?

I've obviously used them in hotels etc. but never had one in my own house living with one every day.

The room layout, which will be kept largely the same as it works and the plumbing is in the right place, is as follows:

20251231-101347.jpg


It's quite a large bathroom so I have options but the broad plan is wall-hung WC and vanity and wet-area / walk-in shower with lots of stud work for niches, shelves, and a recessed cabinet.

Many thanks.

P.S. sorry about the female paraphernalia - please ignore, I just noticed it and cbf to edit / retake!
 
Don't have one myself but worth considering how you'll be able to route the pipe to the taps and the waste pipe and any aesthetic implications that might have
 
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Participant said:
P.S. sorry about the female paraphernalia - please ignore, I just noticed it and cbf to edit / retake!
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Who cares? I'm more concerned about your safety standing on that toilet to take the picture :D

They're not too bad to clean behind, assuming you don't struggle with bending or movement. You can put as much clearance as you like around it.
Pipes/waste require the most thought as 5abr3 mentioned but most/lots have the taps in the middle so they kinda hide behind the bath itself to a degree, or wall mount the taps totally separate from the bath and hide pipework behind that.
I assume your floor is fine to support 4 legs at the points where they'll sit?
 
We have one and I love it. Looks beautiful and you don't see the piping unless you happen to be laying on the floor for some reason. Then again, it was here when we bought the house so i don't know if it was trickier than normal to install etc.
 
Seems like a nightmare to clean behind you just end up with an area to clean that needs a contortionist.

If you want a really deep bath you don’t have to get a freestander. Check out omnitub. They make super deep baths in interesting shapes.
 
This would work well and will be larger inside than most freestanding.

www.westsidebathrooms.co.uk

Beaufort Biscay 1800 x 750mm Single Ended Curved Bath

The Beaufort Biscay 1800 x 750mm Single Ended Curved Bath from Beaufort is named after the curved Gulf of the Biscay Sea region off the coast of France and Spain. With its robust design, distinctive rounded edges, and plenty of space, the bath evokes the Biscay region. This Single-Ended
www.westsidebathrooms.co.uk www.westsidebathrooms.co.uk

As has been mentioned, a freestanding bath are awful to clean behind.
 
Mason- said:
Seems like a nightmare to clean behind you just end up with an area to clean that needs a contortionist.

If you want a really deep bath you don’t have to get a freestander. Check out omnitub. They make super deep baths in interesting shapes.
Click to expand...
exact reason I've always avoided them however nice they look (and probably are)
 
We have a free standing bath with one of those taps that come directly out of the floor, up and over like a hook. Not really any more difficult to plumb in.

Cleaning behind is easy enough to do, leaning over the side of the bath or from the side at ground level with one if those dusters/rags with a 2ft handle.

Granted it's a little more of a faff but not a deal breaker I don't think.
 
I went for a 'half and half'. One side is against a wall, and water sealed. The other (where I can reach, and clean) is freestanding.

EnSuiteDone2.jpg
 
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