<p>Finally redoing the master bath, yay!!! I was shocked to see that drop in bathtubs range from $300-$5000. I prefer the lower end :-). Would appreciate any tips on qualities with paying more for. I’m dumping the jacuzzi since my informal poll turned up zero people who use them, so I just want a plain drop-in bath tub.</p>
<p>We have hard water so need something that won’t stain easily!</p>
<p>I love my old clawfooted tub because it is DEEP. That is the key thing to me. If you are a person who actually likes to take baths, you want a deep tub. Many drop ins are too shallow. A wide tub is not desirable. (One of the reasons why almost no one actually uses those humongous jacuzzis. Who wants to fill it up?) Avoid tubs with ridged bottoms meant to stop people slipping in the shower: they are unpleasant to a bather. </p>
<p>We have a drop-in tub in our thousand-year-old bathroom that is yellow. Nothing wrong with the tub – but did I mention it’s yellow? Has anyone ever had a tub painted? How did that work out??</p>
<p>I was recently on a job site where they had had the tub refinished. It looked like new. </p>
<p>I agree with consolation, the most important feature of a tub, is enough depth that you can actually soak in it. In my experience air tubs are better than jetted, but you probably still won’t use them enough to justify the cost.</p>
<p>I use my jacuzzi, but will go for long periods without, then feel guilty for all the gallons it takes to fill it, then feel like I didn’t stay in long enough to justify using all that water. But I would probably do it again, maybe just a little narrower. The depth is great though, and the kids did enjoy “swimming” in it when they were little.</p>
<p>I’ve seen ads for inserts that drop in over existing tubs. Wonder how those work? </p>
<p>Good friend has a longer tub, and deeper. It’s nice but doesn’t get much use.</p>
<p>I like my very large tub, which easily fits 2 adults and 3 kids and their toys. Not worth the expense to switch to jacuzzi. Not a big cost to refinish, but definitely would not add a fit-in tub. Work with what you have. </p>
<p>I love my Japanese soaking tub, which is 33" deep and 40" around and uses 45 gallons of water to fill to neck depth. It is designed for one person sitting, not lying back, and is amazing.</p>
<p>Looks like most of them are acrylic! Anyone mail order a bathtub? I guess acrylic would be light weight.</p>
<p>When it comes to bathtubs, the deeper the better, as the majority already said. Jets, IMO, are overrated and are a dirt magnet.</p>
<p>For the yellow tub person, I recently had my nasty old shower pan refinished by one of those bathtub refinishing places. The first time the paint bubbled up a bit so they came back and redid it. It smelled awful for a few hours but we just opened the windows and cranked up all the fans for a few hours. It cost $199 and covered our perfectly serviceable, but hideously stained, mystery concrete/terrazzo/godknowswhat shower pan that is 50+ years old. </p>
<p>I wanted a simple fix, with nothing torn out and this fit the bill. Plus, you can’t get these heavy shower pans easily anymore. </p>
<p>We renovated our house when we moved. The pink is gone- including the large soaker tub. We replaced it with one of the same dimensions- it was large. You need to first figure out the size you have- outer dimensions, not inner. We ordered our through Home Depot and caught a great price on a Kohler tub- listed for hundreds more later. Our contractor was surprised- he had suggested American Standard because it is usually cheaper. Our old WI home had the jets, here in FL the old tub did not and we did not bother with the extra expense. Climate matters. We never use the tub here- use (unheated) pool summers here. Not much into long, hot baths here.</p>
<p>We redid our bathroom about 4 years ago. Have what I think is an drop in tub-- bug sucker-- jetted, which we use not as often as we should,but enjoy it when we do. Its a Kohler. Looks like this, but with jets <a href=“http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Purist-72-x-46-drop-in-bath-with-reversible-drain/productDetail/Baths/421563.htm?brandId=429429&categoryId=429297”>http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Purist-72-x-46-drop-in-bath-with-reversible-drain/productDetail/Baths/421563.htm?brandId=429429&categoryId=429297</a></p>
<p>The top edged reversible drain prevents overflosing. Cool reature</p>
<p>IF you want a free standing tub, there are some fun shaped tubs out there now <a href=“http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Baths/content/CNT2400361.htm”>http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Baths/content/CNT2400361.htm</a></p>
<p>The clawfoot ones tend to be a real dust bunny collector, from what I hear.</p>
<p>I recently asked a handyman about those liners, and he said that they damage easily, repairs look bad, and that water sometimes gets in between the liner and the tub, with the bottom floating and squishing. They will tile a bathroom. I imagine that is more profitable for them, and easier to get materials, but the thought of having to replace one of those liners turned me off.</p>
<p>I regret getting an acrylic replacement tub, and if I were going to do it all over again, I go with porcelain or cast iron. The contractor pressured us to use acrylic because it was easier to install (lighter). We got a Kohler acrylic tub (a nice one as acrylic tubs go) and I still don’t like it. It creaks.</p>
<p>We redid the master bath 5 years ago and replaced a marble tub with a Kohler Archer acylic jetted tub. About 6 months later, a maid service dripped amber colored oil from a reed diffuser and the tub is now permanently stained. I will never use acrylic again!</p>
<p>I will count my lucky stars. No problems with the acrylic tub. Ours has a heater too so the water stays warm. Hmmm… maybe I ought to use it more often!</p>
<p>Yes, in-line heater is the best!</p>
<p>So I had no idea they made heated tubs. That is pretty awesome. </p>
<p>Both our master baths (we have two homes) have 5 ft. Jacuzzi tubs. I love them. They don’t take as much water to fill as the longer tubs and they fit me, sitting, just fine. I use my tubs both with and without the jets. </p>