Best Alcove Soaking Tubs For You

After a long day, wouldn’t you love a relaxing soak in the tub? The bathtub isn’t just a simple household fixture but an important vessel for washing and relaxing. No doubt showers are refreshing and do the job of getting you clean, but sometimes there’s nothing better than a chill-out session in the tub. Luckily, there are tubs designed to fit into more modestly-sized bathrooms.

Adding a soaking tub to your bathroom is a great way to create a relaxing and functional space you will be excited to use.

Alcove-style bathtubs are the most common style of tubs that we see in homes in our area. If you have one in your home right now, that means that you wouldn’t necessarily need to spend the money to reconfigure your layout to get the tub you’re dreaming about – you just need to change out the tub for a deeper soaking depth!

What Are Alcove Soaking Tubs?

Alcove tubs are connected to walls on three of their four sides. What differentiates a regular tub from a soaking tub is the depth and volume of water it can hold below the overflow.

A standard alcove tub will have an average depth of 14-15 inches with a soaking depth of around 9 inches. Most adults could not have their bodies fully submerged in a standard size tub.

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

Installing Surrounds With Alcove Soaking Tubs

If you have been researching tubs for a while, you may have noticed from looking at different tub options that alcove soaking tubs come with a lip around the edge at the top, called the flange. The flange is what gets attached to the studs in the walls to secure the tub in place.

Here is a photo of what that the flange looks like.

After the tub is installed by being attached to the studs in the wall, your chosen style of surround would be installed. With an alcove soaking tub you can choose to tile down over the flange to seal the edge so water doesn’t get between the tub/shower and the wall, or you can buy alcove surround wall kits that will be installed over the edge of the flange and siliconed in place to keep the water from going where it isn’t supposed to go.

Safety Considerations For Alcove Soaking Tubs

The very thing that we love about alcove soaking tubs, their depth, is also something that can create safety concerns for some people.

Getting in and out of a soaking tub can be more difficult because of the height of the edge that needs to be stepped over. When the tub is slippery, it is even important to consider the safety of those who will be using the tub. That’s why adding grab bars is practical and offers an added sense of security for people of all ages.

When in use, the bottom of the tub may also be slippery, depending on the brand purchased and whether or not it has texture to it. If you find the tub is slippery, you may also want to consider adding non-slip stickers as an added layer of safety. The non-slip treads will be an easy and inexpensive way to ensure safer steps while enjoying your new tub.

Faucets For Alcove Soaking Tubs

When you decide to get add an alcove soaking tub to your bathroom, don’t forget to check on the faucet location for your new tub. You will want to make sure the faucet you choose extends far enough from the wall to reach past the edge of the tub and that it is high enough in the wall to allow for the new taller height of your soaking tub. You’ll want to note if the measurements don’t line up and let your plumber know before install that the valve and faucet will have to be replaced/relocated.

To Sum Up

After returning home from an endless day of tireless work, school, exercise, or play, everyone wants to release stress by taking a bath. To refresh the aches and fatigue that exhaust both the mental and physical body with a bath filled with perfectly tempered water and perfumed bubbles is one of the best things to look forward to after a productive day.
Alcove bathtubs are the best bathtubs that will provide you a comfortable and relaxing bath after a tiring day. And logistically speaking, they’re also easier to clean and care for.

FAQ’s

Can you put a soaking tub in a small bathroom?

Soaking tubs are part of the dream home and owning a small bathroom doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the aroma, sensation, and relaxation of a good soaker tub. The following deep bathtubs are designed for small bathrooms. What they lose in depth or width, they make up in both comfort and price.

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

A soaking bathtub or ‘Japanese’ style is a bathtub that is typically either oval or circular in shape. Generally a fair bit taller than normal bathtubs, the purpose of these is to sit comfortably in place to allow yourself to soak. Soaking tubs average 23 inches in height, while a standard tub typically comes in at under 19 inches.

Are Japanese soaking tubs comfortable?

Built with a bench right inside, these beauties will transform your bathroom into a more luxurious retreat. Japanese soaking tubs bring the ultimate amount of comfort to your bathing experience. The deeper, rounder, and stylish too.

What is a good soaking depth for tub?

Soaking tubs are designed for long, comfortable soaks, so they’re deeper than the typical tub. Standard tub depths allow for approximately 12” of water; soaking tubs should offer at least 14” or more so that the water covers the majority of the bather’s body.

What can Bath Fitter do?

In addition to liners, Bath Fitter offers a full bathtub and shower replacements, where we remove the existing fiberglass tub or shower and install a brand new tub or shower and a seamless, one-piece wall. If you have a bathtub and want to convert it to a full-sized walk-in shower, Bath Fitter can do that too.

What type of bath is good in a small bathroom?

Inset baths are ideal for small spaces as they’re specifically designed to fit flush against walls. If you’ve got any recesses or alcoves then this is the perfect place to fit an inset bath. Additionally, an inset bath is ideal for rooms with a fairly narrow width, as the bath is enclosed by three walls.

Best Alcove Soaking Tubs For You – [In 2021]