A bathtub, also known simply as a bath or tub, is a container for holding water in which a person or animal may bathe.

Most modern bathtubs are made of thermoformed acrylic, porcelain-enameled steel or cast iron, or fiberglass-reinforced polyester. A bathtub is usually placed in a bathroom, either as a stand-alone fixture or in conjunction with a shower.

Modern bathtubs have overflow and waste drains and may have taps mounted on them. They are usually built-in, but may be free-standing or sometimes sunken. Until acrylic thermoforming technology permitted other shapes, virtually all bathtubs used to be roughly rectangular. Bathtubs are commonly white in color, although many other colors can be found.

When it comes to bathtubs, there are quite a few styles to accommodate just about any bathroom with each style placing an emphasis on two key factors: space and material. The amount of space you have will largely influence what style is right for you while you may be inclined to an oval shaped freestanding bathtub, you might only have space enough for a round bathtub.

Complimentary to space, the material will also influence the style as some materials are only made with a specific style such as copper and natural stone.

Freestanding Bathtubs

Possibly one of the most popular styles of bathtubs are freestanding and it’s not difficult to see why. Freestanding bathtubs can freely fit just about any space and don’t require connecting walls to be installed. They also provide a more vibrant centerpiece for your bathroom aesthetically compared to most drop-in tubs and are priced quite evenly to the other options on the market.

Regular

The classic look that has existed since the early 1800s and is widely popular, the normal design for clawfoot’ has been changed today with more of a modern flair, taking away the pegged claws on the base and replacing it with a more sleek, uniform look. Though if you wished, the clawfoot design is still being made today if you prefer that style instead. These are traditionally longer and rectangular in shape, requiring more space than the alternatives.

Oval Bathtub

Contrary to the more classic design of the clawfoot is the oval bathtub. These bathtubs are round in shape and symmetrical, quite similar to a water basin. Quite popular in apartments or smaller homes where space is a premium, these bathtubs have a more modern look that contrasts well against the sharper corners and edges of the rest of your bathroom.

When buying a bathtub, many factors affect the price tag. Before purchasing a bathtub replacement, consider what tubs are made of, how and where the tub will be used, and your budget. With hundreds of shapes and sizes to choose from, buying a tub can be overwhelming. The bathtub material you select determines its price, durability, and cleanability.

Plastic: Made of either fiberglass or acrylic, plastic bathtubs offer the greatest design flexibility because they can be molded into many shapes. It's warm to the touch and insulates well, so water doesn't cool as fast as in enameled-steel bathtubs or cast-iron tubs. Plastic is also the lightest tub, weighing in at 60-70 pounds. Although it doesn't chip easily, abrasive cleaners will damage the surface.

Enameled steel: Formed steel bathtubs with a porcelain-enamel coating are the least expensive tubs. But the material has drawbacks: Steel conducts heat, meaning tub water cools quickly; the surface is prone to chipping; and it weighs about twice as much as plastic.

Cast-iron: Cast-iron tubs, like steel, are coated with enamel. However, they don't chip as easily as steel because the enamel coating is thicker than on steel tubs, and cast iron is more durable and resistant to impacts. At first, a cast-iron tub will pull heat from water, but once it heats up, it will keep water warm for a long time. Cast iron's main drawback is its weight, 350-500 pounds, which may complicate second-floor tub installations.