Built-in bathtubs: types, tips for choosing

Returning home after a working day, many dream of a real and complete rest. The best option is to relax in the bathroom, preferably a spacious one. And if it is also built-in, then this is a double pleasure, physical and aesthetic. It is a pity that this option is practically impossible in a standard apartment, only in a private house. If you really want to install such magic in the apartment space, then you can install a bathtub on the podium.

The main advantage of the built-in bathtub is the fact that it practically does not take up the footage space. This design has its own characteristics.

• The built-in model is characterized by larger dimensions than an ordinary bathtub. Such a container has a flat bottom, and its dimensions are due to the fact that a small model will simply get lost in the floor.
• The built-in model is equipped with small “ladders” on the sides, thanks to which water does not spill onto the floor, so the bath can be “embedded” even into the floor covered with expensive laminate.
• The drain mechanism of the design has a special siphon, manufactured with a special degree of reliability.
• In order for the water to go smoothly into the sewer, it is necessary to improve it by installing a special pumping station - SPS.
• The built-in structure should be located on the first floor of a private house or even in a basement. If you plan to place it on the floor, then you will have to construct a reinforced concrete structure for the foundation of the tank.
• Due to the complexity of installing the built-in model, you will have to think about a water filtration system, since the volume of water - 300 liters - is easier to filter than to drain and collect again.
• Having installed a structure built into the floor, you will need to take care of the area for the shower, since in the bath you can only lie or sit, but you will be deprived of invigorating shower jets.

Like any plumbing, the built-in design has its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros.

• The bathtub located in the floor creates an unforgettable effect and gives a special sophistication to the room for taking hygienic procedures.
• Coming out of the font, you absolutely will not need to step over the high sides that are present in standard products. This is especially true for people with disabilities.
• Those who wish can install additional elements for a comfortable bath: handrails, a headrest, even a TV or radio can be placed at the feet. There are options for installing hydromassage structures or other devices, interesting lighting, in some cases even imitation of sea waves.
• Experts recommend, in case of financial possibilities, to equip the structure with chromotherapy, which will allow contactless treatment with light thanks to electromagnetic radiation of different power. Such procedures are recommended for psychological and cosmetic diseases, as well as for diseases of internal organs.

Minuses:

• no matter how you dream, such a device is practically not installed in an apartment;
• servicing, that is, washing such a bath, is quite difficult: you have to kneel;
• such mini-pools are almost never equipped with a shower; if necessary, you need to buy a shower stall;
• you will have to attend to the installation and completion of the sewer flush;
• it is difficult to install a built-in bath on your own - professional help is needed here;
• the water consumption in such a design is about 300 liters, and you will have to pay for this, and in general, such a unit is financially quite wasteful.

Such products cannot boast of a variety of shapes, except in size. Built-in bathtubs can be made in the following forms:

• round;
• oval;
• rectangular;
• square;
• corner.

Round and oval bathtubs are popular, they look perfect both in various chic interiors and in small and cozy rooms... Models of this shape can be placed in the center of the room; designers recommend installing all other bowls in the corners or near the wall.

In some cases, built-in bathtubs are installed in the so-called podium, the material for which is chosen depending on your financial capabilities and preferences. The podium itself is a frame, monolithic or block structure, towering above the floor.

The method of its installation in the room depends on the material from which the built-in structure is made.

• The classic version is a cast iron product. Cast iron baths are durable and wear-resistant, and the enamel with which they are coated perfectly withstands all chemical detergents. However, the heavy weight of these structures makes it nearly impossible to install them on the podium.

• The steel built-in bathtub can even be installed on a podium. Water heats up very quickly in it - this is a noticeable advantage. However, if the model is poorly fixed in the frame, then it can "lead", that is, the product itself will be deformed, which may cause the enamel to crack.

• Acrylic is one of the most popular materials for the production of sanitary ware, it is from it that bowls of various configurations are obtained.... An acrylic bathtub is good both built into the floor and on the podium as it is lightweight.It does not require any special care in its care, the material is easily washed off, but scratches are the scourge of such models.

• Quaril is a mixture of quartz, acrylic and various additives, an innovative material from which today's plumbing is made. This material combines the durability of cast iron and the weightlessness of acrylic.

• Some beauty connoisseurs prefer stone baths, natural and artificial. This material is quite exquisite, so it is inappropriate to hide it on the podium. And the weight of such a structure is significant. Otherwise, there are only advantages, with the exception of the price, because such baths are not cheap.

• Antiquity lovers may prefer copper baths, which are characterized by antiseptic properties. But designers do not recommend “hiding” such beauty on the floor or on the podium.

• A bathroom made of wood creates a unique flavor in the room. It is clear that this material is environmentally friendly, but the glue with which the components of the structure are joined is not so harmless. And about the durability is a moot point.

A high-quality bathtub should serve the owners for more than 15 years, so you need to choose it without haste, thinking over every nuance. The size of the bath is one of the important factors when choosing it.

There are standard sizes for built-in structures.

• Small bathtubs 70 cm wide have a length of 120-130 cm. This is not quite enough for complete relaxation, you will have to take a bath in a half-sitting position. The volume of water consumed in such a font is up to 140 liters.

• Medium-sized built-in structures are containers with a width of 65 to 70 cm, and in length - from half a meter to 180 cm. They hold up to 195 liters of water.

• Large, voluminous acrylic bathtubs "recessed" into the floor are suitable for stylish and modern design. For example, as an option, you can consider an acrylic rectangular model measuring 170x70x41 cm. The considerable length - 179 cm will allow you to completely relax in the font, having received full pleasure.

An oval bathtub, which is no more than 85 cm wide and 170 cm long, will look perfect in a small room.

When it comes to personal comfort, your preferred shades and colors play a special role.

• White is a classic of the genre. He is noble and solemn. A snow-white bathtub, sunken into the floor, covered with black tiles, will amaze anyone's imagination.

• Bathroom in red invigorates, adjusts to energetic actions. For some, this color can be annoying, so you can smooth out persistent shades with white or similar in tone.

• Shade of blue will look good in small rooms. If you use a combination of blue and white, you can visually increase the footage of the bathroom.

• Bathroom in yellow shades - an example of a positive design decision. Here you can use all sorts of tones and shades that go well with other colors.

• Recently, Japanese-style bathrooms are gaining in popularity. This is true for the smallest rooms. The white room with a wooden podium resembles a piece of the country where sakura blossoms so beautifully. This combination of colors emphasizes the naturalness of the material.

• Ethnic style - this is also a play of color in combination with wood. Here you can use a different palette of shades: from calm Scandinavian to vibrant African. To emphasize such an unusual design, you can use accessories and furniture: cabinets, figurines, lamps.

Following the advice of designers, rectangular recessed structures are best placed along a wall or by a window.

For round or oval bathtubs built into the floor or located on a podium, it is recommended to install them in the center of spacious rooms.

If the bathroom is spacious, then a rectangular model "recessed" into the floor can become a "feature" of the design.

When choosing a built-in bath, it is best to follow the recommendations of the designers:

• round and oval bathtubs look great both by the window and in the middle of the room, they fit perfectly into any design;
• the bathroom in the podium enlivens the design of the room, but additional plumbing work will need to be done in the room in order to install sewage drains, so you will have to invest financially;
• for people of tall stature, a product with a size of 170x70 should be selected, only then it will be possible to fully stretch the legs in it;
• the height and width of the product are also important: the height of the bowl should be at least 60 cm, then it will be easy to get out of it;
• in order to stay at the ideal width, you can sit down in the font itself and check that there is at least 5 cm on both sides of the body;
• additional functions will bring positive emotions to your vacation;
• the tiles covering the floor around the bathtub are best chosen with an anti-slip surface, and if your hot tub is on a podium, you can add steps.

Natural stone baths have recently become more and more popular. It's expensive, but well-designed and well worth it. The wall around the structure can also be decorated with stone-like tiles, consider accessories and unusual lighting.

A small room can be visually enlarged by combining beige and white tiles. A round white bathtub on a dark beige podium against a snow-white wall is an example of grace and minimalism. Comfortable steps of the same beige shade, light accessories, including a sink, a bedside table and geometric lamps - an impeccable option for decorating a comfortable room.

The bathroom is the perfect option to indulge yourself. With a wise choice, you can get one hundred percent results.

For how to install a built-in bath, see the next video.