If you’re remodeling your bathroom, you should consider the drop-in tub for the luxurious experience it offers through its features. But first, you need to understand what a drop in tub is so that you can use its variety of options in materials, dimensions, and shapes to express your tastes.
In this blog, we’ll explore drop-in tubs and the features that make them stand apart from other bathtubs. Then, we’ll break down this tub’s range of cost and other factors you should consider before you buy one.
What Is a Drop in Bathtub?
A drop-in bathtub is a tub that has unfinished sides. Usually, it has a surrounding platform that hides the unfinished parts of the tub and the plumbing. Furthermore, it rests on the floor or on a raised platform created for it. Therefore, its weight will affect whether you can place it in your bathroom. Additionally, it generally has a lip or rim. Alternatively, it could have no rim, meaning the only part of the bath visible is on the inside.
Let’s dive deeper into the different features of drop-in tubs.
Materials
The inside or ‘shell’ of this bathtub usually consists of one of these materials:
- Acrylic: One of the most popular materials for this tub is acrylic. It’s popular because it’s fairly inexpensive and provides the strength required to support the weight of a full tub. Moreover, it’s lightweight, making it safe to install in your home. Plus, it’s easy to clean.
- Cast Iron: Another material you can use in this tub is cast iron. This material is very durable. However, it’s much more expensive than its alternatives. Furthermore, its heavy weight makes it tricky to install, requiring additional professionals to maneuver it and increasing the installation cost.
- Fiberglass: Though this material is popular due to its affordability, it’s not durable. This material warps, and the surface is porous. Therefore, it can stain more easily than other materials.
Meanwhile, the surrounding platform is usually made of wood. Then, there’s a surface that’s more suited for a wet environment added on top of the wood. Popular surface options are tiles and stones.
Types
This tub comes in 3 different types, separated by their depth and additional features. Since these tubs are highly versatile, you can purchase one that mixes the features of these types, creating a hybrid. Here are the 3 types of drop-in tubs:
- Soaking Drop-in Tub: This type of tub is long and deep, allowing you to comfortably lie down and soak. Usually, the faucet is on the opposite side, near your feet. Alternatively, you can place it in the middle of one of the long sides of the bath, making it easier to reach. This type of tub can fit one or two people.
- Japanese Drop-in Tub: In a Japanese-style tub, you can soak up to the shoulders while sitting up. Therefore, it’s much deeper than the other types.
- Jetted Drop-in Tub: This type of tub has jets that pump air to create an effervescent sensation or a whirlpool effect in the water. This feature transforms your bath time into a spa-like experience.
Dimensions and Shape
This tub is very versatile in terms of shape, which is why you can find a drop-in bath in whatever style you want. Whether rectangular, oval, or round, these tubs are only limited by your preferences.
When it comes to dimensions, they’re also varied. Since this tub can be in the middle of a bathroom or in a corner, there are different sizes available.
Here’s a table exploring the average size range:
| Dimension | Size |
| Length | 5 ft – 7 ft |
| Depth | 1.3 ft – 1.5 ft |
| Width | 2.5 ft – 3.5 ft |
The Cost of Drop-In Bathtubs
Now that you know what a drop-in tub is, let’s explore its cost. The price tag on this bath depends on the material you choose, its features, and the intricacy of the installation. While the tub can cost as little as $300, the more extravagant designs can even reach well above $13,000.
Here’s the average cost of this bathtub based on materials, type, and the complexity of installation:
| Bathtub | Cost |
| Jetted Tub | $1,500 – $5,000 |
| Cast Iron Tub | $3,000 – $3,500 |
| Acrylic Tub | $500 – $13,800 |
| Fiberglass | $300 – $4,500 |
| Simple Installation | $500 – $1,500 |
| Moderate Installation | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Complex Installation | $3,000 – $22,000 |
Therefore, the total cost of purchasing and installing the tub could be as little as $800. At a maximum, you might pay $40,800.
Is a Drop in Bathtub Right for You?
With the knowledge of what a drop in bath is and its varied cost and features, you may have decided as to whether you will choose this tub. However, if you’re still hesitating, consider these pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Space Efficient | Requires a Platform |
| Affordable | Difficult to Enter/Exit |
| Variety of Designs | Placement Limitations |
| Easy to Maintain | Difficult to Access Plumbing |
| Easy to Replace | |
| Varied Dimensions |
Let’s further explore these pros and cons:
The Pros
Here are the benefits of choosing a drop-in tub:
- Space Efficient: This tub takes up little space yet allows you to create storage areas. Plus, you can fit it in corners and alcoves.
- Affordable: At its cheapest, this tub can cost $300 which matches the cost of other inexpensive bathtubs.
- Variety of Designs: You can select a variety of designs in the tub and the platform, even adding steps and handles for convenience.
- Easy to Maintain: They’re easy to clean since they have a simple platform that’s easy to clean.
- Easy to Replace: This tub is one of the easiest to replace or update.
- Varied Dimensions: There is a wide range of dimensions, so you can select a tub based on your specific needs.
The Cons
Drop-in tubs also have these drawbacks:
- Requires a Platform: Unlike some other tubs, such as freestanding ones, this type of tub has a more complex installation and uses more materials due to the platform.
- Difficult to Enter/Exit: It can be difficult to enter/exit for children and those with mobility issues.
- Placement Limitations: All the plumbing must be within the platform, which limits the placement of the tub to only directly above where the plumbing is available.
- Difficult to Access Plumbing: If your tub malfunctions, accessing the plumbing is difficult.
Conclusion
Now you know that a drop-in tub is a bathtub with a surrounding platform. The tub’s shell has unfinished sides, while the outside platform usually has a surface of tiles or stones. Moreover, it comes in three types: jute, soaking, or Japanese.
The cost of this tub depends on the material and type you choose. Cast iron tubs and jetted tubs with complex installations are the most expensive, totaling a maximum of $40,800. However, you can select a cheaper model, which could cost you $800 in total. Therefore, consider all these factors as you choose whether to include this tub in your bathroom.