A Comparison of Freestanding and Built-in Baths ? The Essential Factors You have to Remember

When you walk into a random house ? any house, pick one ? and visit the bathroom, you?ll probably notice that the bath you find is, more likely than not, a built-in one. It's normal and it's convenient; English houses aren't exactly famous for their large bathrooms, and built-in baths are simply the most logical choice for most homeowners. On the other hand, more and more people are opting to install freestanding baths, and there are some good reasons for this as well. In case you're wondering which type of bath would fit best in your residence, here's a comparison of freestanding and built-in baths: the essential factors you have to remember.

Built-in baths

Built-in baths are placed directly on one or two walls and usually have the benefit of completely hiding the plumbing that's involved. More often than not, the tap is located on the wall and ? especially in smaller bathrooms ? can be combined in an easy compromise of combination shower and bath. Another advantage is that it is possible to mount a shelf or rack on the wall near the bath to store towels, soap, shampoo, and other essentials.

They come in various shapes and sizes ? the classic oval or rectangle, for example ? but can also come in the form of corner baths or baths that are fitted with spa jets for that extra comfortable experience.

Freestanding baths

Freestanding baths are not like built-in baths in that they are not installed against one or more walls; free-standing literally means that they are not attached to anything, and so it's possible to walk around the bath without encountering any obstacles. Not only does this feature create a feeling of luxury, space and comfort, it also gives you a bathing experience you could previously only experience in a spa.

To get the best out of your free-standing bath, it's recommended that it is installed as close to the centre of the bathroom as possible. Often it is placed on a raised platform, which makes it (quite literally) the central feature of the bathroom. They are amazing from a design point of view, but have the disadvantage of requiring modified plumbing.

Essentially, it comes down to this: freestanding baths tend to be more expensive to install (not just because of the bath itself, but also because of the required planning regarding plumbing). The freestanding bath does provide a more expensive alternative. However, the elegance a freestanding bath affords is simply marvellous, and it does elevate the bathing experience to a whole new level. Even if you have a small bathroom, no need to worry ? there are also small freestanding baths you can choose from today. If you're tired of the classic and want to live in style, freestanding baths may be a better option.