A Realistic Comparison between Freestanding Baths and Built-In Baths: Which is Best?
If you're thinking about getting a bath for your bathroom ? whether you're designing a new bathroom or remodeling an old one ? then you're in good company; the bath will not only give you hours and hours of pleasure for years to come, it will also be a good addition to the home and add value to your investment. However, choosing the right bath for you and your family can be tricky, and the decision needs some thought. Not all baths are the same, and the market offers many alternatives. Thinking about a bath? Here's a realistic comparison between freestanding baths and built-in baths: which is best?
The built-in bath
The built-in bath is the classic version, the one we are all familiar with. It is seen as the standard for most homes, and there are good reasons for this. Usually the plumbing outlets (the taps) are mounted on the wall, and it's common to see a shelf on the wall to house the essential bathing materials. 
The built-in bath is mounted against the wall or tucked in a corner, and the one we see most commonly.
The advantages
The advantages of the built-in bath are:
- They fit into most any bathroom, even the smaller ones
- They are easier to install
- Most houses have the ready plumbing requirements
The freestanding bath
The freestanding bath, on the other hand, is in a class of its own. Though it's still considered a luxury, it's becoming more and more popular. Imagine bathing with a 360 view of your surroundings; imagine the look and feel of space all around you.
The advantages
Here are just some of the advantages of freestanding baths:
- Elegant and sophisticated, with a real spa-like feel
- A wide range of designs, lending your bathroom an extra touch of beauty
- Easy to maintain, without fear of leaking or dripping of water at unreachable places
- They're more affordable than you may think!
The truth is that there is no perfect choice to be made ? the right choice will depend on many factors, such as your budget, your plumbing and electrical network in the bathroom, the time you have to enjoy the bath, the size and make-up of your family, as well as your personal taste. However, there are a lot of reasons why the freestanding bath is becoming more and more popular; the elegance and luxurious feel afforded by the freestanding bath is something people with a busy lifestyle crave more and more. In addition, the value added to the home by a freestanding bath is considerably larger than the traditional built-in bath. Choose wisely ? the type of bath you choose is bound to make a big difference.