Trend Alert - Freestanding Bathtubs

Trend Alert - Freestanding Bathtubs

Freestanding baths have become one of the hottest style trends. Some people are looking for that “old world charm”, while others gravitate toward freestanding baths to position them as works of art with a more contemporary flair. By their very nature, they draw attention to themselves, thereby easily becoming the focal point of the bathroom.
 
Traditionally, freestanding baths had been constructed of enamel-coated cast iron and sometimes supported by “feet”. As a result, they are sometimes referred to as “claw foot tubs”, even though all of today’s freestanding bathtubs do not have claw feet. Although cast iron freestanding baths are still available, other materials have become more desirable because cast iron has several disadvantages:

• First, they are very heavy.
• Secondly, their thermo-retentive properties are low, which results in bath water becoming colder more quickly.
• Finally, because of the manufacturing material and process itself, designs and styles are rather limited.

Today’s freestanding bathtubs are available in alternative materials, the best of which are cast acrylic and Engineered Solid Stone™.


Freestanding tubs in acrylic
 Acrylic tub shells are thermoformed in cast acrylic, which is extremely scratch-and stain-resistant. The color of this material is consistent throughout its thickness, making its finish renewable for long-term durability and beauty. This non-porous surface also makes cleaning and sanitizing faster and more effective. The acrylic shell is then reinforced with a thick layer of fiberglass/resin/titanium backing for structural integrity. This thick backing also helps retain bath water warmth longer.

Some manufacturers, such as MTI Baths, produce acrylic freestanding tubs that include a second, important element, and that is the incorporation of a unique two-piece design in their construction. The interior “bowl” of the tub with the thick backing actually fits within a second, outer shell, which has the same thick backing. This unique two-piece construction has significant benefits:

• Structural integrity and strength are maximized.
• The shape and contours of the bathing well can be designed differently from those of the outer shell, creating great design flexibility. For instance, the outside of the tub could be symmetrical but the inside asymmetrical.
• The void between the outer and inner shells also provides space for equipping freestanding tubs with an air bath system, thereby allowing the combination of one of the latest, most popular technologies with the charm of yesterday’s freestanding baths.

While beautiful and impressive, until now freestanding tubs have required freestanding floor-mounted faucetry which is expensive, and the selection of styles and finishes is somewhat limited, especially if the user is trying to coordinate finishes with other hardware in the bathroom.  So recently, some manufacturers have designed freestanding tubs with a stylized rolled lip that transitions into a flat top that widens out on one side to accommodate deck-mounted faucetry. This provides buyers with tremendous latitude and choices in styles and finishes of plumbing fixtures, while at the same time helping them contain costs.



Freestanding tubs in engineered stone material

An increasingly popular material for freestanding tub construction falls into the general category of Engineered Solid Surface. These tubs are created using some form of stone, whether limestone, cultured marble or something similar. Some of these products are then coated with a surface treatment of Gel Coat.

Manufacturers such as MTI go a step further and use a material which they call “Engineered SolidStone™”. This material is a mixture of ground natural minerals and binding agents that are liquefied, poured and then hardened. More than 60% of the material is organic, and the finished product is solid through-and-through, with no layers, hollow or void areas. The result is molded stone. The benefits:

• The color of this material is consistent throughout its thickness, making its finish renewable for long-term durability and beauty.
• This material is non-porous, stain-, mold- and mildew-resistant, making cleaning and maintenance easy.
• The composition of MTI’s “ESS” material, as well as its solid thickness of over 1”, provides excellent insulation to help maintain bath water warmth.
• MTI’s Solid Stone construction also allows the inclusion of an air bath system for enhanced therapy and bathing enjoyment.

Summing it up

Freestanding tubs will continue to grow in popularity as homeowners strive to create their one-of-a kind spa-like sanctuary. Technology will continue to offer more options and features. New materials will enable greater latitude in developing new styles and shapes to accommodate an even broader range of tastes and environments.




To find out more about MTI Baths and to purchase,
please call our showroom at (718)-336-6900
This article has been written by MTI Baths, in collaboration with the Focal Point Design Team