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Bath Buying Guide

Whether it’s for relaxation or for bathing the dog, the bathtub is a defining feature in your bathroom. There’s a massive range of options depending on how you plan to use it, so don’t rush into a decision. Really think about how you can balance style and function.

“A lot of people want to go with an inset bath because they’re cheaper. They may be cheaper, but the cost of tiling and finishing may end up making it similar to the cost of a free-standing bath.”

Regina Veal | Tradelink Berrimah

Toilet, back-to-wall bath, overhead shower, and wall-mounted towel holder against a white & wooden backdrop with wooden flooring

Bath product range

People have strong opinions about baths. They absolutely MUST have one no matter how small the space. Or, they dream of a beautiful, statement tub. Or, it has to be deep enough so their knees don’t get cold. Don’t worry we have all bases (and knees) covered. Our range expands across a full spectrum of sizes, uses, shapes and budgets. We have practical tubs and luxurious ones. If you need help deciding, simply ask our showroom consultants.

A good bath can last forever. We can help you find a bath to suit your needs and add value to your home.

Quality brands

We know many of our customers prefer to shop local. Most of our baths are made by longstanding and trusted Australian brands, including Raymor, Fienza and Decina, among other trusted local and international suppliers. These brands all focus on quality and style. They take different measures to guarantee durability, reinforcement, scratch resistance, sanitary grade finishes, compliance with Australian standards, plus elegance and innovation. All with affordable and statement options.

Materials and colours

There is so much to choose from. Baths come in fibreglass, acrylic, porcelain, enamelled steel, composite stone, copper or even wood, and that’s not everything. Lighter materials like fibreglass sit at the more affordable end of the range. More luxury materials, like stone or concrete, are not only a higher price, but also a heavier option and better able to resist damage.

While most baths are acrylic high-gloss white, you can also get white with a stone-look finish. This gives you an extra level of elegance at a fraction of the cost of actual stone! If you want something striking, you can opt for matte grey or matte black, or a stunning black and white contrast. Every material has a different feel, which can affect comfort as well as price, look and longevity.

Shapes

Who knew there could be so many different shapes for baths? Sloping backrests, corner shapes, deep soaker style, round, oval, clean sharp edges, ultrathin, traditional, clawfoot… *inhale*… dual recline style, droplet design, baths with lumber support, baths with moulded arm rests, flared skirts, panel style details... We could go on, but we’ve run out of breath. You get the point. Even with limited space, you can really make a design statement by finding a unique style that ticks all your other boxes. Special features and functions Yes, we have spa baths. Other functions like bubble massage, whirlpool jets, hydro or chromatherapy can add even more luxury to your bath and bathroom.

A modern bathroom setup with a white close coupled toilet, sink, rail shower, and towel rail

Product variations

Inset or built-in bath

Inset baths can suit almost any bathroom and are still the most common type in Australia. They are usually a good choice for small bathrooms. They sit flush to the wall, usually in a corner of the room. They are often cheaper, but you need to factor the cost of tiling and finishing. They can also incorporate shelving which is helpful when bathing small children.

More often than not, if you need a shower-in-bath option, it will be an inset bath.

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Island

Also inbuilt, an island bath is like an inset bath with a flat, tiled rim on all four sides. It’s not set exactly against the wall like the inset bath. This is for bathrooms with existing tiling.

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Freestanding

Freestanding baths make excellent centrepieces for your bathroom.

 This style of bath requires a fairly generous bathroom size and you will likely need freestanding taps. Freestanding baths can be positioned on the floor or selected models can be raised on feet.

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Back-to-wall

Blending the best of inset and freestanding baths, back-to-wall baths sit neatly against the wall with the sides exposed. It is a good option if you like the look of a freestanding bath but lack the space. It is also more convenient for those who can’t move their plumbing to accommodate freestanding tapware and for those who don’t want the hassle of cleaning behind the bath.

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More tips to get you going

Know exactly who will be using the bath and how

Deep, freestanding baths are difficult for children and older people to climb into. If you’re bathing children, reaching over a deep bath may also be difficult. If you plan on having long, relaxing baths, make sure it’s comfortable for your neck and back. Make sure the tallest user can stretch out in it.

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Measure, measure, measure

Measure where your drainage is. If you’re replacing your bath you are really limited by your drainage unless you have the budget to move the pipes.

Measure where your taps are – don’t get a bath that’s higher than your taps.

When designing your new bathroom, make sure the bath you want fits. Not all walls can be assumed to be absolutely vertical or square, so measure the distance between the walls at the height at which the bath is longest and widest.

When measuring unplastered or untiled walls make sure you take the finishing depth into account before choosing a bath.

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Go matchy matchy

The shape of your bath should complement your basin if they’re in the same room. It helps to
choose items from the same brand. That way you know the colours are an exact match too – not all whites are the same. You don’t want mismatching whites bugging you for years to come!

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Check your weight

Some baths will need structural support in the floor to handle the weight of the filled bath. Get a professional to do the inspection before locking in your bath choice. Are you getting it delivered or collecting in store? Some baths are really heavy so consider how you’re going to get the bath to your home. We have convenient delivery options available, however some baths, including stone, need a fair few hands to handle them.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I install it myself?

We always advise you use a licensed plumber to protect yourself and your warranty.

Does a freestanding bath have to be secured to the floor?

Yes, they should be properly installed by a plumber and/or a builder. Whilst they’re extremely heavy and unlikely to move much, it is safer for them to be properly secured.

Can I put a freestanding bath where a built in one was?

We like to make anything possible! You may need to move plumbing and add tiles, so it’s not
necessarily going to be cost-effective or easy. You may also have to settle on a smaller tub.