AnnL
New Member
The small house I'm moving to is unfinished, including only one very small bathroom. The bathroom has a 72" x 42" Aker alcove jetted tub (never finished, never used - set in mortar with copper plumbing done, greenboard around it) and a shower added. Apron was purchased but is unattractive and not usable because about 1" at each end of tub is set into the walls.
I'm 75 and would like a soaking depth tub to help me deal with widespread chronic pain, but smaller, more in keeping with the size of the room. The current 9" water depth I have is not enough. And I must be able to combine it with a shower.
Would you please suggest an alcove tub with deep water depth (minimum 15", more preferable), easily combined with a shower, contemporary in style? I have researched diligently but am overwhelmed. I'm thinking that with all your experience you must have come across a situation like mine or have an idea what would work. Hopefully, you may have specific models to suggest.
Maybe I'm being impractical to look at the deepest soaking tubs (I'd use grab bars for getting in and out - I use them now to get out)? One example is the American Standard Evolution, but sitting in a 60 x 32" at a showroom, it felt short (I'm 5'7") though usable. Going to the 72" means a 36" width, which I don't really need. I also tried the Archer, but don't like the built in bump for lumbar support and the water depth may not be enough. Went to nearest city (small) - could not find other possibilities from research, e.g, Kohler Bancroft, AS Cambridge, Maayke (like the clean lines, plain apron).
Would it be best not to use a drop in? I've been reading on this site about workarounds being necessary for use with a shower, and I live in a very rural area, so am unsure of plumbing talent used by GC. Plus I assume this would add to the expense. Also, I need to consider the climb over the outer edge of the tub too.
On a limited to moderate budget, is fiberglass reinforced acrylic best? The local lumberyard steered me to fiberglass, but what I've read advises otherwise.
And what kind of surround? It seems a one piece tub-shower units do not have the deeper water depth, if I could even get one in a 36" doorway.
Your help will be greatly appreciated. Ann PS Yikes, I just read a question here about drain being okay in changing tub size. Is this going to be a problem for me?
I'm 75 and would like a soaking depth tub to help me deal with widespread chronic pain, but smaller, more in keeping with the size of the room. The current 9" water depth I have is not enough. And I must be able to combine it with a shower.
Would you please suggest an alcove tub with deep water depth (minimum 15", more preferable), easily combined with a shower, contemporary in style? I have researched diligently but am overwhelmed. I'm thinking that with all your experience you must have come across a situation like mine or have an idea what would work. Hopefully, you may have specific models to suggest.
Maybe I'm being impractical to look at the deepest soaking tubs (I'd use grab bars for getting in and out - I use them now to get out)? One example is the American Standard Evolution, but sitting in a 60 x 32" at a showroom, it felt short (I'm 5'7") though usable. Going to the 72" means a 36" width, which I don't really need. I also tried the Archer, but don't like the built in bump for lumbar support and the water depth may not be enough. Went to nearest city (small) - could not find other possibilities from research, e.g, Kohler Bancroft, AS Cambridge, Maayke (like the clean lines, plain apron).
Would it be best not to use a drop in? I've been reading on this site about workarounds being necessary for use with a shower, and I live in a very rural area, so am unsure of plumbing talent used by GC. Plus I assume this would add to the expense. Also, I need to consider the climb over the outer edge of the tub too.
On a limited to moderate budget, is fiberglass reinforced acrylic best? The local lumberyard steered me to fiberglass, but what I've read advises otherwise.
And what kind of surround? It seems a one piece tub-shower units do not have the deeper water depth, if I could even get one in a 36" doorway.
Your help will be greatly appreciated. Ann PS Yikes, I just read a question here about drain being okay in changing tub size. Is this going to be a problem for me?
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