bATH RENOVATOR SYDNEY

What is a bath?

Well we all know that it is a large container for water that we use for immersing into and washing ourselves. A bathtub, also known simply as a bath or a tub, is a container for holding water in which a person or even an animal may bathe. Most modern bath tubs are made of thermoformed acrylic, porcelain enameled steel, fiberglass-reinforced polyester, or porcelain enameled cast iron. 

A standard bathtub will hold roughly around 300 of water while smaller bathtubs will hold around 150 liters of water which is great for smaller children. For bath renovation inspiration the best place to go to is online and look at what some of the hotels have done, take the example above from Pier One in Sydney, they renovated their bathroom and placed the bath to have a view over the harbour. Style Magazine wrote about the 10 Best Bath’s in Australia that you can look at here

So how do you choose what is right for you? Well firstly you have to think about the type of bath you want, it’s a critical first decision as it determines all of your renovation planning. Freestanding baths require more space than inset baths because they’re not tucked neatly against a wall, so the size of your bathroom may force this decision (unless you are thinking about making the room larger)

• Freestanding bath – these may be positioned in the middle of the room or towards a wall although either way they require space around them and you need to allow for tap positioning. There are modern versions of the traditional claw-footed tubs or a contemporary square or round style in a range of sizes, materials and finishes. A freestanding bath can be an incredible centerpiece for a bathroom, but for those with young kids they can also be a practical choice giving all-around access.

• Inset, built-in bath or straight bath – are more commonly used and can fit into smaller bathrooms, They can create space efficiencies when designing a layout for larger rooms as they sit against a wall typically and only take up one or two corners of the room. They come in different sizes allowing you to choose a version for your room’s dimensions.

• Shower bath – are like inset baths but try and offer a two in one solution especially if space is limited. The downside to this design is the need to step over the bath to have a shower which could be a concern for elderly people or those with a disability.

• Single or double-ended bath – whether you choose a freestanding or inset bath there are both single and double-ended versions available. A single-ended baths have taps and waste at one end while a double-ended bath has taps and waste in the centre. Your choice could depend on whether there is a need to move or alter existing plumbing or waste locations in the room, apart from aesthetics or style.

• Bath materials – the material a bath is made from can affect how you need to care for it, how durable it is and even influence how long water will retain its heat. It also affects the weight of the bath which is important from an engineering perspective to make sure the floor can hold it.
  • Acrylic is widely used for baths and a budget friendly choice. It is easy to care for, light, and easy to work with.  so can be preferable for the first floor of an older home.
  • Steel is a very hard-wearing material for a bath. It’s colder to touch than other bath materials, but will retain the heat of bath water.
  • Cast iron is traditional for freestanding baths and is very hard wearing and easy to clean. Bath water should retain heat well in a cast-iron bath although it is one of the heavier materials, so check whether floors will need reinforcing before installation.
  • Solid surfaces like Corian and Hi-Macs can be moulded into shapely bath designs, they’re durable and easy to care for and will retain heat well.
  • Stone baths are very attractive, although a more costly choice than other materials. They are also very heavy, so could have further budget implications as the floor may need to be strengthened or it may take more labour to have it brought into the site.

• Fixtures and fittings –  It is pretty normal that you would then buy bath taps and fixtures separately. The bath may or may not have pre-drilled holes and will depend on the design you are trying to create.

• Tiling –  depending on the type of bath and what is or isn’t being replaced in the room, the tiling will need to be corrected or updated. So this needs to be allowed for in the budget.