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Drop-in Bathtubs Buyers Guide: Types, Cost and Installation
Updated on Jul. 22, 2024
Looking for a spa retreat? Do drop-in! That is, consider installing a drop-in tub. They’re an affordable alternative to standard bathtubs, and they deliver a spa experience.
Want to step it up to even more luxe? You have options for that, too.
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What Is a Drop-in Bathtub?
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Drop-in Bathtub
It’s essentially a shell: It has feet and a rim, but the exterior sides aren’t finished.
A drop-in tub can be set in an alcove or outside the room. It’s dropped into a custom-made raised platform deck, which covers the plumbing and the exposed sides of the tub and creates a place to sit as you get in and out. The platform doesn’t, however, support the tub—the floor does that!
Drop-in Bathtub Features
How do you want to use the tub? Your answer—and your budget—determine what type of tub you choose.
Materials
“For drop-in tubs, you really just have two options—acrylic or cast iron,” says Chuck Khiel, vice president of Fred Home Improvement in Bethesda, Maryland. “Acrylic is the most popular because a cast iron tub is more expensive to buy, and it requires more workers to set it in place.”
The decks are wooden, then finished mainly with tile or a solid surface material. (Khiel says polymer quartz is popular right now). But it could also be a combination of tile or solid surface material on the top with wood panels on the sides.
Styles
There are several drop-in options:
- Soaking tubs are deep with a slanted side. The faucet is usually at the opposite end, but it could be in the middle. They’re made for one person or two.
- Jetted styles range from the basic whirlpool (jets of water are shot into the tub) to luxury upgrades, like heated (a water pump maintains the temperature) and air-jetted (jets of air create movement in the water).
- Japanese-style has a bench for full-body soaks because the water comes up to your shoulders.
“Soaking tubs are super-popular these days,” says Khiel. “And we’re doing a lot of projects replacing older whirlpools with soaking tubs.”
Shapes
They’re basic—rectangular, oval and round.
Sizes
So many options! “I’ve seen them less than five feet long (five feet is standard tub size) up to seven feet long, and as small as 23 inches wide up to 36 inches wide,” Khiel says. Basically, you can find a tub to fit your space, whether it’s an alcove setting or out in the room.
Pros
- Lots of size options
- Can create a custom surround to fit it seamlessly into your bathroom
- Luxurious appearance
- Deeper than normal tubs with options to add jets or heated surfaces
Cons
- More expensive than classic bathtubs (including more expensive installation costs)
- Need more space than alcove tubs
- Access to plumbing for needed repair is difficult
How to Install a Drop-in Bathtub
Whether you’re building a new bathroom or renovating an existing one, Khiel says these are the basic steps for installing a drop-in tub.
- Rough in the plumbing, bringing it to where the tub faucet will be located for the tub. “Be sure to follow the instructions and meet the requirements for the faucet,” Khiel says.
- Build the framing for the platform deck. “Make sure you plan for an access panel,” Khiel says. If you don’t and you need to get to the plumbing, locating it will be a major headache. You’ll have to cut through the deck’s finishing material to get to it, racking up a lot of destruction and repair.
- If you’re going with a solid surface material for the finish, make a template for it so you can arrange for the finish to be fabricated.
- Drop in the tub, using sealant at the rim to prevent water from entering the deck. The tub will sit on its feet on the floor. The floor should be level. If it isn’t, Khiel says you can use shims.
- Build the access panel.
- Top the deck with the finishing material and seal the joint between it and the tub.
FAQ
Why are drop-in tubs more expensive?
Khiel says you’ll pay about $550 for a standard-size, basic, white acrylic drop-in tub, but up to $3,000 or $3,500 for cast iron. Basic whirlpool drop-ins start at around $1,500 but can cost as much as $5,000 for one of the best jetted tubs.
The more complex installation, premium materials, luxury features and additional structural support all drive up the price of drop-in tubs. Make sure to take the cost of the tub as well as labor costs into consideration when upgrading your bathroom.
What are the advantages of a drop-in tub?
The advantages of a drop-in tub include a seamless design, increased depth and added features. You also have the ability to create a more custom look around your tub to fit with the aesthetics of your bathroom.
What do you put under a drop-in tub?
For a drop-in tub to be safely installed and functional, proper support is required underneath. Typically, a wood surround supports the tub, along with added materials such as cement or insulation to ensure stability and proper function. Some drop-in tubs also have feet that provide additional support.
Where to Buy a Drop-in Bathtub
Drop-in Bathtub
As we mentioned earlier, a basic walk-in tub will cost you around $550. The price can vary greatly depending on the model you choose. These two options from Lowe’s and Home Depot usually run between $600 to $700. Walk-in tubs can be found at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s as well as online, on sites like Amazon or Kohler. It’s an excellent way to upgrade your bathroom with a product you’re sure to get lots of use out of.
