Choosing a freestanding bath shape
The shape of the bath decides how you sit in it and where it can go in the room. Most freestanding baths fall into three families:
- Slipper baths have one raised end to lean back against, which makes for a comfortable soak. The Ritz 1700 cast iron slipper bath is a classic example, and the Ritz also comes in a shorter length for smaller rooms.
- Double-ended baths put the waste in the middle, so two people can share or one person can lie either way round. The Bentley is a good double-ended choice.
- Single-ended baths, such as the Waldorf, keep the waste and taps at one end, which suits a bath set against a wall or with a wall-mounted mixer.
Measure the room with the bath's full footprint in mind, and leave space around it to clean and walk past.
Cast iron, acrylic, composite stone or aluminium
Cast iron is the traditional material, with a hard vitreous enamel inside and a solid, still feel. It is heavy: the Imperial Waldorf single-ended bath weighs 132kg empty and holds 225 litres, so the floor has to be checked before you order, particularly upstairs. Our guide to cast iron vs acrylic baths explains what a fitter looks for.
If you want a different look, the Marlow is moulded in composite stone, and the Radison with a polished aluminium skirt wraps a cast iron bath in a mirror-bright exterior.
Acrylic is the lighter alternative. The baths in our own Tilelyte Bath Collection weigh between 32kg and 48kg empty, so they are far easier to get upstairs, and they feel warm to the touch straight away. The range covers roll top, slipper, boat, fluted and back-to-wall designs.
Feet, tap holes and the finishing touches
A bath with no tap holes needs a floor-standing or wall-mounted mixer; a bath with two tap holes takes a deck-mounted mixer or pillar taps on the rim. Decide this early, because it affects where the pipework runs. A freestanding option like the Lichfield free standing bath shower mixer lets the bath sit away from the wall.
Keep one metal finish across the feet, taps and waste. The exposed roll top bath waste is cast in solid brass in the same five finishes as our taps and showers.
Can I have a painted bath?
Yes. Many of our cast iron baths are supplied primed so the outside can be painted to suit your scheme, and Imperial offer a painting service to any RAL colour. Every acrylic bath in the Tilelyte Bath Collection can also be hand-painted to order in almost any colour, including Farrow & Ball and Dulux shades, a match to your own sample or a metallic finish.
Will my floor take a cast iron bath?
Most sound floors can, but it should always be checked. A fitter will look at the joist size, span and direction, any notches cut for pipes, and whether the load needs spreading under the feet.
Which bath feet finishes are available?
Options vary by bath, but typically include chrome, polished nickel, brushed nickel, brass plated, gold, cast iron and white enamelled. Choose the one that matches your brassware.
Does a cast iron bath keep the water warm?
Yes, once it is up to temperature. The metal takes some heat from the water at first, then holds warmth steadily. Running the hot tap for a minute or two before filling takes the chill off.
Can I see the baths before I order?
Yes. Book a free one-to-one consultation through our contact page and we can talk through sizes, weight and fitting at the showroom.
