What to Consider When Choosing a Walk-in Bathtub

Mar 01, 2016

A list of questions has been compiled here just so you know what to look for when testing the quality of a walk-in bathtub. Safety, the therapeutic features, hygiene, custom add-ons, and value should all play a role in your decision making. Inform yourself and ask your manufacturer/retailer and contractor the right questions. 

Which Safety Features Does it Include?

As a senior, you have to assess the model's safety measures and see if they're compatible with your range of motion and mobility. 

• The low step-in heights (low entrance threshold) of models vary from 0" to 9" from the floor, with the average of most models being 6".
• Some wheelchair models are more accessible than others.
• Easy-to-reach grab bars: If stability is an issue for you, make sure that grab bars (wall mounted or built-in) are conveniently placed to assist you.
• Emergency switches in the case of accidental drownings. These can be in the form of draining the water quickly or a safety latch that breaks the door open for an emergency rescue.
• Non-slip floor and seat: Most bathroom accidents that happen in the shower happen to seniors.
• Anti-scald technology that protects your skin from direct contact with hot jet nozzles and showerheads.
• Anti-leak doors prevent any water from creating a hazard on your bathroom floor.

More on the benefits of a complete set of safety features can be found here.

Which Therapeutic Features Does it Include?

Hydrotherapy has been known to alleviate pain and treat diseases since time immemorial. The buoyancy of water alone helps seniors expand their body's range of motion. 

• Soakers are the most basic models therapeutically because it is a simple process of filling the tub with warm water. A cut above standard soakers are models that include a legs-only massage system that diabetics can use to soak the feet alone. More information on legs-only massage models can be found here. 
• Air Massage Hydrotherapy offers a gentle and soothing massage that cleanses and relaxes the body.
• Water Massage Hydrotherapy gives a more pressurized massage capable of treating and healing sore muscles.
• Chromotherapy is the use of LED(s) to stimulate/calm the body and mind.
• Aromatherapy: One drop of an essential oil extracted from different flowers and plants is placed in a small container on the rim of the tub to rejuvenate or stimulate you physically, mentally and emotionally.
• Dual hydrotherapy models constitute both air and water massage systems to be used together or on separate occasions.

What Hygienic Qualities Does it Have?

A hygienic bathtub means that you're hygienic too. Tubs that are clean for the most part require very little upkeep.

• Hygiene bidets are used for personal (hard-to-reach) places.
• Tub shells covered with bacteria resistant Gel Coat prolong the gathering of harmful microorganisms.
• An Ozone sanitization system is useful to tubs with whirlpool jets. Automated systems like Ozone will clear the lines connecting the water jets from mold formation and bacterial growth.
• UV sanitization systems comprise of ultra-violet light that clears 99.8% of the bacteria in the water.

What Customizations Does it Come With?

Get involved and personalize your walk-in tub to meet your expectations.

• Water jets should be fully adjustable to be able to concentrate water pressure to a specific muscle group, swelling, joint, etc.
• Water and air jets can have high/medium/low settings controlled by the push of a button.
• Soakers, hydrotherapy, dual hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, and chromotherapy models can be found at most retailers like the Home Depot, Lowe's, and Menards. Which therapeutic feature(s) do you want to be included? Some methods are more effective in the treatment of certain diseases than others.
• Acrylic and fiberglass tub bodies differ in their pros and cons. Fiberglass, in general, is cheaper and weaker than acrylic depending on the method of construction.
• Left-handed and right-handed doors.
• Walk-in tub shapes can be rectangular, square, round and oval.
• Retrofitting: Can the model you want fit inside standard tub space? If not, extension panels for a perfect fit should be included.
• The faucet deck can be of chrome, brushed nickel or oil rubbed bronze of many designs.   
• Colors: Walnut, linen, white, beige, and biscuit are a few of the colors that can better blend your walk-in tub with the rest of your bathroom.
• Canopies, with a wall-mounted riser rail, can turn your walk-in bathtub into a fully functional stand-up shower.
• Wall kits and wall panels can surround the walls of your bathtub to add more spice and texture to your bathroom. These can be of sampled natural stone that looks like marble (cheaper than marble) to give your bathroom that missing "it" factor. Check out Ella's wall panels for a real life illustration of these beautiful designs.

What is the Quality of the Walk-In Tub?

• Made in the U.S.A.: If it's not manufactured right here in the U.S. then you have to - at the very least - make sure that the tub meets all the safety requirements and standards, as they differ from country to country.
• The sturdiness and durability of the tub largely depend on the kind of support the shell has. If the frame supporting the shell is not of high-quality or if the shell is not thick enough, you're going to have problems.
• The warranty coverage on the walk-in tub is a huge indication of the quality invested into the construction process. A lifetime coverage on the door seal, for example, should make you feel very confident.
• Installation: The cost of installation can be $500 to $5,000. The installation process itself can take 4 - 6 hours or 1 - 2 days, depending on the breadth of the project.  

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