Walk In Baths Types & Options

1. Walk In Bath Tub Features & Options
2. Short vs. Long Tub Walk In Bathtubs
3. Acrylic vs Fibreglass Walk In Baths
4. Inward vs Outward Opening Walk In Bathtubs

Walk In Bath Tub Options:

Walk In Baths come with a host of features, most of which should come as standard. However, some of the features will vary depending on which walk in bath supplier you use. Below is a list of features that you should receive as standard when you purchase any walk in bath:

1. Thermostatic Mixer (temperature regulator) - This is the most important safety feature and should come as standard with any walk in bath. When you use your walk in bath, you will be sitting in the bath as it fills up, it is therefore vital the water comes out at the correct temperature and not too hot or too cold. A thermostatic mixer regulates the water temperature, ensuring it comes out at the perfect temperature, greatly enhancing the bathing experience.
2. Slip Resistant Surfaces - Vital for reducing the risk of slipping.
3. Safety Grab Bars/rails - make it far easier to safely enter and exit the bath whilst further reducing the risk of slipping.
4. Safety Seat - Walk in bathtubs come with a built in safe seat making both the entry and exit from the bath easier, safer, and enhances the bathing experience.
5. Showers - most walk in baths will come with a built in shower system, and if not, most suppliers would be more than happy to install a wall mounted, or hand held shower system when they install the walk in bath.
6. Quick drainage systems - most walk in bath tubs come with a quick drainage system. This is important when you consider that the user will be sitting in the bath tub whilst it drains and therefore the longer it takes to drain the less pleasent the bathing experience will be and may put the elderly at risk of a chill. Many walk in bathtubs have dual drainage systems to speed up the process.

Additional Walk In Bath Options

1. Hydrotherapy System (Spa system) - particularly beneficial for relieving the symptoms of arthritus and can soothe aches and pains especially back pains, they work like any spa by circulating thousands of tiny bubles in all directions through the water. Most walk in baths come with the option of a hydrotherapy unit.
2. Quick Filling Systems - most walk in bath tubs either come with or have the option of a quick filling systems. Quick filling systems are important when you consider that the user will be sitting in the bath whilst it fills up so it is vital that the walk in bath fills up significantly quicker than a conventional bath tub.
3. Colour Matching - Have your Walk in Bath tub colour matched to the colour of your bathroom.
4. Lifting Powered Seat - lifts you easily in and out of the bath.

Long Tub vs. Short Tub Walk In Baths

Some manufacturers give you the choice of a short or long tub walk in bath. Long tub walk in baths offer an enhanced bathing experience. However, short tubs are ideal where there is limited space. We have outlined the pros and cons in the table below:

Acrylic vs Fibreglass Walk In baths

Walk In Baths are either made from Acrylic or Fibreglass material. Some manufacturers tend to favour either acrylic or fibreglass. There are some advantages and disadvantages to either. We have listed the basic advantages and disadvantages below:

Inward vs Outward Opening Walk In Bath Doors

Most modern walk in baths come with inward opening doors. However, there are a few older models with outward opening doors. The table below compares inward and outward opening walk in bath doors: