ABOUT BATHTUBS

A bathtub is a sanitary fitting, usually with a full-length tub and an edge roll round the rim. Domestic baths are made from cast acrylic sheet, cast iron, or steel sheet. Fittings include a mixer faucet or headworks, and a waste with overflow. Bath bottoms have a slight fall towards the outlet, when the rim is set level. Clawfoot bath tubs are of a nineteenth century design, with the bath tub being raised on four decorative feet, instead of being cased in. They lend themselves to positioning in the centre of a room, rather than against a wall.

The leading bathtub manufacturers selected by Abacus Construction Index, which are listed below the panel of sponsored links, have comprehensive websites, with information on all aspects of bathtubs, including online catalogs of bathtubs, colours and materials for bathtubs, and care and maintenance of bathtubs.

RECOMMENDED BOOK ON BATHROOM REMODELING

We strongly recommend the book 'Bathroom Remodeling for Dummies' by Gene Hamilton. It covers designing a bathroom, selecting materials, setting a budget, and choosing between doing it yourself or hiring a professional. To read more about the book, and to buy it online from Amazon if you wish, please click on the blue link in the panel below:

LEADING BATHTUB MANUFACTURERS

Americh Bathtubs. Americh is a leading manufacturer of whirlpool baths. Americh also manufacturers a wide range of regular bath tubs and shower bases. The Americh website contains sections on bath tubs, shower bases and accessories. There is a section giving advice on cleaning whirlpool tubs, and sections on locating a dealer and on technical support.

Bartok Design: Bath Tubs. Bartok Design, based in Kobe and Tokyo, Japan, is a specialist manufacturer and exporter of wooden Hinoki Bath Tubs. It is the largest exporter of Hinoki bath tubs made in Japan. These are hand made in rectangular or circular forms, using only hand saws, chisels and planes. No sealants or caulking are used, and the joints are invisible. Hinoki Baths offer the unique experience of bathing surrounded by natural material. Bartok Design is run by Italian architect Iacopo Torrini.

The Bartok Design website explains the construction of Hinoki Bath Tubs, including the selection of hinoki wood, the cutting out of soft areas and knots, planing to remove imperfections, hand sawing (using a method derived from boat construction), construction of tongue and groove joints, and assembly using wooden plubs and stainless steel screws.

Lasco Bathtubs. Lasco Bathware is the largest manufacturer of bathtubs and bathing fixtures in the United States. It has been operating for over forty years, and manufactures nearly a fourth of all bathing fixtures sold in the USA. They lead the industry in the number of products they offer. With hundreds of bath tub models in a variety of sizes, styles and colors, they offer thousands of possible choices.

The Lasco range of bathtubs is organized into the following sections: Air Whirlpool Combination Bathtubs, Whirlpool Bathtubs, Air Baths, Soaker Bathtubs and Tub Showers. Other products include: Showers, Steam Showers, Tub & Shower Suites, Shower Bases, Sectional Bathware, Accessible Bathware, and Shower Doors. The Lasco Bathware website includes a section on care and maintenance of bathtubs, covering general purpose cleaning, removal of stubborn stains, and removal of hard water stains.

Simply Bathtubs. Simply Bathtubs, based in San Diego, California, is an online retailer of leading brands of bathtub. It is part of the Webstore network of specialty online retailers. The product range can be searched by type of bathtub, style of bathtub, length of bathtub, and price range. Types of bathtub include: Regular Bathtubs, Walk-in Bathtubs, Whirlpool Bathtubs, and Clawfoot Bathtubs. Styles of bathtub include: Corner Bathtubs, Acrylic Bathtubs, Antique Bathtubs, Modern Bathtubs, Free-standing Bathtubs, and Cast Iron Bathtubs. Lengths vary from below 50 inches to above 80 inches.

The Simply Bathtubs website contains more than 50 articles about bathtubs, including: Claw Foot Bathtubs for the Retro Home, Corner Bathtubs for Smaller Bathrooms, Hydrotherapy with Whirlpool Bathtubs, Antique Looking Bathtubs, Swedish Cast Iron Tubs, and Walk In Bath Tubs.

Toto: Bathtubs. Toto, which has its headquarters in Japan, has been operating for 90 years, and manufactures a full range of bathtubs and other bathroom goods at its plant in Morrow, Georgia. It is the largest toilet manufacturer in the world. The Toto website contains sections on baths, toilets and washlets, sinks and lavatories, faucets and showers. There is also a dealer finder.

The Toto range of bathtubs is classified into: Commercial Bathtubs, Traditional Bathtubs, Transitional Bathtubs, and Contemporary Bathtubs. Toto Air Baths feature heated air massage, created by the release of warm air bubbles into the bathtub water. Toto is an active participant in the United States Green Build Council (USGBC), and has a range of sustainable products including its EcoPower fittings and valves. Toto has ISO 9001 quality certification for its bathtub production.

OTHER PRODUCTS RELATED TO BATHTUBS

You may also like to visit our USA product guides on: Bath Mats & Rugs, Bathroom Scales, Bathroom Cabinets, Bathroom Showers, Clawfoot Bath Tubs, Shower Curtains, Shower Heads, and Shower Stalls.

USEFUL LINKS RELEVANT TO BATHTUBS

Bath Enclosures Manufacturers Association

National Kitchen & Bath Association

CONSTRUCTION PRODUCT DIRECTORIES

We recommend the following professional construction directories, which include standard specifications, manufacturers' specs, and CAD details: 4Specs at www.4specs.com, Arcat at www.arcat.com, Arcom at www.arcomnet.com, Reed at www.reedfirstsource.com, Sweets at www.sweets.construction.com.