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Freestanding vs Built-in Tub
Freestanding Tub
$1,200
(5-foot acrylic soaking tub installed)
VS
Built-in Tub
$1,350
(5-foot acrylic soaking tub installed)
Cost varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
Freestanding Tub
PROS
- More design options and flexibility of placement
- Easier, less expensive installation
- Many styles and materials to choose from
- Increases resale value
CONS
- Heavy, may require floor reinforcement
- Fewer storage options
- Difficult to use in a small bathroom
- Harder to keep clean
- Some models cannot include a shower
$1,200
(5-foot acrylic soaking tub installed)
Get free advice and estimates from plumbers in your city.
Built-in Tub
PROS
- Many design options
- Better in smaller bathrooms
- Easier to clean
- Easy to include a shower
- Increases resale value
- Has more storage options
CONS
- Restrictions on placement in the room
- Fewer materials to choose from
- Installation takes longer and costs more
$1,350
(5-foot acrylic soaking tub installed)
Get free advice and estimates from plumbers in your city.
Bathtubs are a fantastic addition to any bathroom, giving you the ability to relax, unwind, massage sore muscles, and bathe young children or pets. Tubs come in many different shapes, sizes, configurations, and styles. Among these are two installation types – freestanding tubs and built-in, alcove-style tubs. Both have their positive attributes that can make them an attractive option. We will outline the differences between them below so that you can make a more informed decision for your home.
Appearance
Alcove tubs are built into your bathroom, typically with a surround of some kind, meaning that they will have at least two walls bracketing the tub. Many alcove tubs have three walls – two short walls and a long wall across the back. However, alcove tubs can be installed in corners and may abutt or adjoin a shower on one side. They may have a panel front that is decorative or plain in style, and the surround or backsplash may be tiled in a variety of materials, styles, and colors, making an alcove more customizable to your bathroom. While the typical alcove tub is about 5-feet in length, they can range in size from 4 feet to 6 or even 7 feet for some larger, two-person tubs.
Freestanding tubs come in numerous shapes, sizes, and materials as well. They can be made of stone, metal, or acrylic and can range in size from 5 to 6-½-feet in length. They may be contemporary, built on a heavy base, or they may be traditional with a slipper or roll-top design. Some traditional freestanding tubs are designed to be painted or finished on the exterior, but many are not.
Location
Freestanding tubs are meant to be walked around on all four sides. For this reason, they require more space in the bathroom than an alcove tub of the same size. However, because they can be placed anywhere and do not need the presence of a water wall, they give you more flexibility in how your bathroom is laid out.
Alcove tubs must be installed flush against a wall. This can be space-saving for small bathrooms but limits how the rest of the room can be laid out.
Installation
The installation and its requirements for the tub largely depend on the type of tub, its function, and the material it is made of. For an alcove tub, installation often takes longer and costs more than the tub itself due to the process.
When a tub is in an alcove, it will have a water wall, which is a wall with plumbing concealed inside. The area is plumbed first, then the tub is set and caulked in place, the drain installed, the flange put on, and then the alcove finished, which takes several hours all together.
A freestanding tub, however, needs little to no installation beyond the plumbing. The tub filler is the biggest installation expense because it must be brought up from the floor or installed in the ceiling. For floor fillers, this requires finishing the floor around the extending pipes.
Both types of tub must be installed by a professional. There are many variables involved that can impact installation, from floor reinforcement and where the tub filler is located to whether or not the tub requires leveling 1. Using a motor for a jetted tub will also increase labor costs.
Costs
There is an enormous range of costs associated with both freestanding and built-in 2 tubs. Both come in different sizes, depths, materials, and functions, which greatly influence costs. For the purposes of this guide, we assume that the average homeowner wants to install a 5-foot soaking tub made of acrylic in their bathroom. For a built-in tub, a 5-foot, 18-inch deep acrylic soaking tub costs around $350. Installation costs around $1,000, for a total of about $1,350.
A freestanding, soaking tub measuring 5-feet costs around $650. Installation is easier and costs around $550 for the plumbing. A standard soaking tub without feet or a platform requires no special installation, making the total around $1,200.
There are many other variables, however, that can influence the final cost of the project, including the type of surround used, the material of both tubs, and whether you use a jetted tub or soaking model.
Maintenance
The maintenance of the tub is determined by several factors, including its material, size, and function. Jetted tubs require more maintenance than soaking tubs, while stone or copper tubs require special cleaning supplies.
Alcove tubs that have a built-in shower have more wall space to clean than freestanding tubs. However, if the shower has a handheld or removable showerhead, then the tub may be easier to clean.
Freestanding tubs do not have walls to maintain, but the exterior of the tub may require cleaning in addition to the interior. And because most do not have a handheld shower attachment, cleaning may be more difficult.
Flooring Requirements
Any tub made of cast iron, steel, or natural stone will be heavier than a tub made of acrylic or fiberglass. Both styles of tub come in different materials that may mean you need to reinforce your floor. Very large stone, freestanding tubs require a floor that can hold up to two tons when the tub is filled. This may mean installing a new, reinforced subfloor, particularly in older homes. An acrylic freestanding tub, however, will not require any new flooring, while a new cast iron alcove tub may need some reinforcement.
To determine if your floor requires adjustment, you need to have a structural engineer examine it, taking into account both the weight of the unfilled tub and the weight of the same tub filled with water.
Shower Addition
Alcove tubs tend to be used as tub and shower combinations, unless they abutt a shower enclosure and are used separately. Alcoves are easiest to create in a tub/shower combination, however, some clawfoot tubs may also be used in this way.
The key to using a freestanding tub as a shower is to have exposed pipes running from the floor to a showerhead that contains a curtain ring. This can safely contain the water and allow you to use the freestanding tub as a shower as well.
Storage
Alcove tubs are framed with walls, which means that they can contain shelves, niches, shower baskets, and more storage items. Alcove tubs also frequently have enough of a ledge or deck to allow for bottles and soaps to be stored there.
Freestanding tubs often have a rolled top or edge that does not allow for storage, and because they are often located in the center of a room, they have fewer options for shelving or niches.
Our Top Picks
Choosing a tub can feel like a challenge, especially when you see the sheer quantity and variety of options on offer. To help you out in your search for the best freestanding or built-in bathtub, here are a few of our favorite models in both categories:
Freestanding
BEST OVERALL: Woodbridge B-0010
Measuring up at 67" in length, this modern, glossy, acrylic tub from Woodbridge is absolutely ideal for most homes. It's just the right size for a relaxing, soothing soak, made from top quality, 100% high gloss lucite acrylic that has been reinforced with strong and resistant resin. It comes with an anti-leak and anti-odor drain and pipe system too, easy to install and long-lasting with only minimal maintenance required.
BEST VALUE: Woodbridge B0002
Another amazing offering from Woodbridge, the B0002 freestanding bathtub also measures up at 67" in length and is 23" deep. The classic shape of this tub lets it fit seamlessly into almost any bathroom, and it's very easy to get in and out of too. Both chic and durable all at once, this tub has been made with top quality acrylic, strengthened with resin and fiberglass for a smooth, strong finish.
ALSO CONSIDER: Vanity Art 70” VA6517
If you're looking for a freestanding tub that really makes a statement, this 70" option from Vanity Art might be exactly what you want. Effortlessly elegant in its shape and construction, this tub has been made from UPC certified materials, with polished chrome hardware and an easy-to-clean, scratch and stain-resistant surface too. It ships with a flexible drain hose and leveling legs for easy installation.
Built-in
BEST OVERALL: American Standard Cambridge Soaking Tub
Measuring up at 5 feet in length and 32 inches in width, this classic American Standard bathtub offers 14 inches of depth for soothing soaking comfort. It's made from durable and lightweight Americast, making installation easier while still providing a strong and long-lasting tub. The surface is coated with a non-porous and gloss enamel finish, resistant to scratches and easy to clean.
BEST VALUE: Kingston Brass 60” Bathtub
Made from solid acrylic and reinforced with resin and fiberglass, this simple, sturdy built-in bathtub is ideal for any family home. It measures up at 60 inches or 5 feet in length, providing more than enough space for the average user to stretch out and relax, coming equipped with either left-hand or right-hand drain, depending on your preference.
ALSO CONSIDER: Bathtub Starck 59”
Ideal for those moments when you just want to unwind after a long and exhausting day, this tub brings the class and elegance of a freestanding design into a built-in model. Featuring sleek, straight lines and a glossy white finish, it looks beautiful and performs brilliantly too. It’s also quite narrow, at just 28” across, making it a good option for those with strict building codes or small bathrooms.
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Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet
Definitions in laymen's terms, cost considerations, pictures and things you need to know.See full cheat sheet.
1 Leveling: The process of evening out the ground's surface, making it either flat or sloped.
2 Built-in: An item of furniture, such as a bookcase or set of cabinets, that is built directly into the structure of the room. Built-ins are therefore customized to the room and not detachable
How much does it cost in my city?
Cost varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.
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