Long story short, had to do a bathroom renovation due to water leak found behind the bathtub, and then also above the ceiling. This is the common bathroom, has another ensuite bathroom with toilet but no bathtub.
Original bathroom had a inset bathtub, takes up 1500 and right next to the shower.
We have removed all the old tiles now and still can't agree on the new design.
A few queries hoping the OzB community can provide some useful opinions to help with decision.
- We picked up 2 different styles tiles for the flooring. Both Italian tiles, 1 is rough with uneven wavy surface which is good for grip so non-slippery. The other is normal even surface but also matt. Feeling incline to use the normal matt tiles with even surface because I think the water would flow better towards the drain and easier to clean and mop but might be more slippery when wet. For the rough uneven surface tiles, would it obstruct the flow of water towards the drain or it should not matter as the water will eventually evaporate off? What would your rationale be for choosing either of these 2 types, assuming other criteria (colour, etc) are the same?
- We have never used the bathtub before. Was looking at the modern standing bathtubs which all cost $1k+, although found $400 ones but the size is 1700mm, way too big for the bathroom. Could have 1000mm small ones but price is not pretty. Recently found portable and foldable bathtubs selling online for >$200! I am seriously considering to just have the shower, no permanent bathtub but still have the bathtub tapwares in the wall and just get the foldable bathtub (138cm) and the vanity basin in the same locations. This way we can make the shower slightly bigger and will have plenty space to get into the shower without the bathtub. Partner is against this idea and says will devalue the price of house tremendously when we do sell (no intention atm). Would you care much about the availability of a bathtub when you buy a 4x2 house?
- If you think no bathtub is required, would you still have the bathtub tapware installed?
PS: There is a standalone common toilet next to the laundry.
I believe you could only choose 1 option in a poll so could only setup poll for 1 of the above questions.
Thanks all for your input.
Bathroom Reno, Rough/Smooth Tiles? Permanent/Portable Bathtub?
Last edited 25/09/2022 - 22:05
Poll Options
- 20Install Permanent bathtub
- 4Having Portable bathtub is a good idea
Comments
Makes it more difficult to resell your place to a family.
This is true. If OP is keeping the house for the next 7 - 10 years then no tub. Just fit one next refurb when coming to sell it. Or get a free standing tub in that place because tapware already there.
Water you enjoy wasting is not wasted water. Lobstering yourself in a scalding hot bath is probably one of the best feelings in the world.
Not sure you'd want to go the way lobsters are treated. But agree that soaking in hot water is one of the best things. If that's the main purpose there are good reasons to get a dedicated spa bath instead.
Bathtubs devaluing houses is an idea that really needs to die. Its the most useless thing in a bathroom these days. I for one would prefer a bathroom with a larger shower area and walking space and would not pay a dollar more for one that had a bathtub
And you’d lose the market share of people with kids cos I wouldn’t be buying a bathroom without one
I got kids… still don't use the tub. Neither does any of my neighbouring mates with kids. Granted they are all pretty conscious about water usage. My brother in law's kid used it for about 3 years. Heck, I myself don't think I used to splash around in a tub when I was a kid except for a few times. Still pretty short a span of use for having a big permanent fixture. Not arguing that the house may be devalued in today's market if it doesn't have a bath.
We have wavy tiles in our bathroom. The water tends to follow the grout lines to the drain if properly sloped. Waviness does not impeded drainage as relatively minor - more of a textured finish.
Bathtubs can be convenient for couples with toddlers / young children. Sit the baby bathtub in the larger bathtub. After bathing the toddler, just tip the water into the drain of the main bathtub.
If you use the shower more, I would get a standard bathtub and widen the shower. Another alternative would be to do away with the bathtub and turn the shower into a walk-in one, but everyone has different preferences.
Remove the tub, go walk in shower or double shower to add value.
As for tiles, check slip rating and go with whatever best suits the style of the house. Avoid anything that is a trend/fad as itll date your bathroom quickly.Double shower in a main bathroom is a waste. Showering together is for couples who usually do so in the en-suite to the master bedroom. But IMO it’s one of those things that waste space there as well.
Showering together is for couples
Sounds good in theory but when you only use it for 30 mins a day (max) it is a lot of space for not a lot of use. People would buy anything with the right marketing.
Exactly. It’s a massive waste of space for two people to shower at once when reality is most are under the water for less than 10, and plenty less than 5 mins. The rest of the bathroom can still be used while someone is showering anyway.
Plus, you need to make sure you have enough water pressure to actually have two sheets running at once. Loved in plenty of places where that’s just not possible.
@Euphemistic: Depends.
I don't like full double showers as I find it pointless to have a shower with my partner at the same time, looking at each other but not within touching distance.
But a very oversized single (like 1.5x) with a double shower head allows for plenty of shower play while still allowing both to shower separately.
Consider the demographics:A 4x2 house would attract families so a small bathtub is needed for very young kids to bathe in. Yes, it collects dust most of the time but someone purchasing a 4bedder will likely to raise a family in it, and the bathtub is important for a few years.Otherwise, in units/apartments, I would skip the bathtub altogether.
IF space is limited, go for a freestanding bathtub with square edges that can be installed against the wall. This would allow abit of room to make the shower bigger. Shower size of minimum 1200x900mm would be the acceptable, with 1500x1000mm being a luxury.
Wavy tiles shouldnt affect drainage at all, but i personally prefer the wavy tiles to be used as feature wall tiles with the matt tiles used on the floor.
If you don’t personally take a bath, only install a bath if your house suits families. A bath is 100% better for washing little kids (up to about 5 or 6). Since our kids have grown out of baths ours has probably been used about once per year.
Folding bath seems a waste, but if you reckon you’d use it, design so that it can be used in the shower space.
Not sure whats worse.
The fact that you thought about a portable bath, the fact that you didn't listen to the Mrs, the fact you had to ask Ozb, or the fact that you bothered reading this comment until the end..
modern standing bathtubs
Keep the space. Keep the tap spaces in place and install it when you come to sell. Easy right?
I have a spa tub in my main bathroom and I hate it as the shower is in there. I haven't filled it for years and if I wasn't so busy doing other stuff around my home I'd rip the sodding thing out.
1 is rough with uneven wavy surface which is good for grip so non-slippery.
I wonder if this would trap more dust/dirt and making it hard to clean and thus slow changing colour, like grout.
3 best things in life: a shower before and one after!
Needs a third poll option: No bathtub.
I've never used it and it's a waste of space. If I was redoing a bathroom, I would get rid of it and just have a larger rainshower or shower jets unit instead.