How to Fix Your Outdated Garden Tub
Mar 12, 2021The Garden Tub is an Outdated Bathroom Design. Here’s what You Need Instead.
Once the sign of an upscale master bathroom, today the oversized garden tub is a dated design feature many homeowners are looking to get rid of. In fact, these tubs waste so much space and water (among other problematic features) that garden tub replacement is one of the most common bathroom renovations we see – especially in homes built in the 1980s and 1990s.
What is a garden tub anyway?
The term “garden tub” originally referred to any deep soaking tub (usually a standalone tub) installed near a window. This allowed the bather to relax while gazing outside, hence the term “garden tub.”
This definition changed over the years. By the early 1990s, garden tubs referred to oversized rectangular or triangular bathtubs that became a popular amenity in new homes.
Most installations placed these tubs in a corner or alcove with extensive tiled tub surrounds. Some garden tubs feature seating and whirlpool jets. Very large designs often include steps or ledges to allow for easier entry and exit.
How Big is an Oversized Garden Tub?
Depending on the brand and size of tub you choose, a garden tub can hold as much as 50% more water than a standard bathtub, and take up 60% more floor space in your bathroom layout.
- An oversized garden tub can hold as much as 96 gallons of water, compared to 65 gallons for an average standard bathtub.
- A 5-foot triangular garden tub can take up nearly 25 square feet of floor space in your bathroom layout, while a standard 5-foot tub take up 15 square feet or less.
Are garden Soaking Tubs outdated?
Because of their size, these bathroom behemoths are on their way out. Not only do they take up space and waste water, these large, deep tubs are also challenging to climb in and out of safely, not to mention the hassle of cleaning them.
With all of these challenges, a recent report suggests that homeowners are getting rid of their bathtubs more than ever before.
Nearly a quarter of homeowners (23%) said they removed their bathtubs during part of a master bathroom remodel during the reporting period. This is on top of another 27% of survey respondents that had already gotten rid of their master bathtubs before the survey was taken.
This matches what we’re seeing among Improveit customers. From wasting water to wasting useful space, our research spotted 5 ways garden tubs are the most wasteful part of your home – plus 8 ideas for replacing a garden bathtub with more useful space.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Garden Tub Replacement Guide Here!
How garden tub replacement Helps You Reclaim your bathroom
Not surprisingly, most homeowners that remove their bathtubs (nearly 80%) do so to enlarge their showers. At Improveit, our popular tub-to-shower conversion process lets you customize your shower size and accessories, and do away with inconvenient, outdated garden soaking tubs.
Pickerington, Ohio resident Alan Lancaster worked with Improveit on a garden tub replacement in favor of a larger walk-in shower. “I’ve done all kinds of projects on my house,” Alan says. “I know you can spend money on a lot of things that won’t have that big of an impact on you. But if it’s something you use every single day, that money’s going to go a long way.”
Now Alan’s master bath (below) meets his needs every day, and features a stylish and much more modern walk-in shower.
Ready for a Garden Tub Replacement?
Starting a garden tub makeover for your bathroom is easy with Improveit! Our on-staff designers will meet with you to find a design that suits your needs and style, and our expert installers will be able to remove and replace your outdated garden tub in less than a week!
Use the form below or click here to schedule a design consultation for your garden tub replacement today!
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