Baths

These are available in a number of different materials. Traditional cast iron is very durable, but also very heavy in the worst instance you might need to reinforce your flooring. Cast iron helps your bath water stay warm, and also has some sound-insulating qualities. It also bonds well with the enamel finish, rendering the bath more scratch- and stain-resistant than if it were made from synthetic materials. However, because of the weight of cast iron, there are fewer shapes and sizes available than in acrylic or pressed steel ranges.
Pressed steel'is-the cheaper version of cast iron; it, too, has an enamelled finish. It is lighter, and comes in a good choice of colours and shapes, and there are now designs that are pressed with rolled edges to simulate cast iron. However, pressed steel doesn't have the insulating qualities of cast iron.
Acrylic used to have a bad name, but in fact there are some excellent upmarket acrylic designs on the market now. One of its advantages as a material is that it lends itself to precise and detailed styling in other words, it can be moulded into all sorts of shapes. It is also light, and that means you can opt for a larger bath, an unwise choice in cast iron. However, make sure you buy reinforced acrylic as this gives a rigid, well-insulated finish.
Recently, manufacturers have begun touse stainless steel as a fourth option. Once it was only used in hospitals, but now influential designers such as Philippe Starck have turned their attention to its sleek, chic qualities, producing baths, and whole suites, that are unexpectedly attractive and comfortable.
Once you have selected the right material for your bathroom, you can turn your attention to colour and style. Corner baths are useful in awkwardly-shaped or small rooms, even if most of the available designs are hideous. Asymmetric baths also make use of irregular dimensions and give you a wider place to sit than where your feet go. These are a little more acceptable to look at. Double-ended baths are a must if you like to bathe with your partner no more arguments about who is sitting on the plug-hole with their back to the taps. They are also a great idea if you bathe children together. Sunken baths look glamorous, in a kind of early 1970's way (a style rapidly making a rather unwelcome comeback), but you might not think so when the time comes to clean one. You will also need a structural engineer to check that the floor can support its weight. A chic alternative is to set the bath into a low platform, surrounding it in the middle of the room or up against one wall, with steps forming at least one side.
With baths, the golden rule is, buy the biggest you can. The average bath measures 1700 mm long, but it makes all the difference to be able to lie down and stretch out comfortably in one that is 1800 mm long, or even larger. If you really don't like bathing at all, and much prefer to shower, then maybe a sit-down tub with shower over would be a better choice. These are smaller and deeper than conventional baths, and are a good choice for elderly or disabled people.