Bathtubs Shopping Guide

Use our MAAX bathtub shopping guide to design your perfect bath experience. Installation types, materials, features, and much more are all covered here!


Identify Your Needs

Choosing a bathtub begins with considering the best options for your space. Here’s what you should consider when choosing a new bathtub:

Determine Your Space

Household Needs and Lifestyles

Bathtub Installation Types

Manufacturing Materials

What is Your Budget?

Accessibility Features

Explore the Bathtub Systems

Choose Your Faucets Wisely

Get to Know Your Bathtub Parts

Determine Your Space

Pre-Planning Considerations

First and foremost, the size and type of bathtub you select depends on your available installation space. The location of your existing plumbing and drain pipe will dictate the installation location. Bathtubs can be ordered as left, right, or center drain configurations. Drain location is determined by where the drain is when standing facing the bathtub. If you plan a major remodel or new build, you will have more flexibility. Determine your bathroom plan and shop accordingly. Remember to check the measurements of doorways and hallways to ensure your selected tub will not face any obstacles when delivered. Remember, tubs can be turned sideways to fit through doorways.

When starting your measurements, ensure at least 5’ of accessible sides and 3’ of clearance space around your bathtub.

Let's Measure Your Space

Step 1: If installing the bathtub into an alcove, measure the length from wall to wall(1). Keep in mind that the average alcove bathtub is usually 60” long. Deduct at least one inch from each wall from your measurement for undermount or drop-in baths so the rim can comfortably fit within the frame. 

(1)Note: Bathtubs are typically installed to the bare studs. If you are measuring to replace an existing bathtub and have finished walls in place, you must account for wallboard thickness and enclosure thickness. Adding ½” - ¾” to both sides of your measurement (wall tiles tend to be thicker than shower panels) should get you closer to the size needed. The most common sizes are 60”, 66”, and 72.

Step 2: Measure from the front to the back wall and add ½” - ¾” if measuring against a finished wall. The standard bathtub width is usually 30" or 32". To enter and exit the tub comfortably, it is best practice to have a clearance space alongside the bathtub of at least 60" L by 30" W.

Step 3: A standard bathtub height is 15" - 16". Determining bathtub height relative to the floor will allow you to consider a comfortable step-over height to enter the tub. Who will use the bathtub? Is it practical for long-term safe use?

Bathtub Interior

Soaking Depth of Your Bathtub: The soaking depth is taken from the top of the drain to the bottom of the overflow; this is how deep you will submerge. An average bathtub will have a depth of 12”. For a comfortable soak, opt for a depth of at least 14” or more.

Water Capacity: Please look at the technical specifications section on the product page to find the bathtub's capacity in gallons. The standard capacity of a bathtub is typically 40-50 gallons. Please ensure your water heater can accommodate this volume.

The Bathing Well: You can consider interior basin measurements while shopping once you are armed with information about the outside dimensions. Check the technical specifications for the bathing well dimensions; this is the bottom of the bathtub’s length and width. Will it fit your body comfortably? Do you prefer a reclined backrest for long soaks? 

Bathtub Weight:

Weight: Consider the bath's weight while filled and occupied to determine if your current floor will support any added load.  Additional bracing may be required.

Do You Have Room For a Freestanding Tub?

Considering Installing or Replacing a Corner Bathtub

Corner Bathtub Shopping Guide - MAAX


If your goal is to replace or install a corner bathtub, this paragraph is just what you need. There are plenty of benefits to corner bathtubs. Corner bathtubs are attractive and a great way to make the most of your bathroom's space. It doesn't matter how large or small your bathroom is. Adding a good-looking bathtub in an underused corner will maximize the square footage of your bathroom while blending style. When corner bathtubs are placed throughout a bathroom, traffic can flow freely, giving standing people and people sitting at dressing tables more room.

Household Needs and Lifestyles

Manufacturing Materials

When renovating a bathroom, there is a variety of different materials to consider when you're choosing your fixtures, particularly your bathtub. It is crucial that you prioritize quality in the bathroom, since it is one of the most used rooms in the house and is subject to high humidity levels.

Acrylic

The acrylic sheet is thermoformed into the bathtub shape and reinforced with a fiberglass and resin backing. The material is more durable than fiberglass because it is non-porous and has greater heat retention. Additionally, it is more resistant to chipping and heavy impacts. Cast acrylic is lightweight and can be formed into many styles and sizes.

AcrylX

AcrylX™ is an applied acrylic finish featuring a highly lustrous, brilliant white color backed by a lifetime warranty. AcrylX™ finished products shine brighter when compared to traditional gelcoats and will continue to look factory-new thanks to AcrylX™’s UV-resistant properties and glossy finish. This finish is an American Bath Group exclusive.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is an alternative to cast acrylic and a more affordable option, constructed of fiberglass-reinforced resin (FRP) that is sprayed onto a mold with a gelcoat surface to create the bathtub shape. Fiberglass tubs are lightweight and easy to clean but less durable than other materials. On the plus side, this material is easily repairable by an experienced professional.

Porcelain

A porcelain tub is a cast iron or formed steel bathtub coated with a porcelain-enameled surface, which is a mixture of powdered glass and substrate heated to create a durable surface. Porcelain-enameled tubs are non-porous and have a luxurious look that will not warp, scratch, or decay over time because of their durability.

Stone Resin

Natural stone resin is a molded composite material composed of crushed stones bound together with polymer resins and natural minerals, which gives it the look and feel of natural stone without the weight and cost. In addition to being durable and heat-resistant, stone resin is non-porous and quite affordable, making it an ideal middle ground between cost and quality.

Cultured Marble

Cultured marble is a durable blend of limestone, resin, and pigments cast in a mold with a tough clear coat finish. Due to its non-porous nature, it resists stains and various other damages. Offering an endless amount of color and style options, it gives a sophisticated and modern look to any space.

Copper

This material is a luxurious, durable, and malleable metal that holds heat, requires absolutely no additional maintenance other than consistent water use, and is aesthetically brilliant. Custom-made copper bathtubs are the cusp of what is considered a high-end bathtub.

Wood

Wood is a rustic and aesthetic material that is incredibly durable, holds heat longer, and gives a luxurious and greener look to the bathroom space. A wooden bathtub is sealed with water-resistant wax but requires some maintenance. Often an expensive choice, it is cost prohibitive to many homeowners.

What is Your Budget?

Establishing a budget upfront can help narrow down your options and prevent overspending. Determine how much you're willing to invest in your new bathtub, including installation costs, and stick to it throughout the shopping process.

Combine Your Bathtub and Shower to Enhance Your Bathing Experience

Create your own stylish oasis and maximize your bathroom space with one of our tub showers. Enjoy the best of both worlds with products that combine the pros of a bathtub and a shower, all while saving on bathing space!

Discover the Latest Trends and Inspiration for Your Home

Choose Your Faucets Wisely

Whether you replace an old bathtub faucet or buy a new one, the style will mainly depend on your previous faucet setup. Choose a faucet that complements the rest of your bathroom fixtures and matches your home's overall theme and design. For a maintenance-free life, look for matte or brushed finishes that won't show water stains and fingerprints. For long-lasting use of your faucet, look for polished finishes that will not rust, tarnish, or discolor. Equally important is selecting faucets with a lifetime guarantee on the finish for peace of mind.

Deck mounted faucet

The most budget-friendly option to style your bathroom, this type of faucet is easy to install and makes plumbing easily accessible afterward. Consider installing this faucet type when the upper rim of the bathtub or deck surround has sufficient installation space available; common for drop-in style bathtubs and some freestanding tub models.

Self-supporting

The most expensive option, this type of faucet takes up the most floor space in your bathroom, but also creates the most appealing look. It will integrate nicely with your bathroom decor.

Wall-mounted

An ideal choice when space is limited; however, the bathtub needs to be close to the wall to ensure the water stream will fall directly into the bathtub. This option is particularly convenient if the plumbing has already been installed in this location for an alcove or corner bathtub.

Important note: Faucets and bathtubs need to be compatible. Contact a MAAX dealer to help you choose a functional combination.