Freestanding bath – which to choose? The best material, installation methods, popular dimensions

A carefully chosen freestanding bath will make your bathroom feel more luxurious and elegant. Proper installation will lend the interior a unique character, and aligning the bath with the overall design of the room will ensure a comfortable soak and blissful relaxation for everyone at home.

Before making a final purchasing decision, it is worth paying attention to the parameters that favour a given model (e.g., size, shape, extras), as well as materials (e.g., acrylic) that allow for easy and cost-effective maintenance. So, which freestanding bath should you choose? Here are our tips!

What to look out for when buying a freestanding bath?

First, decide on the position of the bath. This is important because placing it in the centre of the room requires at least 8–10 m2 of floor area, though around 18 m2 is preferable. It is also necessary to plan the water connections coming up through the floor so that the floor is even and, above all, stable (you can prepare the design yourself or commission the individual works to specialists).

Freestanding baths – the most popular sizes

Rectangular freestanding baths are manufactured from 130 to 220 cm in length and 75 to 110 cm in width. The dimensions of oval counterparts range from around 90 × 175 cm to 100 × 200 cm. It is worth noting that freestanding baths require floor-mounted taps (for baths standing on legs or feet), deck-mounted taps (for cased/built-in baths) or wall-mounted taps (if the bath touches the wall along its side).

How to install a freestanding bath?

Once the plumbing is prepared and the tiles are laid on the walls and floor, the bath should be carefully levelled. Next, secure it to the subfloor with silicone, filling any gaps beneath the casing. The final step is to protect the edges with cardboard until the bath is fully installed.

Freestanding bath – which material to choose?

Choosing the right material will help protect the bath from damage and also keep maintenance costs down. The most popular materials used to make baths include conglomerate, acrylic and steel. Depending on grade, they may offer low weight, scratch resistance or above-average durability. Below is a brief overview of these materials:

Conglomerate

A natural material created by combining stone with polyester resin. Distinguished by very high durability, a smooth surface and resistance to mechanical damage. Requires regular maintenance with appropriate products.

Acrylic

A material resistant to discolouration, characterised by low weight, straightforward installation and above-average durability. Products made from acrylic are very functional and elegant.

Steel

A very hard material, easy to care for and resistant to mechanical damage (e.g., scratches). Steel baths lose much more heat than acrylic baths.

Where to buy a freestanding bath – specific examples

It’s best to buy a freestanding bath from a reputable company known for using high-quality production materials, standing out with positive Google reviews and impeccable recommendations from within the industry.

A wide range is also important, combined with functionality (e.g., easy maintenance) and the aesthetics of the selected design solutions. A very popular option in recent months is a freestanding bath from REA, notable for its exceptional elegance, attractive price and very simple installation.

Which freestanding bath to choose? Best material, installation methods, popular sizes – a summary

The answer to the question “Which freestanding bath should I choose?” is not clear-cut, as it depends on several key factors. Starting with the material and its properties, through preferred dimensions and available budget, to maintenance methods which may vary slightly depending on the chosen model and the materials used in its manufacture.