Standard vs. Deep Baths: Which Makes More Sense

Essentially, the only thing that separates standard baths from deep baths is that one is deeper than another. The only practical implication, of course, is that a deeper bath will hold more water. Yet comfort and better soak comes with additional water (and a higher utility bill) while realities exist to mandate where any bath, standard or deep, makes the most sense as opposed to the fanciful idea of having a little more depth.

In reality, there’s no right or wrong decision—merely those that make more sense based upon real, practical implications.

Depth Difference

The average internal depth of a standard bath is 400mm. The average internal depth of a deep bath is 500mm or more. For those who utilize their bathtub for bathing and soaking multiple times, this 100mm+ distance makes a significant difference in how much volume is filled and how much space is needed to create the optimal soaking experience.

For example, when someone lies back in a standard bath and reclines their head, water submerges most of the body with knees and shoulders remaining above. Conversely, those who want to fully submerge will have water up to their necks in a deep bath. They can sit at their belly button level or just under and unless they rarely bathe to this extent, it’s less of an issue.

Moreover, the fact that deeper baths exist creates a higher lip over which to step which can either make bathing in/out easier or more difficult. For small children or elderly individuals, it can make it easier to get in and out or increasingly difficult based upon age abilities.

Reality of Water Use

Deep baths mean more water—and where the costs come from. A standard bath will hold 150-200 litres filled for optimal bathing purposes. A deep bath can accommodate 250-300 litres or greater merely for personal satisfaction.

Not only does this equate to larger utility bills but this equates to larger water heating bills as well. More water means it all has to be heated to a certain temperature. While energy efficient models come with cost-effective heating options; when this is a daily routine, deeper baths accrue utility time more than standards.

Additionally, environmentally speaking, 50-100 litres per person per bathing occurrence seems unreasonable compared to the other. When larger litres add up over time, deeper baths become excluded.

Where Baths by Radiator Outlet boast useful selections over time, it’s nice to think about style but depth vs. capacity and how it actually feels in reality.

Installation Weight Considerations

Water is 1kg per litre. A deep bath filled with water weighs significantly more than a standard. Furthermore, the basin itself weighs more than a standard from larger width and support throughout.

Typically, this shouldn’t be an issue. Most second-floor and first-floor bathrooms can accommodate excess pressure from weight over time as long as proper measurements of flooring accommodate for proper weight distribution.

However, many construction styles and older homes may have different limitations where excess pressure considerations come into play so deep baths should be approved via structural integrity supports. Furthermore, when installation height options exist, plumbing needs to accommodate higher heights; waste pipe fitting may not find the slope required for proper drainage with positioning offered inside rooms meaning raising may be necessary on a platform.

Beyond Depth: Comfort Factors

Deep baths provide full body submersion capabilities but ultimately comfort is subjective beyond depth—shapes of the baths factor in as do back rest angles and tap locations on the short side determine how comfortable one is while sitting.

For example, some standard baths slant significantly for comfort and are preferred over high deep baths which make awkward angles at the bottom for slants; whereas some standard baths are way too wide—length comfort—and fail to accommodate comfortable sitting positions.

Shape matters.

Household Usage Patterns

When determining how much effort/time in making it worth it, household patterns will help determine whether depth is necessary; if everyone at the house utilizes the deep bath often enough but the kids usually shower fast—they’re adults who utilize it more often—then there’s no incentive to keep it deeper than required (the cost savings).

However, if everyone enjoys an expansive soak but the kids occasionally bathe (they’re small and child-sized requirements); if everyone is adult-sized and no one has mobility considerations then stepping over a high lip is easy; it makes sense to make it deeper.

In addition, adults can easily step over higher lips but children need help stepping over high lips so they don’t injure themselves while attempting to navigate them. Seniors and those with mobility concerns may find this a prohibitive obstacle.

Space and Size Trade-offs

Deep baths take up more space. The height gives deeper baths more projection into the bathroom which may give tighter spaces even tighter space; however, areas with alcoves where installations can go into corners/deeper indentations recess better for deeper usage.

Where alcoves boast corner benefits of deeper recessive areas, against an open wall they do not feel as deep because they’re higher.

Panel differentiation comes into play; deeper baths require taller panels than designs with standard baths which impacts how rooms aesthetically appear with low ceilings bringing everything down into visual proximity with little room for breathing space.

Cost Differences

Deeper baths are more expensive than standard baths in average size categories regardless of qualitative findings assessed. Generally speaking, 20-40% increases assume based on installation differences or continued costs we have yet to address up until now.

When assessed for budgetary pressured renovations plans for bathrooms over kitchens might be preferred over deeper baths. When assessed for luxury renovations during planned extensive projects, deeper options will present a spa-like familiarity within desired comforting spaces.

Additionally, for continued costs—the continued use of it—it compounded. Will it cost £100-200 annually additionally because it’s deeper; does it raise per person spend projection merely because it’s luxurious?

Strict budgets do not accommodate deeper baths effectively.

Where Deep Baths Make Sense

Deep baths make sense where the regularized use occurs and multiple people want soaking comfort; where people do not have mobility skill concerns; where people can easily step over high lips; where there’s ample room without feeling cramped; where water costs are not exorbitant; where they make sense in master bathrooms since soaking is prioritized and used daily when showers are offered elsewhere eliminating washing concerns unless expansive comfy scooping.

Where Standard Baths Work Better

Standard baths work better where children are concerned who need bathing capabilities but adults get little from baths; they make sense when easy mobility access is prioritized; they make sense when capacity conservation costs are predominant priorities; they make sense when space is tight since every inch counts; they make sense when they’re single amenities for persons where fast efficient bathing beats out lavish soaking comforts—pure personal endeavors.

Making The Right Choice

Ultimately it’s not about what’s better—what’s right—it’s about what’s most sensible based upon realistic application—for family needs.

Understanding how often family members will use their tubs versus their showers should really impact their decision. If nobody’s going to soak down enough to make it worth it—don’t waste any money on water or aesthetic value over time if it’s going to counter whatever values supported!

A deep tub that never gets used as such wastes water (50-100 gallons!) and money while a standard tub that everyone uses infrequently misses out on comfort that otherwise would help day-to-day efforts mean the most!