Project: Finding the Deepest Tub for the Money
What matters to you in a bath tub? I want the water to be deep. I was surprised that the beautiful clawfoot tub I had my heart set on was only 13 1/2” deep. That’s an awful lot of me not under the water.
Soaking Depth
So, I made a spreadsheet on soaking depth. I broke it down by how much it costs per inch of water.
These are Lowes 2017 prices. Subject to change, of course.
Only one side is finished, so they have to have walls around them.
Skirted, Alcove or Recessed Bathtubs
Only one side is finished, so they have to have walls around them. These can be the least expensive option, but they can get deep. This chart gives you an idea of the range of depth to dollar.
Lowes Style Selections White Acrylic Oval in Rectangle Skirted Bathtub is a good choice. 18″ deep at only $366.66.
| Brand | Material | Soaking Depth | Price | Per inch of water |
| Briggs | Porcelain Enamel | 13 | $122.00 | $9.38 |
| Sterling Performa | Vikrell | 10.25 | $139.00 | $13.56 |
| Style Selections | Acrylic | 15 | $205.00 | $13.67 |
| Style Selections | Acrylic | 15 | $273.83 | $18.26 |
| Jacuzzi Primo | Acrylic | 15.25 | $309.00 | $20.26 |
| Style Selections | Acrylic | 18 | $366.66 | $20.37 |
| Mustee Topaz | Fiberglass | 14.25 | $293.23 | $20.58 |
| Sterling All Pro | Fiberglass/Plastic composite | 9.375 | $194.55 | $20.75 |
| American Standard | Porcelain Enamel | 9.5 | $255.00 | $26.84 |
| American Standard Evolution | Acrylic | 18.5 | $508.99 | $27.51 |
| Laurel Mountain Hourglass Trade | Acrylic | 18.5 | $704.18 | $38.06 |
| Laurel Mountain Mercer V | Acrylic | 16.5 | $747.13 | $45.28 |
| Laurel Mountain Mercer Iv | Acrylic | 16.75 | $786.82 | $46.97 |
This is only the tub. No sides are finished. Figure in the cost of the deck, the frame to support the tub and the surround.
Drop-in or Platform Tub
This is only the tub. No sides are finished. Add in the cost of the deck, the frame to support the tub and the surround.
Lowes Style Selections American Standard Evolution Arctic Acrylic Rectangular Drop-in Bathtub is a good choice. 18 1/2″ deep at $525.00.
| Brand | Material | Soaking Depth | Price | Per inch of water |
| Jacuzzi Primo | Acrylic | 16 | $408.00 | $25.50 |
| American Standard Evolution | Acrylic | 18.5 | $525.00 | $28.38 |
| American Standard Evolution | Acrylic | 18.5 | $572.93 | $30.97 |
| Jacuzzi Primo Oval | Acrylic | 16 | $508.00 | $31.75 |
| Laurel Mountain | Acrylic | 18.5 | $616.48 | $33.32 |
| Laurel Mountain Standard Trade | Acrylic | 16.5 | $579.12 | $35.10 |
| Jacuzzi Primo | Acrylic | 17.19 | $608.00 | $35.37 |
| Sterling Lawson | Vikrell | 15.25 | $550.10 | $36.07 |
| KOHLER Archer | Acrylic | 15.125 | $549.26 | $36.31 |
| Sterling Lawson | Vikrell | 15.25 | $592.14 | $38.83 |
| American Standard Studio | Acrylic | 17.75 | $692.17 | $39.00 |
| Laurel Mountain Drop In I Plus | Acrylic | 18.5 | $740.00 | $40.00 |
| Laurel Mountain Seneca | Acrylic | 16.75 | $692.17 | $41.32 |
| Laurel Mountain Melfa | Acrylic | 17.75 | $750.00 | $42.25 |
| Laurel Mountain Boston | Acrylic | 16.25 | $690.00 | $42.46 |
| American Standard Studio | Acrylic | 17.75 | $764.43 | $43.07 |
| Laurel Mountain Trade Standard | Acrylic | 17 | $945.00 | $55.59 |
Freestanding tubs are completely finished on all sides and just sit on the floor. Almost like furniture, you can put them anywhere.
Freestanding
Freestanding tubs are completely finished on all sides and just sit on the floor. Almost like furniture, you can put them anywhere. That means they may cost less to install than other tubs.
Lowes Jacuzzi Primo White Acrylic Oval Freestanding Bathtub is a good choice. 18 1/2″ deep at $908.00.
| Brand | Material | Soaking Depth | Price | Per inch of water |
| Jacuzzi Primo | Acrylic | 18.5 | $908.00 | $49.08 |
| American Standard Cadet | Acrylic | 21 | $1,365.00 | $65.00 |
| Avanity | Acrylic | 18.1 | $1,224.00 | $67.62 |
| Jacuzzi Primo | Acrylic | 18.5 | $1,267.00 | $68.49 |
| American Bath Factory Chelsea | Acrylic | 16 | $1,098.00 | $68.63 |
| OVE Decors Rachel | Acrylic | 17 | $1,199.00 | $70.53 |
| OVE Decors Serenity | Acrylic | 17.75 | $1,259.00 | $70.93 |
| Wyndham Collection Uva | Acrylic | 17.5 | $1,299.00 | $74.23 |
| Jacuzzi Inizio | Acrylic | 16 | $1,260.94 | $78.81 |
Clawfoot tubs are a kind of freestanding tub.
Clawfoot Tub
Clawfoot tubs are a kind of freestanding tub. Sadly, they are not as deep as I hoped. Still, there are some great options out there.
Lowes American Bath Factory Chelsea Acrylic Oval Clawfoot Bathtub is a good choice. 17″ deep at $1,098.00.
| Brand | Material | Soaking Depth | Price | Per inch of water |
| American Bath Factory Chelsea | Acrylic | 17 | $1,098.00 | $64.59 |
| Barclay | Acrylic | 13.5 | $1,006.77 | $74.58 |
| American Bath Factory Chelsea | Acrylic | 14.5 | $1,288.00 | $88.83 |
| Barclay | Cast Iron | 12 | $1,748.73 | $145.73 |
| Barclay | Cast iron | 13 | $2,765.70 | $212.75 |
After doing all the math, I chose the acrylic skirted tub. It’s practical, easy to clean and nice and deep. Not as cool. But practical and a good value.
In the new house we are building, I can fit a bigger tub. Choosing the Soaker Tub >
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