What Are Concealed Baths?

Concealed baths are those whose bases and entire bodies are sunk into the floor. They are also called platform tubs. Apart from the element of style, they create the illusion of space in the bathroom. Baths that have their bases on the floor can look awkward when placed without thought.

As with any other bath, have the following considerations in mind before you install a concealed bath:

• The space available. You'll need some space around the tub to get in and out. You may not have enough to install a bath that suits your height and build. To avoid disappointments, invite your contractor to take measurements and advise you accordingly. You may also want to leave room for a shower.

• Feasibility-if you're building a new home, it is much easier to incorporate this, provided you tell the architects and designers in time.It may not be practical trying to bore a hole on the bathroom to fix a concealed bath in an old home. The floor beneath usually needs to be reinforced before such a bath is sunk into place.

It is wise to consider the dimension and shape of the tub being removed so the best replacement to fill the gap can be sought.

• Material - Acrylic is considered to be superior to metal. It is slip resistant and retains heat for longer. Acrylic baths are less expensive than metal ones, fade resistant and are low maintenance. However, they can be scratched. There is a dizzying variety of stone baths, coming in different colors, reflective power, textures and of course, price. Marble is one of the most expensive stones. Fiberglass baths are light but sturdy and cost less than marble baths. However, it is harder to clean than acrylic.

• The size of your door- no matter how ambitious you are, you have to save yourself the shame of breaking down doors so that bathtub can fit in. Get one that will go through your main door and bathroom door.

• Positioning of the drain

Tubs drain to the left or right.

The mixers that come with baths also need to be concealed. These can be positioned cleverly o the wall in color tones that blend with the wall and sort of camouflage them. You can choose to have a mixer that also operates the shower.

A lot of care has to be taken during cleaning the floor itself. Cleaning agents and dirty water may spill over into the tub.

Quality bath mixers will have a standard operating pressure of between one to three bars depending on your water system. Levered taps on mixers look sleek and are the most comfortable to use.

You can choose whichever shape you please for a bath of this type. Only keep in mind that it may be more costly to install it. Special preparation procedures have to be done like drilling and reinforcement. The 'capsule' that contains it is prepared first before the bath itself is installed.

Platform tubs are creative, luxurious and practical pieces that indeed make you feel like you might be soaking in an indoor pool.


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Babak works at ACS Designer Bathrooms. The firm is a leading supplier of custom made bathrooms to the whole of Australia. They have a large and impressive range of stylish and functional baths on offer. Navigate to http://www.acsbathrooms.com.au/baths/concealed-baths.html for more information about all the product they offer.