Installing a Freestanding Bathtub: One Room Challenge Week 5

It's week 5 of the One Room Challenge! I'm so excited, only one more week until I can do the big reveal of our finished remodeled Master Bathroom! It's so beautiful, I can't wait for you to see it! To hold you over until then I want to fill you in on how we installed our gorgeous freestanding bathtub! Don't forget to check out the One Room Challenge Blog to see all of the great renovations happening right now.

Once the luxury vinyl tile was installed in our bathroom, it was time to install the bathtub. One of our biggest dilemmas with our bathroom remodel was the type of tub we wanted to install. We knew that we did NOT want another tub with jets or another built in tub. We were also worried that the limited space wouldn't fit a freestanding tub while providing enough room around it to enter the tub.

What we chose...

Luckily we found a beautiful freestanding tub! It's a MAAX Orchestra 60 inch Fiberglass Center Drain Freestanding Bathtub in white, available from Home Depot or Menards. We loved it because it is sleek and modern and would fit perfectly in our space. We also were excited about the fact that we would have much easier access to the plumbing. This tub's plumbing is contained within the area between the apron and tub insert. This is opposed to having an access panel or access through the ceiling below. This is great for us because our master bathroom sits above our finished main level so we have no access from below without tearing apart a ceiling.

Tips for installation...

Freestanding tubs are more popular in Europe and Canada, meaning there is limited information on how to install them with United States plumbing standards. We definitely learned a few things while installing this tub, and wanted to share some tips for anyone looking for more information.

1. Selecting a drain:

My husband did a lot of research to find ways to help make the drain installation easier. We utilized a OS&B island tub drain, which allows you to install the drain without access below using a slip-in gasketed connection. As you set the tub insert into the apron, you simply line up the tub drain piping with the OS&B drain (already mounted to the floor and drain plumbing). Then the gasketed connection seals as you press the tub down. It comes with all of the piping needed to adapt a standard brass tub drain to work with it as well. It is available in multiple options to connect to either PVC or ABS drain plumbing, depending on the type in your house.

2. Water Supply Lines:

Freestanding tubs require you to use flexible water supply lines so you can attach the plumbing first and then set the tub insert down into the apron. Flexible supply lines for tubs must be more common in Canada and Europe (because every freestanding tub installation guide recommends them). However, in the U.S., most flexible supply lines are for sink faucets and have a smaller diameter (close to 1/4 inch inside) than typical 1/2" house supply plumbing. The flow through these smaller lines is acceptable for a sink, but not for a tub due to the amount of time it would take to fill a tub through 1/4" lines. We finally found that braided stainless steel flexible water heater supply lines provide an inner diameter closer to the 1/2" supply plumbing in your house, which will allow for better water flow to fill a tub. Note: Make sure to have shut off valves prior to the flexible lines as most local plumbing codes require.

Perks of Installing a Freestanding Bathtub...

• One of the best things about the freestanding tub is that it is easily raised and lowered from the drain. This provides easy access to plumbing if needed!
• Using the flexible supply lines (threaded at both ends) allows for "test" installing everything before the apron is put into place. Then we could easily unhook and re-hook it to put the tub into the apron.

Next Week...

Join me next week for the big reveal of our entire finished Master Bathroom! I can't wait to show you all of the details and finishing touches we added throughout!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for some sneak peeks!