Although the bathtub was first invented as another means for bathing, today it has evolved considerably and is now used for various other purposes such as relaxation, hydrotherapy, and massages in addition to simple cleaning and bathing. And since we are on the topic of specialty bath tubs used for relaxation and hydrotherapy, hot air bath tubs cannot be far behind.

Most of you may have heard of hot tubs. Hot tubs are those bathtubs that are filled with water and have some kind of heating mechanism such as electric heaters or natural gas heaters with which to heat the water.

You do not need to drain hot tubs after every use but can use them plenty of times before changing the water. They are typically seen outside homes as opposed to in bathrooms and can generally be used by more than one person at a time.

Those of you who are familiar with hot tubs may think that hot air bath tubs and hot tubs are one and the same thing. However, that is not the case. Here's a look at the main differences: The first difference is that a hot air bathtub has to be drained after you use it, each and every time. This means, you will have to fill the hot air bathtub with water before you want to use it and cannot simply step into the tub already filled with water as is the case with hot tubs. Secondly, hot tubs generally have jets through which air and water are pumped into the tub, thereby creating a whirlpool kind of effect. However, in hot air bath tubs, there are tiny holes in the bottom through which only air (no water) is released into the tub.

While most models have air holes only at the bottom, some hot air bath tubs may have air holes at the sides and back of the bathtub. Thus, with hot tubs you get a more intense massage as water is forced through the jets, whereas with hot air bathtubs you get a gentler massage, albeit a full body one.

Another advantage of hot air bathtubs is that you can use bath oils and other bath products (except bubble bath) with such tubs. Since hot air tubs only expel air through the tiny air holes and there is no circulation of water through the jets (like hot tubs), it is safe to use bath products as there is no danger of the jets getting spoilt. For smaller bathrooms, you can install small hot air bath tubs in your bathroom. Whichever hot air bath tub you choose, you can be sure of getting a great bathing experience.

ADA bathtubs are a great help to those with special needs. ADA, the Americans with Disabilities Act, provides standards for accessibility for many items, including bathtubs. It is often very difficult for elderly people or for the physically handicapped to use bath tubs. Getting in and out of a bath tub is not easy for them and thus many a times they have to forgo the pleasures of bathing in a bathtub. The regular bath tubs can also be very dangerous for people with unique needs. Thus they should look to install handicap or walk-in bathtubs for their use. Most bathtub makers are now complying with the recommendations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and are manufacturing ADA bath tubs for use by the elderly, physically challenged people, and anyone with special needs.

Features Of Bathtubs For Handicapped

• Bath tubs for the handicapped are ADA compliant, meaning made for assisted living.
• Handicap bathtubs have non-slippery floor surfaces.
• Bathtubs for handicapped people are usually longer, deeper, and wider than the regular bathtubs.
• They have bathtub grab bars and rails to support the elderly and the handicapped.
• ADA bathtubs also have seats so that the physically challenged can sit and have a bath or be given a bath by their caregivers.
• ADA bath tubs are usually open from three sides for easier accessibility.
• Many handicap bathtubs have doors in them so that the elderly can get into the bath tubs without having to climb into them.

Benefits Of Handicap Bathtubs

• ADA-compliant bath tubs are easy to use for people who cannot manage to use regular bathtubs.
• They lessen the scope of injuries to the elderly and the handicapped people.
• Handicap bathtubs make it easier for the caregivers to give the handicapped a bath.
• People with special needs can also enjoy the relaxation and therapeutic benefits of a hot water bath by using bath tubs for handicapped.

Additional Bathtub Resources

Walkin bathtubs, sometimes known as ADA bathtubs, are the perfect solution for anyone who has trouble accessing regular bathtubs - the elderly and the handicapped come to mind, but really, anyone who has trouble moving can benefit from a walk-in bathtub.

Walk in bathtubs are designed with safety and comfort in mind, and can provide bathing independence for the motion-impaired. Beyond the convenience and safety aspects, there are also therapeutic benefits - soaking in a walk-in bathtub can help relieve the pain from arthritis and joint problems. Some walk in tubs even come standard with whirlpools, which provide a soothing, relaxing bathtub massage.

Regular bathtubs can present challenges for entering and exiting - getting over the bathtub rim can be quite a hurdle. Walk-in bath-tubs solve this problem by having a latch and door built into the side. The low entry height makes it easy to get in and out. The bathtub door has a watertight seal to prevent leaks. Some models even have an exterior drain.

The interior of a walkin bath tub can include the following:

• a built-in tub seat, which may be contoured
• a safety bar on the side
• slip-resistant floor
• easy accessible controls
• scald guards

While larger than regular tubs, walk in bathtubs will fit in most bathrooms. It is recommended that you do not try to convert a standard bathtub by adding a seat and grab bars, but rather, get a bath tub that was designed to be walk-in from the start due to safety and comfort. You will usually need a professional installer to put in your new walk-in bathtub.

Walkin Bathtub Resources

 Safety Bath - The Walkin Tub Safety Bath is a leading designer and manufacturer of walk-in bath tubs.

 

Mobile home bathtubs are not the same as those bathtubs installed in houses. Tubs in mobile homes have to be smaller as there is no luxury of space. Some are raised a little above the floor level to allow drain lines to go under the bathtub and through the floor.

The tubs designed for houses may not be suitable for your mobile homes. Bathtubs are places where most of us go to relax. A beautiful tub would actually accentuate our mobile home. It must comfortably fit into the small place earmarked for it. Note, however, that a mobile home bathtub does not have an overflow drain.

Plastic and Fiberglass Mobile Home Bathtubs

Standard bathtubs for mobile homes are usually made of plastic, as it quite light in weight. Plastic bathtubs come with a beautiful finish and are versatile and rugged. Plastic tubs are supported, either, by legs or by a styrofoam base. Tubs with legs allow enough room for drain or sewer pipes to pass under them.

One disadvantage is that if they do not sit flat on the sub-floor, they creak. You also risk breakage of the legs. Styrofoam sits flat on the bottom of the tub and so offers a better support and less creaks. The disadvantage is that you cannot run pipes under the bathtub.

Bathtubs in styles of garden tubs and island tubs, made in plastic are available for mobile homes. They come in a multitude of shapes and sizes, to fit into the limited space, offered by mobile homes, for tubs. Fiberglass bathtubs are also available in various colors. They come with a layer of gel coat, which enhances its look and is easy to clean.

Japanese bathtubs are known as Ofuro in Japan. They are deep enough for total immersion up to the neck. The Ofuro Japanese bathtub has its ancestry in the Japanese volcanic baths known as Onsen.

The Ofuro tub, which is usually twice as large as the average American bathtub and is designed for sitting in, is found in most households in Japan. It forms the centerpiece of the bathing ritual, which serves to rejuvenate and relax after the stress of the day. The water tends to be quite hot by Western standards, but this quality, which has a positive effect on circulation, is part of what makes the Japanese bathtub so relaxing.

The modern version of the Japanese bath tub often has a digital control panel which adjusts the water temperature as well as the water pressure and flow. Some even have timers so the bath is automatically readied when desired.

The use of Japanese bathtubs involves a certain etiquette that is somewhat foreign to Westerners - the whole family bathes in the same water. The water is not drained in between! People shower first, before entering the tub.

The Ofuro, or Japanese bathtub, is designed more for relaxation than for cleansing. Japanese bathtubs are quite difficult to find in the U.S. - you will generally need to make your own arrangements to have one brought in.

Featured Products

Japanese Bathtub Resources

Genki USA - Extra Deep Bathtubs Genki USA offers a small selection of Tagaki Japanese bathtubs.

 

Your bathroom no longer need be only a place where you spend a rushed few minutes each morning getting ready for the day. Instead, a beautiful bathroom can be your personal haven, which you can retreat to when you need some peace and quiet. The one bathroom fixture that can prove to be a complete stress buster is the bathtub; and since we are talking of creating the perfect retreat, an exotic bathtub is what it has to be!

Exotic bathtubs are practically a must have for luxurious bathroom retreats. Whether you wish to create a personal getaway from the madness of everyday life, or you want to be able to spend romantic moments with a loved one; exotic bath tubs can do all that and much more.

Here's a look at some different types of exotic bathtubs available in the markets today:

1) Exotic Teak Bathtubs: There truly cannot be anything more beautiful to look at, decadent to use, and envious to own than a teak exotic bathtub. Generally, bathtubs made from wood are not practical as wood and water are not the best of combinations and wooden bathtubs thus tend to get damaged after few years of use. However, teak bathtubs are another thing altogether.

Teak wood used for making bathtubs is kiln dried so as to have extremely low levels of moisture. Such low levels of moisture ensure that the wood will not split or warp with excess humidity. Even with extreme changes in the climate and under severe hot and cold weather conditions, the teak wood will not expand or contract and thus remains durable for years on end. Therefore, with exotic teak bathtubs, you have the double advantage of owning a tub that is beautiful and striking, while at the same time one that will not get spoilt easily and be the pride of your bathroom retreat for years to come.

2) Stone Exotic Bath Tubs: Natural stones such as marble, terrazzo, limestone, and granite are increasingly being used in the manufacture of exotic bathtubs. The natural grain patters and color stains in the stone ensures that your exotic bathtub is absolutely one-of-a-kind and truly unique. Since stone tubs cannot be completely machine made and have to be built by hand, the end result is often a thing of beauty and a marvel to look at.

Most stone bathtubs are very durable and can be used decade after decade. The maintenance and care of these bathtubs is also quite easy and inexpensive. However, when you are buying exotic stone bathtubs, do make sure that your floor surface can handle the excess weight of these fixtures as they tend to be quite heavy.

Go on - get yourself an exotic bathtub today. Wouldn't you say you have quite earned yourself this treat?

When your muscles are severely aching, what is the first thing that comes to mind? You have 5 seconds to think. 1…2…3…4…5… Done thinking? Again, what do you usually associate with muscle pain? Isn't it a massage session done by a pair of therapeutic hands? Golly, imagine feeling those hands touching your skin, working their way up to your neck and down to your back. Those hands, whose soothing powers are heaven-sent, tirelessly make signature circular motions and give your muscles a brand new life. Though you entirely do not know whose hands they are, you are thankful that these hands have found their way to your skin. But you know what, a massage isn't always necessarily done by hands. Of course! To tell you, you can have a luxurious and pampering massage even when you are enjoying a bath soak. This is only possible with a massage bathtub.

Massage Bathtub Types

You probably have been to spas and have once tried dipping in a tub with all those bubbling water. That tub is exactly a massage bathtub version. It has jets, holes situated on the tub sides, which propel the water or air being circulated in the tub. There are actually two types of massage bathtubs: water-jetted and air-jetted.

Water-Jetted

As the name implies, water-jetted tubs have jets that push water from the holes into the tub, creating a stronger massaging effect than the air jets. However, using bubble baths, bath oil, and the likes in a jetted bathtub is a big no-no, so you may find this tub version somewhat boring. Moreover, maintaining this bathtub appears tedious since it requires more meticulous cleaning than the other type. Just a hint: there are water-jetted or whirlpool bathtubs that have a built-in cleaning system, so better eye for these models.

Air-Jetted Bathtubs

The massaging force made by air jets is slightly gentler than the one produced by water jets since air is propelled and circulated in this jet system rather than water. But not like the water-jetted bathtubs, air-jetted tubs can accommodate bath oil, bubble baths, and bath salt, making your bath soak entirely more fun and thrilling.

Tips in Buying

Now, remember that you have lots of bathtub options, and it would be just unwise of you to impulsively buy one without considering some guides. To help you in your purchase, the following tips are specifically outlined for you.

1. Consider your budget. Whether you are buying a new pair of shoes, a bag, a corner table, a bathtub, or a house and lot, it is always important to check your money. You may have successfully located your desired item after months of scouting, but is your budget enough to bring it home? Remember, you don't want to engage in impulsive buying only to find out later that your debts are almost ceiling-high.

2. Consider the style. There are several style options that you would want to see first before buying. Do you want an egg-shaped massage bathtub? What do you think of the rectangular one? Have you seen the Victorian style? You see, there are absolutely many styles to choose from, so go now and visit online stores and showrooms.

The term sauna bathtub is a misnomer. Saunas, a fundamental part of Finnish and Swedish culture, have existed for thousands of years. The sauna is, in fact, a small room designed to induce relaxation and promote sweating. Saunas generate a dry heat between 70 and 100 degrees Celsius. To produce a thick cloud of steam that makes the sauna feel hotter, water is thrown on heated stones from time to time. People alternate between sitting in the steaming sauna and taking a cold bath. During winter, some people even roll in the snow.

Pseudo Sauna Bathtubs

People feel that Turkish baths and steam baths are synonymous with saunas. In fact, there is a huge difference. The terms hot bathtub, whirlpool, and spa bathtubs are interchangeable and often refer to bathtubs where water is circulating and/or water jets and air jets are installed. Saunas provide a great way to relax. They are good for the circulation, keep the skin soft and supple, and promote relaxation. One alternative to traditional sauna baths is the Infrared sauna. This type has emerged in the recent times. Unlike traditional saunas using wood or electric stoves to heat, this sauna uses infrared heaters. Infrared heaters only heat the people and not the air, like the traditional saunas. Portable saunas allow you to take your sauna where ever you wish, on business trips or on vacations. It is a box like structure for one person to sit in. Some portable ones look like traditional saunas, wood-lined and have doors and benches. The folding sauna is economical and practical and can be carried anywhere. To set it up just plug it into a wall socket. Proponents of the sauna swear by its therapeutic values. Lie back and enjoy its benefits.

A bathtub is a fixture that is seen in majority of homes. In fact, most homes have not just one but several bathtubs. Although there are hundreds of bathtubs available in the markets, ranging from standard sizes to large ones, you may not always find exactly what you are looking for. Perhaps the size of the bathtub is not as big as you need, or maybe the style is all wrong, or even the color is not matching the other fixtures in your bathroom. For whatever reason you may not find the right tub for your bathroom, you can always turn to custom bathtubs to fulfill your tub needs.

People who are very tall or those who are quite heavy may find it difficult to find the right sized bathtub. Thus, custom made bathtubs are the perfect solution for them. Not only can you customize the tub to the right size, but you can also choose any shade of color that you want and even the most unusual of shapes or styles.

Custom made tubs can be fitted with various fixtures and accessories that will enhance your bathing experience. You can get air jets or water jets fitted into your custom bathtub at precisely the exact spots you would want the gentle massaging action of the jets to be. Different types of tub faucets, drains, and tub accessories can also be attached to the tub so as to increase its functionality and make it that much more useful for you.

Custom bathtubs can be made from many different materials. Some of these include marble, wood, acrylic, porcelain, and even glass. Marble bathtubs are great as built-in tubs and lend a very elegant look to your bathroom. Custom wood bathtubs are a great choice for those who want a timeless appeal to their bath and do not mind spending a little bit extra for the added luxury of a wood bathtub.

For the ultimate in luxury, some companies (like the Jacuzzi Company) even make custom high end tubs that feature a home theater in addition to video cameras and internet capabilities. Thus, you can video monitor your home or surf the internet while enjoying your refreshing bath. How's that for a custom tub!!