You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Definitely off topic!
Does anyone have or has anyone had any experience of having a deep Japanese style bath at home?
We're in the process of redoing our bathroom, and we wanted a stand-alone shower, but space won't allow that and a full-size tub (we're replacing a bath/shower and if necessary we'll simply replace like with like).
Having discussed it, the tub is more an indulgence than a necessity, and that indulgence is a long soak, rather than strictly for functional cleanliness purposes.
We can easily fit a large walk in shower and a deep plunge tub in the bathroom, but I wondered if anyone had one, or had any experience of one? The authentic wooden ofuru tubs are quite expensive, and I wonder how they held up long-term in family use. I can see there are acrylic/ceramic alternatives too.
Sort of thinking this sort of thing:
https://www.omnitub.co.uk/
https://www.basutub.co.uk/
https://www.aquaticabath.co.uk/category/japanese-bathtubs
http://bartokdesign.com/
https://www.williamgarvey.co.uk/products/geo-deep-ofuro-style-bath/
The previous house my sister lived in had a fairly pokey bathroom. They replaced a 'normal' bath with a much shorted, deeper one - not sure it was officially a Japanese style plunge bath - it looked bigger than some of the ones you linked to.
I only ever showered in it, but it was fine. The only slightly sketchy bit was getting in & out as you obviously had a much larger step-over.
I thought about one last year when I had my bathroom redone, I rarely take baths and would have been happy with just a big cubicle but figured it might be handy for resale down the line to have a bath to (but like you not room for both standard sized). Ended up deciding against it and went with a bath/shower in the end (albeit a wider bath than the one it replaced). Reasons were:
Fair bit more expensive over all (a decent size walk-in shower cubicle seems the same price as a decent bath then you have the Japanese bath cost on top)
They don't look as nice to use as a bath and not so user friendly (especially if was selling on to a family with a young baby, they're not great for giving baby baths apparently...)
Look a bit odd
Mostly it was cost though and was happy that with the wider bath the shower wouldn't feel cramped (and it's turned out well, I never knock against the wall or panel when showering)
£50k for a bathtub!! I can get plenty of water in my normal bathtub for a good soak.
Stayed in a hotel last year that had one of these in the bedroom. It was great 😃 Would definitely have one in preference to a normal rub. Not sure about "family use" tho.
It would put me off buying a house if it was the only bath.
My stepmother had a holiday home in Izu (now sadly sold) with a traditional stone flag ofuru. It was an absolute joy to use. I wouldn’t hesitate to get one, if I could afford it. I’ve not had much of a look at those websites, but can you spec the heating element that keeps the water hot here? Definitely go for one of those if so. Traditionally in Japan you shower and clean yourself before getting in the bath, and the whole family will use the same bathwater in an evening.
Thanks all.
It would put me off buying a house if it was the only bath.
It would be, but we're not looking at selling up any time soon!
I think the plan would be that "normal" cleaning would be in the shower, and then a bit of soaking in the tub - as Finbar says, in the Japanese style.
Not sure about heating elements, will take a look.