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Housing - New Build: Freestanding baths v Showers -tips?

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    Has anyone else decided to go for a bath with hand shower rather than build in a shower? Since we share baths I'm not convinced that a shower is necessarily the more energy efficient option. Even with the wonders of wediboard, Mermaid panels etc. it seems a free standing bath is the simplest, lowest human energy option.
    Can anyone point me in the direction of either reclaimed or new, preferably not acrylic?...and preferably affordable?
    Carol
    • CommentAuthorStuartB
    • CommentTimeFeb 16th 2009
     
    I am sure there will be times when you will want a quick shower rather than soaking in the bath together? Would you then just sit in the bath with the hand attachment?? I think you may regret not putting in a shower.
  3.  
    Hi Stuart, well, without going into too much detail, we don't always bathe simultaneously, more often sequentially... a bit more 1950s family style than 21st century affluent yuppie style...

    The ideal seems to me to be a big bath with a frame for a curtain (wide enough so the curtain doesn't wrap itself like cling-film around one's body) so making stand up showers possible? Does anyone know where to find such a creature other than very expensive architectural salvage places?
    • CommentAuthorbrig001
    • CommentTimeFeb 16th 2009
     
    I wanted a free standing bath in our bathroom, but was over-ruled. I thought, build a wet room, put in a free standing bath and put a shower over it. No shower curtain needed - well maybe a pane of glass to control the splashes.

    Just a thought.
    • CommentAuthorStuartB
    • CommentTimeFeb 16th 2009
     
    Posted By: Carol hunterHi Stuart, well, without going into too much detail, we don't always bathe simultaneously, more often sequentially... a bit more 1950s family style than 21st century affluent yuppie style


    :sad: That's a shame!

    I think brig001's idea is good if you are having problems with justifying a shower. How about an old tin bath or a trough from a farm to save a bit cash?
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeFeb 16th 2009
     
    Every time I look at a freestanding bath I think 'if I wanted to design a device to waste heat faster than this, I probably couldn't do it'. I admit that I like soaking in the bath when I do have one but the idea of a bath that encourages topping up with more hot water as it cools offends me. My next bath will be insulated! As will my toilet cistern for related reasons :)
    • CommentAuthorCWatters
    • CommentTimeFeb 16th 2009
     
    http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/drought/38531.aspx

    Says that 6 L/min is percieved as a good shower. So shower lasting five mins would be 30 Liters.

    Overall shower probably saves unless bath is shared.
  8.  
    You probably want something like this: http://www.bainsneptune.com/english/bains/victoria.html

    Coupled with a ceiling mounted shower curtain rod that encloses the bath like this: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O9UZ9S/ref=asc_df_B000O9UZ9S718052?smid=AKGKDHIG14442&tag=dealt5188-20&linkCode=asn

    "48" x 24" Polished Chrome Rectangular Shower Curtain Rod. Perfect for use with your free standing tub, clawfoot tub ..."

    Should be easy to get something like that in the UK surely?

    Paul in Montreal

    p.s. we took out something like the above - if you were closer you could have had both the ancient cast-iron clawfoot tub and the rod (which wasn't ancient).
  9.  
    Thank you all, So how about an inexpensive second hand bath insulated with the huge amount of wine corks we have been donated and cobbed? Although cob maybe is not so great with all that water slooshing about....Since we are planning a rocket stove heated cob bench near the bath, this should be quite practical.

    Thanks for the liks Paul - I didn't realise Amazon extended their greedy nets as wide as bathroom furniture

    Stuart, we don't only share tepid grey water....

    carol
    • CommentAuthorarthur
    • CommentTimeFeb 19th 2009
     
    It depends how you shower as well and on the size of the bath. Most people who love their relaxing soak in the tub have huge baths that you can stretch right out in and fill them right to the top. But bath's use a huge amount of energy it seems to me. Compared with the way I shower (quick wetting, water off, lather, quick rinse) even sharing a bath would use enough energy for a month of showers.
  11.  
    The truth cannot be hidden any longer - in fact, I live in a caravan and have a tiny shower complete with wrap around curtain. I haven't had a bath for nearly two years! So a bath offers the opportunity to rest weary building muscles in a way that showers just don't manage in my experience. I expect that bathing a deux will be very occasional and quick, shallow dips more the norm. so.... anyone have any experience of insulating/cobbing baths?
    • CommentAuthorsquowse
    • CommentTimeFeb 21st 2009
     
    well the heat lost from the bath is only going to go into the room. so not really lost unless it's summer and the window is open.
    • CommentAuthorGotanewlife
    • CommentTimeFeb 21st 2009 edited
     
    Let's not blur the lines between good energy efficient design and chocolate.

    A bath is like chocolate; it is a selfish indulgence, a reward, a pleasure....and it can even be good for one's relationship too! Given the raison d’être of this site, the bath should be treated as heat pumps are - not really any way of justifying (unless the elecy is created on site) and banned, as there is no rational green reason for having a bath. The priorities for a bath are therefore simple: 1/Heat, 2/Size, 3/Cost, with Green Issues very last, if at all. Heat may only be achieved 2 ways: with hot water that stays hot or with hot water that gets cool and is topped up, refer to priorities 2 and 3 for which method to go for.

    Finally, in my humble opinion baths and showers are mutually incompatible, in that I have never yet had a shower in a bath that was not a compromise. The water escapes, the head is not high enough (but I am 6'3") the bath floor flexes worryingly, the seals around the bath fail and mould, the curtain is never far enough away and doesn't dry out properly and gets mould, the water delivery is rarely as good as a purpose built shower.

    OK, OK enough. Ideal situation is: separate shower and bath, built in bath (insulated) with place for partner's clothed bum (for back rubbing and hair washing) and room for 2 in the bath occasionally. So please no more confusing chocolate with green issues!
    • CommentAuthorCassie
    • CommentTimeFeb 21st 2009
     
    Rarely has a comment on here have me crack out laughing but, gotanewlife, yours did!

    Carol, you have my sympathies over the bath, we lived in a caravan for 6 months and not having a bath made me crave for one, have lived in the house for 15 years and probably only had 15 baths - mothers day treat, candles and bubble bath, glass of wine - you get the picture.

    Is the caravan & lack of bath temporary - you mention weary building muscles? Or prefered life style? I think the answer to this question will direct more advice _ (if everyone else knows and I don't, my apologies and red face for feeling daft.)
    • CommentAuthorludite
    • CommentTimeFeb 22nd 2009
     
    Baths are good for tired weary muscles. Hubby has a daily bath - because he's dirty. The heat relieves his muscles in a way showers never could. When he's in real pain he performs gymnastics in the bath - assumes a bicycle like pose - feet in the air. . . . . . In our case, the water is heated from our stove - it's just the vloume of water - compared to a shower that might be wasteful. On the other hand, for the past 5 years he's shared the bath with the kids, so technically its one full bath for 3 bodies. . . . . . surely that would qualify as 'green'?
  16.  
    Hooray for luddite!
  17.  
    And Cassie!
  18.  
    I love having a nice hot bubble bath. Never solo though :) And the bubbles act as insulation to keep the water warm longer. Then rather than letting it go immediately down the drain, I leave it go get to room temperature, this recovering most of the heat for no charge. And as my annual gas consumption (which is what I use to heat hot water with as well as cook) is only a couple of thousand kWh, I don't feel the slightest bit guilty. Maybe it's somewhat wasteful of water, but with 2 people in the bath, not much water is needed - certainly less than two people showering separately. Enjoy it!!

    Paul in Montreal.
  19.  
    And Paul too! I like the idea of bubbles as insulating...we would probably have to draw the line at them though as our water would be going straight into our WET system, (Wetland Ecosystem Treatment) and we would be using wood and solar to heat the water...thank you for the encoragement!
    carol
    • CommentAuthorarthur
    • CommentTimeFeb 26th 2009
     
    Seems very questionable to me whether baths are really good for muscles. Athletes are more likely to be taking ice baths these days (not that those wouldn't use a fair bit of energy too). You'd be better of with compression clothing - seems very effective after exercise for recovery.

    Paul, if you have heat-recovery ventilation (which of course you do) then, I agree, letting the heat escape into the room may not be so bad in winter but for most people doing that will require the window to be open longer to allow the moisture to escape. Also, in summer leaving the water to stand isn't going to be utilising that heat in any useful way.
  21.  
    Posted By: arthurPaul, if you have heat-recovery ventilation (which of course you do) then, I agree, letting the heat escape into the room may not be so bad in winter but for most people doing that will require the window to be open longer to allow the moisture to escape. Also, in summer leaving the water to stand isn't going to be utilising that heat in any useful way.


    I only have baths in the old house (where we do not have a HRV system). The air is dry here in winter so there's no condensation at all - even after a 15 minute shower without the extractor fan on. Of course, in the summer I don't have baths - more likely just a cool shower as it's hot and humid outside and the last thing I'd want to do is have a hot bath :) The new house does have a HRV system but the 100 year old cast iron bath we salvaged is not installed yet (despite the plumber claiming it is when it very obviously isn't as it's lying upside down in another room waiting for a new leg). Even with a HRV, the air is still quite dry in winter so any extra humidity that makes it into the air is a good thing. Outside air that's at -20C or below carries very little moisture in it.

    Paul in Montreal.
  22.  
    Depending on your budget, look at the Albion Bath Co website. They do the curtainy things and they also do the most wonderous 2 person baths in an insulative material. I've been to their workshop and knocked on the sides of them and they are so much nicer than anything else I've seen in acrylic. The bath I have on my wish list is £3,000 odd. It will be used (sparingly) instead of chocolate.

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