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Ella's Bubbles Tub Size Selection Guide

How to Choose a Walk-In Bathtub

  1. Bather’s Measurements
  2. Calculating Bather’s Soaking Depth
  3. Door Style Options & Selection
  4. Understanding the Drain Positioning
  5. Access to & Layout of the Bathroom
  6. Understanding the Extension & End Access Panels

1. Bather’s Measurements

Importantpersonal measurements to consider for bather before selecting a walk-in tub.

When choosing a walk-in bathtub with a seat and door, it’s crucial to select the appropriate size for both the bather and the tub. These tubs are specifically designed for comfortable sitting while bathing, making the right size even more important. You can find and download detailed drawings for each walk-in tub model on their respective product pages at vital-hydrotherapy.com.

  • Measuring the hip & shoulder size
  • 3 main factors to determine soaking depth
  • Footwell – the step in floor space of the walk-in tub
How To Choose A Walk In Bathtub
How To Choose A Walk In Bathtub

Hips& Shoulders matter in relation to the seat size.

To determine the right size for a bathtub seat, measure your hip and shoulder width. Sit relaxed and extend the measuring tape across your pelvis and shoulders, without bending the tape. Then, measure across your chest from the outside of your left shoulder to the outside of your right shoulder, still keeping the tape straight. The bathtub seat should be bigger than your hip and shoulder measurements.

3 Main Factors to Determine Soaking Depth

To measure the ideal length for comfortable seating in a bathtub, position a chair facing a wall and place your feet against the wall, keeping your heels comfortably rested on the chair’s legs and your toes touching the wall. Measure the distance from the back of the chair straight to the wall using a straight measuring tape.

The seat length and height from the seat to the overflow top are essential in determining the bather’s ability to submerge their upper body. Detailed drawings of each tub can be found on vital-hydrotherapy.com.

How To Choose A Walk In Bathtub
Ella Brand Walk In Tubs

Walk-in tubs are specifically engineered for comfortable sitting while bathing. However, finding the perfect walk-in tub for full-body soaking requires extra bathroom space and an elongated tub. For example, Ella’s Bubbles offers longer walk-in tub models like the Lounger or ShaK that can comfortably accommodate bathers up to 7 feet tall.

In some circumstances, lay-down walk-in tubs without a seat and with a door may be a more suitable option. These types of tubs offer the bather the ability to lie down comfortably while still enjoying the convenience and safety features of a walk-in tub. It’s essential to consider individual needs and preferences when choosing between seated and lay-down walk-in tubs.

Footwell -THE FLOOR SPACE

The footwell of a walk-in tub has multiple functions, such as serving as a step-in platform for entering and exiting the tub, accommodating the bather’s legs in a seated bathing position, and enabling standing showering. Additionally, Ella walk-in tubs provide a textured floor for increased slip resistance and safety.

How To Choose A Walk In Bathtub

2. Calculating Bather’s Soaking Depth

The walk-in tub is specifically engineered for seated bathing, rendering the option of lying down typically impractical. Furthermore, the soaking depth of a walk-in bathtub is assessed differently from a regular bathtub. It’s determined by three pivotal factors: the interior length of the tub, the length of the seat, and the distance from the seat to the overflow.

Ella’s Bubbles boasts a diverse range of over 25 walk-in tub models, each designed to cater to various body types, including models specifically crafted for taller individuals. The Ella ShaK model is specifically tailored for those who are close to or over 7 feet tall. These models are uniquely designed with the comfort and needs of taller individuals in mind.

For those desiring the option to lay down, Ella’s Bubbles has innovatively addressed this need. We offer two of their distinctive lay-down walk-in tubs, each equipped with glass doors. Moreover, an additional option of a glass shower screen is available for seated tubs to provide an enhanced bathing experience.

3. Door Style Options & Selection

*Always Consider the bather’s physical dimensions or impairments and bathroom layout when choosing a door type.

Ella's BubblesInward swing U Shaped Door is best if your narrowest hip dimension is less than 16 ½ inches. Consider the door closing radius as the door needs to clear your knees as it pivots on the door hinge after you step in and sit down. Inward swing doors are also ideal if objects or fixtures in the bathroom will prevent outward swing door movement. An inward swing door may be best for smaller bathrooms.

Outward swing doors are best if your narrowest hip dimension is less than 20 inches. Outward swing doors are ideal if you have the space in your bathroom to accommodate the full arc of door opening and closing. Again, always keep in mind the location of cabinets, toilets or other fixtures in your bathroom.

L-shape outswing door tubs are ideal for bathers with oversized body types and bathers that require the use of a wheelchair or walker. The L-shape outswing door allows  bathers to effortlessly slide into the seat through the wide 36” L-shape door opening. The L-Shaped door also can fit over a 21” toilet.

All of Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs, regardless of door style, have anextra low threshold for easy entry and exit. Ella Walk-in tubs are easy-in and easy-out. If you’re not constrained by bathroom size, bathroom fixtures, or physical impairments, you can choose the door that fits your needs or simply looks the best to you.

U-shape Doors

  • Inward Swing: Made from a custom brushed stainless steel and a frosted tempered glass window to give a sleek, contemporary look.
  • Outward Swing: Made with industrial grade durable plastic composite material with a decorative tempered glass front screen to conceal the mechanical door lock system.

L-shape Doors

  • The aluminum door’s distinct L-shape design allows the door to clear a 21” tall toilet and create a wide entry for an easy transition from wheelchair into a smooth acrylic seat. The sleek rubber handle mounted on the inside panel of the door also aids in closing the door.

Door Handles

  • Bathers who have limited ability in their arms, or suffer from reduced upper body strength, will find the U-shape outward swing door easier to operate. The handle allows bathers to simply lift the lever on the outside of the door when opening and closing the door.
  • U-shaped inward swinging door handles are more convenient as they are located next to the hips for easier access. The extended handle allows bathers to effortlessly lift the lever, bypassing bathers legs when opening and closing the door.

How To Choose A Walk In Bathtub
Transfer Feature Boxes

4. Understanding the Drain Positioning

When choosing a walk-in tub drain position, consider the following:

Floor drain position will be up to you as most of the walk-in tubs we carry come standard with a left or right 4-port dual drain system that can be directed to drain water towards the front or rear of the tub.

Ella walk-in tubs come with either a left hand drain, or a right hand drain on all models except Front Entry, and our Two Seat Tubs models. All models are equipped with a Dual 2” Drain except the Mobile and the Front Entry walk-in tub models which come with a single 2” Drain with an emergency pull chain.

If you choose a tub with the door on the right side, the drain will be on the right side and connect to the house drain on the left. If you choose a tub with a door on the left side, the drain will be on the left side and connect to the house drain on the right. However, Ella's flexible design system will accommodate whatever is most convenient for you and your home. We do also recommend a two inch house drain for maximum efficiency.

It basically comes down to an aesthetic choice. It’s up to you where you think it’s best to have the doors and the drains. Think about factors such as if you’d like to face a window or perhaps you have a TV you’d like to view while bathing. Keep all of this in mind as you make your selection. Your comfort and relaxation is an important consideration.

5. Access to & Layout of the Bathroom

Before purchasing a walk-in tub, measure the door and hallway widths from the front door all the way to the bathroom, including turning angles leading to and into the bathroom. These dimensions will help you choose the right tub length and width that meets your space constraints. We want to make sure you don’t order a walk-in tub that will not fit into your home. Installing a tub that is larger than the door width is possible, but it will probably require door frame removal or possible door opening modification. Measure carefully! Also, keep in mind any fixtures in your bathroom where the tub will be located, such as cabinets, drawers, toilets or sinks may prohibit the opening and/or operation of an outswing door. Read all specifications carefully, and as always, feel free to call our customer service at 1-844-493-7633 should you have any questions.

6. Understanding the Function of the Extension L Panel, Front Apron and Access End Panels for Ella Walk-in Tubs

Ella Walk-in Tub Reversible Extension Panel

The purpose of the extension panel is to fill a 60″ wide alcove opening for tubs shorter than 60″ in length. All of Ella’s acrylic walk-in tubs measuring less than 60″ in length come with reversible extension panels, except for the Mobile and Front Entry models. The Front Entry walk-in tub includes two side panels, which cover both sides of the tub due to the unique design featuring the door and seat facing each other. Walk-in baths 60″ and longer do not have extension panels. Moreover, each Ella walk-in tub comes with one reversible end panel. All panels include mounting hardware.

Ella Walk-in Tub Reversible End Panels

The reversible end panel is installed on one end of the walk-in tub when opting for a corner installation. For instance, if the walk-in tub is situated in the right-side corner of the bathroom, the reversible end panel will be installed on the opposite left side end of the tub, covering the plumbing and frame. A second end panel can be purchased at an additional cost to cover the other end of the tub, in case the walk-in tub is installed against the back wall with both ends open. The end panel includes mounting hardware.  These end panels can be removed or reattached to provide after-service access to the plumbing and components.

Ella Walk-in Tub Removable Front Apron and Access Panels.

Ella walk-in tubs come with a removable apron affixed to the tub’s front. Typically, there are two easily removable access panels to facilitate after-service access to the plumbing and components. The method of attaching the front apron – clips, screws, Velcro tape, or magnets – varies depending on the model of the walk-in tub. However, if the apron design does not include access panels, the apron must be removed to facilitate after-service access to the parts and components.

Warning:

All removable panels, including the front apron with access panels, end panel, and extension panels, must be removed before moving the walk-in tub into the house and bathroom. These panels are not designed to bear the weight of the tub during transportation and may break if not removed.  Replacement or additional acrylic panels can be purchased at an additional cost; however, please note that the white matching color tones may slightly vary.