subject: Making A Choice Between A Whirlpool Bathtub And An Air Bath [print this page] Buying a tub today can be as exciting as buying a new car. So many different options, shapes, sizes, whatever you are looking for, you'll find in today's market. But choosing which one can be difficult, especially if you are looking at a whirlpool bathtub and an air bath, unsure of which is best.
A whirlpool bathtub is the way you want to go if you experience sore muscles and joints frequently. The jet action can be angled and turned to hit those sore spots easily. Using a pump to force the water through, air and water are pushed out of the jets at a volume that you control. This allows you to customize the areas you need massaged.
If you prefer relaxing in the tub, sitting back and just need a gentle and soft massage, the air bath is your best choice. A blower pushes heated air through dozens of small air holes that are on the sides or bottom of the tub. You adjust the power, creating as many or as few bubbles as you need. These bubbles gently massage the soft tissues all over the body, unlike the whirlpool bathtub whose jets force the water at you. With the right tub, you may have the option of a pulse or wave feature also.
A combination bath can give you the best of both worlds; this type combines the whirlpool bathtub and the air bath, giving you the benefits of both in one tub. You'll have total control, maybe starting out with a vigorous massage using the jets and then relaxing with the soft bubbles afterward. Whatever you need that day, you'll get with this type of unit.
There are a few different ways to install these once you do choose. The 3-wall alcove method is most popular and used for rectangular baths. There are three walls around it and the open side normally has a skirt covering the mechanics.
A rather unique look is the drop-in installation, or deck mount. This is where a deck is built, with an opening in the top to place the tub inside of it. The nice part about this method is that you can use any size or shape of tub since the deck is created just for that.
A similar method to the drop-in is the undermount installation. This requires a deck also, but instead of the tub being placed inside, it is fixed underneath so that the rim is invisible. The only requirement here is a tub with a flat rim, but you can have any shape or size that you like.
The free standing tub is a popular choice, allowing you to place it anywhere you like in the room. You can put it against a wall, away from the wall, maybe even in the middle of the room if that is what you'd like. These will also come in a selection of shapes and sizes to choose from. A skirt can also be added to hide the bottom.
Buying a tub today is like buying any other major appliance for your home; you need to research what will work best for you. Tubs today are nothing like the ones your grandparents used; today they massage you, relax you and make bubbles for you. There is nothing better than relaxing in a Whirlpool bathtub at the end of the day and letting the jets massage your worries away.
