Walk-in Bathtub Cost
Last Updated on August 15, 2020 | Written by CPA Alec Pow
First Published on February 19, 2016 | Content Reviewed by 
CFA Alexander Popivker
The walk-in tub was inspired from the clawfoot tub, dated from the year 3000 B.C. in Crete.
This type of tub is called „walk-in tub”, „walk-in bath” or „ bathtub with door” and it is the perfect solution, in terms of safety and mobility, for seniors or people with disabilities. Many try to adapt a normal bathtub into one for the disabled by adding benches, grab bars, elevators, but they don’t guarantee you high safety.
For seniors or disabled people entering and exiting a bathtub can be a big challenge because accidents can occur, and that is why these walk-in tubs can be a real solution for independence in bathing.
For a walk-in tub, expect to pay from $2,500 for a simple model up to $15,000 for one with many features.
How does a walk-in bathtub work?
This type of bathtub gives users the possibility to enter the tub without lifting their legs over it because it has a door, that opens and closes, on a side or in front.
The walk-in tub has a sealed door so the water stays in.
You should ask for professional help when you want to install it because it has a lot of features like adjustable shower heads, inside-the-tub seating, bubble jets, and handrails.
There are many different types available on the market and you can choose one depending on the shape, size, door design, or features.
You can buy a walk-in tub for a minimum of $2,500 and as much as $15,000, but you can probably find the one that suits your needs at an average price of $5,000.
The biggest advantage of this walk-in tub is that it makes bathing so much easier for people with mobility problems.
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These walk-in tubs are design to prevent slipping and the textured pads and seats help users to keep their heads above the water. This type of tub won’t require a shower door, which anyhow is a danger for those with mobility problems.
You should also know that it is not recommended to use the walk-in tub door as support for your stability because it is not designed to withstand your weight.
Beside the grab bar and a non-slip floor, a walk-in tub is different from a standard one also by its unusual depth, from 37 inches up to 47 inches, perfect for easing the joint or arthritis pains.
In general, walk-in tubs are made of gel coat fiberglass and acrylic. It is not necessary to be reinforced with metal because the fiberglass is very strong.
When you decide to buy a walk-in tub for a person that has mobility problems you should take into account the step-in height. This depends on the model but also on the company but you can find models that have a step-in height of just 2 inches.
What could go wrong with a walk-in tub?
There are some disadvantages to walk-in tubs. First, you must enter the tub and shut the door before turning on the water.
There are also some disadvantages like:
• First you should enter into the tub and the turn on the water;
• Be careful and don’t get too impatient until you get the right water temperature;
• Even though it has a fast drain you have to wait until all the water is gone.
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Should the average working Joe get a walk-in bathtub?
If you have a member of the family with mobility problems, a walk-in bathtub, even though it’s pretty expensive, will be a nice way to give them just a little more independence, at least when they’re taking a bath. Don’t buy a walk-in tub out of laziness if you don’t have someone with mobility problems in your family, because, as you’ll notice pretty quickly, it won’t be very comfortable.
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I think it’s great that you can probably find a tub that fits your needs for about $5,000. My grandpa started losing his ability to get in and out of his tub, and he doesn’t want help to do it. We will have to look and see if there is a company nearby that can give us a quote for his bathroom.