A bathtub (or simply bath) is a plumbing fixture used for bathing. Most modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are available in the form of porcelain-coated steel or wood. Older western bathtubs are usually made of galvanized steel or iron. Traditional Japanese bathtubs were usually of a wooden construction.
Jacuzzi is a company producing whirlpool bathtubs and spas. Its first product was a bath with massaging jets. The trademarked Jacuzzi name is commonly misused to refer to any bath with water jets, and can thus be considered a genericized trademark. Sometimes spas and hot tubs are also mistakenly referred to as Jacuzzis.
A walk in bathtub differs from a conventional bathtub in that not only is it smaller and deeper, but it also has an inward-opening or outward opening door which is self- sealing. Those with inward swing doors may require more water to fill as the tub must be larger to accommodate the door. An inward opening door may be considered a disadvantage due to the fact that emergency access is impossible since the pressure of the water on the door holds it closed.
A Belfast sink is a large ceramic sink with a traditional appearance, often set under work surfaces. An automatic sink is a sink fitted in a public restroom that is motion-sensored and detects motion beneath its surface.
A bathroom is a room that may have different functions depending on the cultural context it is used in.
In the UK you can buy bathroom fixtures and accessories from Plumbworld, Cotswold Co and Roper Rhodes.
Steam showers have become a more common bathroom fixture in recent years, primarily due to technical innovations resulting in lower costs, along with an overall increase in the appearance of luxury spa products in the bathrooms of middle and high income families.
In its literal sense it means "a room with a bath", but as bathtubs have partly made way for showers and steam showers, the more general sense of "a room where one bathes" makes more sense. There can be just a shower or just a bathtub or both, sometimes combined and sometimes separate (in which case the bathtub may have a second shower). Usually, it also contains a handbasin or sink and often also a toilet.
Until recently, most bathtubs were roughly rectangular in shape but with the advent of acrylic thermoformed baths, more and more shapes are becoming available. Bathtubs are typically white in color although many other colors can be found.
A sauna is a small room often part of a bathroom or adjacent to a bathroom designed as a place to experience dry or wet heat sessions.
Sinks generally have faucets, usually cold and hot, and a drain. When a sink becomes stopped-up or clogged, a person will often resort to use of chemical drain cleaner or a plunger.
Electrical appliances, such as lights, heaters and heated towel rails generally need to be installed as fixtures, with permanent connections rather than plugs and sockets. This minimizes the risk of electric shock.
In addition to acting as a normal shower, a steam shower produces water vapor using a humidifying steam generator. These types of showers provide a pleasant bathing experience that is becoming more and more popular in many countries.
A low-level access step is essential as is some form of built-in seat as part of a walk-in bathtub The addition of a shower curtain around the tub will make the walk in bathtub into a shower and bars or rails can be added to make the bathtub accessible for those with disabilities and for seniors.
From a decorating point of view the bathroom presents a challenge. Ceiling, wall and floor materials and coverings should be impervious to water and readily and easily cleaned. The use of ceramic or glass, as well as smooth plastic materials, is common in bathrooms for their ease of cleaning. However, such surfaces are often cold to the touch and so water-resistant bath mats or even bathroom carpets may be used on the floor to make the room more comfortable.