There was a time when buying a bathtub fixture was easy…there was little variety, and faucets were chrome or stainless, unless you had oodles of money and could afford gold. This is not so anymore. bathtub fixtures are far from blah, with materials like brass, gold, nickel, porcelain, chrome, stainless steel, and even plastic available to choose from.

Even clawfoot, free standing tubs, and those marvelous new walk-in tubs have several bathtub fixture choices. You can have a plain bath faucet with no shower capacity. Riser showers are made that can be installed on the floor, or wall mounted, with connections and faucets in chrome, brass, or porcelain. You can also opt for a hand held shower that can be mounted on the wall or connected in the tub. It is one of the easiest to install.

There are several things you have to consider before making a decision on what to buy:

* How much can your budget afford?

* How long do you expect this fixture to last? Different metals and materials have different life spans. Plastics don’t last very long, and stainless steel is the strongest.

* Unless you are replacing everything in the bathroom; i.e. sink, tub, cabinets, and toilet, you need to choose a style that is compatible with the existing countertops and fixtures. You will be surprised at how much of a change just adding new bathroom fixtures can make in the appearance of your bathroom.

* Are you trying to reduce water consumption? If you are, make sure you are picking a water saving unit for your tub. It will also save on your gas or electric bill, since you won’t have to heat as much hot water.

* Do you want your showerhead to adjust for normal, massage, or spray mist?

* Are you paying to have it installed professionally or do you want to try it yourself?

There can be a great deal of variation in price, going from very reasonable to extremely expensive. Before you buy your bathtub fixture, shop carefully for the best prices. Look for sales at plumbing supply shops and building supply centers. Look online. Ebay has some spectacular deals! It is probably wiser to go with a better known brand, since finding replacement parts will be easier if needed at a later date. And buy the best that you can afford, since it will last longer…especially if you are also paying for installation.

If you are using a plumber for installation, check his prices out if he offers you a “bargain.” Granted, some plumbers won’t guarantee their work unless you buy the fixtures from them, but their prices are often among the highest. You can save money by doing your bathtub fixture installation yourself, and easy instructions can be found online. But it isn’t a better deal if you do not have the proper tools, have little confidence in your ability to do it yourself, or if you are putting your marriage on the line! Think before you decide!

Bathtub Fixtures Don’t Have to Be Blah

There was a time when buying a bathtub fixture was easy…there was little variety, and faucets were chrome or stainless, unless you had oodles of money and could afford gold. This is not so anymore. Bathtub fixtures are far from blah, with materials like brass, gold, nickel, porcelain, chrome, stainless steel, and even plastic available to choose from.

Even clawfoot, free standing tubs, and those marvelous new walk-in tubs have several bathtub fixture choices. You can have a plain bath faucet with no shower capacity. Riser showers are made that can be installed on the floor, or wall mounted, with connections and faucets in chrome, brass, or porcelain. You can also opt for a hand held shower that can be mounted on the wall or connected in the tub. It is one of the easiest to install.

There are several things you have to consider before making a decision on what to buy:

* How much can your budget afford?

* How long do you expect the bathtub fixtures to last? Different metals and materials have different life spans. Plastics don’t last very long, and stainless steel is the strongest.

* Unless you are replacing everything in the bathroom; i.e. sink, tub, cabinets, and toilet, you need to choose a style that is compatible with the existing countertops and fixtures. You will be surprised at how much of a change just adding new bathroom fixtures can make in the appearance of your bathroom.

* Are you trying to reduce water consumption? If you are, make sure you are picking a water saving unit for your tub. It will also save on your gas or electric bill, since you won’t have to heat as much hot water.

* Do you want your showerhead to adjust for normal, massage, or spray mist?

* Are you paying to have it installed professionally or do you want to try it yourself?

There can be a great deal of variation in price when it comes to bathtub fixtures, going from very reasonable to extremely expensive. Before you buy your bathtub fixture, shop carefully for the best prices. Look for sales at plumbing supply shops and building supply centers. Look online. Ebay has some spectacular deals! It is probably wiser to go with a better known brand, since finding replacement parts will be easier if needed at a later date. And buy the best that you can afford, since it will last longer…especially if you are also paying for installation.

If you are using a plumber for installation, check his prices out if he offers you a “bargain.” Granted, some plumbers won’t guarantee their work unless you buy the fixtures from them, but their prices are often among the highest. You can save money by doing your bathtub fixture installation yourself, and easy instructions can be found online. But it isn’t a better deal if you do not have the proper tools, have little confidence in your ability to do it yourself, or if you are putting your marriage on the line! Think before you decide.