The bath market in the UK has polarised in recent years. At one end, the practical inset bath remains the most-installed type — easy to tile around, straightforward to plumb, and available from £150. At the other, the freestanding bath has become the default signifier of a “statement” bathroom — beautiful when done well, but demanding of space, plumbing skill, and budget. Between them sits the shower bath: a pragmatic hybrid for anyone who wants both a bath and a shower in a bathroom too small to accommodate both separately.
Inset Baths
An inset bath (also called a built-in bath) sits within a timber or masonry bath panel surround, with one or two exposed sides finished with a bath panel. It is the most common bath type in UK homes by a significant margin.
Standard sizes:
| Length | Width | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1,500 mm | 700 mm | Compact; suits smaller bathrooms |
| 1,600 mm | 700 mm | Most common UK size |
| 1,700 mm | 750 mm | Comfortable for most adults |
| 1,800 mm | 800 mm | Large; needs a generously proportioned bathroom |
Most inset baths sit in a recess defined by three walls, with a bath panel finishing the fourth (open) face. Double-ended inset baths (tap hole in the middle of one long side) allow two people to use the bath simultaneously and need a fourth panel or tiling on the remaining side.
Pros:
- Lowest cost — units from £150 (acrylic) to £600 (steel enamel or cast iron inset)
- Simplest to tile around — the rim creates a clean shelf for tiles to butt up to
- Easy to clean under (if panel is removable) and easy to access waste for maintenance
- Works in almost any bathroom layout
Cons:
- Less visual impact than freestanding
- Panels can look tired over time and need periodic replacement
- Cast iron inset baths are very heavy — may require structural support on upper floors
Material comparison:
| Material | Cost | Weight | Heat retention | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | £150–£400 | 15–25 kg | Moderate | 10–20 years |
| Steel enamel | £200–£600 | 30–60 kg | Good | 20–30 years |
| Cast iron | £600–£2,500 | 120–200 kg | Excellent | 50+ years |
| Stone resin | £500–£2,000 | 60–120 kg | Good | 30+ years |
Freestanding Baths
A freestanding bath stands clear of all walls on feet or a sculpted base, with visible plumbing (or a floor-mounted supply) adding to the aesthetic. It works as a focal point in a larger bathroom but is unforgiving of poor planning.
Common styles:
- Roll-top: traditional claw-foot or slipper design; predominantly cast iron or pressed steel
- Contemporary oval / double-ended: smooth geometric form in acrylic, stone resin, or solid surface
- Slipper: one end raised for back support; single-ended with taps at the raised end
Minimum floor space: A freestanding bath needs at least 600 mm of clear space on all accessible sides — more on the tap side to allow comfortable use. A 1,700 mm bath realistically needs a bathroom at least 2,400 mm wide to look and function well; in anything smaller it will feel cramped.
Plumbing requirements: Freestanding baths need floor-mounted (or wall-mounted) tap supplies rather than over-rim taps feeding from the bath deck. This usually means relocating supply pipework during installation — a significant additional cost if the existing pipes are in the wrong position. Budget £200–£500 for a plumber to relocate supplies and run visible or concealed pipe routes.
Cost range:
| Bath type | Unit cost | Installation (plumber only) | Total typical range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic freestanding | £300–£900 | £300–£500 | £600–£1,400 |
| Stone resin freestanding | £600–£2,000 | £350–£600 | £950–£2,600 |
| Cast iron roll-top | £800–£3,500 | £400–£700 | £1,200–£4,200 |
Note: cast iron roll-top baths on upper floors may require a structural engineer’s assessment — a large cast iron freestanding bath with water and occupant can weigh over 400 kg.
Shower Baths
A shower bath combines a bath with a shower area, typically achieved by widening one end of the bath to create a more usable standing area. The most common variant is the P-shaped (or L-shaped) shower bath.
P-shaped shower bath: The curved end provides a wider shower zone (typically 900 mm wide at its broadest point) while the straight end narrows to a standard 750 mm bath width. A purpose-shaped shower bath screen is used in place of a standard shower curtain or pivot door.
L-shaped shower bath: Similar principle but with a rectangular stepped section rather than a curve. Slightly more shower floor area; slightly less elegant.
Standard sizes:
- 1,500 × 850 mm (wide end) — suits smaller bathrooms
- 1,700 × 850 mm (wide end) — most common P-shape size
- 1,700 × 900 mm (wide end) — premium size
Cost range:
| Shower bath type | Unit cost (bath only) | Bath screen | Installation | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P-shaped acrylic | £250–£500 | £80–£200 | £250–£400 | £580–£1,100 |
| L-shaped acrylic | £300–£600 | £100–£250 | £250–£400 | £650–£1,250 |
Best for: bathrooms of 4–6 m² where a separate shower enclosure is not feasible; family homes with children where both bath and shower are daily requirements; landlords fitting out rental properties where flexibility is valued.
Key Decisions: Which Bath Type for Your Bathroom?
| Situation | Best bath choice |
|---|---|
| Bathroom under 5 m² | Standard inset or shower bath |
| Bathroom 5–8 m² | Inset or P-shaped shower bath |
| Bathroom over 8 m² | Any type, including freestanding |
| Statement / luxury bathroom | Freestanding (stone resin or cast iron) |
| Need both bath and shower in one room | Shower bath or inset bath + separate shower |
| Rental property or budget refurb | Acrylic inset — most cost-effective |
| Period property / renovation | Cast iron roll-top if floor structure allows |
Installation and Building Regulations
All bath waste and overflow connections must comply with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. Baths must have an overflow fitted; if a shower is used over the bath, the bath screen or curtain must be positioned to keep water within the bath zone.
Any electrical work associated with the bathroom — including the shower supply, lighting, or shaver sockets — must comply with Part P of the Building Regulations and BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations). Zone restrictions apply: a shaver socket, for example, must be outside Zone 1 (directly over the bath) and Zone 2 (0.6 m either side and above).
If you are adding a shower over an existing bath, ensure the floor structure can handle the additional load of the shower tray area and any tiling. Solid floors present no issue; suspended timber floors may need noggins or a ply sub-base depending on the tile weight and tile adhesive specification.
