Materials and finishes
Freestanding baths: floor loads and tap positions
A freestanding bath is a plumbing decision made at first fix. Once the floor is finished, the tap and waste positions are fixed.
Before you commit
The filled weight sits on a small footprint, so joist capacity and direction should be assessed rather than assumed.
Common questions
Can it go against a wall?
Back-to-wall versions exist; a true freestanding bath needs cleaning access all round.
Are wall-mounted taps an option?
Yes, and they simplify floor detailing, but the bath position becomes fixed at first fix.
What to weigh up
- Floor-standing taps and a floor waste have
- to be set out precisely before the floor finish goes down.
- The filled weight sits on a small footprint
- so joist capacity and direction should be assessed rather than assumed.
Ready to get the room measured up?
Photos of the existing room and the position of the soil stack help enormously before a visit.