Advice on choosing a bath from Sarah Beeneys site at Channel 4.

Which Shape Bath To Choose?

The bath is the main focal point of the bathroom and as such, you need to consider carefully the sort of style, shape and material you want. Usually it's the size and shape of the room that dictates what sort of bath you buy and if you're lucky enough to have a large space to play with, you can take your pick from a wide range of options including luxury freestanding baths and circular tubs with plenty of room for two.

A traditional rectangular bath is ideal for showering as it offers a flat rim for shower screens. Double-ended tubs with taps, waste and overflow in the middle are good for family bathing while for a small bathroom, consider a showerbath with rounded end that will still allow you to have the best of both worlds or a shorter but deeper tub for a relaxing soak. The standard depth is 372mm but we are now seeing 420mm, 450mm and even 500mm coming onto the market. Baths with a tapered end are also a good choice.

Bath Materials

Baths now come in all sorts of materials from classic cast iron, steel and acrylic to the more adventurous wood, marble, granite and composite stone.

Acrylic Baths
Acrylic retains heat, is lightweight and traditionally the cheapest option. It can discolour though so be careful when using cleaning products and always try a test patch first. Look for a quality Lucite acrylic, which is made from two layers that sandwich a heavily reinforced fibreglass layer for a sturdy, hardwearing tub with good insulation. (Please check out  our Contemporary Dublin Slipper Bath)

Steel Baths

Steel is the most durable and often comes with a long guarantee. Kaldewei is the only bathroom specialist to make its own 3.5mm steel enamel from a secret family recipe. It's guaranteed for 30 years, is hardwearing, scratch-, impact- and abrasion-resistant, hygienic and easy to care for.

Cast Iron Baths

Cast iron is heavy but also elegant, strong and long lasting. Many freestanding cast iron baths are primed ready for painting in your own choice of colour to match the rest of your scheme. Some models are made with two layers of stain resistant enamel and undersealed for added protection. Bath Ireland baths come with a white oil based finish on the outside. (Please check out our Kildare Merchant)

(Itallics added by Bathirelanduk)