American Standard
Adding a walk-in tub is a major home project with a fairly big price tag. The payoff is a safer bathtub, which can mean the difference between privacy and needing help with bathing. Besides personal privacy, walk-in tubs offer some optional fancy features for relaxation and fun, like colored lights and whirlpool massage jets. Homeowners who want to add a walk-in tub can choose a company that builds and installs its own tubs or order a tub from a major brand and hire a licensed contractor to install it.
American Standard is a well-established brand from a company that dates back to 1875 and is now part of LIXIL Corporation, one of the world’s leading bathroom fixture and building materials companies. Among the company’s products are walk-in tubs, sold through major retailers and plumbing supply companies.
Here’s our review of American Standard. We’d love to hear from you! Share your opinion by writing a review.
Product Descriptions:
With more than 30 walk-in tub models plus optional factory-installed features and accessories, American Standard’s product line has something for most shoppers. All tubs are available in left- and right-hand drain configurations and in white or an off-white color called linen. These tubs are built to fit against the wall, either as part of new construction or as a replacement for a traditional soaking tub. Options include air-jet systems and whirlpool massage systems, chromatherapy colored lights, supplemental heaters, quick-drain systems, and grab bars for safety.
Pros:
American Standard is a widely recognized brand carried by many major retailers, including Lowe’s and Home Depot, which makes it easy to find a place to see the tubs in person. The company’s website spells out prices, specifications, and accessory packages clearly, which makes it easy to customize an order and understand the pricing. The site also has a comparison tool and short educational videos to make shopping simpler.
Because American Standard tubs are sold through a variety of outlets—home centers, plumbing supply houses, and online retailers including Amazon—customers may be able to shop around for the best price on the model they want.
Cons:
The multiple steps involved in measuring for the tub, selecting the right model, arranging delivery, and hiring an installer may be difficult for some homeowners to coordinate.
Fine print:
All of American Standard’s walk-in tubs carry a lifetime warranty on the door deal. Acrylic walk-in tub models carry a 15-year warranty on the tub and a 10-year warranty on the components. Gelcoat tubs carry a 10-year warranty on the tub and a 5-year warranty on the components.
Returns requests must be made within 30 days of delivery, and the buyers must pay the cost of freight shipping plus a 15% restocking fee.
Cost:
List prices range in price from $5,029 for a 28-inch by 48-inch gelcoat tub to $10,486 for an acrylic 36-inch by 60-inch tub with air jets and a whirlpool massage feature. Optional add-ons for tubs are priced a la carte; these include $90 for ADA-compliant grab bar, $494 for a factory-installed quick-drain system, and $312 for an inline whirlpool heater to maintain hot water temperature during long baths.
Best for…
Seniors and family members who want to deal with a familiar brand and those who are comfortable hiring a plumbing contractor to handle installation.