American Tubs

Homeowners who want to stay in their home, maintain their personal privacy, and enjoy a good soak may want to install a walk-in tub. These tubs, with side doors that open for easy access, make bathing safer. The additional features that manufacturers add on turn bathing into a spa experience with massage jets, soothing scents, and relaxing lights. Finding the ideal tub can take some time, but it can provide more independence and more opportunities to unwind.

American Tubs describes itself as the country’s fastest-growing maker of walk-in bathtubs. The company is headquartered in City of Industry, California, makes its tubs in the US and has them installed by its national network of licensed contractors. As of July 2015, American Tubs is not yet rated by the Better Business Bureau.

Here’s our review of American Tubs. We’d love to hear from you! Share your opinion by writing a review.

Product Description:

American Tubs offers more than a dozen customizable tub designs grouped into 3 product lines. The company web site says it aims to offer affordable tubs that fit into existing bathrooms, replacing existing tubs and showers without the need for extensive remodeling.

• The Care series contains the most options—10 models ranging from the 50-gallon capacity 2653, designed to replace a typical shower stall, to the 115-gallon capacity 3555.

• The Love series features 3 tubs with doors that open outward, including 2 designed for ease of wheelchair-to-tub transfers and one that replaces a shower stall for walk-in convenience.

• The Sain series is, at this writing, one extra-deep tub. The 100-gallon 3055 model is 47 inches tall to allow for a full-immersion experience and to make bathing more comfortable for tall people.

All American Tubs have stainless steel frames and gel-coated fiberglass shells, leak-proof door seals, grab bars and anti-slip floors, and wall extension kits to allow for a good-looking fit into existing tub spaces. Optional features include a system of 20 air jets, a 6-jet hydrotherapy massage system, upgraded faucets and handheld showers, aromatherapy and chromatherapy kits, in-line water heaters, and ozone sterilizer systems.

Pros:

The company designs for a range of body types and physical needs. Bariatric tubs are part of the company’s catalog. The Care 3355 tub is designed for safe, comfortable use by people up to 350 pounds, while the Care 3555 can accommodate bathers up to 400 pounds. Both tub models fit in standard tub spaces.

Two of the models in the Love series, the 3052 and 3252, are specifically designed for wheelchair users. Swing-out doors allow for easy side-to-side transfer from wheelchair to tub safety seat and back.

Detailed measurements, features, customizable options, and spec sheets are available online for each tub.

Cons:

Prices are not listed on the site, making it difficult to comparison shop. Several tub models hold more than 100 gallons of water, which may require the purchase of a larger water heater.

Fine print:

American Tubs offers a limited lifetime warranty on its tubs’ steel frames, doors, door seals, and tub shells, as well as a 2-year limited warranty on parts. The company’s dealers and installers are licensed and insured.

Cost:

American Tubs prices each tub, delivery and installation package individually. In general, prices for walk-in tubs alone can run from $2,000 for small basic models to more than $10,000 for high-end larger models with lots of extra features. Depending upon the capacity of the tub, customers may need to purchase and install a larger water heater, which can cost $1,000 or more.

Best for…

Older homeowners who want to age in place and want the convenience of dealing with one company for the estimate, tub, delivery, and installation; seniors looking specifically for a bariatric or wheelchair-user accessible tub.