Inset Baths

An inset bath drops into a framed and tiled surround rather than standing on its own, which makes it the practical choice where a bath has to fit a defined space or sit against walls. It is also the format that gives you a tiled ledge to put things on. QA Bathroom Warehouse stocks 12 inset baths at our Malaga warehouse in Perth.

Inset, island or back to wall
A standard inset bath is built into a hob on three sides and suits an alcove. An island bath sits in a surround with tiling all the way around, which works in a larger bathroom where the bath is a feature but you still want the ledge. Back-to-wall versions have a finished front panel and only need the one wall behind, sitting somewhere between an inset and a freestanding bath.

Measuring the space
Inset baths are ordered to fit an opening, so the tiled dimensions have to be worked out before the hob is built. Allow for the tile thickness and the bed behind it, not just the framing. Get the waste position right too — bath wastes are set at one end and the plumbing has to be run before the floor is closed. Your plumber should see the specification sheet before anything is framed.

Depth and comfort
Length matters less than depth for how a bath actually feels. A deeper bath holds water above the shoulders when you are sitting; a shallow one leaves you cold no matter how long it is. If the bath doubles as the family shower, a flatter base is safer to stand in.

Brands we stock
Decina, who manufacture in Australia across a wide range of sizes and depths.

See spa baths if you want jets, or the full bathtubs range for freestanding options.