Natural Stone Baths

Adding a natural stone bath can dramatically enhance the look of any bathroom, whether it has a modern or traditional style. These stunning pieces provide a luxurious space to unwind after a long day. Their beautifully designed surfaces are silky smooth and often resemble works of art, making them ideal for creating a standout centrepiece in your bathroom. In this guide, we'll explore what makes natural stone baths special and why you should consider one.

 

What is a freestanding natural stone bath?

These standalone baths are made from a blend of natural stone and resin, resulting in a more durable finish compared to standard acrylic baths. The thickness of these baths helps retain heat for longer and makes them easier to repair if scratched; the mark can simply be polished out, unlike with acrylic baths.

 

What freestanding natural stone bath is right for me?

There are an abundance of shapes and sizes available when it comes to choosing the right stand alone natural stone bath for your setting. If you're after a minimalist, modern aesthetic then you'll find all kinds of sleek, smooth options at your disposal, which is great for creating a true 'show home' feel to your bathroom. We find that oval and rectangular shaped baths are especially popular at the moment. There are single and double ended variants, as well as stunning traditionally influenced examples which are raised on ornamental legs for a wonderful look that will give your bathroom the ultimate centrepiece.

 

How are freestanding natural stone baths made?

The creation of natural stone baths involves a complex process, summarised as follows:

First, natural stone and mineral resin are processed to remove any impurities or contaminants. The resin is then placed in a high-vacuum environment to eliminate bubbles or blemishes. A catalyst is added to the mixture to harden it before it is injected into a mould.

The moulded product is then heated in a large oven for an extended period to ensure proper setting. Finally, the bath is carefully inspected and any faults or defects are manually corrected. This meticulous process can take up to 10 hours, ensuring you receive a product of the highest quality.

 

Are natural stone baths heavy?

As you might expect, a bath made from natural stone is not lightweight. These baths are quite heavy and can be challenging to manoeuvre into difficult-to-reach bathrooms. It's best to avoid installing one in an upstairs bathroom, as the weight increases significantly with water, posing a risk of damaging the ceiling. We recommend installing these baths only in downstairs bathrooms.

 

What taps should I choose for a freestanding natural stone tub?

Depending on the type of natural stone bath you've chosen, there will be specific styles of taps which will provide a fitting complement:

• Wall mounted: Wall mounted bath taps attach directly to the wall and are positioned over the edge of the bathtub. They are ideal for stone bathtubs that lack pre-drilled tap holes or have edges that are too thin for deck-mounted taps.
• Deck mounted: The standard way of installing taps is to mount them directly to the edge of your bathtub. Some natural stone baths will have tap holes already drilled into the deck, allowing them to easily accommodate a set of taps.
• Freestanding: For a more designer look, adding a set of freestanding bath taps will really transform the overall feel of the bath, giving the room a bespoke feel in the process.