Soak It Up!

Americans continuously search for ways to combat the rigors of daily life. We long for relaxation and relish it whenever the opportunity arises. Taking time to vacation at a lake resort or on a tropical cruise, spending the day at a health spa, or simply taking a snooze on a Saturday afternoon.

In our search for a personal respite, we often look beyond our homes. But sometimes we need look no further than our own bathrooms. A soothing soak in a hot bath may be just the thing we need, with little or no added expense. And when it's a whirlpool tub, the effects can be simply amazing.

Once an amenity found only in dream homes, whirlpool tubs have jetted their way into the mainstream and, consequently, into our homes and our lives. With a plethora of sizes and styles, and a unique array of extras to accent any bathroom, these worthwhile investments will have you soaking up the good life for years to come.

Whirlpool tubs have been commercially manufactured for nearly 100 years, and have probably occurred naturally for many hundreds more. In early 1968, Jacuzzi Inc. began designing, building and marketing whirlpool tubs. The intent was to combine the therapeutic benefits of water and massage in a unit small enough to fit into any bathroom. This wildly successful experiment resulted in a product that has become synonymous with the name, Jacuzzi.

Many characteristics distinguish whirlpool tubs. Perhaps the single most defining feature is shape. Oval tubs are the most frequently designed tubs because of their popularity and ease of construction, although there are variations on this theme, including rimless tubs set into casings, and tubs with built-in decks. Triangular corner tubs, with a variety of geometric styles in the tub area itself, can enhance the look and feel of any bathroom. Rectangular-shaped whirlpool tubs are becoming increasingly popular, especially in remodeling and renovation projects, as they fit neatly into an existing, standard-size tub area. Kohler Co. manufactures a line of whirlpool tubs expressly for this market sector.

Size and style play a role in the selection of a tub to fit your bathroom. Each manufacturer has a unique way of adding elegance to standard whirlpool shapes. And most offer extended sizes, providing welcome comfort for longer bodies.

Unfortunately, there are limits to your options for choosing a whirlpool tub, namely, the size and shape of your bathroom. A corner tub offers a dramatic presentation, but it may take up space that will be necessary for the bathroom's other components. Also, a step-up bath, which eases entry and exit by eliminating that awkward first step in or out of the tub, can lessen a bathroom's usable floor space. Placing the tub in a boxed-out area is one way to alleviate this problem. Be creative about the layout; you might be surprised at how easily a whirlpool tub can fit into almost any bathroom design.

Accessories have evolved along with shape, size and style, and can complement any whirlpool tub. Built-in ledges cradle your arms, allowing you to lie comfortably in the tub. Foam pillows may be molded into one end, to support the neck while the body enjoys a soak. Side handrails are a plus, as they provide support while you're climbing in and out of the tub. Offered in a wide variety of colors, as well as some metallic finishes, these handy extras add sparkle to any tub. For a romantic touch, colored lenses in the lights help set the mood.

A whirlpool tub's special features are not limited to the aesthetic. In-line electric heaters keep water temperature within two degrees of a desired setting, regardless of how long the whirlpool is in use. Some manufacturers, such as Laurel Mountain Whirlpools, offer electronic touch control, enabling the user to turn the whirlpool on or off with the touch of a finger.

The possibilities in design, size, style and features appear endless. But the whirlpool tub's reputation for therapeutic benefits has been the cornerstone of its popularity. You'd be hard-pressed to pass up a soothing soak in a hot bath, as pressurized jets massage your feet, legs, arms and back. So when you're looking for an escape from the rigors of daily life--a private retreat, so to speak--a whirlpool tub may be your ticket to paradise.