How to Choose a Walk-In Tub
What's Right For You—And Your Bathroom
Choosing a walk-in tub comes down to two things: what fits in your bathroom, and what the person using it actually needs. Everything after that is detail.
We've installed hundreds of them across Ottawa and Eastern Ontario, and the honest summary is this: most people don't need the biggest tub or every option. They need one that's easy to get into, safe to get out of, and sized for the room it's going into.
Three things decide whether a tub fits:
- The alcove — inside length and width, wall to wall.
- The path in — doorway and hallway width. The tub has to be carried through them.
- The plumbing wall — which end your taps and drain sit on.
You don't need to measure anything before you call us; that's what the free in-home assessment is for.
Inward or Outward?
Which Way Should the Door Swing?
This one detail changes more about your daily experience than any add-on.
Inward-swinging
The Renfrew
The door opens into the tub, so it needs no floor space in front of it.
In a cosy bathroom, this is usually the answer.
Outward-swinging
The Madawaska, The Britannia & The Rideau
The door opens into the room, providing a wider opening. Easier to get in and out of.
The better choice for people with severe mobility or balance issues.
Inward-swinging
The Renfrew
The door opens into the tub, so it needs no floor space in front of it.
In a cosy bathroom, this is usually the answer.
Outward-swinging
The Madawaska, The Britannia & The Rideau
The door opens into the room, providing a wider opening. Easier to get in and out of.
The better choice for people with severe mobility or balance issues.
All Of Our Tubs Are Built To The Same Standard
Every model has a 17″ ADA-standard seat — high enough that standing up is a push, not a struggle. And every tub comes with a handheld shower on a slide bar, so it still works as a stand-up shower for the person who prefers one.
Every model we offer carries the same core:
- High-flow tap
- Handheld shower want
- 2" rapid drain (about 90 seconds)
- Easy-reach drain controls
- 3 grab bars
- White acrylic
- Slip-resistant floor
- Full CSA certification
The differences are size and door — not quality.
Seat, Size & Door
Match the Tub to the Person
The
Renfrew
Inward-swinging door, 51″ long. Fits anywhere a standard 5′ tub fits, with no floor space needed in front of the door.
The
Madawaska
Outward-swinging door with a 32″ opening, the widest in the lineup. Our our most accessible walk-in tub.
The
Britannia
Outward-swinging door with the same 32″ opening as The Madawaska, plus a 30″ wide seat — the most room to shift around in.
The
Rideau
60″ long with a reclined back rest, for a deeper, more relaxed soak.
What Every Walk-In Tub Company Should Tell You
No matter where you buy your walk-in tub, you can expect the following:
Questions to Ask Your Walk-In Tub Company
Whoever you buy from, these are the questions that separate a company you can trust from one that just wants to sell you a walk-in tub:
- Are the installers experienced, licensed and certified?
- Is the tub CSA certified, and where is it made?
- What happens in year three if a door seal leaks or a pump quits?
- Is this the price I'll pay, or does it change at signing?
- Is the assessment really free, with no obligation?
- How long from order to installation, and how long will the work take?
- Will you remove and dispose of my old tub?
If the answers are vague, that is your answer. Ours aren't vague: one-day installation by certified, licensed installers, CSA-certified tubs sourced in Canada, and if anything needs fixing, we come back and fix it at no charge.
3 Easy Steps
Enjoy Your New Walk-In Tub in 1 Day
Step 1: Have a Friendly Chat with the Owner
At Walk-In Tubs Ontario, you speak directly to the owner, John Wilson (no commissioned salespeople).
He will ask a few questions to get to know you. No pressure sales tactics included, just a friendly chat.
Step 2: Get a Free, In-Home Assessment
John will come to your home to look at your bathroom, answer questions, and match the right tub to you.
You will get a free, no obligation quote for a walk-in tub that fits your bathroom—and your needs.
Step 3: Your New Tub is Installed In One Day
When your new walk-in tub gets installed, we protect your floors and walls, remove your old tub, install your new tub, and make sure everything is perfect.
And we do it all in one day.