What Is A Roman Tub? (with Dimensions & Pictures)

One of life’s simple pleasures is being able to take a hot bath at the end of a long day. A bath is perfect for relaxation, but it can be frustrating when a bathtub isn’t big enough to properly lounge. A Roman tub is a solution to the struggles of smaller, modern-day tubs, but what is a Roman tub?

Roman tubs are large soaking tubs, named for the baths built in ancient Rome, in which you can soak up to your chin. Roman tubs have a depth of up to 22” and measure at least 54” in length. A Roman bathtub can be as long as 90”, and they cost $1,000 on average, with some homeowners spending as much as $13,000.

Roman tubs range anywhere from 50 to 71″ inches. Based on our research, the largest freestanding roman tub we found measures 70.8 x 31.5 x 21.3 in. In comparison, the smallest roman tub we found measures just 55 x 30 x 21.3 in.

Roman tubs are often simply known as soaking tubs for a reason. Most Roman tubs are deep enough that you can soak up to your chin. Many conventional bathtubs barely fill with enough water to cover your chest, usually around 12 inches or so.

Roman tubs tend to offer at least two inches more depth than that. Some can even be up to 22 inches in depth from bottom to overflow tube.

Roman tubs have the capacity for more water than the average bathtub. This is in part because they’re deeper, but also because they have deck-mounted faucets. This placement puts the faucet at a much higher position than the average bathtub.

The average bathtub can hold about 80 gallons of water, with smaller ones holding only 40. A soaking tub can hold around 250 gallons of water! The average bathtub has a faucet mounted on the wall of the tub. This position means the overflow tubes are lower to adjust for the low placement of the faucet.

In a Roman tub, the overflow tubes are much higher because of the faucet’s position on the deck. This means you can practically fill the tub to the top!

There is no standard size for a Roman tub, though they’re always big enough for one to soak luxuriously. Roman tubs can be either longer or shorter than a conventional bathtub, ranging from around 54 to 90 inches in length. No matter the length, a Roman tub will always provide depth that an average bathtub lacks.

Depending on the tub’s width and your willingness to share, a Roman tub can sometimes even fit two people. In fact, it’s spaciousness is perfect for a romantic evening. However, if you prefer your alone time, a Roman tub is the ideal relaxation spot for one person too!

Because of the wide variety of sizes of soaking tubs, there is a wide variety of prices. The average price for a soaking tub is about $1,000. However, they can range widely from $600 to $13,000, not including installation costs.

Installation costs vary depending on the type and size of the soaking tub. The average cost to install a bathtub is around $3,600. Costs can range from $1,200 to $6,200, leaning toward the expensive if modifications are needed during installation.

These types of tubs are built right into the bathroom floor, while the base of the actual tub is placed below the floor line.

Such tubs can have steps installed that lead up to them so they are higher than the actual floor line. However, the under-the-floor look can still be achieved. Sunken tubs offer a unique aesthetic look, a sense of luxury, and are easy to enter and get out of.

However, they can pose a trip hazard, take longer to install, and can’t be changed easily due to their fixed nature. Finally, sunken roman tubs can be expensive to install.

Roman tub faucets are types of faucets that are mounted to a tub surround. Such faucets need three or more faucet holes for proper installation, one for every handle and another for the spout.

These types of faucets are normally paired with drop-in or jacuzzi bathtubs. Roman tub faucets have a unique placement, as they are attached to the actual tub deck versus being installed on the wall. Because of this, they are given the Roman name.

Being installed on the deck gives them a look that mimics ancient Rome. However, before buying a faucet, you’ll have to make sure it is compatible with your tub and mount.

With a unique arch of the faucet head, it rises above the tub and allows for water to flow freely into the tub basin. Roman tub faucets can also be configured and installed in numerous ways; different knobs, lever-like handles, and finishes.

Because of their ability to hold more water, soaking tubs are usually longer and taller. While you can purchase them in standard bathtub sizes, their height can pose a problem in some bathrooms.

It may be easier to install a Roman soaking tub in a bathroom you’re remodeling. Most Roman tubs are built into the surrounding bathroom to achieve a similar look to the Roman baths. It will be more challenging to configure space for a Roman tub in a pre-existing bathroom.