Bathing tubs: how to choose a tub for cold plunges and hot baths

Home wellness has long been about more than a soak in the bath or a sauna session. Quite the opposite. In Slovakia, too, we are gradually moving towards models known from Scandinavia, with many people installing practical bathing tubs in their garden, on their deck or even on a balcony.

They are usable all year round, as they serve several purposes. You can use them as a cold plunge tub, for example in summer or after exercise, or as a complement to a sauna. Or as a classic hot bath at a temperature suited to relaxing and warming up. Add to that the view and the comfort of your own home – sounds great, doesn't it?

There are various sizes and designs available – from more compact tubs for two people to larger models for 8 to 10 users. You can choose a round or square construction, or a model with lounge seating. The tubs are available with a quality fibreglass, 3D Granite or acrylic liner, and for selected variants you can also choose a coloured liner.

The whole trend has been boosted by the popularity of methods such as the Wim Hof breathing technique and by the growing interest in cooling the body down and cold-water bathing. Equally attractive, however, is the chance to relax in hot water without having to travel beyond your cottage or your own garden.

@KATEGORIE: /en/thermally-modified-wood/, 3

Tubs to suit your needs

Bathing tubs can be fitted with an integrated or external stainless steel wood-fired heater. The heater comes with a chimney with a protective guard and a rain cap. For some models you can also choose a flat heater, a heater made of AISI 316 stainless steel or a larger XL external heater.

For those who prefer an electric solution, it is possible to integrate a Gecko electric heating system with an output of 3 kW, a control system and an LCD display. The electric control can be combined with both an external and an integrated wood-fired heater.

There are also tubs designed specifically for cold baths. These can be supplemented with a chiller with temperature control, a skimmer, a filter or other components needed to keep the water clean.

Individual models may include or support, for example:

• an integrated or external wood-fired heater,
• a Gecko electric heating system with LCD control,
• integrated 32 mm filtration,
• cartridge or sand filtration,
• a skimmer,
• polyurethane foam insulation,
• a thermal cover or a fibreglass cover,
• BOX steps,
• storage steps or opening storage steps,
• a filter box or an opening filter box,
• a chimney pipe guard,
• drain and connection components,
• a COMBI bench around the tub,
• drink holders,
• a thermometer integrated in the tub,
• a SPA pillow,
• LED lighting,
• an underwater LED light,
• a set of mini LED lights,
• an outer LED light strip,
• LED Neon Flex,
• an air bubble system with 12 jets,
• a hydromassage system with 8 jets,
• a hydromassage system with 28 jets,
• Bluetooth audio.

Various outer cladding options are also available, for example spruce, Thermowood, PVC or WPC. For the wooden variants you can choose various colour finishes and shades so that the tub blends naturally into the garden, onto the deck or with other outdoor features.

Why have a bathing tub at home?

A bathing tub lets you use both hot and cold water in one place, and each of these modes brings a different experience. In the morning you can use it for cold-water bathing and in the evening for pleasantly warming your body after a demanding workout or working day.

Used as a cold plunge tub, it gives you a practical solution for a cold bath after the sauna, training or other physical exertion. Special Cold Plunge and Cold Ofuro models, which can be supplemented with a chiller, are also suitable for this purpose.

On the other hand, a hot bath offers room for rest, warming up and relaxation. If you choose a model with hydromassage, air bubbles, LED lighting or Bluetooth audio, you can create a wellness experience exactly to your liking.

Another advantage is the wide choice of sizes. More compact models are suitable where space is limited, while larger tubs offer comfortable use for more people. Lounge models also provide more comfortable seating or lying during the bath.

Materials and design options

When choosing a tub, it is important to consider not only its size and shape but also the material of the liner and the outer cladding.

Available options:

• fibreglass liners,
• fibreglass liners with a 3D Granite surface,
• acrylic liners,
• spruce cladding in W profile,
• cladding made of Thermowood,
• PVC cladding,
• WPC cladding,
• steel components made of AISI 304 or AISI 316 stainless steel.

Fibreglass and 3D Granite liners are available in several colours. Acrylic liners offer another surface option for those looking for a modern look and easy cleaning.

For the outer cladding, you can choose a colour finish according to the specific material and the look you want. Available shades include transparent, grey, brown, teak, black, white, graphite and other colours.

@KATEGORIE: /en/wood-paints-and-oils/, 3

What to watch out for when choosing

Start by choosing the right size. This means taking into account the number of users and the available space where the tub will stand. A smaller tub fills and heats up faster, while a larger model offers more space and comfort for more users.

It is also important to decide whether you prefer:

• a cold bath or a hot bath,
• an integrated or external heater,
• wood-fired or electric heating,
• a round or square shape,
• classic seating or a lounge design,
• a fibreglass, 3D Granite or acrylic liner,
• wooden, Thermowood, PVC or WPC cladding,
• basic equipment or extras to create a fully fledged wellness space.

For comfortable year-round use, it is also worth thinking about insulation and a cover. Polyurethane foam insulation helps limit heat loss, and a thermal cover protects the water from contamination, cooling down or overheating. It also protects the inside of the tub from leaves, insects and dust.

Care, maintenance and water hygiene

When choosing accessories, it is important to think about filtration and regular water maintenance. Filter cartridges, sand filters, filter balls, hoses, connection kits, skimmers and other components for water treatment and circulation are available.

When using the tub, you need to check the condition of the water, filtration, drain and connections regularly. The chosen maintenance method should match the specific type of liner, the filtration and the overall way the tub is used.

If you use chemicals, it is recommended to use gentle disinfectants based on active oxygen or enzymes for the wooden parts, because chlorine can damage the wooden parts and lead to premature wear of the material.

With wooden parts, you need to pay attention to protecting the outer cladding. For treatment, you can use suitable oils, woodstains, preservative primers and protective coatings. Wooden surfaces should be checked regularly and renewed according to the load on them, the weather conditions and the recommendations for the specific material.

Exterior wooden parts should be treated every 6 to 12 months, with suitable oils or woodstains such as Osmo Hardwax Oil Original. It provides all-round protection against water and wear.

Another suitable and extremely popular choice is Remmers HK Woodstain 3-in-1, which preserves, protects and colours the wood surface in a single step. Your reward for coating it will be a significantly longer service life of the cladding.

We will be happy to advise you at Zrubko on cleaning surfaces with gentle products that do not damage the wood structure, and on applying coatings correctly.

If you do not use the tub for a longer period, it is important to follow the instructions for the specific model. Proper care also includes checking the drain valves, chimney, filtration system, cover and all connections.

@PRODUKTY: /en/osmo-hardwax-oil-original/, /hk-lazura-3v1-plus/, /osmo-wpc-aluminium-cistic--1-l/

Choose a solution to suit your space

Whether you are looking for a smaller tub for a balcony or deck, a larger model for the garden, a cold bath for cold-water bathing or a fully fledged whirlpool tub with hydromassage, LED lighting and electric control, the options are wide.

When planning, you need to take into account the dimensions of the tub, its weight, the volume of water, access to the heater, the position of the chimney, the filtration connection and space for comfortable entry. You also need to think about room for the steps, the cover, service access and safe water drainage.

Tubs are available to order

The tubs are available to order. We will be happy to help you choose the right shape, size, liner material, cladding, heating method and all the accessories you need – from the cover, steps and filtration to hydromassage, LED lighting, Bluetooth audio or a chiller.

Get in touch and we will advise you on how to prepare the space so that it is as efficient, safe and comfortable as possible for everyday use.

We will be happy to help you choose

Can't decide which oil or woodstain is right for your tub? We will be happy to help you choose the materials. We have plenty of accessories available directly in stock, and we are also open on Saturdays.

You can find us at zrubko.sk or in person at our shop in Kysucké Nové Mesto. Or simply order online and we will deliver straight to your door.

If you are interested in caring for exterior wood beyond the tub too, read 5 tips on how to care for thermally modified wood properly.