Do walk-in tubs come in different sizes to fit my bathroom?

Yes. Ella's Bubbles walk-in tubs come in a range of standard sizes, from compact 26x45 inch tubs to full 32x72 inch laid-down models, and the most common footprint is 30 inches wide by 52 inches long, a size that fits many standard tub alcoves. Ella builds around a set of standard footprints rather than custom shells, so the fit to your exact room comes from choosing the closest standard size and closing any gap with an extension panel that can be cut down to size. Walk-In Tub and Shower Base Sizes and How to Measure for Fit lists every standard size, and this page shows how to choose among them for both your bathroom and your body.

The Standard Sizes Ella Offers

Because the lineup is built on standard footprints, there is usually a close match for an existing opening. The published sizes are:

• 30 by 52 inches, the most common walk-in tub size, which fits many standard tub alcoves.
• 32x52, 38x52, 30x60, 30x55, 28x52, 27x60 and 26x45 inch sizes.
• The Monaco, available in a 32 by 53 inch or 32 by 52 inch size.
• A transfer-style tub in a 60 by 30 inch size, built for wheelchair transfers.
• Larger laid-down soaking tubs, commonly sized at 32 by 72 inches.

The width by length listed for an Ella tub is the outside of the acrylic shell, the footprint the tub occupies on the floor. It is not the bathing space inside. That exterior figure is the one to compare with your alcove, and it is the number your installer checks against every doorway and hallway on the way into the bathroom.

The size in a model's name is a rounded nominal figure. A tub sold as 28 inches can measure 27.5 inches on the drawing, and a tub described as a 5 foot tub can measure 59.5 inches long. Those half-inch differences are normal rounding in the product name, not an error, and the actual inch figure on the current specification drawing is always the one to measure against. What are the standard dimensions of a walk-in tub? explains what each of the three outside dimensions means. One size that does not exist is a 34-inch width, so a bathroom with about 34 inches of room is usually fitted with a 32-inch tub, as covered in How wide are walk-in tubs, and is there a 34-inch model?.

Walk-In Tub Sizes Side by Side

The table below pulls together the verified figures for eight models, from the smallest footprint to the largest. Where a figure is not published in the model guides, the cell says not listed, and the spec sheet in the download tab for that tub on the Ella website is the place to confirm it.

What the differences mean for you: width is mostly about the seat. The 19 inch seats on the Mobile and the Petite suit narrower bathrooms and smaller bathers, while the 23 inch seat on the Monaco, the 24 inch seat on the Transfer32 and the 28 inch seat on the ShaK put the extra exterior width into hip room. Length decides which wall the tub can sit on. The 45, 48 and 52 inch tubs can go where a longer tub will not, and the 60 and 72 inch models need the full length of the wall. Height is the third number to check against your alcove, and it runs from 21 inches on the reclining LayDown 30x60 to 40 inches on the Transfer32.

Fitting a 52 Inch Tub Such as the Monaco into a 60 Inch Alcove

A common worry is that a 52 inch tub will leave a hole in a 60 inch alcove. It will not. A 52-inch tub still fits a 60-inch alcove, because Ella tubs shorter than 60 inches include an extension panel that closes the gap at the wall. If there is still a gap between your new tub and the surrounding wall, the extension panels can be cut down to size to close that space cleanly. This is how a standard tub size fits an alcove that is slightly larger than the tub itself, without needing a fully custom unit.

The Monaco is a good example. It measures 32 inches wide by 52 inches long, and it is also available in a 32 by 53 inch size. Although it is compact in length, it has a wider interior with a 23-inch seat, and its threshold is approximately 4 inches, so it is easy to step over. Its outward-swinging U-shape door is made of PVC composite and tempered glass with a 3-latch gear-and-shaft mechanism. Ella Ultimate vs Ella Monaco 32x52: Key Differences compares it with the longer Ultimate. The compact Flow follows the same idea: it can come with an extension panel so it fits neatly into a 60 inch tub alcove, and it has an end panel on the faucet side.

Exact Dimensions, Outward Swing Doors and Both Therapy Systems

Ella does not mold a tub shell to a custom length and width. Custom dimensions are offered on shower bases, and on the tub side the close fit comes from the standard footprints plus the cut-to-fit extension panels. What you do choose freely is the combination of size, door style and therapy package.

If you want an outward-swinging door, the outward swing door video shows the two styles, U-shaped and L-shaped. It explains that an inward swing door has to pass your knees and feet after you enter, while outward swing doors require no knee clearance. The U-shaped door uses a three-latch gear and shaft locking mechanism, the L-shaped door uses a two-latch version, and both work with a watertight gasket that compresses when the door is locked. Because the door swings out, it needs clear floor space in front of the tub, so confirm that clearance with your installer.

If you want both air and hydro massage, a small footprint does not rule it out. The 26 by 45 inch Mobile has an outward-swing U-shaped door, and its therapy options include a three-speed air massage with 14 air jets and auto purge, a hydro massage with 15 jets and an intensity control dial, foot massage jets, and LED chromatherapy with the dual massage package. Across the lineup, Hydro + Air is one of the most popular therapy combinations. The available packages vary by model, so the first step is to choose the tub and then the package. The package is fixed at order time, and it determines the jets your tub is built with.

Measure Your Body and Your Room Before You Choose

The How to Choose video makes the point that different body sizes require different sized tubs, and it shows three measurements to take:

1. Take specific hip measurements. The tub seat must be wider than your hip size.
2. Check that the tub has the proper shoulder width for your body size.
3. For length, sit in a chair facing a wall and measure from your head to your feet while sitting in a relaxed position, then compare that with the detailed tub measurements.

The same video explains that overall soaking depth is determined by three factors: the interior length of the tub, the length of the seat, and the depth from the top of the seat to the center of the overflow drains. A bather's own size affects it too, so keep those factors in mind as you compare models.

Then measure the room. Measure the width, length and height of your existing tub or shower alcove, as well as your doorway width if the tub needs to travel through it to reach the bathroom. Use the current spec sheet rather than an older chart or video. The Elite, for example, is 30 inches wide on its current spec sheet, and that figure supersedes older ones. If the tub is replacing a shower stall rather than a bathtub, the Mobile and the Flow both have a footprint smaller than Ella's own 32 by 60 inch roll-in shower base, as explained in Is there a whirlpool walk-in tub small enough to fit a shower space?. Because tub and door configurations vary by model, confirm the exact size and layout with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before finalizing your order.

Related Guides

• How do I measure my bathroom and myself for a walk-in tub?
• Will it fit through my doorway? How to measure your home for a walk-in tub
• How Do I Choose the Right Walk-In Tub for My Bathroom?

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