Can the Tub Be Freestanding? Exposed Ends, Second End Panels, and Knee Walls

Can an Ella walk-in tub be freestanding? Partly. Ella walk-in tubs are semi freestanding: every tub includes a finished front apron and one reversible end panel, and a second end panel is available so both ends can be exposed. What no Ella model offers is a cover for the long back side opposite the door, so the back of the tub must sit against a wall or against a knee wall your contractor builds. With that one rule in mind, you can place your tub in a three-wall alcove, in a corner, against a single back wall with both ends open, or in the middle of a large bathroom with a framed knee wall behind it.

What Is Included and What Can Be Added

Watch: Ella's Bubbles: End Panels And Extension Panels with chapters and a full transcript.

As the video explains, every Ella walk-in bathtub comes with one reversible end panel that can be placed on either side of the tub. If the tub sits in the right corner of the bathroom, the end panel installs on the opposite left side, covering the plumbing and the frame, and the reverse for a left corner. A second panel is available to cover the other end when the tub is installed against the back wall with both ends open. Ella tubs shorter than 60 inches also come with an extension panel for a standard 60 inch alcove, with a few exceptions such as the Front Entry and the Mobile; see extension panels and filler kits by model. If you do not need the extra end panel or the extension panel, you can opt out of receiving one or the other to reduce plastic waste. The front apron is removable and typically has two access panels for service, and all removable panels must come off before the tub is moved into the house.

Placement Options That Work

• Three-wall alcove: the classic bathtub pocket. You may not need the end panel at all.
• Corner, two walls: the included reversible end panel covers the one exposed end.
• Back wall only, both ends exposed: fully supported. Our team has confirmed this for the Monaco and the Capri, for example, with only the back against the wall and the left and right ends open. Add the second end panel for a finished look.
• Middle of the room: possible only if your contractor builds a knee wall or frames the back side, since there is no factory back cover. This applies to the LayDown tubs as well, which come with a covered front and one side panel and can be framed in.

The tub does not rely on walls for support. It stands on its own stainless steel frame with adjustable leveling legs, so the walls are there to finish the back side and to carry the plumbing, wiring, and any wall-mounted grab bars. Whatever the layout, keep the front apron and its access panels reachable; our article on planning service access explains why.

Does the Front Entry Include Side Panels?

Yes. Because its door is at the end of the tub, the Front Entry comes with two side end panels included. As with every other model, no back-of-tub panel is available, so the back of the Front Entry still goes against a wall or knee wall.

Can It Go Outside a Bathroom?

The tub does not have to sit inside a shower area, but it does need what any bathroom provides: a dedicated GFCI-protected outlet or outlets nearby, possibly an updated breaker panel, and water supply and drain plumbing in that location. Splashing water can damage nearby furnishings, so your installer should decide whether the space is safe and code-compliant. One firm limit from the owner's manual: Ella walk-in tubs are not intended for outdoor use, so a deck or patio installation is not an option.

Planning a Knee Wall Installation

1. Confirm the finished tub height for your model so the knee wall can be framed to the right height, and remember to keep service access to the pumps through the front apron.
2. Locate the outlets and shut-off valves where the cords and supply lines can reach them, preferably under the seat area inside the tub compartment. Circuit counts are in our electrical requirements by model article.
3. Run the drain plumbing under the tub if the house drain is on the far side. The default frame height leaves room for the drain piping to pass beneath the tub above the floor; see drain configurations and the house drain.
4. Level the tub with every leg touching the floor before the knee wall is closed up, and complete the pre-installation water test.
5. Finish the knee wall and any tiled side with a tile flange and silicone at every joint, the same way an alcove is finished.

Related Guides

• Why the End Panel Brackets and Clips on a New Tub Look Rotated or Crooked
• Can I Stand the Tub on End to Get It Through the Door?
• Installing a Walk-In Tub in a Wet Room: Keeping the Electrical Compartment Dry
• How to Add a Second End Panel to Your Walk-In Tub Order or Buy One Later
• How Do I Install a Second End Panel on a Freestanding Ella Tub?

Common Questions

Have a question that depends on your exact model or configuration? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and our technical support team will be glad to help you and your installer.