Door side, also called left-hand or right-hand configuration, is the side of the walk-in tub that holds the door and seat as you face the tub, ready to step in. Every current Ella walk-in tub except the Front Entry comes in a left-hand (LH) and a right-hand (RH) version, marked with an L or an R at the end of the SKU. The drains are always at the opposite end from the door and seat, so the practical way to choose your door side is to look at where your house drain sits.

How It Works

Stand where you will approach the tub. If the door and seat are on your right, you have a right-hand tub with its drains and faucet on the left end; on your left, a left-hand tub with its drains and faucet on the right end. In short, a right-side door means left-side drains and a left-side door means right-side drains, with left and right always taken as you face the tub.

The door sits over the seat, while the drains and the factory-drilled faucet deck sit at the other end. That is why the rule reads: if the house drain is located on the left side of the alcove, select the tub with the right-side drain, which places the door and seat on the left. Left and right tubs share the same measurements mirrored, so only the swing side changes, never the footprint. See choosing left-hand or right-hand configuration for a full walkthrough.

Which Ella Models Have It

Left-hand and right-hand versions are offered across the line, from the inward-swing and outward-swing families to the two-seat, Transfer and HomeCare tubs. The Front Entry is the exception because its door faces you from the front. On the SKU, HC3260L is a left-hand HomeCare and HC3260R is the right-hand version; the model SKU and part codes decoder explains the rest of the code.

What to Know as an Owner

The hand is set at the factory and cannot be reversed after delivery, so get it right before your order is placed. Note where the house drain is, decide which side you want the seat on, and check that an outward-swing door will clear the toilet and vanity. The house drain does not have to dictate the side, because there is roughly 3 inches of clearance beneath the frame, enough for a 2 inch PVC line, and the drain body has ports on both sides. Confirm the connection plan with your licensed installer and the orientation with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before your order is placed. Lean on plumbing and drain configurations and dual drain technology for the layouts.

When you open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850, have your model name, the serial number, and a simple statement such as "door on the right, drains on the left" ready.

Common Questions