What should you know before buying a wood bathtub?

How much does a wood bathtub weigh?

We could not find a published empty weight for a full-size wood tub, so we do not state one. Wood is much less dense than stone, so the tub itself is lighter. Water is the larger load: a 115 gal tub holds about 960 lb of water at 8.34 lb per gallon, and a 130 gal tub about 1,085 lb, before the bather. Magnus lists tubs of those capacities.

Ask the maker for the empty and filled weight and the footprint, then have a structural engineer check the floor. Our solid stone tubs run about 1,100–2,500 lb empty, and a typical 67 x 31 x 22 in marble oval is about 1,150 lb empty. See the weight guide.

Does a wood bathtub keep water warm?

Yes, better than stone. Engineering ToolBox lists oak at 0.17 W/m·K and marble at 2.08–2.94, so wood passes heat through its walls roughly twelve to seventeen times more slowly. Magnus calls wood a natural insulator that does not draw heat out of the water the way metal or stone can.

Stone has the opposite character: it is conductive but thick and massive, and takes time to warm. How much that matters depends on bath length and room temperature. See do stone bathtubs keep water warm for the stone side.

How do you care for a wood bathtub?

Drain it, rinse it and dry it after every use. Shimizu's guidance for hinoki baths is to wash the bath daily, let the water drain, wipe off the moisture with a dry cloth, and ventilate the room well. Do not leave hot water standing, because a gelatinous substance can form. Magnus advises mild soap, warm water and a soft cloth, never abrasives.

• Re-apply a water-repellent, anti-mold protective agent every half year to a year, and stay out of the tub for 24 hours afterward (Shimizu).
• Clean stains right after draining with an antibacterial detergent and a soft sponge.
• If the tub will sit unused for two weeks or more, or the room has floor heating, guard against over-drying and cracking, for example with a bucket of water and the lid on.
• Treat any mold early with the protective agent.

Stone needs different care. Marble etches in acid and benefits from sealing. See the care guide.

How long does a wood bathtub last?

Makers cite about 15 to 20 years with regular care. Shimizu Mokuzai gives about 15 years as a replacement standard for a hinoki bath and says it is not a guarantee, and that a poor environment shortens that sharply. Magnus says well-built teak and mahogany tubs can last 20 years or more, and warns that moisture can crack the wood.

Lifespan depends on ventilation and routine more than on species. A tub that is dried and re-treated on schedule outlasts one that is left wet.

What does a wood bathtub cost?

Magnus's guide says wood tubs start around $1,500, can reach $15,000, and the most luxurious designs cost up to $30,000. That is a US seller's range, not a survey. Shimizu publishes yen prices for standard Japanese baths on its site, and they vary by model and wood.

How does a wood bathtub compare with a solid stone tub?

Wood wins on warmth to the touch, on insulation and on price at the entry level. A wood rim feels warm where stone can feel cool. Stone wins on permanence and routine. It does not rot, swell or need a protective agent against mold, and it is carved from one natural block. Marble can etch in acid and wants sealing. Stone is far heavier.

See also stone vs acrylic and stone resin vs solid stone. Pietra Fonte makes made-to-order stone bathtubs, with exact dimensions and weight in every quote.