Build your own double bath! Mad or possible?

[paintpotmen]

Hi we want to put in a large bath in our new build but the prices for a double bath are crazy!

We were thinking of building our own bath, constucting a frame from 4x4 and ply, sealing with water proof membrane and using pool tiles and grout to finish.

Are we mad or has anyone done this before?

We'ld apprciate any practical advice.

Thanks in advance

 

[Carpenter]

You'd probably find more info on this type of thing on a US website where "building you own tub/ shower pan" is not unusual. The downsides that I see are: a) you're effectively building a small pool and tanking is going to be critical; b) hygiene and maintenance are going to be an issue, have you got the time to clean down tiles and grouting on a regular basis?; c) you'll need a serious timber structure to accommodate that amount of water plus bather(s) plus you'd need to be sure that the floor in your new build can accommodate the weight; d) you'll need a (large) dedicated hot water cylinder for that bath alone, might be appropriate to consider as part of a solar panel installation. Once you've answered all that it's easy! In the US they use sand/ cement render (mortar float or mud they call it) on a timber background; this provides a great base for tiling and can be used to create more difficult shapes and profiles etc.