The roll top bath was made popular during the Victorian Era. In those days, roll top bathtubs were used often by the English middle class and nobility. Those crafted by the French were famous across the world, in those times. Today, roll top tubs are still quite popular, as they give your bathroom an aura of sophistication and elegance. If you are looking for a traditional 18th century bathroom, you'll want to be sure to include a roll top tub.
To look the most like the original roll top baths, your tub should stand free on feet that are decorative and elegant. There are some roll top baths that may use a dais in order to elevate the tub up off the floor. Free standing baths have practical and aesthetic purposes. The roll top baths of the 18th century used a design like that, so your modern retro roll top tub should be of freestanding design. There are many other styles that are semi-modern, and these can also work nicely in a traditional design.
Another lovely feature of each roll top tub is the rounded, curved edges. A truly classic roll top tub doesn't have edges at the corners. The most popular of all the roll top tubs is called a Slipper bath. It is made on the classic roll top design, and it has a high back that gives you comfortable baths. Each fixture on the tub is smooth and rounded, if the tub is truly a roll top. The edges are rounded to give you a subtle and comfortable feel, so that you can rest your head while you recline in your roll top bath.
Another roll top tub feature is that the dimensions are deeper than those of a regular bathtub. You can fit your whole body in the tub, for soaking and relaxing. Modern roll top baths may be made from various materials like acrylic and cast iron. A cast iron roll top tub may cost more, but it will feel more like the traditional tub it was modeled after. An acrylic tub can keep the water warmer for longer periods of time, since they are double-skinned to maintain proper heat.
If you haven't seen any of the new models that hearken back to the Victorian age, you can buy a vintage restored bath, since it will feel and look old-fashioned. It will have the rounded corners and edges that marked the originals, and those make it so much more comfortable for lounging. The rounded edges also reduce the chance of being injured while you get in the tub. You can also purchase surrounds, which fit against the tub's side, and eliminate the lip that the rolled edge would normally create.
True toll top tubs are always freestanding. The feet usually elevate the tub, to help keep your floor dry and reduce the chances of mildew and rot. You may be able to mount taps on your tub if it comes with a tap panel, or you can simply mount taps above the tub, in the wall. You can select different shapes, and some models are not as deep as the original roll top bath.