Replies

1. 
   Greenmother | Jan 22, 2000 09:56pm | #1

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   Hi Richard
   The tub you are describing is called a furo. They are currently gaining popularity in the US because of their deep relaxation benefits. The Japanese use them strictly for soaking instead of washing, so soap is not an issue when they build theirs. (They get thoroughly clean before entering the furo, because they often share the water.) However, I know I've seen Western versions of these in several recent house and remodeling magazines. I even saw a "how-to" article in the Mother Earth News several years ago detailing a somewhat crude plywood and polyurethane coated version some guy built to fit inside his regular tub. He just lifts it out when he's not using it.

   We just moved, so a lot of my house mags are in boxes, but I'll see if I can find you a supplier's name if nobody else can come up with one.

1. 
   s_crawford | Jan 23, 2000 05:18am | #2

   *GreenMotherHow is that log cabin project progressing?

1. 
   Greenmother | Jan 23, 2000 08:30pm | #3

   *Crawdaddy...thanks for asking. My hubby will return next week from a three week business trip and we'll finally sit down and weigh out the pros and cons we've dug up and make a final decision. (We've tried to do it over the phone a few times, but we just don't do well trying to get things accomplished without eye contact and simultaneous access to each other's data. Boy, that sounds dirty!) The surveyors came a few days ago to do their thing (in the middle of a snow storm, couldn't figure that out) so it'll be next week before we can get the deed recorded. Meanwhile, I have a pile of conflicting info about the energy efficiency of log homes and no definitive way to figure out who's right. Hubby's still pining to build a dome, which isn't going to happen and the only style house we can agree 100% on is timber frame...very expensive, not very DIY friendly. (Sorry this is turning into a novel, but I need to vent.) Thing is, we intend to live in this house for the rest of our lives, so it has to be the RIGHT house. And we don't want to spend the rest of our lives paying for it, especially when there are so many money saving options out there for people willing to make a few adjustments in their lifestyle. Other thing is, we're living with my parents (we're in our late 20s) in the old farmstead house until we finish building, so time is a factor. Otherwise, we'd probably do something cheap but time consuming like cordwood construction. So, in answer to your question, we're at a standstill at least until hubby gets home and decisions get made. Now I know why everybody told us to make sure our marriage was in good shape BEFORE we started building our own house, LOL! Good thing it is!

2. 
   Richard_Engle | Jan 24, 2000 01:00pm | #4

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   Living in Japan 25 years ago, our apartment had a roughly cubic deep tub for sitting almost to the shoulder in nice hot water (no central heating). Does anyong know of such a tub in the US, not made of wood (so that soaps etc can be used)? Or could one be made of ferrocement (a la 1970's bateaux) or other material? Not a contractor, just an ambitious home improver. Thanks.

3. 
   Guest_ | Jan 24, 2000 01:00pm | #5

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   Richard,
   I'm just in the midst of building one of these myself. Briefly, this is what I have found out about soaking tubs...this is assuming you want to leave the water in the tub and not fill it up each time as you would a bathtub. 1. There are several manufacturer's of deep tubs; some circular from 40-42" in diameter and 36-42" deep. There are also a couple that make two person models; among them, Americh. 2.The finish on the tub is important. Fiberglass won't do as it chalks and can deteriorate on constant exposure to hot water and chemicals (you'll need some type of treatment, and there are a few different ones). The type of acrylic used in most tubs is actually porous to water molecules and after time, will leak in a form that looks more like condensation on the underside. 3. There are places that can apply a clear coat finish the same as most spas have for a little less than a thousand bucks plus freight. 4. Most spa equipment suppliers can set you up with what they call a spa-pack that includes the heater, thermostat, electricals, etc. In addition, you'll need a small circulating pump and filter. The supplier I used was Clear Valley Pool and Spa.

   I built my tub with a treated plywood armature (box), with Durock cement board as a 2nd layer. Waterproofing is Ultra-Set by Bostik, which is a trowel-on membrane ($75/gallon in Alaska). Tile can be set directly over the Ultra-Set using thinset. Bostik will only guarantee the Ultra-set if you use their brand of thinset, but I discovered that they don't even sell it in Alaska, so I'm using a different brand. I used marine, through-hull fittings for the inlet-outlet openings, and a marine fuel filler, screw in plug for the drain. All are set in a good layer of Ultra-Set.

   If you want any more specifics, email me directly.

   Tom Laing