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An alcove tub is designed to fit into a three-walled enclosure in a bathroom. A drop-in tub, on the other hand, is placed into a custom-built frame or enclosure. This frame can be fitted to an alcove, making a drop-in tub a viable alternative if you want a more custom or spa-like look. Because the frame is custom, drop-in tubs offer more design flexibility and a wider range of materials, such as cultured marble or tile, compared to the simpler acrylic or fiberglass of a typical alcove tub. The frame for a drop-in tub can also be placed anywhere in the bathroom it fits, not just in an alcove.

While tubs are fairly sturdy, you may notice cracks or holes. This kind of damage can happen from someone accidentally dropping something heavy into the tub. You might also see damage if you drop something heavy into the tub over and over again (like your extra large bottle of body wash). While you might only notice a small dent at first, this can later turn into a crack or a hole.

Also, certain cleaners that are harmful to your tub can cause damage. And if you have a fiberglass tub, you might see cracks if it was not installed properly with the right support.

The water supply lines run underneath the bathtub. These two pipes deliver cold and hot water to the bathtub—the cold water comes from the main water supply, and the hot water comes from the water heater. The pipes are made from copper, cream-colored plastic CPVC, or red and blue PEX tubing.

Installing a walk-in bathtub can be worth it if it improves the user's safety and independence. However, because walk-in tubs require a large investment, not every homeowner has the means or desire to install one. As an alternative, some homeowners prefer to install a walk-in shower and transfer bench instead. Walk-in showers cost between $1,150 and $8,000, making them far more budget-friendly in comparison.