A Brief History Of The Roll Top Bath
What is a Roll Top Bath?
When it comes to your bathroom, the bathtub you choose is the focal point and focal point of your bathroom design. That's why it's important to choose a bathtub that matches the style of your bathroom. There are a variety of bath styles on the market; one of the best options if you're going for a classic look is a roll-top tub.
Roll-top tubs are free-standing tubs that have curved edges at the top; which provide a rounded scrolling effect. They come in a variety of sizes to suit a range of bathrooms, plus they're often made from some great materials like copper or cast iron. Salvaging and restoring old roll-top bathtubs is currently a popular trend to add authenticity to the bathroom.
Swimming throughout history
Roll-top bathtubs are known for their traditional look, which is due to the fact that they first appeared around 1800. However, they did not come into mass production until much later in the 19th century. However, baths have been around for much longer!
Long before that, these baths were used for ceremonial and religious purposes. Ancient water systems discovered in India are thought to date back to as early as 3000 BC; while the complex plumbing in Roman times dates back to 500 BC.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, bathing became less common until around the 11th century. However, in terms of bathing being fashionable and perceived as hygienic; this didn't really become popular until the 1800s when the cast iron tub with a cylinder lid appeared.
The 19th century was the time when bathing was shown to be a hygienic matter and became widespread in schools and other institutions. Public bathing was common in the 19th century when places like the Turkish Baths in Harrogate were where people went for recovery and well-being. Bathing at home was gaining ground, but people didn't have the plumbing of modern times.
After the First World War, domestic plumbing began to gain ground; with running water as standard equipment; and therefore allows people to invest in having a bathtub at home. Roll-top bathtubs were first adopted by the wealthy and upper classes. These were often free standing and elevated in the middle of the room. Those interested in luxury sometimes had a roll-top bath in their master suite for the ultimate in luxury.
Acrylic baths began to take over from cast iron and copper baths as they were more cost effective to mass produce, allowing a larger proportion of the population to invest in them. However, as time moved on and people got richer, the roll-top bath experienced a renaissance and became a popular feature for those who want to create a luxurious effect in their bathroom!
