Solid Wood Bathtubs

WEIGHT, INSTALLATION AND CARE

A Logniture solid wood bathtub is a functional sculpture carved from a single log of solid hardwood. There is no joinery, no assembly and no veneer: one tree becomes one bathtub. Each piece is a 1/1 original, shaped with chainsaws and carving tools, then refined and finished by hand. This page covers the technical side: how the tubs are built and waterproofed, what they weigh, how they are installed and how to care for them. It is written for architects, interior designers and private clients specifying a piece for a real bathroom, not just a showroom.

Beyond the showroom, a piece like this holds its own in a real bathroom: the deep red grain and sculpted rim read as a single continuous form, with no seams or joints to interrupt the line of the wood.

Carved from a single log

Every solid wood bathtub begins as a massive trunk, in some cases weighing several tonnes. The trunk is carved, hollowed and then dried in a controlled process that can span years. Our red bathtub, for example, started as a 3 tonne trunk in 2019 and was completed in 2024 at a final weight of 210 kg. Slow, patient drying is what allows a monolithic vessel of this size to remain stable for decades.

Natural voids and cracks that open during drying are not hidden. They are filled and stabilised with epoxy resin, becoming part of the character of the piece while restoring full structural and watertight integrity.

Construction and waterproofing

Every solid wood bathtub, inside and out, is sealed with a layered marine-grade system, the same class of materials used on wooden boats:

1. Epoxy sealing. The carved and dried wood is saturated and sealed with marine-grade epoxy, which penetrates the surface, stabilises the timber and creates the waterproof base layer.
2. Two-component polyurethane build coats. Multiple coats of marine-grade 2K polyurethane varnish are applied over the epoxy, building a hard, water- and wear-resistant film with UV protection.
3. Gloss or satin topcoat. The final layer is a two-component polyurethane varnish finished in either high-gloss or satin, depending on the piece. Gloss amplifies the shine and depth of the wood grain, while satin gives a smoother, warm, more matte look. Both keep the depth and clarity of the natural grain rather than a plastic-looking film.

The result is a fully functional bathtub: watertight, easy to clean and pleasant to the touch, with the tactile presence of real wood preserved.

Solid wood bathtub dimensions and weight

Every piece is unique, so dimensions and weights vary. Two current examples:

Floor loading. The load on the floor is the sum of the tub itself, the water and the bather. As an illustration, a 210 kg tub filled with water and one adult adds several hundred kilograms, spread across the footprint of the base. On concrete or stone floors this is rarely an issue. For timber-framed floors, upper storeys or renovation projects we recommend confirming the load path with the project engineer, exactly as you would for a cast stone or cast iron freestanding tub of similar weight.

Installation and plumbing

Every solid wood bathtub is freestanding and requires no wall or floor mounting. Installation is a standard job for any licensed plumber:

• A pop-up waste (drain clicker) is included with each functional bathtub; selected pieces include a matching faucet in a gold finish.
• Water supply can be floor- or wall-mounted, chosen freely since the tub does not depend on a fixed plumbing position.
• The base is carved flat and stable; minor floor unevenness can be compensated during positioning.

Placement. Choose a spot away from radiators, stoves and other direct heat sources, and avoid prolonged direct sunlight on one side of the piece. Like any large solid wood object, the tub is happiest in normal, reasonably stable room conditions.

Delivery. Each bathtub ships worldwide in a custom-made sturdy wooden crate, fully insured. Because every piece is already finished and in stock, there is no production lead time.

Care and maintenance

Daily care for a solid wood bathtub is simple:

• Clean with mild soap, warm water and a soft cloth.
• Do not use abrasive sponges, scouring powders or aggressive solvent-based cleaners; they are unnecessary and can dull the finish.
• Rinse and wipe down after use, as you would with any high-end freestanding tub.

Kept this way, the marine-grade finish protects the wood for many years of regular use.

Custom commissions

Alongside the finished pieces in stock, we take commissions in monolithic solid wood: a bathtub carved to your dimensions, or to a concept developed with your studio. Because monolithic timber must be properly dried before finishing, commissions are built from our stock of prepared trunks. Contact us with your dimensions and intent and we will confirm what is achievable and when.

Frequently asked questions

Is a solid wood bathtub actually waterproof?
Yes. The wood is sealed inside and out with a marine epoxy base and multiple coats of two-component polyurethane varnish, available in gloss or satin, the same class of system used to protect wooden boat hulls and brightwork.

Can it be used daily?
Yes. These are fully functional bathtubs designed for regular bathing, not display-only sculptures. Normal bathing use with basic care is exactly what the finish system is built for.

How heavy is a wooden bathtub?
Current pieces range from roughly 125 to 210 kg dry. That is comparable to, or lighter than, many cast iron and cast stone freestanding tubs. Full specifications are provided per piece.

Does it need special plumbing?
No. A standard pop-up waste is included and any licensed plumber can complete the installation with conventional connections.

What water temperature can it handle?
The finish system is designed for standard bathing temperatures, up to 45 °C. As with any fine freestanding tub, do not fill it with near-boiling water.

How do I clean it?
Mild soap, warm water, soft cloth. Nothing more is needed.

Is every bathtub unique?
Yes. Each piece is carved from a different tree and no reproductions are made. When a bathtub sells, that exact form is gone.

Browse available solid wood bathtubs, or contact us at logniture@gmail.com for the trade line sheet, exact specifications and a freight quote to your site.