wikabouter, I saw you posted on my old reveal thread and then saw that you started a new thread. So in response to the old thread, yes I am a Wisconsinite.

My Mariposa tub is actually the 5-1/2 ft (66 inches) version. I am 5'5" and find the 5-1/2 ft to be a perfect length for me. When I am sitting upright in my Mariposa tub my feet do not reach the end tub but when I recline my feet do reach the tub wall and my shoulders are submerged. I have a 5 ft ( 60") long tub in my hall bathroom and can't recline/stretch out fully like I can in the 66" Mariposa tub.

I agree with you that the the 6ft tub would be a bit too long. Did the showroom sales person let you know that a 5-1/2 ft. tub is available? I think it would be a better choice that the 5ft. model. The model number for the 5-1/2 ft. drop in Mariposa tub is K-1229. The tub is also available in an alcove installation style.

I don't know what the incline of the back of the 5-1/2 ft. tub is but I find it comfortable. I also really like the armrests both for relaxing and for pushing off of when getting up/out of the tub.

Thanks so much for responding. Yes, she did tell me about the other lengths. I'm planning on going around Madison today to see if there are other places I can try out the tub. I'm doing the install myself and want to make sure that I've made the best choice. I've been working on this master bathroom on and off for 4 years, and now that I'm on summer break from school, I want to do the final push and get my shower and bath back. Your design is wonderful and very similar to what I had in mind for my own bathroom. Do you have any recommendations for where to get the glass? Also, have you found it difficult to keep the glass clean? I have a well and the water has a lot of dissolved limestone. Thanks for your input!

Sorry I can't give you a recommendation on where to get your glass because I am in the Milwaukee area not Madison. We have softened city water in our house so we don't have to deal with the complications of well water. The best tip I can give you is to take 30 seconds to run a squeegee over the glass when you are done showering. We didn't do that at first and had some issue with water spots. When I had trouble getting the spots off, I called the glass company and they told me to make a paste of Zud cleanser on a wet #0000 (extra fine) steel wool pad and scrub the glass with that. It worked great but was more work than I wanted to do very often. Much easier to squeegee. With well water you should probably consider using special glass such as ShowerGuard or glass treated with Clear Shield or another special coating. You could always go with a slighty textured or patterned glass.

My daughter has well water and she used a glass that is called crystal rain. It's patterned on the outside but inside is smooth so its easy to clean. It great for hiding water spots in between weekly glass cleaning.

Good luck with getting your remodel done. Dont feel bad about your 4 year project, my sister has a bathroom that's been 7 years in the making. Right now it has a shower and toilet but still no sinks/ vanities. I am a former public school special ed. teacher so I understand about getting projects done during summer break.

Once again, many thanks for your input and empathy! Although I'm older, my teaching career is now 5 years old, so I live and breathe school until my breaks. I also farm, so it's a bit like going from the frying pan into the fire - but it's a refreshing and much needed switch. I used to have a hot tub to soak the old bones, but after many years it went kaput, giving me more impetus to get the bathroom finished! I will look into the glass you suggested. I do squeegee the tiled shower that I'm using for now in another bedroom, so it's already a habit. Happy summer days!

Badgergal/Wikabouter: Just yesterday I sat in the Mariposa 5.5 tub and it was a perfect size for me, and I am 5'7. The 72 inch was just to long. I love the slant for your back, it was comfortable.
My only worry about this tub is does the water stay warm? I know the Bask heater keeps the back warm, but does the water get cold?
On the glass: our builder said to use Rain-x on the glass if you have well water. It keeps that build up from happening.