A baignoire allongée replica is a bathtub built to copy the shape of an elongated French soaking tub and sold at a lower price than the original design. The term covers two products: a close copy of a named European model, and a generic long tub with the same footprint and rim profile. Fit, shell material, and drain placement decide whether the tub works in your bathroom, not the name on the spec sheet.
What the term means in a listing
Baignoire allongée translates as elongated bathtub. US sellers use the phrase for a tub longer than the standard 60 inch alcove unit, often 66 to 72 inches, with a thin rim and a sloped backrest at one or both ends. When the word replica appears, expect a copy of a European design rather than a tub from a US brand. Ask the seller for the model it copies and for a dimension drawing.
Prerequisites before you order
- Finished room dimensions and the width of every door on the delivery path
- Rough-in distance from the finished wall to the drain center
- Rim height and tub depth, so you can check step-over comfort
- Water heater capacity and flow rate at the tub filler
- Local plumbing code rules for clearance and access panels
Measure the space and the path
- Measure the alcove or floor space at the back wall, the middle, and the front edge.
- Write down the smallest of the three numbers as your working width.
- Measure the drain center offset from the finished wall and compare it to the drawing.
- Trace the delivery route and measure each doorway, stair turn, and elevator opening.
- Add two inches to the tub width and check that the total clears every point on the route.
Check the shell material and wall thickness
Most replicas use acrylic, solid surface, or enameled steel. Acrylic is light and warm to the touch, but thin shells flex under load and crack at the overflow. Ask for a shell thickness of at least 5 mm with a fiberglass backing layer. Solid surface resists chips and can be repaired, and it weighs more, so confirm the subfloor rating. Cast iron copies hold heat well and need framing and a second person for the set.
Verify the drain and overflow position
A replica copied from a European mold may place the drain at the center or at one end, and the overflow may sit higher or lower than a US tub. Compare the rough-in to your floor cut before you buy. If the offset differs from your existing drain, budget for moving the trap and cutting the floor. Confirm the overflow kit is included, since odd sizes are hard to source later.
Plan the install
- Set the tub in the room dry and check level on all four sides.
- Mark the drain and overflow cut lines on the floor and wall.
- Test the subfloor for flex and add blocking where the base plate lands.
- Set the tub on a mortar or foam bed and press it down until the rim sits level.
- Connect the drain shoe, trap, and overflow tube and hand-tighten the slip nuts.
- Fill the tub to the overflow line and watch every joint for drips.
- Seal the rim against the wall or deck with a mold-resistant silicone bead.
Inspect the tub on delivery
- Photograph the crate before you open it, in case of shipping damage
- Check the rim for chips and the base for cracks along the mold seam
- Confirm the drain hole size and overflow cutout match the drawing
- Set the tub on a flat surface and look for rock before you sign
Red flags
Walk away from a seller who cannot supply a dimension drawing, who quotes a shell thickness in vague terms, or who ships without a crated pallet. Treat any claim of an exact copy with suspicion unless the listing names the original model and shows a side-by-side profile. A replica is a value choice, not a mystery box, so get the numbers in writing before you pay.