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Thinking about purchasing a clawfoot tub? Read this first.
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What is a Clawfoot Tub
Clawfoot tubs, as the name suggests, are freestanding bathtubs with four legs. The legs or pegs in each corner feature varied styles and looks.The exact origin of clawfoot tubs isn’t clear, but they’ve been around for centuries.
“In the early 19th century, clawfoot bathtubs were a mark of social standing and luxury, placed in private baths in wealthy homes where servants could fill them with water and have enough space around the sides to help a person bathe,” according to modernbathroom.com. “Their designs were intricate, with long, sloping backs and increasingly ornate feet to match the design trends of the time.”
Types/Materials of Clawfoot Tubs
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Clawfoot tubs are typically cast iron or acrylic, according to Vintage Tub. Cast iron tubs are often lined with porcelain. The acrylic tubs are lighter than cast iron but not as durable, according to Vintage Tub. If your home has a clawfoot tub but you’re unsure which type or how old it is, there might be a simple way to tell.
“Tub manufacturers identified their products with stamps that often included the date of manufacture,” according to hunker.com. “Locating the stamp is the best way to tell how old a particular clawfoot is, but if the stamp missing, you may have to make the determination from the condition of the tub and other factors.”
Clawfoot tubs also come various styles. These are the most common:
Double slipper;
Double ended;
Classic/flat rim;
Single slipper.
The double slipper tub combines the looks of the double ended and single slipper with raised ends on both sides, while the single slipper has one raised end. Double ended features a level edge and a rounded lip with the faucet in the center. The classic look has the faucet at one end and a flat rim all around.
Clawfoot tubs prices depend on size and design. Most cost between $500 and $1,500. Cast iron tubs are typically more expensive than acrylic, but are not considered as durable.
It will take multiple people to install a clawfoot tub because it’s heavy, weighing between 200 and 400 pounds. The tub must be positioned with the drain over the hole in the floor and the faucet over the edge of the tub. The faucet placement depends on the style of tub. As always, thoroughly read the installation guide before taking this on.
What is a clawfoot tub? A claw foot bathtub is just what it sounds like: a freestanding tub that rests on four feet. But these tubs are so much more than just a bathtub with feet! These nostalgic tubs are the ultimate classic: they'll never go out of style.
The problem is that cleaning a clawfoot tub is not as easy as you may think. If you choose to install a clawfoot bathtub, you will have to clean beneath the tub and around the feet. If your tub is placed against the wall, it may be tough to reach that side due to limited space.
CAST IRON. It's the most durable and long-lasting material available, as well as the most commonly used when forging a clawfoot tub. It is typically finished in porcelain to give it the classic look it's known for.
Because you have to drape your curtain liners inside the tub in order to keep water from spilling out as you shower, they will be getting wet constantly.
For real? Yep, per the survey's participants, homes that had a claw-foot bathtub in the listing sold, on average, for 29 percent above asking price. That's some serious ROI now, folks.
Long wait: Bathers have to enter the tub before filling it and can't exit until it's fully drained. Risk of chills: Some walk-in tubs fill and drain slowly, which may leave a bather at risk of becoming chilled. Higher-end models offer heated seats and rapid draining to avert these issues.
PRO: Clawfoot tubs that include a hand shower are much easier to clean than a traditional tub because the flexible shower hose allows you to target water to wash and rinse any part of the tub easily. It also allows you to wash or rinse big things – like, say, a dog – more easily than you could in a traditional bathtub.
The clawfoot tub was popular from the 1880's to the 1930's. It was the flu epidemic after WWI that was the downfall of these beautiful fixtures. People knew little about the illness, and became concerned with germs and cleanliness.
As a rule of thumb, the minimum end-to-end (length) additional space you'll need for a clawfoot, pedestal, or freestanding tub is 6 inches. Any less and the tub will look cramped in the space.
Bottom line is that acrylic is a stronger material than fiberglass. Acrylic tubs effectively resist wear and tear for years on end, while fiberglass is prone to scratching and cracking. Fiberglass also fades more quickly, especially if exposed to sunlight coming in through a window.
Acrylic is generally a much more durable material when compared to porcelain. Although porcelain tubs have a much harder surface and are more resistant to scratches when compared to acrylic, the harder surface is much more susceptible to cracks and chipping from heavy impacts.
Carefully set the tub back into position and adjust the feet adjusters as necessary. Once level, apply a generous bead of silicone on the bottom of the feet. This will prevent the tub from shifting after installation.
On average, two large people can fit into a clawfoot bathtub, but there are more personal sized clawfoot tubs that are meant to house just one individual bather.
Rim mount soap dishes have a basket style and hang on the rim of your clawfoot tub. These types of soap dishes are perfect for clawfoot tubs without a shower enclosure. Wall mount soap dishes are mounted directly to the bathroom wall. They can be installed on the wall by your bathtub or next to the sink.
Showering with the liner inside the tub should keep from getting excess water on the floor surrounding it. Another thing that will help is getting one large liner and curtain instead of multiples put together. This way there's only one opening you have to think about.
Several ways: 1) Epoxy ; just glue the feet down. Or embed bolt heads into the floor material with a shallow "blind" hole and epoxy then nuts and washers to bolt the feet down.
Clawfoot tubs became a part of our collective design vocabulary as a luxury item of the Victorian era. By the 1920's, they were de rigeur, but by the midcentury, they were outdated, replaced with the more efficient built-in tubs of the 60s and 70s.
Whether Acrylic or Cast Iron, all Clawfoot Bathtubs are designed to retain as much heat as possible so you can relax for a long time without the water becoming cold. Clawfoot Tubs offer a Classic style and a luxurious addition to any bathroom.
Bathtubs haven't gone away, but trends have shifted
However, most home design trends have a shelf-life, and jetted tubs were no exception. People soon came to realize that jets are a pain to clean, and large tubs require a ton of hot water to fill. Over time, many of these tubs became glorified storage bins.
Since walk-in tubs have a door on the side, you may be concerned about accidentally opening it or having water leak out from the side. Thankfully, most quality bathtubs are going to have a water-tight seal on the door that prevents water from leaking out.
Regular walk-in tubs can take about 6-15 minutes to fully drain, and it's understandable that you wouldn't want to sit exposed for that long! Meanwhile, fast-draining tubs can take only four minutes or less to empty itself.
One significant disadvantage of cast iron is the cost. Cast iron is among the most expensive bathtub materials available, but it's also one of the most durable, so you'll get years – if not decades or more – out of your investment.
A walk-in bath is also a worthwhile investment for caregivers and family members of people with limited mobility. On the downside, walk-in tubs can be expensive and difficult to install. It could cost you $10,000 or more to pay for a tub and professional installation services. The tub relaxes real good.
They're expensive. Like, can average well over $1,500. At least that's what you're likely to pay for a new clawfoot tub, whether it's cast iron or acrylic.
The clawfoot style doesn't have to be all traditional, all the time. In fact, it does very well in a more modern decor scheme, where it gives a touch of elegance.
Clawfoot tub shower curtains are typically 180 inches wide, which is enough to wrap around the entire tub. It's possible to hang regular shower curtains around a clawfoot tub, but as these curtains are typically 108 or 70 inches wide, you would need two or three of them.
You are fine installing a claw-foot iron tub on porcelain tile as long as you place the tub carefully. If you drag the tub across the tile you run the risk of scratching the porcelain if it's a lower quality.
As a rule of thumb, the minimum end-to-end (length) additional space you'll need for a clawfoot, pedestal, or freestanding tub is 6 inches. Any less and the tub will look cramped in the space.
On average, two large people can fit into a clawfoot bathtub, but there are more personal sized clawfoot tubs that are meant to house just one individual bather.
Introduction: My name is Dan Stracke, I am a homely, gleaming, glamorous, inquisitive, homely, gorgeous, light person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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