Clawfoot Bathtub Buyers Guide |
| Selecting a clawfoot bath tub may seem overwhelming with the variety of styles, sizes, finishes, and available options. A great way to get started choosing the perfect clawfoot tub for your bathroom is to narrow the selection based upon your basic requirements and preferences. This guide will step you through this simple process. |
| Determining Tub Size |
| The first thing to consider is the size of the tub. The sizes suitable for your bathroom may be limited by the dimensions and in some cases the location of your bathroom. The space in your bathroom should allow for the width and length of the tub and several inches for the plumbing. Clawfoot Classics provides a link to the tub’s Product Specifications on our clawfoot tub product pages. The Product Specifications page graphically illustrates the complete set of dimensions for the tub. Once you’ve determined how large of a tub will fit into your bathroom, you also must consider whether there are obstacles in your path from where the tub will be delivered to the space where the tub will be installed. Walking this path noting potential obstacles such as widths of doorways and the angles and widths of stairways is highly recommended before concluding on the appropriate tub size. |
| Selecting Tub Construction |
| Traditional clawfoot tubs are cast iron; however acrylic clawfoot tubs are now a popular option. There are advantages to both cast iron and acrylic tubs. The porcelain interior of cast iron tubs is highly resistant to wear and stains. Acrylic tubs are lighter weight which makes them perfect for upper story installations. For more comparisons, please see Clawfoot Bathtub Tips. Clawfoot Classics offers a wide selection of both types of tubs at comparable prices. |
| Choosing a Style |
| Clawfoot Classics has organized its collection of tubs into four basic categories. An overview of each category is presented below. |
Roll Top
Roll top tubs are round at one end and flat at the end where the faucet is installed. Clawfoot Classics offers cast iron clawfoot tubs and acrylic clawfoot tubs in lengths suitable for both compact and grand bathrooms. |
Roll Top |
Slipper
With its high backrest, the slipper tub is ideal for soaking. Clawfoot Classics offers numerous cast iron slipper tubs and acrylic clawfoot slipper tubs to choose from. |
Slipper Tub |
Double-Ended
Double-ended tubs have rounded ends, or in the case of dual slipper, have high back rests at both ends. Clawfoot Classics offers cast iron double-end tubs and acrylic double-ended tubs from the industry’s top manufacturers. |
Double-Ended Tub |
Pedestal & Skirted
Pedestal tubs sit, as the name implies, on a pedestal rather than on clawfeet. Because the pedestal can hide plumbing, modern air-bath options are now available for tubs that maintain a vintage feel. Skirted tubs are double-ended tubs that fit within a cast iron skirt rather than on clawfeet. Clawfoot Classics offers standard and air-bath cast iron pedestal tubs and acrylic pedestal tubs. |
Pedestal Tub |
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| Deciding on Faucet Location |
| Faucet location and configuration are key considerations when determining the right bath tub for your bathroom. There are three configurations of clawfoot tub faucets. The configuration of the faucet is important because it determines where the faucet holes will be located on the tub. Additionally, some tubs are not offered in all of three faucet hole location options. An overview of each configuration is presented below. |
Tub Wall Mount
Tub wall mount faucets are mounted on the inner wall of the tub. The faucet holes for single-ended roll top and slipper tubs are located in the tub wall on the flat end of the tub. Tub wall mount faucets are not an option for double-ended roll top and double-ended slipper tubs. Generally, there are a greater variety of wall mounted faucets than deck mount and free standing faucets. Clawfoot Classics offers tub wall mount faucets in a wide assortment of styles, finishes, options, and prices. |
Wall Mount Faucet Holes |
Deck Mount
Deck mount faucets are mounted to stand on top of the deck, or rim, of the tub. The faucet holes for traditional roll top and slipper tubs are located on the flat end of the tub. Faucet holes are located along the side of double ended roll and double slipper tubs. Tubs configured for deck mount faucets often have deeper bathing wells than those with wall mount faucets. Clawfoot Classics offers deck mount faucets with and without hand held showers. |
Roll Top Tub with
Deck Mount Faucet Holes |
Double-Ended Tub with
Deck Mount Faucet Holes |
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Freestanding
Free standing faucets are not attached to the tub and therefore no faucet holes are required on the tub. Like tubs with deck mount faucet holes, these tubs frequently have deeper bathing wells. Some of the before mentioned tub wall mount faucets can be modified to be installed on free standing supply lines or on a flat bathroom wall rather than to the tub. A selection of free standing supply lines are found in the Supply Lines section. |
| Clawfoot Classics provides more detailed faucet tips including local plumbing code considerations on our Clawfoot Tub Faucet Tips page. |
| Final Thoughts |
| Hopefully deciding on the size, material, style, and faucet placement before hand, will make your search for the perfect clawfoot bathtub a much more enjoyable and gratifying experience. And, remember if you have questions about any of our products, visit our Clawfoot Bathtub Tips page or just e-mail us at customerservice@shop4classics.com. |
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