Shopping for a clawfoot bath tub

The Money Pit

Designing your bathroom to include a clawfoot bath tub equates to a choice of elegance and grace in your bathroom fixtures. The comfortably curved shape of the classic clawfoot bath tub will provide the relaxation that you've been looking for.

Clawfoot bath tubs: keeping your floors intact

Clawfoot bath tubs were originally crafted from cast iron, then coated with enamel or porcelain on the interior to give the surface a shiny, smooth appearance. Traditionalists will agree that a cast iron clawfoot bath tub is the only option. "If you're going to do it, do it right," they'd say.

Even some traditionalists might sway their opinion, though, if they were putting a clawfoot bath tub on a second story. Cast iron clawfoot tubs can weigh between 250 and 400 pounds, and become even heavier when filled with water. Unless you are sure of the sound structure of your second story floor, you should probably steer clear of the heavy-duty cast iron clawfoot bath tub.

Acrylic clawfoot bath tubs weigh much less, cost less, and are easier to move and install. They are also naturally warmer to the touch. Unless you want to wait for your cast iron tub to heat up, an acrylic clawfoot bath tub would be the better option.

Also important to consider: if you want to attach shower enclosures to your clawfoot tub, the acrylic material may not be durable enough. In this instance, despite the weight, you will probably want to choose a cast iron clawfoot tub.

All shapes and sizes

The most typical clawfoot bath tub measures 60 inches in length and has one sloped side and one rounded side for comfortable lounging. Some clawfoot bath tubs have this sloped side on both ends, and some clawfoot tubs have a rounded edge on both ends.

Clawfoot bath tubs also have different types of rims, which basically depends on your personal preference. Classic roll rim, roll top, and flat rim are all options that are available.