Freestanding Clawfoot Bath – Old-Fashioned Luxury

By justinplace Bathrooms Bathroom Renovation, Bathroom Tiling, Free Standing Bath

There aren’t many bathroom fixtures that say ‘old-fashioned luxury’ quite like the freestanding claw foot bath with a dose of nostalgia and vintage aesthetics.

A clawfoot bathtub can instantly transform any bathroom.

While this bath is the focal point of the room, it is recommended to complete the look with "Old English" tapware, encaustic tiles, and all things vintage - from fittings to light fixtures.

The Clawfoot bath comes in 4 major styles:

Classic roll rim tubs also called roll-top tubs or flat rim tubs

Slipper tubs – where one end is raised and sloped creating a more comfortable lounging position.

Double slipper tubs – where both ends are raised and sloped.

Double-ended tubs – where both ends of the tub are rounded, as opposed to the classic roll rim tub, which has one rounded end and one fairly flat end.

Things to consider:

Materials:

Clawfoot tubs are traditionally cast iron with a layer of porcelain, but contemporary manufacturing means they are now also available in fiberglass, acrylic, or other modern materials. While these newer materials don’t hold the heat as well as cast iron, they are a lot lighter and easier to install.

Weight:

Cast iron clawfoot baths are heavy and should be set on reinforced floors.

Tapware:

Considering a fact that a claw foot bath is a free-standing bath, choosing the right tapware is extremely important.

Where to buy:

Clawfoot tubs can be bought vintage or new.

Vintage tubs can be resurfaced and new legs installed, but this exercise costs more than buying a new one, depending on quality and materials.