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Clawfoot Tub Buyers Guide

Clawfoot tubs are available in many different styles, options, and sizes. The variety can make it a challenge to choose a new clawfoot bathtub for your home. This guide is intended to help you narrow the scope of your decision.

Size

The first thing that you should consider is the size of the tub. Most people prefer to pick the biggest tub available for the space provided. Make sure to allow a few inches for the plumbing and don’t forget to consider doorways, stairwells, and other obstacles that might limit your ability to get the freestanding tub into position.

Material

Next, you should consider the material from which the tub is constructed. Traditional clawfoot tubs are cast iron but several manufacturers offer acrylic tubs that are reproductions of the classic cast iron tub. New acrylic and cast iron tubs are priced comparably. Acrylic tubs are much lighter than cast iron tubs but cast iron tubs tend to last longer and can be refinished if necessary. See Clawfoot Tub Tips for more information regarding the differences between cast iron clawfoot tubs and acrylic tubs.

Style

Limiting yourself to a preferred style of tub can also aid in your decision making process. There are four basic styles of freestanding tubs to consider.

Traditional Roll Top Clawfoot Tub	Traditional Roll Rim Clawfoot Tub. Traditional roll top clawfoot tubs are rounded at one end and flat at the other. The faucet and drain are installed at the flat end of the tub. ťBrowse our Cast Iron Roll Top Bathtubs ťBrowse our Acrylic Roll Top Bathtubs
Slipper Tub	Slipper Bathtub. Slipper style bathtubs have a high backrest that makes them well suited for soaking. The faucet and drain are installed at the low end of the tub. ťBrowse our Cast Iron Slipper Tubs ťBrowse our Acrylic Slipper Tubs
Dual Tub	Double-Ended Clawfoot Tub. Double-ended (or dual) clawfoot tubs are rounded at both ends or, in the case of a dual slipper, have a high back at both ends. The faucet and drain are installed in the center along one side of the tub. ťBrowse our Cast Iron Double-Ended Clawfoot Tubs ťBrowse our Acrylic Double-Ended Clawfoot Tubs
Pedestal Tub	Pedestal & Skirted Freestanding Tub. Pedestal and skirted freestanding tubs do not have clawfeet. These tubs sit on a base. Some of these tubs are equipped with Jacuzzi-like air bath systems. ťBrowse our Cast Iron Pedestal Bathtubs ťBrowse our Acrylic Pedestal Bathtubs

Faucet Placement

Another important determinant in the selection of a clawfoot tub is the placement of the faucet. Clawfoot tubs can have faucet holes drilled in the wall of the tub, drilled in the rim of the tub, or have no faucet holes at all. Tubs with faucet holes in the wall of the tub usually have more faucet options but tubs with rim faucet holes or without faucet holes usually have deeper bathing wells. Not all tubs are available with all faucet hole options. Budget, room configuration, preferences, and plumbing code are all important to consider when selecting a faucet. It is important to include faucet selection in your tub decision-making process so be careful not to overlook this step. See Clawfoot Tub Faucet Tips for additional help selecting a faucet.

Conclusion

You should find that your decision is a bit less daunting once you have filtered your clawfoot tub options by size, material, style, and faucet placement. You can then focus on brand preference, warranties, price, and other more common purchasing factors before you finally purchase your clawfoot tub.

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