Bathtubs didn't become popular in the United States until the late 1870s, after plumbers had figured out how to vent waste lines, thus making residential plumbing a practical reality.Clawfoot tubs made their first appearance around this time but didn't become a 'thing' until the early 1900s. We’ve gotten A LOT of questions about how we’ve rescued the clawfoot tub at our beach house, so let’s just dive right into what worked (and what didn’t) and how we nursed this baby back to life. The tub existed in the house when we bought it last October (Saturday will be our 1-year house-iversary!). But it was a pretty sad existence.
Enhance the Bathroom With An Antique BathtubHaving a vintage bathtub can instantly transform your bathroom, giving it a timeless look and helping the room feel elegant. Many types of old bathtubs are available on eBay.Types of clawfoot tubs for saleIf you're looking for a clawfoot tub for sale on eBay, you'll have plenty of options. In terms of style, there are:. Single-ended tubs - Single-ended tubs are oval on one side and square on the other.
This asymmetrical look gives it a clear direction in terms of placement against a wall. Double-ended tubs - Rounded on either end, these have a greater interior volume. They often have a side-mounting faucet and a centre drain.
Slipper tubs - The high back on one side of this type of clawfoot tub gives you a comfortable place to rest your back, neck, and head. Double-slipper tubs - With this configuration, you can rest your head on either side of the tub.What materials are used in vintage bathtubs for sale?Cast iron is the traditional material used in antique bathtubs for sale. Cast iron is durable and solid, and it can help the water stay warm.
It's usually finished in porcelain. Acrylic, or fiberglass, is another common material you'll find in these old bathtubs. Acrylic has an advantage because any scratches can be sanded and polished out. There are some bathtubs made out of copper as well.
Copper was used in the pre-1920s, and you may be able to find well-kept tubs made out of this material.How are the faucets arranged in antique tubs?There is a lot of variation in this area, especially considering the various time frames and places in which antique tubs have been manufactured and used.
Clawfoot tubs evoke images of long, relaxing soaks in the bath. While a clawfoot tub is great for relaxation and bringing a classic feel to bathroom decor, a clawfoot tub is actually very impractical. Keep reading to find out why clawfoot tubs are the worst.
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Clawfoot tubs are difficult to install
Those tubs are heavy. | Motionshooter/iStock/Getty Images
The main reason installing a clawfoot tub is difficult is because of the tub’s weight. A traditional clawfoot tub is made of cast iron with a porcelain finish, according to Boston Standard Plumbing. The floor may have to be reinforced before installation of the tub begins because of the tub’s weight (an empty cast iron tub weighs 200 – 400 pounds).
Climbing in and out of the tub can be dangerous
It can be dangerous to get in. | mihalis_a/iStock/Getty Images
Clawfoot tubs require more from a person physically. Simply getting in and out of the tub can be a challenge. Add in a slippery tile floor and a wet bathtub, and clawfoot tubs can be downright dangerous. It’s a much different experience than stepping down into a tub.
Clawfoot tubs are big
They take up a lot of space. | RossHelen/iStock/Getty Images
The appeal of a clawfoot tub is the size. However, the size can be a problem for small bathrooms. A clawfoot tub takes up most of the space in the bathroom leaving little room for much else. While clawfoot tubs add charm to a bathroom, consider a space-saving tub for small bathrooms.
Hard to clean in a small space
It can be very hard to clean. | iStock/Getty Images
Clawfoot tubs are commonly next to a wall, leaving a small gap. The trouble with this arrangement is that the tub becomes more difficult to clean. If the tub is in a really tight space, climbing into the tub is the only way to clean parts one’s unable to reach standing outside of the tub. My back hurts just typing this.
Walls get damaged
The wall can be damaged from the water. | ToscaWhi/iStock/Getty Images
Continuing on about the aforementioned gap, walls can be damaged. “It doesn’t butt up against the wall, so you get a lot of spillage and it can cause damage to your wall or can seep in and actually drip down from your bathroom to your lower level ceiling,” Jonathan Scott of HGTV’s Property Brothers, told PopSugar. This is especially a problem for families with young children who splash in the tub. Consider tiling bathroom walls or nixing a clawfoot tub altogether.
Clawfoot tubs are costly
They can get very expensive. | irinia88w/iStock/Getty Images
Clawfoot tubs can be pricier than other tubs because of their size and the materials used to make each tub, Apartment Therapy says. The additional reinforcement mentioned earlier, is another necessary precaution to add to the overall price of the tub. Clawfoot tubs are beautiful and built to last but they’re not without a hefty price tag. “The average cost for a 60-inch standard cast iron tub ranges from $500 to $2,000,” according to HomeAdvisor.
Lack of storage space
It’s hard to get proper storage. | ShyLama Productions/iStock/Getty Images
Picture your current bathtub. Bottles of shampoo and conditioner probably sit on the edge of the tub. Now, picture yourself in a clawfoot tub without any space to store your bath products. Clawfoot tubs offer no storage space.
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