The clawfoot bathtub, a square, freestanding bathtub typically made of cast-iron and with a deep rolled back, has certainly come a long ways over its American history thus far. Today, this durable and extremely attractive bath feature is once again seeing a great resurgence in popularity, particularly with contractors and renovators choosing again for their modern clawfoot bathtub designs in their latest designs. It's an interesting question as to why. One reason is that the clawfoot tub is not only extremely resistant to mold and mildew, but is also much more aesthetically appealing than it used to be. In addition, the tub is now being made with many different materials including cast iron, stainless steel, porcelain, cast aluminum, and even a combination of these materials.
One of the first modern additions to the clawfoot bathtub scene was the introduction of the porcelain and stainless steel versions of these popular tubs. These were the first choices that people were making for bathrooms besides the cast iron ones. Because of the material, these tubs could now handle all of the harsh cleaning and maintenance that a bathroom needed. Porcelain was also a much more durable choice then was the olden cast iron. In fact, it was common to find people building a new house that had cast iron tubs in them, as they simply looked more elegant and sturdy than porcelain.
Stainless steel clawfoot tubs have become quite popular for people looking for a very contemporary look to their bathroom. Many people are choosing these types of tubs because of the sleek design of them that fits well in any type of bathroom. Some even choose to use stainless steel in conjunction with a granite top to give their bathrooms a two-tone look. This is a great look for people who want their bathroom to fit with their modern lifestyle.
Another modern option that you may find for your clawfoot tub is the acrylic version. Acrylic has been growing in popularity as a material for all sorts of bathroom accessories including tubs. Acrylic is made from materials that are naturally occurring, and does not require the toxic chemicals often found in the cast iron or porcelain options. Acrylic bathtubs can be purchased in all of the same varieties that you would find in a cast iron version. The only real difference is that the acrylic ones do not have the porcelain top, and the bowls that are used to wash your hair are not as wide or tall as those found on the cast iron ones.
One of the best selling points for this type of clawfoot tub is the fact that they will fit right in with any type of decor. You can install one of these in almost any room in your home, since they are fairly easy to transport and don't take up a lot of space when placed in a corner. You can even install one of these in a newly decorated bathroom if that is what you want to do.
A foot or so below the existing bathtub is usually a good size for a claw feet tub, but remember that you get what you pay for when you choose one of these options. If you can't afford the option of installing an acrylic claw feet tub, then you should probably go with a regular cast-iron bathtub. Cast iron bathtubs can be as deep as three or four feet, and will typically require no more than an inch in depth of water to be comfortable. You don't need to spend an exorbitant amount of money on an acrylic bathtub to feel luxurious, and many affordable models are available in the price range that most budget conscious homeowners are willing to accept.