Cast Iron Bathtubs

The first clawfoot cast iron tub was produced by American Standard (a company that still exists today) near the end of the nineteenth century. The company made sure to cover the cast iron surface with a hard enamel finish because it is easier to clean enamel than it is to clean cast iron. As time went on, this type of cast iron clawfoot tub fell out of fashion because homeowners started to favor the one piece bathtub units over the multi-piece units that were needed to make a clawfoot bathtub operational.

The clawfoot cast iron bathtub has not been taken completely out of commission. Some companies still manufacture and sell them today, but many home owners insist that purchasing an acrylic claw foot tub is better. While it is true that acrylic does have some advantages over cast iron, the largest being that it weighs quite a lot less than cast iron, there are definite benefits to owning an authentic cast iron clawfoot tub. Here are just a few of them:

1. Clawfoot cast iron tubs are traditional. A true traditionalist can tell the difference between the two and if you want your home to have a traditional look and feel, cast iron is the only way to go.

2. It is easier to paint a cast iron clawfoot tub than it is an acrylic tub. In fact, you usually have to design your bathroom's color scheme around the color that you choose to have your tub manufactured in. With cast iron, you can simply paint it to match an existing theme.

3. There is a wider variety of shower options for a clawfoot cast iron tub than there is for an acrylic tub. The sheer strength of the cast iron means that a shower apparatus can be installed right into the tub without damaging it. This is not true for other types of clawfoot bathtubs.

4. Most cast iron bathtubs have a porcelain interior, which makes the interior of your clawfoot cast iron tub a lot more durable than a bathtub made out of acrylics. Cast iron and porcelain cast iron bathtubs are known for their ability to stand up against abrasions and wear and tear.

5. A cast iron clawfoot tub is fireproof. If, god forbid, your home catches fire you do not have to worry about your bathtub as it is flame resistant. A bathtub made out of acrylics, however, will melt, which means that you'll have to purchase a new bathtub when you are repairing the fire damage.

Perhaps that biggest reason that many homeowners choose clawfoot cast iron tubs over the alternatives that are available is that a cast iron bathtub has a much longer lifespan than tubs made out of other materials. Cast iron bathtubs maintain their structural integrity for years-even decades. Believe it or not, a cast iron clawfoot tub can become a family heirloom!

Thankfully, finding a clawfoot cast iron bathtub for your home is not difficult. A simple internet search will turn up plenty of local and internet based options should you elect to purchase a cast iron bath for your home.