Is modern necessarily better? Science fiction movies portray a future of ultra-clean, practical living and perfect, seamless interior design. One need only look at modern-day car design to realise this portrayal probably isn’t far from the truth.
Personally, I feel a room like a bathroom should maintain a degree of homeliness and humanity. Perfection lacks character and man can never escape the fact that he is born of nature, not manufacturing.
We are all human, and as humans we like simple things, things that look nice and things that make us feel comfortable. A bathroom that reminds me of an operating theatre just doesn’t have the same appeal as my bathroom at home.
If a survey were to be conducted asking a given number of people to name something in the bathroom that they consider traditional or even old fashioned, I’d be willing to bet that the majority would include a floor-standing bathtub in their answer. I doubt they’d all say "clawfoot bathtub" specifically but they’d know what they meant. To me a clawfoot, floor-standing bathtub screams “Victorian Era!”
The Traditional Clawfoot Bathtub:
Whilst relatively expensive, this type of bathtub speaks for itself, and will set off any bathroom in which it is installed, albeit there is enough space to accommodate it. Even with the clawfoot bathtub, there are variations in style, and your choice will undoubtedly be based around size and appearance.
Variations include differences in material build - cast iron and acrylic are both available materials, in overall shape – roll top, slipper and pedestal are three common shapes, and in foot type – ball, claw, lion paw, imperial pedestal and skirt are all available types of feet or stand.
Notes On Material Build:
The cast-iron clawfoot bathtub is likely considered the more traditional. Whilst an acrylic alternative can be made to replicate its cast-iron counter-part, the hardcore enthusiast may not be satisfied. The cast-iron clawfoot bathtub may be painted and re-painted, giving a limitless life span in terms of appearance and physical durability.
Care should be taken when considering weight as cast-iron clawfoot bathtubs are extremely heavy. This makes them unsuitable for most bathrooms situated on a typical household 1st floor.
In addition to weight, the feet mean extra pressure is exerted on the supporting surface in a concentrated fashion, and when filled with water this problem is further compounded. In all seriousness, that familiar old comedy scene where the bather lands in the front room may see you in the starring role.
One disadvantage of the cast-iron type is heat dissipation. Metals, as we know, are good conductors of heat, so don’t expect your bath water to retain it’s heat too long.
For the less hardcore enthusiast or antique fanatic, the acrylic type may answer your problems. They are far lighter and suitable for installation in 1st floor bathrooms. They are also cheaper and easier to install due to their reduced weight. Unfortunately, they are not as physically durable and are prone to chemical corrosion when coming into contact with certain substances, for example, acetate (this is true for most acrylic bathtubs, not just the clawfoot style).
Conclusion:
With a clawfoot bathtub, a peaceful candle-lit retreat steeped in antiquity becomes a reality. Take a look at some available ranges, possibly at your local retailer or online and consider giving your bathroom a warm and homely traditional touch.
Title:
General Overview
Of
Clawfoot Bathtub
Author:
A.Jeffers
Date Written:
Jan 2007
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