The Tub King Blog - Tub Talk: Antique claw foot tub

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Why Buy a New Cast Iron Clawfoot Bathtub Instead of an Antique Vintage Tub?

Recent Customer Installation of New Cast Iron Clawfoot Tub

You’ve just purchased a Victorian Era styled house or wish to build or remodel based on the style and are looking for a tub fitting the period. In early America, when main bathrooms came in to style, the cast iron clawfoot tub became the standard. Known for their durability and temperature retention the cast iron bathtub became the hallmark soaking tub used through several generations.

Why did they fall out of favor?

in 1883, both the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company (now American Standard) and Kohler began the process of enameling cast iron bathtubs to form a smooth interior surface. For a time, only the wealthy could afford the cost of a cast iron bathtub but when they started mass producing the tubs it opened up availability to home owners of lower income levels. Which was great, however, the sheer weight of the tub limited the type of houses the tub could be put in and generally only on the first floor. In many cases, having a properly reinforced floor to accommodate a heavy tub may not have been in a homeowner’s budget or consideration when building or purchasing a home back then. Other materials and lighter weight options eventually began to enter the scene and take over the market. Slowly the beautiful and timeless cast iron bathtub disappeared as an option to purchase “new”.

Why did it take them so long to emerge back in to style?

Actually, the clawfoot tub never really lost its allure to home buyers and remodelers who cherished the look and the period of American history they represent. For many years it was nearly impossible to find a brand new cast iron bathtub and buyers started turning to the secondary market. Availability of new tubs in the U.S.A. was impacted by the amount of lead content in the tubs manufactured at the time as well as the fact that the American National Standard plumbing codes changed. The change in the code essentially prevented vintage cast iron tubs from passing plumbing inspections on new builds and bathroom remodels.

Take a look at the placement of the overflow and faucet holes on a vintage tub.

Now take a look at the placement of the overflow and faucet holes on the new cast iron bathtub.

The revised plumbing codes required the placement of the overflow to be at least on-to-two inches below the rim of the tub, where the incoming waterlines come through the faucet. This is a precaution against a drop in pressure in the water line, such as a break. With the faucet being above the rim the bathwater is prevented from being siphoned out, back through the lines, which would contaminate the fresh water supply. https://law.resource.org/pub/us/code/ibr/iapmo.upc.2009.pdf

In an online article, This Old House states, “For an average cost of $350 to $500-a fraction of the $1,200 to $5,000 expense of a new cast-iron or steel tub installed — refinishers can make an antique fixture look brand new.” This may be applicable to a homeowner who has an existing cast iron tub which requires refinishing to bring it back to life as the owner is not remodeling or building a new home. If the tub is not part of the original structure the story and estimates may prove significantly higher, perhaps even more costly than purchasing a new clawfoot tub and fixtures.

Essentially, an antique cast iron clawfoot tub found on secondary seller sites such as Craigslist would have to be retrofitted to accommodate modern plumbing so as to pass inspections. This would require, not only, a thorough refinishing of the inside and outside of the bathtub but also a significant cost in plugging the existing holes on the face of the vintage tub. Both the plugging of the holes and the refinishing or reglazing of the bathtub results in a tub that is now not original porcelain on the surface. Once a the tub has been refinished or reglazed the owner now has to be concerned with cleaning chemicals and sharp or heavy items which may damage or discolor the new surface. Inevitably the tub will have to be professionally resurfaced much more often than a new porcelain cast iron bathtub.

Here at Tub King, in Jacksonville, Florida, we routinely refinish vintage tubs, farmhouse sinks, and other items. We are also the only approved refinishing/resurfacing trainer in the entire United States for Midwest Chemicals. We have a great love for the antique cast iron tubs and thoroughly understand the allure of wanting to have that “feel” and “look” of the past, which is why we sell brand new cast iron clawfoot and pedestal bathtubs for new home builders and home remodelers. In the end, what you “think” is a higher cost saves money and headaches down the road when deciding whether to purchase a new or buy a vintage tub.

When pricing the purchase of a new tub or considering the expense of retrofitting and refinishing a vintage tub, consider the long term savings of buying brand new and visit www.tubking.com or calling us at (800) 409-3375.

Today’s New Cast Iron/Porcelain Clawfoot Tubs Are BETTER Than the Originals!

By Kerry Knight

Photo credit: Lotus Carroll

Customers often ask me, “How did you and your brother get into this business?” It’s really kind of amusing, I answer.

As kids, Alan and I used to love playing in our grandparents’ large cast-iron, porcelain tub. We’d gather up all our toys, bubble bath soap and what not, and play to our hearts’ content. That is if we didn’t get into an all out splash fight, much to our grandmother’s dismay. So, as kids, we developed a real appreciation for claw foot tubs, and of course, that followed us into this business today.

Like our story, it's not uncommon today to hear people refer to “the good old days.” Many folks feel that if you go back far enough, a variety of things seemed to be better: prices, quality, features, opportunities, how we socialize with each other, etc.

We often hear our customers speaking in glowing terms about their childhood days when they too baths in their grandparents’ claw foot tub.. How perfect those tubs seemed in retrospect, they recount. They remember how large they were, and, like Alan and I, how much fun they had sitting and playing in the deep water. Many tell us that their grandma or grandpa still has that old tub. Some have said that those tubs may not ever wear out. Their line of thinking follows the thought that many things were constructed better back then.

Photo credit: tubking.com

Believe it or not, today’s new cast iron, porcelain bathtubs are actually better made than they were a hundred years ago.

Most importantly, the quality of today’s tubs is much better. With improved industrial techniques, advanced quality controls, and more specialized materials used in the casting process, the tubs of today are far better constructed than ever before.

Secondly, in the tubs of yesteryear, the holes were on the inside of the tub, so the faucet protruded into the tub space, taking up valuable room. Today’s faucet is located on the side rim of the tub, hanging above the tub’s interior to allow bathers to utilize all the interior space, from one end to the other.

Third, the new claw tubs offer more variety in shapes and sizes. About 80% of the old tubs were 60″ long. Back then, that would accommodate most people. Also, there was generally one design: the traditional roll rim, with the faucet and drain on one end and the sloped side on the other. The legs were made of cast iron and would have to be painted. Today, you can have a cast iron, porcelain tub in sizes ranging from 48-75″ with the shapes of the traditional roll rim, or modern shapes such as double-ended, slipper and the elegant double slipper.

Photo credit: tubking.com

In addition to its physical design elements, today’s technology and our refinishing expertise allow buyers a wide variety of colors from which to choose. No longer do tubs simply have to be white. You can have your tub’s colors match your bathroom or, if you’re a sports fan, have it painted in your favorite team’s colors.

Our attention-to-detail, multi-step refinishing methods ensure you’ll have the best-looking colors that will last for years to come.

Installation techniques have also improved, ensuring a problem-free tub that doesn’t leak or otherwise damage the bathroom.

Lastly, today’s tub legs can be chrome, polished nickel, brushed nickel, brass, gold, painted, or even oil-rubbed bronze. If preferred, customers can go for a model that sits on a handsome, yet sturdy pedestal.

You can't replace the memories you had in your grandparents’ tub. They are priceless. But if you're really looking for a quality bathtub that will withstand the ravages of time, look no further than today’s cast iron, porcelain claw foot tubs. Once you’ve purchased one, you'll have something in your home that could easily last for over a hundred years. You can create your own memories with your children and grandchildren. And nothing is more valuable than creating beautiful memories, for both you and your precious family.

In this article, I discussed the variety of ways in which today’s cast iron, porcelain claw foot tubs exceed the tubs we fondly remember from our childhood. From design and construction, to choice of size, color, variety of models; to the different types of legs you can select. Today’s cast iron, porcelain claw foot tubs are built to last a lifetime … and then some.

If you found this article useful, please share it with your friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, leave it in the comment section of this blog. If you’d like to find more information on cast iron, porcelain claw foot tubs, enter “claw foot tubs” in the search box on this blog. Have a question? Feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article and I’ll personally get back to you. It’s been my pleasure sharing this information with you. Thanks again for visiting with us.

Until next time.

Alan and Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville, Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the “Best of Jacksonville Chamber Award” three years running. If you’d like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231; or send an email to alan@tubking.com.

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New Porcelain Tubs are BETTER than the Antique Ones

By Kerry Knight

A question I am often asked, “Is it better to buy a new cast iron and porcelain tub or to restore it to like new condition?” This is a great question, however the answer I often give is not the one people are expecting, especially if the old tub has been in the family a long time.

We've all seen the old cast iron and porcelain tubs from yesteryear, lying around gardens, farms and ranches. Many have been turned into watering troughs for cows and horses. They are rusting on the outside and pretty beat up on the inside. Good luck in finding the cast iron legs that were original to the tub. You might be able to buy a set of antique legs that fit the tub from someone that handles this for about $50 per leg. These old tubs can date back as far as the late 1880s, often with the date stamped right on the bottom of it, so the condition of the tub can be pretty rough.

Are you an Antique Lover?

Many antique lovers have gone out in search of them. A purchase of a discarded antique claw foot tub could range from $200-400. If they are fortunate enough to locate one in decent shape, they are looking at a number of refurbishment stages to bring it to an acceptable, finished condition. First, the outside of the tub, (cast iron) is no doubt, rusted or has several coats of lead paint from many years of use. The tub will have to be sandblasted to bring the cast iron back to its original form. This can be expensive, sometimes $100 or more. Then the outside must be primed and painted again so that the cast iron doesn't rust again. Left unfinished, it will rust quickly, when exposed to the elements.

The porcelain will then be the center of attention. What shape is it in? Most old tubs will have chips, missing porcelain, scratches, and deep stains, all which require professional refinishing. Most refinishers who work on this type of tub will charge $700 or more to repair the porcelain and paint the inside of the tub.

Let's add up the cost so far.

Cost of the old tub -   $400
Sandblasting -            $100
Refinishing -               $700
Replacing Legs -       $200

Total $1,400

Keep in mind, the total listed above does not include the cost of searching for a person that does sandblasting or refinishing, the hauling expense (these tubs can weigh over 400 lbs.), the agony of lifting the tub time and again, the wear and tear on your tools and the long wait in getting the project completed.

What if You Don’t Like the finished Product?

Moreover, what if, after everything has been done, you are not satisfied with the finished product? After all, we are talking about painting the tub to look like porcelain. Not all refinishers are great at what they do.

Nevertheless, let's be positive. If everything goes well, and you are happy with the result after spending quite a sum of money, what does the future hold for your antique tub? Special care for the surface will be required since we are dealing with a painted tub. Certain cleaners cannot be used. It will need to be polished from time to time. Then, after a few years (if you're lucky), you'll have to have it refinished again. Why? Because the paint will peel over time. That's what paint does. Now you're looking at spending money all over again.

Is There a Better Way?

Yes! Purchase a NEW cast iron and porcelain claw foot tub. The surface will be brand new. New porcelain. New cast iron. The legs on the new tub are not cast iron, they come in chrome, brushed nickel, even oil rubbed bronze. They even come in unique shapes; not just the traditional roll top, but also the slipper tub, dual ended, pedestal and double slipper. And most importantly, the price is comparable to the cost of refinishing an old tub, sometimes even lower. This is a no brainer. It’s one thing if you’re refinishing an old tub for a museum because you’re trying to preserve a special piece of history. It’s a whole other matter is you’re doing this for yourself. Don't waste time, your hard-earned money and your labor on that old discarded tub when you can have a perfectly designed NEW CLAW FOOT TUB for the same or less money.

In this article, I have outlined the steps it takes to restore and refinish an old claw foot bathtub. I spell out the advantages and considerable disadvantages that come with the restoration/refinishing process. I also compare the cost of this process with that of purchasing a new claw foot tub. I have provided the process that can be used to restore a historic claw foot tub so that it looks like new. I have also shown why I believe replacing the old claw foot tub with a new one is the better way to go.

If you have found this article to be useful, please pass it on to your friends and co-workers. If you have a comment related to this article, please leave it in the comment section below. If you have a question, feel free to contact me at the number or email listed at the end of this article. It’s been my pleasure telling about how we restore old claw foot tub for our clients. Thanks again for sharing this journey with us. Until next time.

Alan and Kerry Knight are the owners of Tub King, Inc., and SeniorBathtub.com in Jacksonville Florida. Together they have many years of experience in the antique and senior bathtub industries. Their companies not only provide superior products, they are also award winners, receiving the best of Jacksonville Chamber Award three years running. If you would like to contact them, call (800) 409-3375 or (800) 843-4231 or email them at alan@tubking.com.