Just like
any other industry Tub King experiences buyers who want to get “more bang for
their buck”. Sometimes this will lead the buyer to make the decision to
purchase a cheaper “replica” of a cast iron clawfoot or freestanding tub. This is not an
uncommon mentality when building and remodeling. However, the decision to save
a buck today may cost a significant amount of money down the line.
Property
inspectors, insurance agents, realtors, and the like have tools available to
them which indicate the life expectancy of items and furnishings in a home and
use the data in attaching values to the individual items and the home in
general. The end result of which can affect the price point related to
insuring, renting, and listing the property for sale.
Taking this
in to account let’s consider the following example:
·Tub King’s 72" Double Slipper Pedestal Cast Iron Bathtub currently priced at $1545
·Competitor 72” Double Slipper Pedestal Acrylic
Bathtub currently priced at $1238
If we were
to pull up the aforementioned “life expectancy” data we would find that, IF
properly cared for and maintained, the life expectancy for an acrylic tub is
approximately 30 years. I stress “if properly cared for and maintained” because acrylic tubs are subject to chipping, cracking, scratches, and turning yellow over time. Referencing the same data a cast iron tub can last
upwards of 100+ years but we will be generous and utilize the lowest referenced
number of 50 years. Cast iron is one of the most durable materials used for tubs and is resistant to most chemicals so does not share the same disadvantages of acrylic which affect the long term durability and
appearance of the tub.
Now, if the
acrylic tub has been treated like gold and reaches a grand old age of 30, what
does the homeowner do now; purchase a new tub or have it professionally refinished?
The cast iron tub still has another 20 years, at the very least, over the
acrylic tub. How does the decision to refinish or replace the acrylic tub
factor in when considering the 20 year difference?
·The homeowner purchases a replacement tub now
the 50 year cycle is $50/yr
·The home owner refinishes the tub now the 50
year cycle is $37/yr
oAssuming the refinishing job is $600
oAssuming the quality of the refinishing job adds
20 years versus the industry standard of 15 – 18 years.
In the end,
the savings of $307 actually cost the homeowner from $305 to $955 more and that
is only taking in to consideration the tubs themselves. As mentioned at the
start, the overall value of the home is affected by these types of small
purchasing decisions so the monetary impact can go further than the tub itself.
In upcoming
articles we will consider other comparisons as it relates to heat absorption,
cleaning, and care of various types of material used in tubs. Please
feel free to email edie@tubking.com with any topics or questions you’d like to
see addressed in future posts.
The British author John
Galsworthy once wrote, “Love has no age, no limit; and no death.” When you
think about it, the same could be said for a physical substance we humans can’t
live without: water Embrace to the two
and you’ve a potent mix for romance … especially in the bathtub.
If you’re a fan of romantic
dramas or comedy films, you have probably seen segments featuring an amorous
bathroom scene in a huge porcelain Clawfoot or Pedestal tub.You have to admit, these elegant bathing
beauties are a perfect setting for love. In this segment of Tub Talk, we will visit
several of the best romantic movies that featured these tubs. Here are some of my favorites:
Pretty Woman.Who can forget the great roles Richard Gere
and Julia Roberts played in this film? The
1990 movie, set in Los Angeles, is about a wealthy businessman named Edward,
who is on a business trip. (By the way,
Roy Orbison’s song, “Pretty Woman,” helped popularize the movie.Gere’s character needs an escort to accompany
him to some social events, so hires a beautiful prostitute.There are a couple of classic
scenes in the bathtub.The first has Roberts
listening to her Sony Walkman and singing in the bathtub.The second scene has Roberts holding Gere in
the tub as he leans back against her, relaxing from a fast-paced business life
that he hates.She becomes his great
escape.Roberts was nominated for an
Oscar as Best Actress; won the Golden Globes; with Gere being nominated for the
Golden Globes.The film won “Best Comedy”
in the People’ Choice Awards.You might
rename the movie, “Falling in Love in the Tub.”
Pillow Talk.This film goes back a few decades, in 1959.Rock Hudson and Doris Day were ideal in this
giddy comedy about two people who share a party phone line (Boy, is this one
dated.) Hudson played a successful
songwriter and Day was an interior decorator.Their early phone conversations are rather cool and apathetic.He pictures her as some jealous old
maid.Seemingly every time she picks up
the phone to use it, he’s trying to sing some new love song to one of his
admiring females. The bathtub scene is classic, even by today’s standards as we
see them both (through the use of split screen), in their separate rooms and
bathtubs, talking to each other on the phone.As Hudson finds out just how beautiful and charming Day’s character is
their romance begins to blossom.
Out of Sight, featuring with Jennifer
Lopez and George Clooney, was released in 1998.There was tremendous chemistry between these two principal actors. Steven Soderbergh, the brilliant director,
lights the bathtub scene with a soft red glow.Sure, it’s only a dream, but the scene in which Lopez’ character, U.S.
Marshall, Karen Sisco, climbs into the bathtub, fully clothed and wearinghigh heels, with career criminal Jack Foley
(played by Clooney), absolutely radiates with sexual heat and sophistication.
It’s Complicated was released in 2009,
starring Steve Marin, Meryl Streep and Alex Baldwin.While attending their son’s graduation, a divorced
couple (Streep and Baldwin) reignites the spark in their prior relationship.The only problem is, they’re now divorced and
Baldwin’s character has already married a younger woman. Baldwin and Streep ignore the fact they were
once married to each other before engaging in a torrid affair and fall in love
all over again.The scene by the bathtub
illustrates how much Baldwin likes the changes that Streep has made in her
life.Jake says, “I’m so glad you
stopped doing bikini waxes.You’ve gone
native.”It is a laugh a minute with
great performances by all.
attending their son’s graduation, a divorced
couple (Streep and Baldwin) reignites the spark in their prior relationship.
The Reader, released in 2008, starred
Kate Winslet, who won an Oscar and Golden Globes for “Best Actress.” The movie is set in post-World War II
Germany.A young man has an affair with
an older woman, and does not see her again for many years.They reunite as she defends herself in a
war-crime trial.During the earlier time
of seduction, he reads to her while they take a bath together in a Clawfoot
tub.Somehow it seems to bring her out
of an emotional fog.
The Notebook was a real crowd
favorite back in 2005, based on a popular novel by Nicholas Sparks.James Garner, who plays the aged version of
Ryan Gosling, was nominated for an Oscar for his role.Gena Rowlands, who plays the aged version of
Rachel McAdams, won the Golden Satellite Award for “Best Actress” in a
supporting role.And both Gosling and
McAdams won a Movie MTV Award for “best kiss.”The bathtub scene is purely romantic, as the two lovers fight against
all odds to spend their lives together.
Splash. Back in the mid-80s, this
film became one of the most successful box office releases of the romantic
comedy genre. It starred Tom Hanks and
Daryl Hannah.Hanks played a man who is
saved from drowning by a real-life mermaid.They, of course, fall in love and the comedy is endless.She’s able to function as a normal human female
on land, for a while, but the fun begins when she’s taking a bath as a mermaid
and Hanks wants to come into the bathroom. This bathtub scene is priceless.
In all of these movie selections,
one prop stands out above all others:the bathtub.It allows the actors
to present their emotional vulnerability as well as their seductive playfulness.These Clawfoot and Pedestal bathtub beauties
will always remind us of some of the greatest romantic movies of all time.
In this article, I talked about and featured some of the most memorable bathtub scenes in major romantic comedy films. I discussed some of the plot scenarios, mentioned the leading actors, listed key awards and nominations, described some of the bathroom scenes, and more.
Testimonial for Cast Iron Tub
If you found this article useful,
please share it with your family, friends and co-workers. If you have a comment
related to this article, leave it in the Comment section of this blog. Thanks
again for visiting with us.
If you’d like to receive
a FREE Clawfoot
Tub Buyers’ Guide, click here. 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. On behalf of all of us at Tub King, here's wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Alan and Kerry Knight are 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”
four 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.
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.
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.
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.
