Complete Your Bathroom Design with Clawfoot Tub Faucets
If you have been in the market for a clawfoot bath tub, you have probably figured out that the claw foot tub faucet is not included when you purchase a new clawfoot tub. If you are the owner of an antique tub, you will find that often (and most commonly); the claw foot tub faucet is one of the first things you will need to replace. Vintage clawfoot tubs faucets usually will have rust, corrosion or bubbling in the chrome.
Whether you are purchasing a new modern tub or have an antique one; you will want your claw foot tub faucet to reflect the romantic essence of the bathroom you are trying to capture with you clawfoot tub. It is recommended that you replace your old claw foot tub faucet with a modern one and not go antique with this choice.
Clawfoot tub faucets are manufactured today with this in mind. Manufacturers try to keep the old look and feel of the faucet, yet give it all the features of modern technology such as water conservation and quality materials.
Materials and Finishes Available
You have a large variety of metals and finishes for your clawfoot tub faucet. Clawfoot tub faucets are mainly composed of brass with the desired finish applied on the brass. Looks that can be achieved this way include:
- Polished brass
- Antique brass
- Copper (shiny or burnished)
- Pewter
- Chrome
- Painted (such as black)
- Additional features such as enamel lever handles complete your look.
Models of Clawfoot Faucets Available
You may think you have limited yourself to only a bath tub with your clawfoot installation; however, you can get a shower out of your tub as well with the proper clawfoot tub faucets. You have the option of having faucets to turn the water (hot and cold) on and off as well as adding a hand held shower sprayer to your ensemble.
The handle comes as a unit that retracts into the tub (much like the sprayer on your kitchen sink) or you can have a claw foot tub faucet that hooks on a holder. The clawfoot tub faucets with shower sprayer usually have a reaching distance of about five feet.
You can use the sprayer to rinse your body while sitting in the tub or you can add a wraparound shower curtain to enclose your tub. This will give you full range to take a shower. You can also get a rainfall stand up shower head that cascades water down upon you while you shower.
When choosing clawfoot faucets for your bathroom look for models that match the design you are trying to accomplish and have the features you desire. Some clawfoot tub faucets can range in price from around one hundred dollars to several hundred dollars.
You want to make sure the claw foot faucet you choose has good quality workmanship, an extended warranty (a lifetime warranty is best), and no drip washers to prevent leaking. Purchase your claw foot tub faucet from a reputable manufacturer; not an unknown company, in case you have any problems.