Good new is now you can repair that tub. The repair kits will fix porcelain finished, fiberglass, cultured marble finishes and acrylic clawfoot bathtub and even the older clawfoot bathtubs. The great advantage of the bathtub repairing is the fact that the tub can be repaired right where it is. You do not have to completely remodel the bathroom to have a new like, great looking tub. This can really change the whole feel or the bathroom without spending all the money. 

Professional bathtub repair will use a polyester resin that is waterproof of course to fill the chips and cracks. The blemish is properly sanded and filled and allowed to dry, acrylic enamel coatings are applied usually with an artist brush. The color is matched so once it is dried, it will blend into the surround areas so it will be practically invisible to the naked eye. The professional has a definite artistic ability to match the repair color to even the older tubs. There are do it yourself kits on the market.  The kits will fix the acrylic clawfoot bathtubs also. 

The economical cost of repairing a bathtub to the cost of replacing is a no brainer. The cost just to replace the tub, without the additional cost in the labor and construction costs to remodel can be over 3000.00 dollars per tub. A professional bathtub repair will often be less then 200.00.   Some professionals guarantee with proper care and maintenance, there products will last 10 to 15 years. The coatings used are designed to stand up to the everyday uses without the need of extra care. Pretty much like the care on a new bathtub with no abrasives, bleaches or acids. Of course no steel wools or brushes.  Even the cast iron clawfoot bathtub can look like new.

The classic and the slipper clawfoot tubs will have the faucet holes pre cut on the tub wall. Some of the antique clawfoot tubs have the faucet holes pre cut in the rolled over rim. And then again, some have no pre cut faucet holes at all. The double slipper clawfoot tubs and the doubled ended tubs will be the same way except they will have the pre cut facuet holes in the middle of the side walls of the tub verses the ends of the tub walls. Once again, these can also be in the rolled rim of the tub in the middle not at the ends of the tub or no holes at all.. Sounds very confusing but its really not.

There is basically four types of faucet fixtures. The tub wall mounted faucets will fit into the wall of the tubs. The deck mounted tub fixtures will fit into the rolled rim of the tub and look as if they are sitting on the lip of the tub. The freestanding is for the tubs that have no holes pre drilled into them.. These will usually have a water flow from the floor. Then there is the bathroom wall mount which of course the water supply will be coming from the bathroom wall. Some of the bathroom wall mount faucets will also be able to fit in the tub wall mount.

Another important feature of the clawfoot bathtub faucet is the decision of the shower. Some of the faucets will come with a hand held shower. The free standing can also have the shower . The use of the shower will also mean you will need to place a clawfoot shower curtain. Most of these will bolt the frame to the ceiling and the shower curtain will hang from this. This will allow you to have the best of all worlds. The classic elegance of the design of the claw footed bathtubs but also the functional use of a shower.

Now there is a way to change the color of that tub and sink to compliment any bathroom decorating plan that you can dream of. The acrylic clawfoot bathtub can be refinished.  With a wide choice of colors and textures, almost any decorating scheme can be accomplished. One of the best reasons to refinish is the amount of money that can be saved. You will not need to hire a building contractor to remodel or a plumber . Also the refinishing can be done in less time then remodeling. Most can be done within a day. The dull, pitted, chipped, porous, impossible to clean, don’t even want to get into it bathtub can be made to look clean and shiny just like a new one. The process can extend the use of the tub another ten to fifteen years. Most refinishing professionals state that nine out of ten people will not be able to tell the different between the old refinished tub and a brand new one. 

To refinish a cast iron clawfoot bathtub the process is a little different. The exterior of most of the tubs was a rough, exposed cast iron. The outside can be sandblasted. This will remove any rust, corrosion or old paint. Then it will be filled and sanded to be smooth and glossy if you like. Or you could have a custom color on the outside with the traditional bone, white or almond interior if you like. Some refinishing professionals offer stone finishes also.  Don’t forget to ask about a clawfoot bathtub faucet.  Many of the professional bathtub refinishers also will sell the faucets.

The clawfeet can and will be refinished also.  This can be done to match or to contrast with the refinished claw foot bathtub.  In your choice of  nickel, bronze, chrome or even gold, there is a perfect choice for you to fininsh the look of the tub.

The classic clawfoot tub is designed to be used with the faucet on one end that is squared off with the other end more of a round to fit a person sitting with their back in the curved end. The slipper is about the same as the classic except the end that is to be used as the backrest also is extended higher to also be a headrest. The double ended clawfoot has both ends rounded and the double slipper tub has two ends raised in sort of a “U” shape. The double clawfoot and the double slipper has the faucets in the middle of the tub on the side instead of the end. All of these designs could have the faucet holes drilled in the rolled over lip of the tub instead of the side of the tub. Or, any of these tubs could have no holes cut for the faucets.

But not to worry, the faucet manufactures design and produce the clawfoot bathtub faucet to fit all of the styles. Even if the water supply is coming out of the floor or out of the wall, they already have the design you need. The tub wall faucet will fit in the tubs that have the holes drilled in the side of the tubs.  The deck mounted will fit the holes in the rim of the tub and look like it is sitting on top of the rim.  The bathroom wall mount of cource fits where the water supply comes out of the wall.  The wall mount in some cases and designs might also fit in the tub wall.  That will leave the free standing for the cases where the water supply comes out of the floor.  And the different finishes are ready to round out any decorating scheme. The nickel, chrome, gold, bronze and more are made with the most up to date features. Some will come with a hand held shower, or goose neck or just about any design you might want.

Also the clawfoot shower bathtub will round out the complete usefulness of this tub. With the clawfoot tub shower kit you will receive the shower and the shower curtain rod with the parts to hang this rod from the ceiling. With traditional porcelain over cast iron interior and a hand smoothed, primed and painted exterior, these tubs come in a wide choice of sizes.

The term acrylic means a material containing acryl; a synthetic glassy thermoplastic that can be molded and cast into such items as bathtubs. Most acrylic tubs are made with two sheets of 1/4” sheets of high quality cast acrylic that is bonded together with a patented crushed stone/resin compound to give the tubs thickness, strength and weight. Using multi layers of material will make the tub about one inch thick. This will in turn eliminate flex or movement under normal circumstances. This process also produces a bathtub that has a high gloss shine inside and on the outside. The non porous interior surface will not discolor, stain, or retain any odors. These tubs are literally two tubs in one, the outer shell and the inner shell. Most of the acrylic clawfoot bathtubs are manufactured with a twenty five year warranty to retain its structural integrity and configuration.

While the acrylic clawfoot tub will maintain the look and the integrity of the original antique clawfoot tub, this technology will make the tub lighter then the cast iron. It will be warm and smooth to the touch and will not crack or rust over time. And the great addition to this tub is the fact you can add a whirlpool. And some of the whirlpools even have a remote contro.  And you can buy a jet trim kit if you want the jets a different color to contract with your tub. Some of the contrasting finishes are the chrome, brass, satin nickel, old world copper and old world bronze.

You can also get all the same styles and designs as the traditional clawfoot bathtubs. The choice of faucets is wide open to a lot of different finishes and designs.  The clawfoot shower tub can also be used with the acrylic clawfoot bathtub. This will allow to make full use of all the features available. 

You do not have to worry about the condition of the tub. Even if it has been outside and neglected for several years, it can be restored and brought back to a wonderful look that you will be proud to have in your home. The process of bathtub refinishing will give the antique clawfoot bathtub a new life. And the refinishing is not limited to any color. While white is one of the most popular for the inside, bone and almond are also used. The inside of the tub can be fixed if it has chips or even cracks in it. The end result will be like uncovering a treasure. The inside will be as shiny and fresh looking as a brand new one.

The out side of the cast iron clawfoot bath tub is just as unbelievable. The process on the outside is to sandblast to remove rust, paint, corrosion, and of course the dirt and grime. The next step is to fill in the rough spots and sand until smooth. The exterior would be sealed and next would come what ever color you want. Some refinishing professionals offer a stone finish as well.

The clawfeet are a part of the overall effect of the tub. These as well can and will be refinished. They can be refinished to either match or to contrast with the tub. From chrome, nickel, bronze or even gold, the choice is up to you. Don’t forget to finish the antique tub with the reproduction faucets, drains, overflow covers and handles to make your new treasure functional.  With the wide assortment of styles and finishes, there is something for every taste, style and need.

Another accessories will include the clawfoot shower tub. This is the shower, the frame for the shower curtain and the riser. The clawfoot shower curtain and curtain rings are sold separately. The curtain is hung on the frame that is suspended from the ceiling.

Most people want to eliminate the unsightly seams of several different shower curtains. These seams will separate which will allow water out and will allow cold air in. Most people feel that all the different seams also takes away from the flow of the design and makes a beautiful antique clawfoot bathtub less appealing. It also takes away from the homeowners enjoyment if they have to clean up water on the floor after every shower.

The manufactures that design the clawfoot shower curtain has offered a helpful hint to help hang the curtains at the right height. They suggest placing the curtain rings on the shower curtain and holding this up before installing the clawfoot shower bathtub. This process will allow you to determine where to place the shower curtain enclosure. 

It does not matter which style of design of bathtub you have. The clawfoot shower curtain will fit the classic style, the slipper, the double ended or the double slipper. The pedestal and free standing clawfoot bathtub will also be covered. The shower curtain will accommodate all. And of course it does not matter which of the clawfoot bathtub faucet you are using.

Along with the shower curtain itself, most manufactures are offering a wide variety of the shower curtain rings. These will come in all sorts of styles and finishes. Also, don’t forget to look around for the accessories for your clawfoot tub, items like the soap holders will help to make the use of your tub a little more enjoyable. Even if you need some new clawfoot and or the foot coasters. are available.

With the convince of being able to repair or completely doing what is called bathtub refinishing, you are now able to first of all fix what ever may have been damaged in the tub The interior of the tub can be brought back to life with all the shine and luster of a brand new tub. The outside of even the cast iron clawfoot bathtub can be sanded, filled and painted almost any color or design you can imagine. It is truly amazing to see what can be done to tub that may have been sitting outside or just neglected for years.  The clawfeet can also be refinished.  The choice of gold, nickel, bronze and chrome will make for the final touch on the tub.

And the updates does not stop with just the tub itself. The clawfoot bathtub faucet has also been redesigned for todays use. Depending on the tub and the design of the tub as to which style of faucet you will need. Also, how the water supply is brought into the house will determine what you need. First , the classic clawfoot bathtub will have only one end that is slightly rounded for the comfort of the back. The other end will be more of a squared design and this will be where the faucet holes are cut. Another style of clawfoot bathtub is the slipper. This will have one end of the tub raised higher like a headrest. These styles of tubs could have either the holes in the wall of the tub or in the rolled rim of the tub.

Then there is the double ended and the double slipper tubs which will allow for either or both ends of the tub to be used. This design will have the holes cut in the middle of the side wall of the tubs or in the rim. Don’t be overwhelmed. Two basic types of tubs with the holes either in one end or in the middle side of the tub. Of course, either of these designs could have the holes in the rim. To make things even a bit more confusing, some of these tubs will not even have faucets holes cut in the tub.

The faucet manufactures can and do have a design for each and every need in the clawfoot bathtub design. And the great thing of this is they have developed a way to include a shower. Even different choices of free standing shower or hand held. The designs include different types chrome, brass nickel, bronze and gold looks. The hard part will be what to decide on.

Then the clawfoot tub shower enclosure will be need to be installed. The designs of these are like the faucets, being there is the free standing, the bathroom wall mount or the tub mount. Which ever your tub is a shower can be added to make your tubs more practical and convent to use. Most of the curtains will hang from a rod that is hung from the ceiling. This set will supply everything you need. But some of the faucets will came with a hand held shower if that is your preference.

The classic clawfoot tubs design is the most traditional in style. With one end more of a squared and the other end was more round that was better to fit someones back The edges was of course with the rolled under look. The clawfoot bathtub faucet was placed at the squared end. The slipper has one end higher then the other to make for a headrest which adds a touch of elegance. The double ended claw foot bathtubs was rounded on both ends and offers the flexibility of sitting at either end of the tub. The double slipper had both ends raised, kind of “u” shaped in the middle. Then there is the pedestal tub and freestanding tubs also. There are even the copper clawfoot bathtub, in all of the mentioned styles and designs. 

Depending on which style and design of tub as to the placement of the clawfoot bathtub faucet. While the classic and the slipper allows for the faucet to be at the end of the tubs, the double ended and the slipper double ended allows for placement in the middle of the tubs. Some of the tubs are designed with no holes cut for the faucets and these would use the freestanding or the wall mounted faucets. The tub wall mounted faucets are installed into mounted into the actual wall of the tubs. These can be at either the ends or on the sides and have the holes cut through the tub walls. The deck mounted faucets are mounted through holes cut in the lip or rolled over top of the tubs. The freestanding would be made for the tubs without precut holes and water supply is generally from the floor and up to tub. The bathroom wall mount is mounted from the wall and generally for the tubs without precut faucet holes but some of these are made also for tub wall mount. 

Some of the clawfoot bathtub faucets will come with a hand held shower. The clawfoot shower curtain will be attached to a rail that is suspended from the ceiling and will turn the tub into a clawfoot shower bathtub. Also the shower can come in the form of freestanding and is stationary instead of hand held.