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7 Reasons You May NOT Want a Clawfoot Bathtub

clawfoot bathtub

Clawfoot bathtubs are beautiful to look at. You may have an inspiration board filled with freestanding tubs. Before you get your heart set on this though, known that these pieces aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. You may find that your current bathtub is better suited to your overall needs. Read on to learn reasons you may not want a clawfoot bathtub.

Cleaning Is a Pain

Because a clawfoot bathtub is lifted off the ground, you have to clean the floor underneath it, as well as the inside and outside of the tub. If the tub is close to a wall corner, you may have a difficult time getting between the tub and the wall. If you’re a person who likes quick, easy maintenance, a freestanding tub is not the best fit for you.

There’s Nowhere to Put Your Soaps and Scrubbers

Picture this: you’re taking a luxurious bath and you’re ready to grab your body soap. Where can you put it? With a standard tub, there is a lip around the edge to hold shampoo bottles, scrubbers, etc. Most clawfoot tubs do not have that option. You could design your bathroom to have a shelf nearby, but that’s not an option for everyone. The function of the bathroom should always be the top priority. Design comes second.

It’s Hard to Keep the Water Hot

Even a heavy-duty cast iron tub can lose heat quickly when it’s freestanding. There is no insulation around the tub to trap heat in the basin. You will have to frequently top off the hot water to enjoy that long, relaxing bath of your dreams.

A Clawfoot Bathtub Requires Level Floors

All bathtubs require level floors, but it’s easier to make this happen with a standard bathtub. If one side needs to be shimmed and supported, that structure is hidden by the tub itself. With a freestanding bathtub, everything is on display. That means that the floor has to be precisely level and strong enough to support the weight of the tub. If you’re remodeling an older home, you may need a lot of extra work to accommodate your bathtub.

You May Lose Valuable Space in Your Bathroom

Clawfoot bathtubs take up more space that built-in tubs. This could be a problem in a smaller bathroom or one with a tricky configuration. Before you start ripping apart your bathroom, measure carefully. Will you have enough room for the tub you want? Will that take away from your storage options?

Clawfoot Tubs Are Hard to Get in and out of

One of the biggest appeals of clawfoot bathtubs is how deep they are. This makes for a great soaking opportunity, but it can also be difficult to get out of. If you have kids, this extra hassle may be the turning point that makes a clawfoot bathtub the wrong choice for you.

Your Current Bathtub Can Be Refinished!

Have you thought about refinishing your existing bathtub? No demolition or construction required. You can have a fresh, white tub that looks brand new, all for significantly less than what you’d pay for a clawfoot tub. Bathtub refinishing is the perfect solution to budget bathroom remodeling, and it frees up funds for other projects in the future.

If you’d like a quote for bathtub refinishing, contact Maryland Tub and Tile at 877-717-8827. We also offer countertop refinishing, cabinet refinishing, tile refinishing, and a range of other services. Your brand new bathroom may be much closer than you think!

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