The clawfoot tub first splashed on the scene in the late 1800′s. American Standard, still to this day a leader in bathroom fixtures and cast iron clawfoot tubs, produced the first tub with with short legs and “feet” that curved similar to an animals claws. The tub was made of sturdy, heavy-duty cast iron and given an enamel coating. The coating was important as it made the tub easier to clean. However, these tubs were extremely heavy and often needed reinforced floors to withstand the weigh of a filled tub with a bather in it. Eventually, the claw foot tub gave way to the cheaper and easier to manufacture one piece tubs.

When American bathrooms began to favor shower tub combinations the vintage tub & bath style of clawfoot tub became obsolete. Today you can have your vintage cast iron tub and your shower too, by installing a circular shower enclosure set. This combines a traditional clawfoot tub faucet with tub wall mounted faucets. It set also includes all the necessary fittings for shower curtain rods and the shower curtain of your choice. Now your home can salvage the look of the old style clawfoot tub yet still be practical for today’s families.

A clawfoot tub can add a certain quaint or Victorian look to your bathroom, but not if it’s in poor condition. But you don’t have to get rid of it as there are methods for cleaning and refinishing or resurfacing your tub. First you’ll want to use a cleaner like Rustoleum to clean the rust without damaging the finish even more. Now consider refinishing the tub with an acrylic resin coating. This can be done without moving the tub and for under $500. It is highly recommended that you hire professionals for this and not make it a DIY project as you’ll want to make sure there’s a warranty on the work that is done.

You can also consider a somewhat new process of removing and replacing the porcelain enamel coating.  The process includes removing the tub, sandblasting off the old interior then applying and baking on a new interior at about 1500 degrees Fahrenheit for more than four hours. The results are beautiful, however, the cost of moving your tub and completing this process is expensive.

There is no doubt that the clawfoot tub adds a bit of yesteryear to any bathroom and in most homes that have the original tub, owners want to preserve that look. Although you can purchase new tubs that are reminiscent of the older ones, they tend to lack the authenticity of the original. So in the long run, if you want to keep your clawfoot tub, pay the money to have it professionally revamped and for years you’ll enjoy a practical piece of history in your home. If you want a new clawfoot bathtub there are many great styles to choose from on Amazon.com.

If you are looking to make a change with a tub/whirlpool combination.  The Delta Victorian Roman Tub/Whirlpool faucet in Venetian bronze s a great choice with its soft curves and scalloped handle(purchased separately) and bases constructed with solid brass. A lifetime faucet and finish warranty is part of the classic Roman tub faucet package. The truly great advantage to this Roman tub faucet, is that an entire collection is available for use throughout your entire home. Model: Delta T2755-RBLHP

Are you tired of struggling with getting that overhead shower adjusted just right or aggravated with the hand held shower head that never wants to stay in place? Delta has the answer for you with this nifty combo in Venetian bronze. The Delta T4775-RB Leland Roman Tub Faucet Trim with Handshower.  OOOPS! Did we say handshower? Surprise!!!  The hand shower is not overhead, it is tub attached next to your tub faucet. Constructed for durability, this two-handle Roman tub faucet with solid brass construction and a comes with lifetime faucet warranty.

For those who prefer the brass construction, but would rather continue with that modern chrome look try the popular T4775 Leland 2-Handle Roma Tub Faucet Trim in Chrome, also with a handshower attached to the tub along the side of its counterparts. There is a series of this style available to compliment you entire home. A lifetime warranty is provided.

Aged Pewter will definitely provide that vintage style to you bath and entire home. T2751-PT Dryden constructed of brass with the aged pewter finish. If you love the style, but not the aged pewter finish, you can also have a choice of finishes in chrome, venetian bronze, or have the brilliant shine of stainless.

Accessories are available to continue your new design. You can enjoy matching paper holders, toilet handles, and even towel racks in brushed nickel, chrome finish or even bronze finish, which will compliment your new Delta Roman Tub Faucet. Having a quality Delta Faucet in your bathroom is a wise investment.

The Chrome plated Add-on Shower Set for Clawfoot Tub, model number R2X2300B, is an excellent claw foot tub shower kit. This entire custom shower kit is made out of solid brass and is plated with chrome, which makes it very durable and appealing to the eye. This kit has a solid 36″ ceiling support system that can handle a lot and connects to the wall with ease by way of a tub wall mount. There are not a lot of pieces to this kit, either, which makes it very easy to put together and install this showerhead and handshower kit.

There is only one major difference between one claw foot tub shower kit and another and that difference is generally the faucet that comes with it. The model mentioned previously in this article comes with a nice faucet that isn’t boring but it isn’t flashy, either. The Clawfoot Tub Shower Enclosure with Faucet, Showerhead, and Handshower Kit by Randolph Morris is a different kind of kit entirely, and it comes with a very different kind of faucet. So, the key is to find a kit that offers the kind of faucet one wants and the shower enclosure set, because there really isn’t a big difference between two kits otherwise.

The thing that stop many people from buying a clawfoot tub shower kit is that they do not think the conversion process is easy but that’s not true. It’s actually very easy to do. Many people can usually do it on their own, but someone that isn’t too much of a handy man can simply hire someone who can do it in no time at all. The last thing to do is buy a new shower curtain to match the polished nickel or brushed nickel of your new claw foot tub shower.