What Are the Old Time Claw-Foot Tubs Made Of?

Materials

The exterior of original old-time claw-foot tubs is made of rough, exposed cast iron. The interior of the bathtub is coated with enamel, which is most commonly white. This coating was marketed as being sanitary and easy to clean when the bathtubs were first introduced for sale. Claw-foot tubs are generally cast to be oval and have a rolled rim. The feet of the tub are also made of cast iron and resemble the clawed feet of animals, thus the name.

Because a claw-foot tub is constructed of cast iron, it is heavy and can weigh close to 1,000 pounds when filled. Claw-foot tubs originally had to be set on reinforced floors and often were installed only on the first floor of a house. As long as your home is built to code, this shouldn’t be a problem today. Keep in mind that cast iron retains heat and cold for long periods of time and may require very hot water to heat up.

Authentic old-time claw-foot tubs can be located through various sources. Local salvage and scrap yards, as well as antique dealers, often sell vintage claw-foot tubs. You can also look for one in classified advertisements or on online auction sites. Five-foot-long tubs are the most common size available, since many of them were produced at the time, and are generally the least expensive. The condition of the tub will determine its cost.

A claw-foot tub may need to be refinished to repair defects. The exterior of the tub can be sandblasted down to the original cast iron to remove old paint, rust and corrosion; it then can be sanded and refinished, or primed and painted. The enamel interior of the tub can be sanded, acid-etched, body-filled, primed and painted to remove chips, scratches or areas that have worn away over the years. As a finishing touch, the tub’s feet can be plated in chrome, nickel, bronze or gold. The tub will look like new after it is refinished, but will require gentle treatment to avoid damage.